Waste Connections, Inc. $WCN Shares Acquired by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Connections, Inc. (NYSE:WCN) by 19.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 745,441 shares of the business services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 122,829 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s holdings in Waste Connections were worth $121,086,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of WCN. Trium Capital LLP purchased a new position in shares of Waste Connections during the fourth quarter worth about $1,995,000. Nicholas Company Inc. raised its stake in Waste Connections by 32.4% during the 4th quarter. Nicholas Company Inc. now owns 449,112 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $78,756,000 after acquiring an additional 109,950 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Waste Connections by 161.7% during the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 19,114 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $3,332,000 after acquiring an additional 11,810 shares during the last quarter. Rathbones Group PLC lifted its position in Waste Connections by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Rathbones Group PLC now owns 669,442 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $117,394,000 after acquiring an additional 7,866 shares during the period. Finally, Mirabaud Asset Management Ltd lifted its position in Waste Connections by 28.9% during the 4th quarter. Mirabaud Asset Management Ltd now owns 56,620 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $10,754,000 after acquiring an additional 12,680 shares during the period. 86.09% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Waste Connections Stock Performance

Shares of WCN stock opened at $169.63 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $42.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 0.49. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $161.57 and a 200-day simple moving average of $163.18. Waste Connections, Inc. has a 12-month low of $146.89 and a 12-month high of $191.91. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17.

Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 22nd. The business services provider reported $1.50 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.15. Waste Connections had a return on equity of 17.31% and a net margin of 10.86%.The business had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.51 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.29 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts forecast that Waste Connections, Inc. will post 5.6 EPS for the current year.

Waste Connections Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 20th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 6th will be issued a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 6th. This represents a $1.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.8%. Waste Connections’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 33.73%.

Waste Connections News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Waste Connections priced C$700 million of senior unsecured notes, including C$300 million of 4.200% notes due 2033. The long-term financing could support acquisitions, refinancing, or other corporate needs, while the relatively attractive cost of the 2033 tranche may help limit interest-expense pressure. Waste Connections Announces Pricing of C$700 Million of Senior Notes
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted Waste Connections’ strong second-quarter performance: adjusted earnings exceeded expectations, revenue increased year over year, margins expanded, cash flow remained robust, and the company raised its 2026 revenue outlook. These factors reinforce the company’s growth narrative. Is WCN Stock Worth Its Premium Valuation After Strong Q2 Results?
• Positive Sentiment: Waste Connections is using artificial intelligence to improve pricing and operations. AI-based pricing initiatives are generating approximately $20 million in annualized EBITDA gains, while routing tools could provide additional margin and efficiency benefits. How Waste Connections Is Using AI to Expand Margins and Future Growth
• Positive Sentiment: J.P. Morgan maintained a Buy rating, signaling continued confidence in WCN’s operating outlook and long-term growth prospects. J.P. Morgan Remains a Buy on Waste Connections
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s earnings beat and outlook increase were partly offset by its premium valuation. With WCN trading at a high earnings multiple, investors may require continued strong execution before assigning the stock further upside. Waste Connections Stock Barely Moves Since Q2 Earnings Beat
• Negative Sentiment: Total collection volume declined 1.9% in the second quarter, raising concerns about fixed-cost absorption and potential operating deleverage. Strong pricing and construction-and-demolition volumes helped, but weaker overall volume remains a risk. Waste Connections: Better Margins, But Volume Trend Is Still Weak
• Negative Sentiment: The C$700 million notes offering adds debt and future interest obligations. This is manageable relative to the company’s scale but could constrain financial flexibility, particularly given its existing leverage and premium valuation.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, VP Patrick James Shea sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.26, for a total value of $1,171,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 19,737 shares in the company, valued at $3,084,103.62. This trade represents a 27.54% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Jason Craft sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.59, for a total transaction of $234,885.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 32,861 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,145,703.99. This represents a 4.37% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 15,000 shares of company stock worth $2,395,755 in the last ninety days. 0.27% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on WCN shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $211.00 target price on shares of Waste Connections in a report on Thursday, April 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Waste Connections from $210.00 to $195.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 13th. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $218.00 price objective (up from $210.00) on shares of Waste Connections in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $199.00 price objective on shares of Waste Connections in a research note on Friday. Finally, Barclays set a $180.00 price objective on shares of Waste Connections and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Waste Connections presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $202.05.

Waste Connections 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.