Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) have been given an average recommendation of “Buy” by the twenty-two brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and four have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $204.20.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group set a $205.00 price target on shares of Waste Connections in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Barclays set a $176.00 target price on Waste Connections and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Waste Connections from $220.00 to $210.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. Morgan Stanley set a $205.00 price target on Waste Connections and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Waste Connections in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They set a “buy” rating and a $202.00 target price on the stock.

Institutional Trading of Waste Connections

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. City Holding Co. bought a new position in shares of Waste Connections in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in Waste Connections in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Asset Dedication LLC bought a new position in shares of Waste Connections during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Waste Connections by 346.2% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 174 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp bought a new stake in Waste Connections in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. 86.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Waste Connections Stock Performance

Waste Connections stock opened at $160.41 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 0.62 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $170.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $174.66. The company has a market capitalization of $41.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.62. Waste Connections has a 12-month low of $155.65 and a 12-month high of $201.66.

Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The business services provider reported $1.29 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.28 by $0.01. Waste Connections had a return on equity of 16.25% and a net margin of 11.37%.The business had revenue of $2.35 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.37 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.16 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Waste Connections will post 5.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Waste Connections Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 25th will be issued a dividend of $0.35 per share. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 25th. Waste Connections’s payout ratio is presently 58.33%.

Trending Headlines about Waste Connections

Here are the key news stories impacting Waste Connections this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company raised FY‑2026 revenue guidance to roughly $9.9B–$9.95B and cited AI-driven efficiency plus acquisition synergies as drivers of margin improvement — a key fundamental reason investors are bullish on forward growth and margins. Waste Connections targets $9.9B–$9.95B 2026 revenue as AI and acquisition gains bolster margin outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat estimates ($1.29 vs $1.28) and EPS rose year‑over‑year; management highlighted margin expansion and efficiency initiatives on the earnings call — supports the stock’s upward move. Waste Connections Posts Strong Q4 Results, Raises 2026 Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 (ex‑dividend Feb 25), which supports income investors and adds to shareholder return credibility.
• Neutral Sentiment: Revenue was effectively in line/slightly below consensus ($2.35B reported vs. $2.37B expected) — mixed top‑line print offsets the small EPS beat and tempers the bullish case. Waste Connections (WCN) Q4 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyses and deep dives highlight margin expansion and operational efficiency initiatives; useful context for modeling but largely qualitative until converted into sustained margin outperformance. WCN Q4 Deep Dive: Margin Expansion and Efficiency Initiatives Amid Market Pressures
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation write‑ups are revisiting WCN after recent share‑price weakness — watch valuation multiples and how analysts adjust long‑term EPS assumptions. A Look At Waste Connections (WCN) Valuation After Recent Share Price Weakness
• Negative Sentiment: TD Cowen trimmed its price target from $210 to $200 (but kept a Buy rating) — a downward revision that signals some analyst caution on near‑term upside/valuation even as the team remains constructive. Benzinga

Waste Connections Company Profile

Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) is a North American integrated waste services company that provides a range of solid waste and environmental services to municipal, commercial, industrial and residential customers. The company offers collection, transportation, transfer, disposal and recycling services, and operates an extensive network of transfer stations and disposal facilities. Waste Connections positions itself as a provider of infrastructure-driven waste solutions across many regions of the United States and Canada.

The company’s operating activities include routine curbside and commercial collection, roll-off and container services, operation of landfills and transfer stations, and recycling and resource recovery programs.