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RSG vs WCN
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Republic Services (RSG) vs. Waste Connections (WCN) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both RSG and WCN operate in the environmental services sector, providing waste collection, recycling, and disposal services with stable, recurring revenue models.
- Recent market activity shows RSG with modestly stronger year-to-date performance compared to WCN, reflecting differences in momentum and positioning within the defensive waste-management space.
- Upcoming second-quarter 2026 earnings for RSG (scheduled for August 6) and recent results from WCN highlight resilient pricing power and margin stability amid broader market volatility.
- Sector exposure to essential services supports low-beta characteristics for both stocks, though RSG has demonstrated slightly lower volatility in recent weeks.
- Relative valuation and growth drivers present trade-offs, with RSG showing stronger analyst price targets and WCN emphasizing acquisition activity and share repurchases.
- Market sentiment remains neutral to cautious for the pair, influenced by macroeconomic factors and upcoming earnings catalysts rather than sector-specific disruptions.
Introduction
Republic Services (RSG) and Waste Connections (WCN) represent two leading players in the U.S. waste-management industry, offering investors exposure to a defensive sector characterized by essential services and predictable cash flows. This comparison examines their recent stock behavior, business fundamentals, and relative positioning in the current market environment. The analysis appeals to traders and investors seeking balanced insights into two similar yet differentiated environmental services companies, particularly those focused on sector resilience, momentum differentials, and earnings catalysts over broader timeframes.
RSG Overview and Recent Performance
Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) provides integrated waste-management solutions, including collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal services across North America. In recent weeks, the stock has traded in a relatively narrow range near the middle of its 52-week band, posting a year-to-date return of approximately 0.22% as of late July 2026. First-quarter 2026 results demonstrated solid adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.70 alongside revenue growth supported by pricing initiatives and customer retention. Market sentiment has been influenced by anticipation of second-quarter 2026 earnings, scheduled for release after market close on August 6, 2026, with consensus expectations centered on continued margin expansion and volume trends. The company’s lower beta profile has contributed to relative stability amid broader equity market fluctuations.
WCN Overview and Recent Performance
Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) delivers non-hazardous solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal services, with operations concentrated in secondary and rural markets. Over recent weeks, the stock has shown more pronounced underperformance relative to peers, with year-to-date returns lagging those of comparable names in the sector. Second-quarter 2026 results, reported in late July, featured revenue of $2.562 billion (up 6.4% year-over-year) and adjusted EPS of $1.50, accompanied by an upward revision to full-year 2026 guidance. Recent market activity reflects investor focus on acquisition integration, share repurchases totaling over $614 million year-to-date, and margin resilience despite fuel cost pressures. The company maintains a defensive business profile with emphasis on organic growth and strategic M&A (mergers and acquisitions).
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both companies share core business models centered on essential waste services, yet differ in geographic focus and growth emphasis: RSG benefits from broader national scale and integrated environmental solutions, while WCN prioritizes secondary markets and aggressive acquisition pipelines. Recent momentum favors RSG on a relative performance basis, with tighter trading ranges and lower volatility (beta approximately 0.41) compared to WCN. Growth drivers include pricing power and volume stability for both, though WCN highlights elevated share buybacks and raised guidance as near-term catalysts. Risk factors center on macroeconomic sensitivity to volumes and fuel costs, with sector sentiment remaining steady but tempered by overall market uncertainty. Valuation metrics show RSG trading at a premium earnings multiple with stronger analyst targets, presenting a trade-off versus WCN’s focus on capital return and expansion potential.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent trend consistency, technical positioning, and the presence of an upcoming earnings catalyst, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable near-term positioning to RSG relative to WCN. This assessment reflects measured momentum differentials and sector stability without implying definitive outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is RSG is a StrongBuy and WCN is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
RSG’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileWCN’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- RSG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WCN’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
RSG’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WCN’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- RSG’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WCN’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
RSG (@Environmental Services) experienced а +2.69% price change this week, while WCN (@Environmental Services) price change was -1.11% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Environmental Services industry was +3.76%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.22%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.89%.
Reported Earning Dates
RSG is expected to report earnings on Oct 22, 2026.
WCN is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Environmental Services (+3.76% weekly)Environmental Services includes companies that collect and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Their services include removal of toxic waste from soil, removing medical waste etc. Some companies also operate incinerators, sewerage systems, waste treatment plants, and landfills. Demand for waste management is likely to rise with increasing urbanization/industrialization. Waste Management, Inc., Republic Services, Inc., Waste Connections, Inc. and Tetra Tech, Inc. are some of the major companies in this business.
| RSG | WCN | RSG / WCN | |
| Capitalization | 65.9B | 41.6B | 158% |
| EBITDA | 5.13B | 3.01B | 170% |
| Gain YTD | 2.440 | -4.993 | -49% |
| P/E Ratio | 30.48 | 39.98 | 76% |
| Revenue | 16.7B | 9.76B | 171% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 14.1B | 9.61B | 147% |
RSG | WCN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 9 | 71 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 39 Fair valued | 42 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 26 | 50 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 49 | 62 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 59 | 57 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 62 | 93 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
RSG's Valuation (39) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as WCN (42). This means that RSG’s stock grew similarly to WCN’s over the last 12 months.
RSG's Profit vs Risk Rating (26) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as WCN (50). This means that RSG’s stock grew similarly to WCN’s over the last 12 months.
RSG's SMR Rating (49) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as WCN (62). This means that RSG’s stock grew similarly to WCN’s over the last 12 months.
WCN's Price Growth Rating (57) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as RSG (59). This means that WCN’s stock grew similarly to RSG’s over the last 12 months.
RSG's P/E Growth Rating (62) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as WCN (93). This means that RSG’s stock grew similarly to WCN’s over the last 12 months.
| RSG | WCN | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 43% | 1 day ago 54% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 44% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 50% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 53% | 1 day ago 45% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 41% | 1 day ago 44% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 52% | 12 days ago 46% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 38% | 10 days ago 46% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 39% |
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RSG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RSG has been closely correlated with WM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 82% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RSG jumps, then WM could also see price increases.