Waste Management, IncNYSE: WM
Industrials · Environmental & Facilities Services
$217.69
-0.03%
Vol: 286K
Research Digest
Monday, June 15, 2026
No significant overnight updates
No material news in the last 48 hours.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysJun 14No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 21No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 20WM promoted Tara Hemmer to COO on May 13 and disclosed SVP Rafael Carrasco will retire July 17, while shareholders approved the amended ESPP at the May 12 annual meeting.Positive▶
Waste Management promoted longtime executive Tara Hemmer to EVP and COO on May 13, 2026, succeeding John Morris while she retains oversight of recycling and renewable energy businesses; she now leads more than 47,000 frontline employees. Separately, SVP of enterprise strategy and WM Healthcare Solutions president Rafael Carrasco — who led the Stericycle acquisition — notified WM on May 8 of his planned retirement effective July 17. At the May 12 annual stockholders meeting, shareholders elected nine directors, approved executive pay, and approved an amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan adding 3,000,000 authorized shares. Q1 2026 showed strong 6.3% core pricing and WM resumed buybacks after hitting its post-Stericycle leverage target. Analyst sentiment skews bullish with 19 Buys / 9 Holds. Shares trade around $220.79.
May 19Waste Management appointed Tara Hemmer EVP and Chief Operating Officer on May 13 and shareholders approved an amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan adding 3 million shares at the May 12 annual meeting.Positive▶
Waste Management's board appointed Tara Hemmer to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on May 13, 2026, an internal elevation that consolidates day-to-day operating leadership during a period of rising labor and equipment costs. At the May 12 annual meeting, shareholders approved (on an advisory basis) executive compensation and ratified an amendment to the Employee Stock Purchase Plan that increases the number of shares authorized for issuance by 3 million, filed via an 8-K the same day. The Q1 2026 industry backdrop is supportive: solid-waste core pricing exceeded analyst and management expectations and margins expanded 65 to 200+ basis points across the sector. RBC Capital raised its WM target to $240 (from $235) and TD Cowen lifted to $275 (from $270), and 19 of 28 covering analysts now rate the stock Buy. Why it matters: a sector-leading pricing environment combined with operational continuity strengthens the defensive compounder case for WM at ~$220. The bear case: the COO promotion is internal and incremental, the ESPP share increase is mildly dilutive, and pricing-led margin expansion is unlikely to repeat at the same magnitude in 2027.
May 18Waste Management promoted Tara Hemmer to COO on May 13 after 27-year tenure, alongside a May 12 8-K filing detailing annual meeting results and amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan.Positive▶
On May 13, 2026, Waste Management announced the promotion of Tara Hemmer, a 27-year company veteran and key architect of WM's sustainability and renewable natural gas strategy, to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to President John Morris. On May 12, 2026, WM filed a Form 8-K detailing its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including shareholder approval of executive compensation and an amended Employee Stock Purchase Plan increasing authorized shares by 3,000,000. WM maintained its quarterly dividend at $0.945 per share. The stock traded between $218.95 and $222.13 in mid-May with a current price near $219.80. RBC raised its price target to $240 from $235 and TD Cowen to $275 from $270 in late April. Q1 2026 adjusted EPS was $1.81 (+8.4% YoY) with 5.8% adjusted EBITDA growth.
May 15Waste Management promoted Tara Hemmer to EVP and COO effective May 13 as Rafa Carrasco retires.Neutral▶
Waste Management announced May 13 the promotion of 27-year veteran Tara Hemmer to EVP and Chief Operating Officer, reporting directly to President John Morris, as Rafa Carrasco retires. Hemmer has been central to WM's sustainability strategy including renewable natural gas sites. The company maintained its $0.945 quarterly dividend on May 11 (ex-date June 5). The stock trades around $216 after a recent pullback. RBC Capital recently raised PT to $240 from $235 and TD Cowen lifted to $275 from $270 (late April).
May 14Waste Management declared $0.945 quarterly dividend on May 11 and promoted Tara Hemmer to Chief Operating Officer amid recent share weaknessMixed▶
On May 11, 2026, Waste Management announced a maintained quarterly dividend of $0.945 per share and recently promoted Tara Hemmer to Chief Operating Officer. The company outlined plans to initiate $2 billion in stock buybacks in 2026, while a separate authorization disclosed a planned 14.5% dividend increase and $3 billion share repurchase authorization. Shares trade around $216.44, down roughly 6% over the past week and 7% over the past month amid investor digestion of soft Q4 2025 results that missed revenue expectations. Analysts maintain a Moderate Buy consensus with an average price target of $255.67. Management is leaning into capital return at a moment when the operating cadence has slowed. The bear case: revenue softness and integration costs from prior deals could continue to compress near-term EPS.
May 13Waste Management declared a maintained quarterly dividend of $0.945 per share, signaling capital return discipline despite a recent revenue miss.Neutral▶
On May 11, 2026, Waste Management declared a quarterly dividend of $0.945 per share, payable June 18 to shareholders of record June 5, maintaining the prior payout. Q1 2026 EPS of $1.81 beat consensus of $1.75, but revenue of $6.23B fell short of the $6.28B estimate. Operating EBITDA grew nearly 6% YoY, driven by Collection and Disposal strength. The company is positioned to deliver outsized shareholder returns in 2026 with a 14.5% dividend increase and a $3B share repurchase authorization announced earlier. Risk: WM shares are down 2.5% YTD as the revenue shortfall and Q4 2025 miss continue to weigh on sentiment.
May 12Waste Management declares $0.945 quarterly dividend on May 11, maintaining payout level after raising from $0.83 prior.Positive▶
Waste Management announced a quarterly dividend of $0.945 per share on May 11, 2026, maintaining its prior payout. The company outlined plans for $2 billion in stock buybacks in 2026 and continues focusing on growth in renewable energy and recycling. Q1 2026 results (April 28) delivered $1.81 adjusted EPS (beating consensus of $1.75 by $0.06) on revenue of $6.23B (slightly below $6.28B expected), with operating EBITDA up nearly 6% YoY. WM was named a top pick in the waste management sector on May 10. Recent institutional activity shows NewEdge Wealth raised its WM position 16.5% in Q4. Shares trade near $215, with 52-week range of $194.11-$248.13.
May 11No significant overnight updatesNeutral▶
No material news in the last 48 hours.
May 8Waste Management announced 14.5% dividend increase and $3B buyback; core margins hit record 38.4% amid strong operating EBITDA growthPositive▶
Waste Management reported strong Q1 results with 15%+ operating EBITDA growth and 33% free cash flow growth ($3.8B guidance for 2026). The company announced a 14.5% dividend increase (23 consecutive years) and $3B share repurchase. Core collection margins expanded to record 38.4%. WM Healthcare unit underperformed expectations. RBC Capital and TD Cowen raised price targets to $240 and $275 respectively on April 30.
May 6Waste Management raises dividend 14.5% and authorizes $3B share buyback; Q1 adjusted EPS $1.81 (+8.4% YoY); margin expansion to record 38.4%.Positive▶
Waste Management announced 14.5% dividend increase to approximately 94 cents per share (23rd consecutive annual increase) and $3 billion share repurchase authorization. Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.81 increased 8.4% YoY with 5.8% adjusted EBITDA growth on margin expansion and pricing discipline. Core collection/disposal margin expanded to record 38.4%. Company forecasts $3.8 billion free cash flow for 2026 with 33% free cash flow growth in Q1. Mixed read from healthcare unit citing deferred pricing and ERP-related challenges. RBC Capital raised price target to $240 from $235; TD Cowen to $275 from $270. Stock reflects strong operational execution and shareholder returns.
May 5Waste Management reports strong Q1, announces 14.5% dividend increasePositive▶
Waste Management achieved strong Q1 2026 results with adjusted EPS of $1.81 per share, up 8.4% year-over-year, and announced a planned 14.5% dividend increase along with $3 billion share repurchase authorization. The company's core collection and disposal business expanded margins to record 38.4%, driven by disciplined pricing and operational efficiencies. Free cash flow grew approximately 33% with $3.8 billion projected for full year 2026.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMWASTE | $217.69 | -0.03% | -2.2% | 23.6x | 0.49 | $87.4B |
| RSGREPUBLIC | $208.55 | +0.22% | -3.0% | 25.8x | 0.44 | $64.0B |
| ROLROLLINS | $47.17 | -11.04% | -2.9% | 37.9x | 0.79 | $25.5B |
| VLTOVERALTO | $84.20 | -2.05% | -0.9% | 18.5x | 0.93 | $21.1B |
| CATCATERPILLAR | $933.44 | +7.79% | +0.2% | 29.1x | 1.63 | $398.8B |
| GEGENERAL | $346.55 | +14.84% | +5.5% | 34.8x | 1.35 | $315.3B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.