Waste Management Dividends and Buybacks
Dividend criteria checks 5/6
Waste Management is a dividend paying company with a current yield of 1.73% that is well covered by earnings. Next payment date is on 25th September, 2026 with an ex-dividend date of 11th September, 2026.
Key information
1.7%
Dividend yield
1.2%
Buyback Yield
| Total Shareholder Yield | 2.9% |
| Future Dividend Yield | 1.9% |
| Dividend Growth | 7.8% |
| Next dividend pay date | 25 Sep 26 |
| Ex dividend date | 11 Sep 26 |
| Dividend per share | n/a |
| Payout ratio | 50% |
Recent dividend and buyback updates
Recent updates
Seeking Alpha • Aug 27
Waste Management: A Business I Want To Own Badly, Just Not At This Price
Summary Waste Management offers a compelling blend of income and growth but trades at a 28x forward P/E, limiting margin of safety. Despite inflationary headwinds and modest volume declines, WM delivered strong Q2 results with EPS up 5.2% and robust free cash flow growth. WM's balance sheet remains top-tier, with leverage at 2.96x and significant flexibility for acquisitions and dividend growth. I prefer to buy WM below $200, as its current valuation already prices in much of its quality and growth, raising underperformance risk. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update • Jul 30
WM: Dividend Hike And Buybacks Will Support Sustainability-Focused Upside
Analysts have lifted their price target on Waste Management to $260.64 from $253.12, reflecting updated views on fair value based on revised assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E multiples. What’s in the News for Waste Management Waste Management reported strong operating performance in 2025, with disciplined pricing, cost efficiencies, and growth in its core collection and disposal business, according to its Q4 2025 earnings call transcript.Narrative Update • Mar 08
WM: Dividend Hike And New Buyback Authorization Will Support Steady Outlook
Analysts have increased their price target for Waste Management by about $0.40, reflecting slightly adjusted assumptions for discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins and future P/E. Together, these changes point to a modestly refined view of the company’s long term value.Narrative Update • Feb 22
WM: Dividend Increase And New Buyback Program Will Support Steady Upside
Analysts now place their average price target for Waste Management at about $252.72, a shift from roughly $251.64. This reflects small model tweaks around fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions.Narrative Update • Feb 07
WM: Dividend Hike And New Buyback Authorization Will Support Measured Upside
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Waste Management from $248.32 to $251.64, citing updated assumptions around discount rates, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E levels. What's in the News Waste Management issued earnings guidance for 2026, with expected revenue in the range of US$26.425b to US$26.625b (Company guidance).Narrative Update • Jan 22
WM: Buybacks And Dividend Plan Will Support Measured Long Term Upside
Analysts have nudged their price target for Waste Management higher by about US$1, citing only small tweaks to fair value estimates, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News The Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing Waste Management to buy back up to US$3.0b of its shares, replacing the prior US$1.5b authorization from 2023 (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Jan 08
WM: Buybacks And Rising Dividends Will Support Future Upside
Analysts have nudged their price target for Waste Management higher from US$246.52 to US$247.16, reflecting updated views that slightly adjust revenue growth expectations, profit margin assumptions and the future P/E multiple while keeping the overall valuation framework largely intact. What's in the News The Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to US$3 billion of Waste Management, Inc.Narrative Update • Dec 13
WM: Future Margin Gains From Pricing And Technology Will Drive Upside
Analysts slightly raised their price target on Waste Management by 0.40 dollars to 246.52 dollars, citing incremental improvements in long term profit margin expectations that more than offset modestly lower revenue growth assumptions and a marginally higher discount rate. What's in the News Management reiterated its focus on pricing strategies and technology investments to enhance customer lifetime value and optimize the cost structure, while actively pursuing tuck in acquisitions to expand its network and increase internalization (company comments).Narrative Update • Nov 28
WM: Future Network Expansion Will Drive Long-Term Upside From Acquisitions
Analysts have slightly raised their price target for Waste Management to $246.12 per share, reflecting modest adjustments in their financial outlook and underlying assumptions. What's in the News Waste Management is actively seeking tuck-in acquisition opportunities to expand its network and increase internalization.Narrative Update • Nov 14
WM: Revenue Expansion Will Follow Tuck-In Acquisitions And Technology Investments
Analysts have slightly lowered their price target for Waste Management from $246.64 to $246.09. This adjustment reflects moderated profit margin projections and a marginal increase in the discount rate, even as expectations for revenue growth have strengthened.Narrative Update • Oct 31
WM: Network Expansion And New Leadership Will Drive Upside Momentum
Analysts have lowered their price target for Waste Management from $252.45 to $246.64. This reduction is attributed to a more cautious outlook on revenue growth and modestly narrower profit margins.Analysis Article • Oct 30
Earnings Miss: Waste Management, Inc. Missed EPS By 25% And Analysts Are Revising Their Forecasts
Last week, you might have seen that Waste Management, Inc. ( NYSE:WM ) released its third-quarter result to the market...Narrative Update • Oct 16
Automation And Renewable Energy Will Drive Future Success
Narrative Update on Waste Management Analyst Price Target Analysts have revised their fair value estimate for Waste Management downward from $257.30 to $252.45, citing slightly lower expectations for revenue growth and profit margins in future forecasts. What's in the News Devina Rankin, Chief Financial Officer of Waste Management, announced her planned retirement after nearly 23 years with the company (Key Developments).Seeking Alpha • Feb 28
Waste Management Could See Further Upside
Summary Waste Management should benefit from strong pricing, volume recovery, and strategic investments in renewable natural gas and medical waste markets, driving long-term growth. Positive margin outlook due to strong pricing, cost synergies from the Stericycle acquisition, and management's cost reduction initiatives, with automation targeting $450 million in savings. WM stock trades at a discount to peers, with potential upside from conservative EPS estimates and possible valuation re-rating, making it a good buy. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Feb 14
Waste Management: Buying At Around $200 Would Be Ideal
Summary Waste Management is a strong company with consistent growth, high profitability, and a solid moat, but its current valuation appears elevated. Recent Q4 earnings showed record EBITDA and margin, with revenue growth driven by both organic expansion and the Stericycle acquisition. The Stericycle acquisition adds growth potential and cross-selling opportunities, with management expecting significant synergies from WM Healthcare Solutions. Despite an impressive historical performance, WM's current P/E ratio is relatively high, leading me to a Hold rating with a potential buy at around $200-205. The chart has a support level of around $200, making that level not only a fundamental Buy but also a technical one. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jan 03
Waste Management: Time To Buy The Dip
Summary Waste Management's strong economic moat, driven by scale, pricing power, and vertical integration, ensures high profitability and market leadership in waste collection and disposal. The acquisition of Stericycle enhances Waste Management's growth trajectory and market position, particularly in the medical waste sector. Despite strong financials and growth prospects, WM is undervalued compared to peers, presenting a 20-30% upside potential. Potential risks include acquisition integration challenges and macroeconomic fluctuations, but Waste Management's solid operations and experienced management mitigate these concerns. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Dec 17
Waste Management: Good Growth Prospects And Attractively Valued
Summary Waste Management, Inc. has strong growth prospects driven by pricing power, Stericycle acquisition, and investments in recycling and renewable natural gas projects. Margins are expected to improve due to favorable price/cost dynamics, cost optimization, automation, and cost synergies from the Stericycle acquisition. The stock is trading at a discount compared to historical averages and peers, making it an attractive Buy given its growth potential. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaStability and Growth of Payments
Fetching dividends data
Stable Dividend: WM's dividends per share have been stable in the past 10 years.
Growing Dividend: WM's dividend payments have increased over the past 10 years.
Dividend Yield vs Market
| Waste Management Dividend Yield vs Market |
|---|
| Segment | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|
| Company (WM) | 1.7% |
| Market Bottom 25% (US) | 1.4% |
| Market Top 25% (US) | 4.1% |
| Industry Average (Commercial Services) | 1.3% |
| Analyst forecast (WM) (up to 3 years) | 1.9% |
Notable Dividend: WM's dividend (1.73%) is higher than the bottom 25% of dividend payers in the US market (1.37%).
High Dividend: WM's dividend (1.73%) is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the US market (4.11%).
Earnings Payout to Shareholders
Earnings Coverage: With its reasonably low payout ratio (50%), WM's dividend payments are well covered by earnings.
Cash Payout to Shareholders
Cash Flow Coverage: With its reasonably low cash payout ratio (42.3%), WM's dividend payments are well covered by cash flows.
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Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/09/14 19:47 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/09/14 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/06/30 |
| 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.
Learn about the who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
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 Management, Inc. is covered by 39 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 |
|---|---|
| David Coleman | Argus Research Company |
| David Manthey | Baird |
| William Grippin | Barclays |