Waste Connections Inc. (NYSE:WCN) ranks among the most profitable Canadian Stocks to buy now. On March 13, Wolfe Research began coverage of Waste Connections Inc. (NYSE:WCN) with an Outperform rating and a price target of $199. The firm expects Waste Connections to uphold its margin premium and deliver significant operating margin expansion in the future. This year, the basic solid waste operating margin expansion is on track to reach 100 basis points. Pixabay/Public Domain Meanwhile, on March 11, Berns ...

Company Overview - Casella Waste Systems is a leading integrated waste management company in the northeastern U.S., focusing on maximizing resource recovery and providing comprehensive services to a diverse customer base [6] - The company operates a vertically integrated model, managing collection operations, transfer stations, recycling facilities, and landfills [9] Financial Performance - For 2025, Casella Waste Systems reported revenue of $1.8 billion, an increase of 18%, with adjusted EBITDA rising 17% to $422.8 million [10] - Adjusted free cash flow increased to $179.9 million, up 13.6%, despite a compression in reported net income due to higher depreciation from acquisitions [10] - The company guided for adjusted EBITDA of $455 million to $465 million for 2026, indicating continued mid-teens cash flow expansion [11] Market Position - As of the latest filing, Casella Waste Systems shares were priced at $93, down 18% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500's approximately 15% gain [8] - The company benefits from stable demand and regulatory-driven barriers to entry in the waste sector, which limits competition [6][11] Investment Insights - 4D Advisors initiated a new position in Casella Waste Systems, acquiring 95,000 shares valued at $9.30 million, representing 5.1% of their 13F reportable assets under management [2][8] - The investment reflects a strategy of adding durable assets within a portfolio that includes sectors like tobacco and data analytics [12]

Core Insights - Casella Waste Systems, Inc. reported strong financial results for Q4 2025, achieving double-digit growth in revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Free Cash Flow for the fifth consecutive year, driven by successful acquisitions and operational strategies [3][4][6]. Financial Performance - Q4 2025 revenues reached $469.1 million, an increase of $41.6 million or 9.7% compared to Q4 2024, primarily due to acquisitions, price growth in collection and disposal, and strong performance in National Accounts [4][6]. - For the fiscal year 2025, total revenues were $1.837 billion, up $279.6 million or 18.0% from fiscal year 2024 [6][9]. - Solid waste pricing increased by 4.9% in fiscal year 2025, with collection prices growing by 5.0% and disposal prices by 4.9% [6]. - Operating income for Q4 2025 was $11.9 million, down $6.6 million or 35.9% from Q4 2024, attributed to higher depreciation and amortization expenses [5][9]. - Net loss for Q4 2025 was $(2.5) million, a decrease of $(7.4) million compared to a net income of $4.9 million in Q4 2024 [7][10]. - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2025 was $107.0 million, an increase of $12.0 million or 12.7% from Q4 2024 [7][12]. - Fiscal year 2025 Adjusted Net Income was $80.6 million, up $1.8 million or 2.3% from fiscal year 2024 [11][12]. Acquisition Strategy - In 2025, the company acquired nine businesses, contributing approximately $145 million in annualized revenue, with a robust acquisition pipeline for 2026 [3][6]. - Over the past five years, Casella has acquired more than $800 million in annualized revenue through tuck-in acquisitions and new market entries [3][6]. Future Outlook - For fiscal year 2026, the company provided guidance estimating revenues between $1.970 billion and $1.990 billion, net income between $16 million and $22 million, and Adjusted EBITDA between $455 million and $465 million [14][16].

Company Overview - Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) is a leading provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America, offering collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services [1] - The company competes with other waste management firms such as Republic Services and Waste Connections [1] Recent Executive Activity - WM's CEO, James C. Fish Jr., sold 5,706 shares at $230.87 each, while retaining 220,087 shares [1][5] Institutional Investment - Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in WM by 16.9% in the third quarter, acquiring an additional 144,860 shares, bringing its total to 1,001,706 shares, valued at $221.2 million [2] - Peregrine Asset Advisers Inc. boosted its holdings by 372.5% to 5,046 shares, valued at $1.1 million [3] - Telos Capital Management Inc. also increased its position in WM by 10.1% [3] Stock Performance - WM's stock is currently priced at $232.03, reflecting a $1.53 increase or 0.66% rise [4] - The stock has fluctuated between $229 and $233.50 today, with a year-high of $242.58 and a low of $194.11 [4][5] - WM's market capitalization is approximately $93.48 billion, with a trading volume of 1,040,699 shares [4]

Core Viewpoint - GE Vernova Inc. (GEV) is a rapidly growing company in the electricity sector, with a significant market capitalization and strong stock performance over the past year [1][2]. Company Overview - Founded in 2023, GEV is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and provides products and services related to electricity generation, transfer, orchestration, conversion, and storage [1]. - The company operates through three segments: Power, Wind, and Electrification [1]. Stock Performance - GEV shares have outperformed the broader market, surging 102.5% over the past 52 weeks and 15.5% year-to-date [2]. - In comparison, the S&P 500 Index has returned 15.5% over the past year and increased by 1.9% in 2026 [2]. - The Industrial Services Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) rose 21.1% over the past year, indicating GEV's superior performance [3]. Earnings Report - On January 28, GEV reported Q4 2025 earnings with revenue of nearly $11 billion, a 3.8% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations [6]. - The adjusted EPS for the quarter was $13.39, surpassing Wall Street estimates by 339% [6]. Future Earnings Expectations - For the year ending December 2026, analysts project GEV's EPS to decline by 24.7% year-over-year to $13.32 on a diluted basis [7]. - GEV has a mixed earnings surprise history, surpassing consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters [7]. Analyst Ratings - Among 29 analysts covering GEV, the consensus rating is a "Strong Buy," with 21 "Strong Buy" ratings, two "Moderate Buys," five "Holds," and one "Strong Sell" [8]. - The bullish sentiment has increased recently, with the number of "Strong Buy" ratings rising from 18 to 21 in the past two months [8]. Price Target - Goldman Sachs analyst Joe Ritchie maintained a "Buy" rating for GEV and raised the price target from $840 to $925 [9]. - The mean price target of $815.92 suggests an upside potential of 8.1%, while the Street-high target of $1,087 indicates a possible rally of up to 44% [9].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors identify stocks with the potential to outperform the market within a 30-day timeframe [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] - Value Score emphasizes identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios [3] - Growth Score focuses on a company's financial health and future growth potential [4] - Momentum Score targets stocks with favorable price trends and earnings outlooks [5] - VGM Score combines all three styles to provide a comprehensive assessment of stocks [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.93% since 1988 [7][8] - To optimize returns, investors should prioritize stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [9] - Stocks with lower ranks but high Style Scores may still face downward price pressure if earnings forecasts are declining [10] Company Spotlight: Waste Connections (WCN) - Waste Connections is an integrated solid waste services company operating in the U.S. and Canada, providing various waste management services [11] - WCN holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has a VGM Score of B, with a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating positive short-term performance [12] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates by analysts suggest a consensus estimate increase to $5.15 per share for fiscal 2025, with an average earnings surprise of +2.5% [12][13]

Core Insights - Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) is a leading provider in the environmental and waste management sector, with a market capitalization of $67.2 billion, offering a range of services including non-hazardous solid waste collection and recycling [1] Company Overview - RSG is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its significant size and influence in the waste management industry, supported by strong operational footprint and customer retention [2] - The company has experienced a 16.1% decline from its 52-week high of $258.75, reached on June 3, and a 6.9% decrease over the past three months, underperforming the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI) [2] Stock Performance - Year-to-date, RSG shares are up 7.9%, while XLI has returned 16.6%, indicating underperformance in the longer term as RSG has decreased slightly over the past 52 weeks compared to XLI's 7.3% increase [3] - RSG has been trading below its 200-day moving average since early September and below its 50-day moving average since late June, confirming a bearish trend [3] Financial Performance - In Q3, RSG reported a revenue growth of 3.3% year-over-year to $4.2 billion, which was below analyst expectations due to cyclical volume pressures [4] - The company achieved an 80-basis-point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin, contributing to a 5% year-over-year rise in adjusted EPS to $1.90, exceeding consensus estimates by 7.3% [4]

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 - 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]