Group 1 - Technology stocks have been performing exceptionally well over the past decade, driven by transformative products that have changed consumer behavior [1] - Many investors have overlooked simpler businesses, such as waste management and staffing uniform providers, which are not as flashy but are essential [2] - Companies in the Consumer Staples sector, like Cintas and Waste Management, have shown steady demand regardless of economic conditions, providing stability against market volatility [3] Group 2 - Cintas (CTAS) has experienced a +780% increase over the last decade, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's +300% gain, with an annualized return of +24.2% [4] - Waste Management (WM) shares have risen by 385% over the past decade, also surpassing the S&P 500's performance, and have shown resilience during market downturns [5] - Both Cintas and Waste Management demonstrate that strong returns can be achieved through consistent and dependable growth in less glamorous sectors [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - UBS has increased its price target for Waste Connections, Inc. from $190 to $195, maintaining a "Neutral" rating, citing steady execution and resilient fundamentals following Q3 results [1] Financial Performance - Waste Connections reported Q3 2025 revenue of $2.46 billion, up from $2.34 billion year-over-year, indicating growth [3] - Adjusted EBITDA for the same period rose to $830.3 million, aligning with the company's 2025 guidance, reflecting consistency and disciplined cost management [3] Future Outlook - UBS has adjusted its annual adjusted EBITDA forecasts for Waste Connections to $3.12 billion, $3.36 billion, and $3.70 billion for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively, attributing the upward revision to the company's strong performance and potential M&A activity due to pressures on smaller operators [2]

Core Insights - Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST) is a significant player in the waste removal services industry, offering waste collection, recycling, and disposal services [1] - The company reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.15 for the quarter, which was below the estimated $0.33, although it has a history of exceeding expectations in previous quarters [2][6] - CWST's revenue for the quarter was $485.4 million, surpassing the estimated $476.9 million, and showing a significant increase from $411.63 million in the same period last year [3][6] Financial Performance - The EPS of $0.15 fell short of the estimated $0.33, indicating a potential area of concern for investors [2][6] - Revenue exceeded expectations at $485.4 million, reflecting a positive trend in revenue performance [3][6] - The company achieved a revenue of $485.35 million in the third quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.66% [3] Valuation Metrics - CWST has a high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 344.49, indicating that investors are willing to pay a premium for its earnings [4] - The price-to-sales ratio is about 2.88, and the enterprise value to sales ratio is approximately 2.84, further reflecting the company's valuation relative to its sales [4] Financial Stability - The company maintains a low debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.07, suggesting strong financial health and low debt levels [5][6] - A current ratio of about 1.51 indicates that CWST has sufficient liquidity to cover its short-term liabilities [5][6]

Core Insights - Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) is a leading provider of waste management services in North America, focusing on collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal, with an emphasis on sustainability initiatives [1] - Citigroup has maintained a "Buy" rating for WM and raised the price target from $268 to $270 following the Q3 2025 earnings call [2][6] - The current stock price of WM is $204.23, reflecting a decrease of 4.46% [4][6] Financial Performance - During the Q3 2025 earnings call, key leaders discussed WM's financial performance and strategic initiatives, with a focus on sustainability and enterprise strategy [3] - WM has a market capitalization of approximately $82.27 billion, indicating its significant presence in the waste management industry [5] - The trading volume for WM on the NYSE is 3,533,603 shares, showing active investor interest [5] Stock Performance - The stock price has fluctuated between a low of $197.25 and a high of $208.80 on the current trading day, with a yearly high of $242.58 and a low of $197.25, indicating volatility [4]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that assist investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2] - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [3] - The Growth Score evaluates a company's financial health and future outlook through projected earnings and sales [4] - The Momentum Score identifies stocks with upward or downward trends using price changes and earnings estimate changes [5] - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model based on earnings estimate revisions, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.81% since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500 [7] - There are typically over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential to utilize Style Scores for effective selection [8] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B are recommended for maximizing return potential [9] Stock Highlight: Waste Connections (WCN) - Waste Connections is an integrated solid waste services company operating in the U.S. and Canada, providing waste collection, disposal, and recycling services [11] - WCN holds a 3 (Hold) Zacks Rank with a VGM Score of B and a Momentum Style Score of A, having increased by 2.6% over the past four weeks [12] - Analysts have revised WCN's earnings estimate upwards, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.05 to $5.15 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +2.5% [12][13]