Core Viewpoint - Wall Street analysts anticipate Waste Management (WM) to report quarterly earnings of $2.01 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 2.6%, with revenues expected to reach $6.49 billion, up 15.7% from the previous year [1]. Earnings Projections - Changes in earnings projections are crucial for predicting investor reactions, with empirical studies showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price movements [2]. - The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained stable over the last 30 days, indicating analysts have reassessed their initial estimates [1]. Revenue Estimates - Analysts project 'Operating revenues- WM Renewable Energy' to be $129.50 million, indicating a significant increase of 48.9% from the prior-year quarter [4]. - 'Operating revenues- Recycling Processing and Sales' are expected to reach $395.44 million, reflecting a decrease of 8.5% from the previous year [4]. - 'Operating revenues- Corporate and Other' is forecasted at $5.70 million, showing a decline of 5.1% from the year-ago quarter [5]. Internal Revenue Growth - The estimated 'Internal Revenue Growth - Period-to-Period Change - Total - As a % of Total Company' is projected at 15.8%, an increase from 7.9% reported in the same quarter last year [5]. - 'Internal Revenue Growth - Period-to-Period Change - Internal revenue growth - As a % of Total Company' is expected to be 4.9%, down from 6.7% in the previous year [6]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, Waste Management shares have returned -1.5%, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change [6]. - Currently, WM holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), suggesting its performance may align with the overall market in the near future [6].

Group 1 - Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) has garnered significant hedge fund interest and is trending on Reddit, earning a place on the list of the 10 Best Non-Tech Stocks to Buy According to Reddit [1] - Stifel initiated coverage on Waste Management, Inc. with a Buy rating and a price target of $252, anticipating strong free cash flow growth in 2026 and 2027 driven by recycling and renewable gas projects, lower capital intensity, and cost synergies from the Stericycle acquisition [2] - The company's business strategy focuses on delivering steady shareholder returns through share repurchases and increases in per-share metrics, with Stifel predicting free cash flow to compound at an upper 5% annual rate beyond 2027 [3] Group 2 - Waste Management, Inc. provides a diverse range of environmental services, including WM Renewable Energy, WM Healthcare Solutions, Recycling Processing and Sales, as well as Collection and Disposal, positioning it as one of the Best Non-Tech Stocks [4]

Core Insights - Waste Management Inc reported better-than-expected earnings for Q2, with earnings of $1.92 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.89 per share, and quarterly sales of $6.430 billion, exceeding the estimate of $6.369 billion [1][2] Financial Performance - The company achieved robust organic revenue growth and margin expansion in its Collection and Disposal business, reaching the best-ever operating expense margin [2] - Operating EBITDA grew by double digits in both Recycling Processing and Sales and WM Renewable Energy segments, indicating strong earnings contributions from sustainability investments [2] Guidance and Analyst Ratings - Waste Management lowered its FY2025 sales guidance from a range of $25.550 billion-$25.800 billion to $25.275 billion-$25.475 billion [2] - Following the earnings announcement, analysts adjusted their price targets: Oppenheimer raised it from $260 to $265, UBS from $260 to $265, and BMO Capital from $245 to $248, while maintaining their respective ratings [3][5]

Core Insights - WM is set to release its first-quarter 2025 results on April 28, with a history of earnings surprises, having beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the last four quarters, with an average beat of 3.9% [1] Revenue Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for total revenues is $6.1 billion, indicating an 18.4% increase from the same quarter last year [1] - Collection revenues are expected to reach $4.7 billion, reflecting a 15.3% year-over-year growth [2] - Landfill revenues are projected at $1.4 billion, suggesting a 19.4% increase compared to the previous year [2] - The Transfer segment is estimated to generate $681.4 million, indicating a 21.7% rise year-over-year [2] - Recycling Processing and Sales revenues are anticipated to be $526.3 million, representing a 20.7% increase from the prior year [3] - WM Renewable Energy is expected to contribute $89 million, marking a 27.2% year-over-year growth [3] - WM Healthcare Solutions revenues are estimated at $107.6 million [3] EBITDA and Operational Efficiency - Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be $1.8 billion, suggesting a 21% growth from the same quarter last year [4] - Factors contributing to improved operational efficiency include cost optimization, shedding of low-margin residential business, and lower fuel costs in Collection and Disposal [4] Earnings Per Share (EPS) Expectations - The consensus estimate for earnings per share is $1.68, indicating a 5.1% decline from the year-ago quarter [5] - Strong margins driven by robust top-line growth and a disciplined cost strategy are expected to enhance the bottom line [5] Earnings Prediction Model - The model predicts an earnings beat for WM, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +0.83% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6]