Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, revenues grew by 7.3%, driven by better-than-expected contributions from pricing, volume, and M&A, despite headwinds from foreign exchange [13] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year reached $1.985 billion, with a 30% Adjusted EBITDA margin, marking a 130 basis point increase over 2024 [7][9] - Adjusted Free Cash Flow for Q4 was $425 million, totaling $756 million for 2025, ahead of plan due to EBITDA outperformance [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 pricing was 6.4% for the quarter and 6.1% for the year, exceeding original plans by 70 basis points [13] - Adjusted EBITDA margins in the Canadian segment increased by 175 basis points, while U.S. margins were up 10 basis points, excluding prior year hurricane volumes [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 volumes were 70 basis points ahead of plan, attributed to unanticipated special waste activity [14] - C&D-related volume remained soft, but the company is positioned for recovery when the economy improves [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve low- to mid-30s margins by 2028, with a focus on operational efficiency and capital allocation strategy [9][11] - The relocation of the executive headquarters to the U.S. is expected to enhance visibility with investors and broaden eligibility for U.S. equity indices [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the pricing environment and the ability to maintain pricing above internal cost inflation [8] - The company anticipates multiple avenues of upside to the 2026 guidance, with expected revenue of approximately $7 billion, an 8% increase over 2025 [18] Other Important Information - The company completed nearly $1 billion in M&A and bought back over 10% of its own stock, resulting in the lowest year-end net leverage in its history at 3.4x [10][11] - Adjusted Free Cash Flow for 2026 is expected to increase to $835 million, reflecting a 14% growth [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Does the leverage guidance assume no incremental M&A and buyback? - Management confirmed that the leverage guidance is committed to low to mid threes, and any incremental M&A or buybacks would increase that number [24] Question: Can you break down the EBITDA bridge for 2026? - Management acknowledged the components affecting EBITDA, including M&A rollover benefits and FX impacts, indicating organic EBITDA growth in the mid- to high single digits is achievable [25][27] Question: What is the expected contribution from EPR and R&G investments? - Management indicated that EPR contributions are expected to ramp up significantly in 2026, while R&G contributions are more muted and will ramp up into 2027 [33][34] Question: How do you balance M&A and share buybacks? - Management stated that while the stock is undervalued, they will continue to evaluate both M&A opportunities and share buybacks based on market conditions [40][41] Question: How is the M&A pipeline looking for 2026? - Management reported a healthy M&A pipeline focused on businesses in existing markets, with expectations of deploying $750 million to $1 billion in acquisitions [65] Question: Will there be incremental disclosure on GIP and ES performance? - Management committed to providing more detailed disclosures on GIP and ES performance in future quarterly releases [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter revenue was $2.228 billion, exceeding the high end of the outlook and up $155 million or 7.5% year-over-year [21] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $712.2 million, up 9.5% year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32%, above the outlook and up 60 basis points year-over-year [28][29] - Adjusted free cash flow for Q1 was $332.1 million, in line with expectations [31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Core solid waste pricing increased by 6.9%, with total pricing at 6.7%, reflecting a reduction in fuel and material surcharges [22] - Solid waste volumes decreased by 2.8%, with 50 basis points attributable to weather impacts [23][24] - Special waste activity increased by 6%, while construction and demolition (C&D) tons decreased by 6% [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported that cardboard and renewable energy credits values were down about 20% year-over-year, with prices for OCC averaging $105 per ton and RINs averaging $2.45 [27] - The company has seen no significant impacts from tariffs or geopolitical concerns on solid waste organic growth [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on price-led organic growth and acquisition activity, with a strong emphasis on employee retention and safety performance [4][10] - The company is on pace for a busy year in M&A, with annualized revenues from closed acquisitions already over $125 million [17][18] - The company aims to maintain a leverage ratio of 2.3 times debt to EBITDA, positioning itself well for continued acquisition activity [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic uncertainties, reiterating the full-year 2025 outlook for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted free cash flow [36] - The company has not seen significant changes in trends that would alter the outlook for 2025, despite broader economic uncertainties [36] Other Important Information - The company received a rating upgrade from Moody's to A3, reflecting its strong track record [19] - Employee retention improved for the tenth consecutive quarter, with voluntary turnover down to below 12% [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of HSR changes on M&A - Management noted that the HSR filing process has become more lengthy and expensive, but 99% of their deals do not require HSR filings, so they do not expect delays in M&A [44][45] Question: Volume decline and weather impact - Management confirmed that the 2.8% volume decline included a 50 basis point impact from weather and that normalized volumes showed sequential improvement [48][50] Question: Landfill tons in April - Management reported that the last four-week average total tons were up 4.5%, with year-to-date tons up exactly 3% [52] Question: Driving factors behind safety improvements - Management attributed record low safety incident rates to cultural changes and improved coaching effectiveness, with technology playing a supportive role [55][56] Question: Changes in RNG landscape - Management indicated no meaningful changes in the RNG landscape, with existing facilities showing stable RIN prices [65][66] Question: Core pricing and retention trends - Management confirmed that core pricing guidance remains unchanged, with better price retention observed year-to-date compared to the previous year [70][72] Question: Q2 margin guidance - Management explained that Q2 margins are expected to face greater headwinds from commodities compared to Q1, leading to a slight decrease in year-over-year margin expansion [85][86] Question: Special waste and C&D volume trends - Management noted that special waste and C&D volumes are cyclical and can be influenced by economic activity, with current trends showing some delays in job starts due to uncertainty [120][121]