Waste Management Stock Slips as Market Declines: Here's What the Numbers Show

Waste Management (WM) closed at $219.71 after dropping 1.08%—a sharper decline than the S&P 500’s 0.74% fall and the Dow’s 0.63% decrease. The Nasdaq saw a slightly larger pullback at 0.76%. Despite today’s weakness, WM has maintained momentum recently, climbing 3.53% over the past month, which outperformed both the Business Services sector’s 2.83% gain and the broader market’s 0.79% rise.

Earnings Catalyst Coming: Strong Growth Expected

Investors are looking ahead to WM’s earnings release scheduled for January 28, 2026. The company is anticipated to deliver Q4 EPS of $1.95, representing a 14.71% year-over-year increase. Revenue guidance points to $6.38 billion for the quarter, up 8.29% from the prior year period—solid growth for a waste management operator managing diverse collection and recycling activity streams.

For full-year 2026, consensus estimates forecast earnings per share of $7.51 and total revenue of $25.27 billion, suggesting 3.87% and 14.55% annual growth respectively. These projections reflect confidence in WM’s ability to expand its waste activity portfolio and operational efficiency.

Valuation Check: Trading Near Peer Average

From a valuation standpoint, WM’s Forward P/E ratio sits at 29.59, which represents a modest discount to the industry average of 30.41. The PEG ratio stands at 2.75, slightly elevated compared to the Waste Removal Services sector average of 2.39—a signal that investors are pricing in above-average growth expectations.

Industry Position and Outlook

The Waste Removal Services industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 96, placing it in the top 39% of all industries tracked. This ranking reflects the sector’s resilience and growth potential as waste management and recycling activity continues to expand with urbanization and regulatory tailwinds.

Recent analyst estimate revisions have seen a modest 0.19% decline in EPS consensus over the last month, resulting in WM maintaining a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). This suggests a balanced outlook where the stock isn’t viewed as an immediate bargain, but remains worthy of consideration for investors focused on stable, mature business operations in the waste sector.