Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated net income attributable to limited partners of $332 million and adjusted EBITDA of $634 million during Q3 2025, with adjusted gross margin remaining relatively flat compared to the previous quarter [16][19] - Operating and maintenance expenses decreased by 5%, or $12 million, quarter over quarter, attributed to reduced asset maintenance and repair expenses [16][18] - Cash flow from operating activities totaled $570 million, generating free cash flow of $397 million [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Natural gas throughput increased by 2% sequentially, driven by higher volumes from the Chepeta plant in Utah and the DJ Basin [6][10] - Crude oil and NGLs throughput decreased by 4% sequentially, primarily due to reduced throughput in the Delaware Basin [8][10] - Produced water throughput remained flat sequentially, with expectations for a 40% year-over-year increase in Q4 2025 due to the Aris acquisition [10][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Delaware Basin achieved record natural gas throughput, while the DJ Basin showed strong sequential growth [3][6] - The Powder River Basin experienced decreased throughput due to previously unloaded volumes subsiding [7][12] - The company expects low double-digit year-over-year throughput growth for natural gas in the Delaware Basin and low to mid-single digits for crude oil and NGLs [10][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The acquisition of Aris Water Solutions positions the company as a leader in produced water midstream solutions in the Delaware Basin, enhancing commercial capabilities [4][22] - The company aims to capture $40 million in annual run rate synergies from the Aris acquisition and is focused on organic growth alongside potential inorganic opportunities [4][14][67] - The company plans to maintain a disciplined capital allocation framework while pursuing growth opportunities in both Texas and New Mexico [24][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to address produced water challenges in the Delaware Basin and highlighted the importance of regulatory engagement [4][22] - The company anticipates continued throughput growth in 2026, particularly in the Delaware Basin, despite potential declines in the Powder River Basin due to commodity price weakness [14][57] - Management emphasized the successful execution of cost reduction initiatives, which are expected to continue benefiting the company in 2026 [17][58] Other Important Information - The company expects capital expenditures to be at least $1.1 billion in 2026, with budgeting processes already underway [20] - The company declared a quarterly distribution of $0.91 per unit, consistent with the prior quarter [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on O&M expense sustainability - Management indicated that the reduction in O&M expenses is sustainable and that further improvements are expected [28][29][33] Question: Potential for distribution step-ups with major projects - Management confirmed that distribution step-ups are possible with the completion of major projects or acquisitions, while maintaining a cautious approach to yield management [34][36] Question: Update on the Pathfinder project and pore space agreement - Management noted that the pore space agreement enhances project efficiency and allows for better growth potential in New Mexico [40][41][42] Question: Plans for expanding gas and oil infrastructure in New Mexico - Management stated that both organic and inorganic growth strategies will be pursued to expand infrastructure in New Mexico [44][46] Question: Outlook for 2026 and potential portfolio gaps - Management expects overall product growth across all three product lines in 2026, with a focus on leveraging the Aris acquisition for growth [55][57]

Core Insights - Casella Waste Systems, Inc. reported record performance in key financial metrics for Q3 2025, driven by a disciplined acquisition strategy and strong organic growth [3][4][6] - The company completed eight acquisitions in 2025, contributing approximately $105 million in annualized revenue, with an additional $30 million expected from a pending acquisition [3][4] - Revenue for Q3 2025 reached $485.4 million, a 17.9% increase from Q3 2024, primarily due to acquisition impacts, price growth, and strong performance in the Resource Solutions segment [4][7] Financial Performance - Operating income for Q3 2025 was $29.4 million, up 20.5% from the same period in 2024, excluding a non-recurring landfill closure charge [5][6] - Net income for Q3 2025 was $10.0 million, a significant increase of 73.0% compared to Q3 2024, largely influenced by operating income factors [6][7] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2025 was $119.9 million, reflecting a 16.4% increase year-over-year, driven by both acquisitions and organic growth [6][7] Cash Flow and Guidance - Net cash provided by operating activities for the year-to-date period was $233.2 million, a 35.9% increase from the same period in 2024 [9] - Adjusted Free Cash Flow for the nine months ended September 30 was $119.5 million, up 21.0% from the previous year [9] - The company raised the lower end of its revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance for fiscal year 2025, reflecting confidence in strong performance and limited exposure to recycled commodity price volatility [11][16] Acquisition Strategy - The company has positioned itself to capitalize on a robust acquisition pipeline, with ongoing integration efforts in the Mid-Atlantic region expected to enhance business performance [3][4] - The anticipated acquisition of Mountain State Waste is expected to add another $30 million in annualized revenue, further strengthening the company's market position [3][4] Market Position - Casella Waste Systems provides solid waste, recycling, and resource management services primarily in the eastern United States, serving a diverse customer base [17]

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]

Core Insights - Waste Management (WM) has transformed waste collection and disposal into a highly profitable business, generating $22 billion in revenue and nearly $3 billion in profit last year [1][2] - The company is positioned for long-term growth due to increasing demand for its services and a strong business model [1][10] Business Model and Revenue Streams - WM is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America, with a vertically integrated structure that includes waste collection, transfer stations, and landfills [2] - The majority of WM's revenue (89%) comes from collection, transfer, and disposal services, which are secured through long-term contracts that typically last three years [3] - Revenue from collection and disposal has grown at approximately 6% annually over the past five years [3] Growth Segments - Recycling, healthcare solutions, and renewable energy are smaller but rapidly growing segments for WM [4] - The acquisition of Stericycle for $7.2 billion allows WM to enter the healthcare waste market, capitalizing on increased demand for regulated medical waste services [4][8] - WM is investing $3 billion in new or upgraded recycling facilities and renewable natural gas (RNG) facilities, which will generate an additional $600 million in annual free cash flow by 2027 [7][9] Financial Performance and Projections - WM has delivered a nearly 400% total return over the past decade, outperforming the S&P 500 [5] - The company forecasts revenue growth to approximately $29 billion by 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate of over 9% [9] - Annual free cash flow is expected to exceed $4 billion by 2027, allowing for continued investment in sustainability projects and shareholder returns [9] Market Position and Opportunities - WM holds a significant share of the $125 billion U.S. and Canadian waste and recycling market, with opportunities for further growth through acquisitions of smaller waste management companies [6] - The company has a strong balance sheet, rated A, providing financial flexibility for future acquisitions and investments [6]

Core Insights - Republic Services, Inc. is the second largest provider of non-hazardous solid waste services in the U.S. with a market cap of $69 billion [1] - The company is expected to report a slight decline in adjusted profit for Q3, with an EPS of $1.76, down 2.8% from the previous year [2] - Analysts project a positive growth trajectory for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, with adjusted EPS expected to rise to $6.84 and $7.45 respectively [3] Financial Performance - Republic Services' stock has increased by 6.2% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming compared to the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 8.9% and the S&P 500 Index's 13.5% [4] - In Q2, the company reported a 4.6% year-over-year revenue growth to $4.2 billion, driven by 3.1% organic revenue growth and 1.5% from acquisitions, although it missed Street expectations by 75 basis points [5] - The adjusted EPS for Q2 was $1.77, reflecting a 9.9% year-over-year increase, surpassing consensus estimates by 1.1% [5] - Operating cash flows for Q2 increased by 11.7% year-over-year to $2.1 billion [5] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts maintain a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating for Republic Services, with 12 "Strong Buys," 2 "Moderate Buys," and 10 "Holds" among 24 analysts [6] - The mean price target for RSG is $262, indicating a potential upside of 20.1% from current levels [6]

Core Insights - Waste Management, Inc. (WM) has a market capitalization of $87.6 billion and is a leading provider of waste management and environmental solutions in North America and internationally [1] Financial Performance - WM is expected to release its fiscal Q3 2025 results on October 27, with analysts projecting an adjusted EPS of $2.03, reflecting a 3.6% increase from $1.96 in the same quarter last year [2] - For fiscal 2025, analysts forecast an adjusted EPS of $7.57, which is a 4.7% increase from $7.23 in fiscal 2024, and a further rise to $8.51 in fiscal 2026, representing a 12.4% year-over-year growth [3] Stock Performance - WM stock has increased by 5.3% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming compared to the S&P 500 Index's 17.4% return and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 14.5% gain during the same period [4] - Following the release of Q2 2025 results, WM shares rose by 3.4%, with adjusted earnings reported at $1.92 per share and revenue at $6.43 billion, exceeding forecasts [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus rating for WM stock is "Moderate Buy," with 13 analysts recommending "Strong Buy," one suggesting "Moderate Buy," and 11 providing a "Hold" rating [6] - The average analyst price target for Waste Management is $259.68, indicating a potential upside of 18.3% from current levels [6]

Core Viewpoint - Waste Connections Inc. is identified as a strong buy-the-dip stock, with analysts highlighting its differentiated growth strategy and a Buy rating initiated by Stifel with a price target of $221 [1][2]. Company Overview - Waste Connections Inc. operates in solid waste management, providing integrated services such as non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, disposal, and resource recovery, along with specialized services like non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment [4]. Business Structure - Approximately 40% of Waste Connections' business operates under exclusive or franchise contracts, while the remaining 60% serves secondary and rural markets, contributing to its resilient business structure [2]. Financial Performance - The company has demonstrated strong operational performance with a gross profit margin of 42% [2]. Growth Prospects - Stifel expects Waste Connections to achieve mid-7% to 8% free cash flow growth starting from 2028, driven by acquisitions and operational excellence [3]. Shareholder Returns - The company is anticipated to return capital to shareholders through share repurchases, enhancing its investment appeal [3].

Core Insights - Macquarie Asset Management's "Macquarie Large Cap Growth Fund" reported a positive return of 11.24% in Q2 2025, but underperformed the Russell 1000 Growth Index, which returned 17.84% [1] Company Performance - Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) experienced a one-month return of -4.51% and a 52-week decline of 3.60%, with its stock closing at $173.97 and a market capitalization of $44.73 billion on September 19, 2025 [2] - The performance of Waste Connections was negatively impacted as stable companies fell out of favor, despite no specific event affecting its fundamentals [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Waste Connections, Inc. was held by 43 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2025, an increase from 41 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest among institutional investors [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues in Q1 2025 were $417.1 million, an increase of $76.1 million or 22.3% year over year, with $57.3 million from acquisitions and $18.4 million from organic growth of 5.4% [13][20] - Adjusted EBITDA was $86.4 million, up $15.4 million or 21.7% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA margins at 20.7%, down 10 basis points year over year [16][20] - Adjusted net income was $12.2 million or $0.19 per diluted share, an increase of $3.5 million or about $0.04 per share [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Solid waste revenues increased by 25.9% year over year, with pricing up 5.6% and volume down 1.7% [13][14] - Collection pricing was up 5.8%, while volumes decreased by 1.7%, attributed to slower roll-off volumes during winter [9][14] - Resource Solutions revenues grew by 9.5% year over year, with national accounts up 10.9% [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic growth in the landfill business exceeded 7%, driven by both price and volume increases [8][9] - The average price per ton in the landfill business was up 4.8% in the quarter [15] - Commodity prices remained stable, with recent softness in the fiber market offset by strength in plastics and aluminum [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on internalizing more of its own tons and executing its acquisition strategy, having closed four deals year to date with approximately $50 million in annualized revenues [10][25] - The active M&A pipeline is robust, with over $500 million in revenues in various stages of engagement [26] - The company aims to enhance operational efficiency through fleet automation and route optimization [23][25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the 2025 outlook, citing limited exposure to tariffs and a resilient business model [10][22] - The company is closely monitoring macroeconomic uncertainties but remains optimistic about future value creation opportunities [10][21] - Management noted that the challenging winter weather impacted roll-off volumes but expects a seasonal uptick as spring progresses [9][72] Other Important Information - The company was recognized on Forbes' 2025 America's Best Midsized Employers list, highlighting its commitment to core values and culture [7] - The company has a consolidated net leverage ratio of 2.45 times and maintains approximately $900 million of availability between excess cash and an undrawn revolver [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: How much of the landfill volume increase is due to lost construction and demolition volumes flowing back? - Management indicated that about one-third of the increase is from recapturing construction and demolition tons in the New York market, with two-thirds from efforts to internalize additional tons [30][31] Question: What is the unfilled annual landfill capacity today? - Management stated that they are running about 30% excess capacity, primarily in New York State, with opportunities to drive more volume to specific landfills [32][33] Question: Can you provide an update on the Juniper Ridge landfill gas plant ramp? - The Juniper Ridge project is online but operating at low production levels, with expectations for ramp-up throughout the year [36][38] Question: What is the expected EBITDA contribution from internalization? - Management noted that the impact of internalization on EBITDA is complex and varies by acquisition, making it difficult to provide a specific figure [75][76] Question: Why was the full year guidance not changed despite strong Q1 results? - Management explained that it is typical not to change guidance in the first quarter unless there are significant deviations from expectations [90][91]