Investment Perspective on Waste Management Stocks: Bullish or Bearing Fangs on Wall Street?
In the world of waste management, Waste Management, Inc. (WM) continues to be a favoured stock among analysts. As of August 2025, the consensus rating for WM is a Moderate Buy to Buy, with an average price target ranging from approximately $252.72 to $254.35 per share. This suggests an upside potential of roughly 9.6% to 13% from the current trading levels around $224–$229.
According to 20 analysts, WM has an average rating of "Buy" with a 12-month price target of $252.72, representing about a 9.6% increase from recent prices. MarketBeat reports a similar average price target of $254.35 and a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".
The bullishness towards WM is more pronounced than three months ago, with 10 analysts suggesting a "Strong Buy" rating. The mean price target of $259.76 for WM represents an 11.5% premium from its current price levels.
The recent Q2 2025 results of WM have played a significant role in boosting analyst sentiment. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.92, beating estimates of $1.89, and revenues of $6.43 billion, surpassing expectations. This strong performance reflects solid growth for the company.
WM's current P/E ratio is around 33.3 with a forward P/E near 28.8, and a solid return on equity over 34%, all consistent with reasonable valuation metrics for a steady growth company.
However, it's worth noting that one source shows a more cautious "Hold" rating with a lower $214 price target. This appears to be the minority view compared to the prevailing buy consensus.
Despite the recent gains, WM has underperformed the VanEck Environmental Services ETF over the past 52 weeks and YTD. The stock, valued at a market cap of $93.9 billion, has lagged behind the broader S&P 500 Index over the same period.
In Q2, WM's adjusted EBITDA grew 18.9% from the year-ago quarter to $1.9 billion. The company offers waste collection, transfer, recycling, resource recovery, and disposal solutions, as well as environmental solutions to various customers. It also owns and operates transfer stations and landfill gas-to-energy facilities.
It's important to note that all information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The article's Disclosure Policy can be viewed here. As of the article's publication, Neharika Jain has no positions in any securities mentioned.
In summary, the prevailing view among equity analysts is that Waste Management stock is expected to perform well in the coming year, with price targets around $253-$254, reflecting confidence in continued earnings growth and operational strength. The consensus rating is generally a Moderate Buy to Buy based on recent earnings beats and solid financial metrics.
- Despite positive sentiments from most analysts about Waste Management stock, one source suggests a more cautious "Hold" rating with a lower $214 price target, which appears to be the minority view.
- In the realm of finance and investing, Waste Management Inc. (WM) is not only suggested as a Buy by many analysts but also has a consensus price target of around $253-$254, indicating potential growth in the stock-market.
