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RSG vs WM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Republic Services (RSG) vs. Waste Management (WM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- WM holds a larger market capitalization of approximately $91.9 billion compared to RSG's $63.8 billion, reflecting greater scale in the waste management sector.
- Both stocks demonstrate low volatility with betas (a measure of market sensitivity) of 0.44 for RSG and 0.50 for WM, appealing to defensive investors.
- WM reported strong Q1 2026 results with adjusted EPS (earnings per share) of $1.81, surpassing estimates, while revenue reached $6.23 billion.
- RSG shares have experienced a recent pullback amid mixed short-term returns but benefit from a recent acquisition of Robinson Waste Services.
- Analyst price targets indicate potential upside: around $245 for RSG and $256 for WM, with "Buy" consensus ratings.
- Year-to-date, WM outperforms with +4.54% returns versus RSG's +1.97%, amid stable sector dynamics.
Introduction
Republic Services (RSG) and Waste Management (WM) are leading players in the essential waste management industry, providing collection, recycling, and disposal services across North America. This stock comparison is particularly relevant for income-focused investors seeking defensive holdings with reliable dividends and low beta exposure, as well as traders evaluating relative performance in a stable sector resilient to economic cycles. Recent market activity highlights contrasts in momentum and catalysts, helping assess positioning amid pricing power gains and sustainability trends. By examining business models, financial metrics, and sentiment shifts, investors can gauge which stock aligns better with current conditions.
RSG Overview and Recent Performance
Republic Services (RSG) operates as one of the largest providers of non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, disposal, and recycling services, serving residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers. In recent market activity, RSG shares have faced downward pressure, trading around $206 with a weekly decline of about 2.7% and monthly drop of 5.6%, influenced by broader sector rotation and profit-taking. Sentiment remains supported by strategic moves, including the FTC-cleared acquisition of Robinson Waste Services in Utah, expanding regional footprint. Upcoming Q1 2026 earnings on May 7 are anticipated to show EPS growth, with analysts noting long-term potential despite short-term weakness. Key metrics include a PE ratio (price-to-earnings) of 30.11, dividend yield of 1.21%, and market cap of $63.8 billion, underscoring steady operational execution amid recycling market growth.
WM Overview and Recent Performance
Waste Management (WM), the industry's largest firm, delivers comprehensive waste collection, transfer, recycling, and resource recovery services, with a focus on sustainability initiatives. Shares recently traded near $229, reflecting a 1-month dip of 2.2% but year-to-date gains of 4.5%, buoyed by robust Q1 2026 earnings reported late April: adjusted EPS of $1.81 beat estimates, revenue hit $6.23 billion (up 3.5% YoY), and operating cash flow surged 24% to $1.5 billion, driven by core pricing and volume yield. Positive factors include recycling volume increases and facility upgrades, offsetting weather impacts. With a PE ratio of 33.11, dividend yield of 1.49%, and $91.9 billion market cap, WM exhibits resilient performance and reaffirmed full-year guidance.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both RSG and WM share vertically integrated business models in non-hazardous waste services, benefiting from recurring revenue, pricing discipline (around 6% core growth), and ESG-driven recycling expansion. WM's superior scale affords broader geographic coverage and advanced tech for efficiency, contrasting RSG's focused regional strength and nimble acquisitions. Recent momentum favors WM with its earnings beat and YTD edge, while RSG shows relative stability in 1-year returns but higher recent volatility. Risk factors include regulatory changes and commodity price swings for recyclables, with WM's lower beta offering marginal defensiveness. Sector exposure is identical, but market sentiment tilts toward WM's cash flow strength versus RSG's valuation discount (lower PE), presenting trade-offs in growth versus value positioning.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models would currently lean toward WM based on superior recent earnings consistency, stronger year-to-date momentum, expansive scale, and reaffirmed guidance amid stable trends. Factors like elevated cash generation and recycling catalysts position WM with higher probabilistic upside relative to RSG's pending earnings and price consolidation, though both remain attractive in a defensive sector.
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. Disclaimers and Limitations
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 Buy and WM is a Buy.
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 whileWM’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- RSG’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WM’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WM’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- RSG’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- WM’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
RSG (@Environmental Services) experienced а +6.22% price change this week, while WM (@Environmental Services) price change was +2.15% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Environmental Services industry was -3.38%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.33%, and the average quarterly price growth was -1.89%.
Reported Earning Dates
RSG is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
WM is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Environmental Services (-3.38% 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 | WM | RSG / WM | |
| Capitalization | 66.1B | 89.3B | 74% |
| EBITDA | 5.13B | 7.34B | 70% |
| Gain YTD | 2.023 | 1.599 | 127% |
| P/E Ratio | 30.84 | 32.18 | 96% |
| Revenue | 16.7B | 25.4B | 66% |
| Total Cash | 118M | 158M | 75% |
| Total Debt | 14.1B | 22.9B | 62% |
RSG | WM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 12 | 13 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 55 Fair valued | 50 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 23 | 20 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 48 | 33 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 57 | 57 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 69 | 59 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 55 |
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.
WM's Valuation (50) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as RSG (55). This means that WM’s stock grew similarly to RSG’s over the last 12 months.
WM's Profit vs Risk Rating (20) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as RSG (23). This means that WM’s stock grew similarly to RSG’s over the last 12 months.
WM's SMR Rating (33) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as RSG (48). This means that WM’s stock grew similarly to RSG’s over the last 12 months.
WM's Price Growth Rating (57) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as RSG (57). This means that WM’s stock grew similarly to RSG’s over the last 12 months.
WM's P/E Growth Rating (59) in the Environmental Services industry is in the same range as RSG (69). This means that WM’s stock grew similarly to RSG’s over the last 12 months.
| RSG | WM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 37% | 1 day ago 53% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 49% | 1 day ago 44% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 46% | 1 day ago 44% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 50% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 35% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | 3 days ago 50% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 36% | 10 days ago 41% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 37% | 1 day ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 47% | 1 day ago 30% |
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WM and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WM has been closely correlated with RSG. These tickers have moved in lockstep 80% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if WM jumps, then RSG could also see price increases.