Waste Connections Management
Management criteria checks 3/4
Waste Connections' CEO is Ron Mittelstaedt, appointed in Apr 2023, has a tenure of 3.25 years. total yearly compensation is $9.76M, comprised of 12% salary and 88% bonuses, including company stock and options. directly owns 0.12% of the company’s shares, worth $51.75M. The average tenure of the management team and the board of directors is 3.8 years and 9.5 years respectively.
Key information
Ron Mittelstaedt
Chief executive officer
US$9.8m
Total compensation
| CEO salary percentage | 12.01% |
| CEO tenure | 3.3yrs |
| CEO ownership | 0.1% |
| Management average tenure | 3.8yrs |
| Board average tenure | 9.5yrs |
Recent management updates
Recent updates
Analysis Article • Jun 19
Waste Connections (WCN) Stock Could Be 24.5% Undervalued After Focus On Workforce Efficiency
Recent commentary from Sustainable Growth Advisers has put Waste Connections (WCN) in focus, as investors weigh the company’s emphasis on labor management, safety, and human capital development through programs like its Driver Academy and Commercial Driver License training. See our latest analysis for Waste Connections. Despite the recent spotlight on its workforce programs, Waste Connections’ share price has softened, with the stock down 2.16% on a 1 month share price return and 11.57% year...
Narrative Update • Jun 15
WCN: Future Returns Will Rely On Premium P/E And Insider Confidence Signals
Waste Connections' analyst price target has moved modestly higher to $203.92, with analysts pointing to updated assumptions on revenue growth, profit margins, discount rates and future P/E as key drivers behind the change. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Waste Connections centers on updated assumptions for growth, profitability and the P/E multiple, which has led several firms to lift their price targets by single digit dollar amounts.Narrative Update • Jun 01
WCN: Future Returns Will Depend On Premium P/E And Quality EBITDA Profile
The analyst price target for Waste Connections has moved from $199.16 to $204.32 as analysts cite updated assumptions around slightly higher revenue growth, a modestly lower discount rate, and a slightly higher future P/E multiple, supported by a series of recent target increases across the Street. Analyst Commentary Bullish Takeaways Bullish analysts are lifting targets by increments of US$2 to US$15, which signals higher assumed value on the company’s ability to execute on its current business model.
New Narrative • May 13
RNG Projects And AI Adoption Will Transform Waste Services Earnings Profile
Catalysts About Waste Connections Waste Connections provides nonhazardous solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services, along with energy oriented waste handling and renewable natural gas from landfill gas. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
New Narrative • Apr 25
AI And Landfill Gas Projects Will Shape A Steady But Limited Future Outlook
Catalysts About Waste Connections Waste Connections provides nonhazardous solid waste collection, transfer, disposal and related services across North America. What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?Narrative Update • Apr 19
WCN: Future Returns Will Rely On Premium P/E And Quality EBITDA Execution
Analysts have made a small upward adjustment to the fair value estimate for Waste Connections, with the updated price target moving from about $198.84 to roughly $199.16. This reflects recent research that highlights quality-driven EBITDA growth potential and a premium valuation stance within the waste group.Seeking Alpha • Apr 12
Waste Connections: Waiting For A Better Entry Point Amid Iran Inflation Risks
Summary Waste Connections remains a hold, trading near intrinsic value given the current macro pressure. WCN projects double-digit adj. FCF growth in 2026, driven by core price increases, cost moderation, and accretive acquisitions. Leverage is at 2.75x EBITDA, within the target range, with well-laddered debt maturities and recent $600M notes issued at 4.8%. Macro risks, including economic slowdown and inflation from geopolitical tensions, could pressure WCN's business and stock price. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaNarrative Update • Apr 04
WCN: Future Returns Will Rely On Premium P/E Despite Chiquita Closure Costs
Analysts made a marginal trim to the Waste Connections fair value estimate, with the target easing by about $0.10 to roughly $198.80. A slightly higher discount rate and refreshed earnings models, including several reduced Street price targets and a new $199 Outperform initiation, fed into the updated view.Narrative Update • Mar 21
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Premium P/E Despite Higher Chiquita Outlays
Narrative Update on Waste Connections The analyst fair value estimate for Waste Connections has inched up from $198.75 to $198.92, as analysts weigh a mix of reduced price targets following Q4 results and 2026 guidance updates against fresh bullish coverage that highlights the company as a higher quality operator that may warrant a premium P/E multiple. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Waste Connections reflects a mix of optimism around business quality and caution around longer term guidance and project related cash needs.Narrative Update • Mar 07
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By M&A Despite Higher Chiquita Outlays
Analysts have lowered their average price target for Waste Connections in line with recent Street reductions, while our fair value estimate remains at $198.75 as they incorporate updated Q4 results, 2026 guidance, and higher anticipated Chiquita landfill-related outlays. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates cluster around a similar message for Waste Connections: the stock is still generally viewed favorably, but analysts are marking their models to current guidance and higher expected Chiquita landfill spending, which has led to a series of lower price targets across the Street.Narrative Update • Feb 20
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Compounding M&A Despite Chiquita Cash Outlays
Our updated fair value estimate for Waste Connections moves to $198.75 from $204.25, reflecting analysts' lower price targets after 2026 guidance that points to softer growth assumptions and higher expected cash outlays tied to the Chiquita landfill. Analyst Commentary Street research around the latest quarter and 2026 outlook has become more cautious, with most firms trimming price targets while largely maintaining positive ratings.Narrative Update • Feb 06
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Compounding M&A And Chiquita Remediation Resolution
Analysts have trimmed their fair value estimate for Waste Connections by about $0.21 to roughly $204.25. This reflects slightly higher discount rate assumptions and more conservative views on revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E multiples following a series of recent target cuts across the Street.Narrative Update • Jan 22
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Compounding M&A Despite Chiquita Remediation Uncertainty
Narrative Update on Waste Connections Analysts have trimmed their average price target on Waste Connections by about $1. This reflects slightly higher discount rate assumptions, marginally lower revenue growth and profit margin expectations, and a modestly lower future P/E multiple, in line with recent target reductions from several firms.Narrative Update • Jan 07
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Compounding M&A And Cash Return Programs
The analyst price target for Waste Connections has edged up by about $1 to roughly $205.71, as analysts point to consistent Q3 execution, solid waste margin potential, ongoing acquisition opportunities, and a generally supportive view of the company as a high quality compounder, despite some timing adjustments around future RNG contributions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Waste Connections centers on the quality of the core solid waste business, the role of acquisitions, and timing questions around renewable natural gas, or RNG, projects and other macro exposed areas like recycling and specialty waste.Narrative Update • Dec 23
WCN: Future Returns Will Be Driven By Accretive M&A And Aggressive Buybacks
The analyst price target for Waste Connections has inched higher to approximately $205 from about $205 previously, as analysts highlight the company’s consistent outperformance, margin expansion potential, and long runway for value accretive M&A, despite near term sector headwinds. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts generally frame Waste Connections as a high quality compounder, emphasizing its history of value accretive acquisitions and a long runway to continue consolidating fragmented secondary and rural markets.Narrative Update • Dec 09
WCN: Margin Expansion Will Be Driven By M&A And Aggressive Buybacks
Analysts have nudged their blended price target for Waste Connections modestly higher to about $205 per share, citing the company’s consistent outperformance versus quarterly expectations, a robust M&A pipeline, and its positioning as a high quality compounder with solid waste margin expansion and free cash flow inflection potential despite near term sector headwinds. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Waste Connections reflects a generally constructive stance, with most firms either initiating at positive ratings or modestly raising price targets while acknowledging pockets of execution and macro risk.Narrative Update • Nov 25
WCN: Long-Term Margin Expansion Will Be Driven By Acquisitions And Buybacks
Analysts have slightly lowered their average price target for Waste Connections to $204.96 from $205.36. They cite near-term margin pressures and moderated growth expectations, despite continued confidence in the company's acquisition strategy and resilient core business.Narrative Update • Nov 05
WCN: Share Repurchases And Dividend Hike Will Drive Long-Term Margin Expansion
Waste Connections saw its average analyst price target edge up modestly by $0.42 to $207.00, as analysts cited continued outperformance versus expectations and optimism around long-term margin expansion and project execution, even though some forecasts for 2026 have been tempered. Analyst Commentary Analysts covering Waste Connections provided a range of perspectives following the latest financial results and guidance updates.Analysis Article • Oct 29
Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) Is Paying Out A Larger Dividend Than Last Year
The board of Waste Connections, Inc. ( NYSE:WCN ) has announced that the dividend on 20th of November will be increased...Narrative Update • Oct 22
Analysts Update Price Target as Waste Connections Announces Dividend Increase and Share Repurchases
The analyst price target for Waste Connections has been modestly adjusted from $208.59 to $206.77 per share. This change reflects analysts' views on revenue growth, profit margins, and the company's differentiated strategy within a resilient waste management sector.Narrative Update • Oct 08
Acquisitions And New Jersey Facility Integration Will Boost Operational Excellence
Analysts have slightly lowered their price target for Waste Connections, reducing the fair value from $210.95 to $208.59. They cited marginally softer growth and profitability expectations but affirmed confidence in the company’s long-term strategy and market position.Analysis Article • Sep 22
Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) Seems To Use Debt Quite Sensibly
David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the...Analysis Article • Aug 26
Why We're Not Concerned About Waste Connections, Inc.'s (NYSE:WCN) Share Price
When close to half the companies in the United States have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") below 19x, you may...Seeking Alpha • Jan 20
Waste Connections: Hauling Trash And Stacking Cash
Summary Waste Connections (WCN) is a leading waste management provider in the U.S. and Canada, with a market cap of $45B and a CAGR of 18.23% since 2016. The company has grown revenue at 12% annually over the past decade, with recent years showing a rebound in gross profit margins close to 42%. Given its consistent revenue growth, improving gross margins, and reliable business model, WCN is a strong consideration for dividend-focused investors. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jan 09
Pricey, But Waste Connections Still A Good Deal
Summary Waste Connections, Inc. is rated a Strong Buy due to its steady price growth, strong fundamentals, and effective management strategy. WCN's competitive advantage lies in targeting less competitive markets and maintaining solid net margins comparable to larger competitors. Q3-2025 earnings beat estimates, showing strong revenue growth and increased EBITDA margins, reinforcing the company's growth trajectory. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Oct 28
Waste Connections: Great Business, Poor Valuation
Summary Waste Connections, Inc. is not undervalued but has a strong cash-generative history in a favorable market. WCN operates similarly to its main competitor, Waste Management, showcasing significant cash flow growth over the years. The company has tripled its cash flow over the past decade, highlighting its robust financial performance. Valuation is stretched as the FCF yield doesn't offer any downside protection from a re-rating. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Sep 08
Waste Connections: Waste Margin Improved 80-90bps
Summary I reiterate a 'Buy' rating for Waste Connections, with a fair value of $200 per share, due to strong margin expansion and pricing growth. Waste Connections reported 11.2% revenue growth and 16.4% EBITDA increase, driven by terminating lower-margin contracts and optimizing cost structures. The company has a robust M&A pipeline, expecting $700 million additional revenue in FY24, with $1.5 billion already spent on acquisitions this year. Despite potential cost increases from new EPA rules, Waste Connections maintains a strong balance sheet and prioritizes profitability over volume growth. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaCEO Compensation Analysis
| Date | Total Compensation | Salary | Company Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31 2026 | n/a | n/a | US$1b |
| Dec 31 2025 | US$10m | US$1m | US$1b |
| Sep 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$622m |
| Jun 30 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$644m |
| Mar 31 2025 | n/a | n/a | US$629m |
| Dec 31 2024 | US$7m | US$1m | US$618m |
| Sep 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$940m |
| Jun 30 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$861m |
| Mar 31 2024 | n/a | n/a | US$795m |
| Dec 31 2023 | US$6m | US$892k | US$763m |
| Sep 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$830m |
| Jun 30 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$838m |
| Mar 31 2023 | n/a | n/a | US$853m |
| Dec 31 2022 | US$3m | US$500k | US$836m |
| Sep 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$808m |
| Jun 30 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$685m |
| Mar 31 2022 | n/a | n/a | US$638m |
| Dec 31 2021 | US$3m | US$500k | US$618m |
| Sep 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$582m |
| Jun 30 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$626m |
| Mar 31 2021 | n/a | n/a | US$222m |
| Dec 31 2020 | US$1m | n/a | US$205m |
| Sep 30 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$207m |
| Jun 30 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$208m |
| Mar 31 2020 | n/a | n/a | US$584m |
| Dec 31 2019 | US$3m | US$769k | US$567m |
Compensation vs Market: Ron's total compensation ($USD9.76M) is below average for companies of similar size in the US market ($USD14.60M).
Compensation vs Earnings: Ron's compensation has increased by more than 20% in the past year.
CEO
Ron Mittelstaedt (63 yo)
3.3yrs
Tenure
US$9,757,565
Compensation
Mr. Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, also known as Ron, is the Founder of Waste Connections, Inc. and served as its Executive Chairman since July 25, 2019 until April 23, 2023. He serves as President and Chief Exec...
Leadership Team
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | 3.3yrs | US$9.76m | 0.12% $ 51.7m | |
| Executive VP & CFO | 8yrs | US$3.19m | 0.025% $ 10.7m | |
| Executive VP | 22.4yrs | US$2.81m | 0.0078% $ 3.4m | |
| Executive Vice President of Engineering & Disposal | 17.4yrs | US$2.59m | 0.014% $ 5.9m | |
| Senior Vice President of Operations | 3yrs | US$2.27m | 0.0036% $ 1.6m | |
| Executive VP & COO | less than a year | no data | 0.013% $ 5.7m | |
| Senior VP & Chief Accounting Officer | 1.2yrs | no data | 0.00055% $ 240.2k | |
| Senior VP & Chief Information Officer | 22yrs | no data | 0.0053% $ 2.3m | |
| Vice President of Investor Relations | 3yrs | no data | no data | |
| VP & Deputy General Counsel of Compliance and Government Affairs | 4.4yrs | no data | no data | |
| Senior Vice President of People | 13yrs | no data | 0.0058% $ 2.5m | |
| Senior VP & Chief Tax Officer | 1.2yrs | no data | 0.017% $ 7.5m |
3.8yrs
Average Tenure
56yo
Average Age
Experienced Management: WCN's management team is considered experienced (3.8 years average tenure).
Board Members
| Name | Position | Tenure | Compensation | Ownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | 28.8yrs | US$9.76m | 0.12% $ 51.7m | |
| Independent Director | less than a year | no data | 0.000060% $ 26.2k | |
| Independent Director | 12.2yrs | US$300.15k | 0.0048% $ 2.1m | |
| Non-Executive Chairman & Lead Independent Director | 28.2yrs | US$325.15k | 0.0034% $ 1.5m | |
| Independent Director | 19.3yrs | US$290.15k | 0.0060% $ 2.6m | |
| Independent Director | 2.3yrs | US$275.15k | 0.00029% $ 126.7k | |
| Independent Director | 6.9yrs | US$300.15k | 0.0013% $ 554.7k | |
| Independent Director | 1.9yrs | US$275.15k | 0.00027% $ 117.9k |
9.5yrs
Average Tenure
64yo
Average Age
Experienced Board: WCN's board of directors are considered experienced (9.5 years average tenure).
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/07/19 01:31 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/07/17 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Waste Connections, Inc. is covered by 35 analysts. 26 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Harriet Li | Accountability Research Corporation |
| Christopher Murray | ATB Cormark |
| William Grippin | Barclays |