WASTE CONNECTIONS INC (WCN.CA) Stock Fundamental Analysis
TSX:WCN - Toronto Stock Exchange - CA94106B1013 - Common Stock - Currency: CAD
Overall WCN gets a fundamental rating of 5 out of 10. We evaluated WCN against 24 industry peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. WCN has an excellent profitability rating, but there are concerns on its financial health. WCN is quite expensive at the moment. It does show a decent growth rate.
1. Profitability
1.1 Basic Checks
In the past year WCN was profitable.
In the past year WCN had a positive cash flow from operations.
In the past 5 years WCN has always been profitable.
In the past 5 years WCN always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
WCN has a Return On Assets of 3.11%. This is in the better half of the industry: WCN outperforms 70.83% of its industry peers.
WCN's Return On Equity of 7.85% is fine compared to the rest of the industry. WCN outperforms 66.67% of its industry peers.
With an excellent Return On Invested Capital value of 7.47%, WCN belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 87.50% of the companies in the same industry.
The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for WCN is in line with the industry average of 7.99%.
The last Return On Invested Capital (7.47%) for WCN is above the 3 year average (7.10%), which is a sign of increasing profitability.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 3.11% | ||
| ROE | 7.85% | ||
| ROIC | 7.47% |
ROA(3y)4.08%
ROA(5y)3.58%
ROE(3y)9.84%
ROE(5y)8.27%
ROIC(3y)7.1%
ROIC(5y)6.62%
1.3 Margins
The Profit Margin of WCN (6.93%) is better than 75.00% of its industry peers.
In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of WCN has declined.
The Operating Margin of WCN (19.16%) is better than 95.83% of its industry peers.
In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of WCN has grown nicely.
Looking at the Gross Margin, with a value of 42.02%, WCN is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 75.00% of the companies in the same industry.
WCN's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 19.16% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 6.93% | ||
| GM | 42.02% |
OM growth 3Y2.81%
OM growth 5Y2.48%
PM growth 3Y-11.67%
PM growth 5Y-8.02%
GM growth 3Y0.97%
GM growth 5Y0.56%
2. Health
2.1 Basic Checks
The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is below the Cost of Capital (WACC), so WCN is destroying value.
Compared to 1 year ago, WCN has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
Compared to 5 years ago, WCN has less shares outstanding
WCN has a worse debt/assets ratio than last year.
2.2 Solvency
An Altman-Z score of 3.38 indicates that WCN is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
WCN has a better Altman-Z score (3.38) than 87.50% of its industry peers.
The Debt to FCF ratio of WCN is 7.11, which is on the high side as it means it would take WCN, 7.11 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
WCN's Debt to FCF ratio of 7.11 is in line compared to the rest of the industry. WCN outperforms 54.17% of its industry peers.
WCN has a Debt/Equity ratio of 1.05. This is a high value indicating a heavy dependency on external financing.
The Debt to Equity ratio of WCN (1.05) is comparable to the rest of the industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.05 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 7.11 | ||
| Altman-Z | 3.38 |
ROIC/WACC0.76
WACC9.83%
2.3 Liquidity
WCN has a Current Ratio of 0.70. This is a bad value and indicates that WCN is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
Looking at the Current ratio, with a value of 0.70, WCN is doing worse than 70.83% of the companies in the same industry.
WCN has a Quick Ratio of 0.70. This is a bad value and indicates that WCN is not financially healthy enough and could expect problems in meeting its short term obligations.
WCN has a worse Quick ratio (0.70) than 70.83% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 0.7 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.7 |
3. Growth
3.1 Past
WCN shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 12.44%, which is quite good.
The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 11.90% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
The Revenue has grown by 10.75% in the past year. This is quite good.
The Revenue has been growing by 10.60% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
EPS 1Y (TTM)12.44%
EPS 3Y14.04%
EPS 5Y11.9%
EPS Q2Q%8.65%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)10.75%
Revenue growth 3Y13.19%
Revenue growth 5Y10.6%
Sales Q2Q%7.5%
3.2 Future
WCN is expected to show quite a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 12.10% yearly.
The Revenue is expected to grow by 7.82% on average over the next years.
EPS Next Y11.3%
EPS Next 2Y12.86%
EPS Next 3Y13.78%
EPS Next 5Y12.1%
Revenue Next Year7.12%
Revenue Next 2Y7.11%
Revenue Next 3Y7.63%
Revenue Next 5Y7.82%
3.3 Evolution
When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is stable.
The Revenue growth rate is decreasing: in the next years the growth will be less than in the last years.
4. Valuation
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
With a Price/Earnings ratio of 38.13, WCN can be considered very expensive at the moment.
Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Earnings ratio of WCN is on the same level as its industry peers.
Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio of 26.35, WCN is valued a bit more expensive.
The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 30.49, which means the current valuation is very expensive for WCN.
Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of WCN is on the same level as its industry peers.
The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 22.19. WCN is valued slightly more expensive when compared to this.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 38.13 | ||
| Fwd PE | 30.49 |
4.2 Price Multiples
WCN's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is in line with the industry average.
Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio of WCN is on the same level as its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 40.68 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 19.26 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
WCN has a very decent profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
WCN's earnings are expected to grow with 13.78% in the coming years. This may justify a more expensive valuation.
PEG (NY)3.37
PEG (5Y)3.2
EPS Next 2Y12.86%
EPS Next 3Y13.78%
5. Dividend
5.1 Amount
WCN has a yearly dividend return of 0.70%, which is pretty low.
WCN's Dividend Yield is a higher than the industry average which is at 2.31.
With a Dividend Yield of 0.70, WCN pays less dividend than the S&P500 average, which is at 2.42.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.7% |
5.2 History
On average, the dividend of WCN grows each year by 12.03%, which is quite nice.
WCN has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
WCN has not decreased its dividend in the past 5 years, so it has a somewhat stable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)12.03%
Div Incr Years7
Div Non Decr Years7
5.3 Sustainability
WCN pays out 49.31% of its income as dividend. This is a bit on the high side, but may be sustainable.
The dividend of WCN is growing around the same rate as the earnings are growing. If this keeps up the dividend growth is sustainable.
DP49.31%
EPS Next 2Y12.86%
EPS Next 3Y13.78%
TSX:WCN (6/20/2025, 7:00:00 PM)
255.06
-0.34 (-0.13%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCommercial & Professional Services
GICS IndustryCommercial Services & Supplies
Earnings (Last)
Earnings (Next)
Inst Owners89.49%
Inst Owner ChangeN/A
Ins Owners0.15%
Ins Owner ChangeN/A
Market Cap65.90B
Analysts75.29
Price Target284.99 (11.73%)
Short Float %N/A
Short RatioN/A
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 0.7% |
Yearly Dividend1.6
Dividend Growth(5Y)12.03%
DP49.31%
Div Incr Years7
Div Non Decr Years7
Ex-Date
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)-1.64%
Min EPS beat(2)-5.03%
Max EPS beat(2)1.76%
EPS beat(4)3
Avg EPS beat(4)1.02%
Min EPS beat(4)-5.03%
Max EPS beat(4)4.9%
EPS beat(8)6
Avg EPS beat(8)1.14%
EPS beat(12)9
Avg EPS beat(12)1.6%
EPS beat(16)12
Avg EPS beat(16)1.57%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-0.5%
Min Revenue beat(2)-0.75%
Max Revenue beat(2)-0.25%
Revenue beat(4)2
Avg Revenue beat(4)0.06%
Min Revenue beat(4)-0.75%
Max Revenue beat(4)0.84%
Revenue beat(8)2
Avg Revenue beat(8)-0.24%
Revenue beat(12)4
Avg Revenue beat(12)-0.23%
Revenue beat(16)8
Avg Revenue beat(16)0.15%
PT rev (1m)0%
PT rev (3m)38.82%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-1.13%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-4.47%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)-0.49%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-0.16%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.12%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.07%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 38.13 | ||
| Fwd PE | 30.49 | ||
| P/S | 5.3 | ||
| P/FCF | 40.68 | ||
| P/OCF | 21.08 | ||
| P/B | 6 | ||
| P/tB | N/A | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 19.26 |
EPS(TTM)6.69
EY2.62%
EPS(NY)8.36
Fwd EY3.28%
FCF(TTM)6.27
FCFY2.46%
OCF(TTM)12.1
OCFY4.74%
SpS48.15
BVpS42.52
TBVpS-11.19
PEG (NY)3.37
PEG (5Y)3.2
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 3.11% | ||
| ROE | 7.85% | ||
| ROCE | 9.43% | ||
| ROIC | 7.47% | ||
| ROICexc | 7.52% | ||
| ROICexgc | 16.81% | ||
| OM | 19.16% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 6.93% | ||
| GM | 42.02% | ||
| FCFM | 13.02% |
ROA(3y)4.08%
ROA(5y)3.58%
ROE(3y)9.84%
ROE(5y)8.27%
ROIC(3y)7.1%
ROIC(5y)6.62%
ROICexc(3y)7.13%
ROICexc(5y)6.71%
ROICexgc(3y)16.04%
ROICexgc(5y)15.16%
ROCE(3y)8.97%
ROCE(5y)8.36%
ROICexcg growth 3Y4.71%
ROICexcg growth 5Y6.27%
ROICexc growth 3Y5.49%
ROICexc growth 5Y5.39%
OM growth 3Y2.81%
OM growth 5Y2.48%
PM growth 3Y-11.67%
PM growth 5Y-8.02%
GM growth 3Y0.97%
GM growth 5Y0.56%
F-Score5
Asset Turnover0.45
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 1.05 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 7.11 | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 2.86 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 92.25% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 12.1% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 250 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 77.85% | ||
| Profit Quality | 187.86% | ||
| Current Ratio | 0.7 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 0.7 | ||
| Altman-Z | 3.38 |
F-Score5
WACC9.83%
ROIC/WACC0.76
Cap/Depr(3y)94.39%
Cap/Depr(5y)92.61%
Cap/Sales(3y)12.05%
Cap/Sales(5y)12.09%
Profit Quality(3y)159.7%
Profit Quality(5y)199.37%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)12.44%
EPS 3Y14.04%
EPS 5Y11.9%
EPS Q2Q%8.65%
EPS Next Y11.3%
EPS Next 2Y12.86%
EPS Next 3Y13.78%
EPS Next 5Y12.1%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)10.75%
Revenue growth 3Y13.19%
Revenue growth 5Y10.6%
Sales Q2Q%7.5%
Revenue Next Year7.12%
Revenue Next 2Y7.11%
Revenue Next 3Y7.63%
Revenue Next 5Y7.82%
EBIT growth 1Y12.58%
EBIT growth 3Y16.36%
EBIT growth 5Y13.35%
EBIT Next Year80.4%
EBIT Next 3Y29.5%
EBIT Next 5Y20.06%
FCF growth 1Y8.63%
FCF growth 3Y7.13%
FCF growth 5Y6.05%
OCF growth 1Y12.66%
OCF growth 3Y9.49%
OCF growth 5Y7.67%