DailyIQ
Last updated15 minutes ago

WCN·Waste Connections Inc.

$153.66
-0.05 (-0.03%)
Overnight$153.67+0.01 (+0.01%)
High
$156.20
Open
$156.20
Market Cap
55.30B
52W High
$179.74
Low
$152.56
P. Close
$153.66
P/E
36.57
52W Low
$146.89
Fwd P/E
24.76
DailyIQ Est.
$204.00
Inst. Ownership
22.5%
Short Interest
1.09%
Days to Cover
2.6
Div. Yield
0.68%
Next Ex-Div
~Nov 6
Div. Growth
14+ yrs
Technical Score (1D)
23
BEARISH
News Sentiment
51
MIXED
On the 1D view, WCN is trending bearish with a score of 23 and declining momentum. The SELL signal is technically clear, and price is persistently weak. The nuance is sentiment: at 51, it's diverging from the price action, suggesting news flow hasn't caught up to the selling yet. That gap between technicals and sentiment doesn't invalidate the chart-based read, but it does add a wildcard. If sentiment eventually turns to confirm the weakness, the move likely has further to run. If sentiment holds and draws in buyers near $144.49, a base could form before a recovery toward $159.86. Position sizing should reflect the unresolved nature of this split. Mixed setups like this tend to punish traders who commit early to either side. The more disciplined approach is waiting for $144.49 or $159.86 to actually trade and hold, rather than anticipating which one wins based on the diverging from sentiment read alone - Waste Connections Inc.'s current structure doesn't yet reward that kind of conviction.
LOW TARGET
$162 +5.4%
1 analysts
MEAN TARGET
$198 +28.7%
12 analysts
HIGH TARGET
$220 +43.2%
9 analysts
PRICE RANGE
$162.00 - $220.00
SB / B / H / S / SS
6/11/3/1/1
DAILYIQ EST.
$204.00 (+32.8%)
Bought (1Y)
0 shares
$0
Sold (1Y)
17,061 shares
$2.8M
NIELSEN III ROBERTSR VP Operations
Sell700 shares2026-08-19
RIVARD PHILIPSR VP Business Development
Sell2,500 shares2026-08-18
Netherton SusanSR VP People, Training & Dev
Sell1,750 shares2026-08-13
NIELSEN III ROBERTSR VP Operations
Sell300 shares2026-07-29
Cloninger Robert MichaelSR VP, Deputy General Counsel
Sell238 shares2026-07-28
74/ 100
Bullish
Overall: Bullish
✓Revenue growing year over year
✓Positive net margin
✓Positive operating cash flow
Net Margin
11.4%
Revenue CAGR
12.1%
Current Ratio
0.62x
Debt / Equity
1.07x
Return on Equity
13.1%

EPS

EstBeatMiss
$1.36$1.40$1.45$1.50$1.54Q3'25Q3'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'26$1.52 - -
Q3'25$1.38$1.44+4.5%

Revenue

EstBeatMiss
$2.4B$2.5B$2.5B$2.6B$2.7BQ3'25Q3'26
QtrEstActual+/−
Q3'26$2.6B - -
Q3'25 - $2.5B -

Market Data

WCN Stock Snapshot

BEARISH23/100
$153.67+$0.01 (0.0%)
Market cap
55.30B
P/E ratio
36.6
Day range
$152.56 – $156.20
News sentiment
51/100 · Neutral
Analyst target
$197.80 (+28.7%)
Consensus
Buy · 22 analysts
52-week range+4.6% off low · -14.5% from high
$146.89$179.74
Price $153.67 DailyIQ Est. $204.00

Waste Connections Inc. is trading in the lower half of its 52-week range with momentum still pointing lower. The stock is liquid enough that positioning changes get absorbed without distorting the trend.

Reverse DCF

What growth is priced into WCN?

RICH

At today's price, Waste Connections Inc. needs to grow free cash flow about 15.5% a year for the next 10 years to justify its valuation at a 7.05% cost of capital. Over its actual history it has compounded free cash flow at 9.5% a year, so the market is asking for 6.0 percentage points above its own delivered rate. On that basis WCN looks priced above what its own growth record supports.

Implied FCF growth
15.5%
Historical FCF CAGR
9.5%
Growth gap
+6.0 pts
Verdict
RICH
Discount rate (WACC)
7.05%
Beta
0.50

Behaviour On Record

What WCN's own history says about today's numbers

Realized volatility (21d)
14.6% 37th pct
Below its peak
-23.6%
vs 200-day average
-6.6%
Up days (1y)
48%

Waste Connections Inc. is currently running 14.6% annualised volatility over the last 21 sessions. Measured against WCN's own 13 years of daily returns rather than a market-wide average, that is the 37th percentile — on the quiet side for this stock, against a typical reading of 16.1%. The distinction matters because a number that looks calm for one stock is turbulent for another, and the absolute figure on its own tells you neither.

WCN is trading -23.6% below its running peak. Across 12 full years on file, its median worst-drawdown-in-a-year was -12.2%, and the deepest was -32.2% in 2020. The current drawdown is already deeper than this stock's typical annual low point, which puts it in the part of its range where past recoveries began — and where past declines also continued.

Price sits -6.6% from its 200-day moving average. Against every other day in its history, that gap ranks at the 7th percentile — a narrower gap than it typically runs. Over the past year WCN closed higher on 48% of sessions, and it is currently 2 sessions into a falling streak.

On October specifically: over 13 years of records, WCN finished the month higher 6 of 13 times, with a median return of -0.6% and an average of +0.1%. Its strongest month historically has been November at +2.6% on average, its weakest September at -1.6%. Seasonality is a weak signal on its own — a decade is a small sample and regimes change — but it is a real distribution rather than a rule of thumb.

Overnight risk is measurable too: WCN has opened more than 2% away from the prior close in 58 of 3,266 sessions (1.8% of the time), with the largest gaps running +10.1% and -15.0%. For anyone holding through an event, that rate is a better guide to overnight exposure than the intraday range.

All figures computed from 3,267 daily closes between 2013-10-14 and 2026-10-09, split-adjusted, recomputed daily. Percentiles are against WCN's own 13-year history, not a peer group or index.

Sector Rotation

Is money rotating into or out of WCN's sector?

Waste Connections Inc. sits in the Utilities sector, currently ranked 5th of 12 GICS sectors by relative-strength rotation score (improving).

Sector rank
#5 of 12
Sector state
Improving
Sector rotation score
55

Options Market

What is the options market pricing for WCN?

CallsPuts

For Waste Connections Inc.'s nearest expiry (2026-10-16, 2 days out), open interest is call-heavy, a bullish tilt (put/call ratio of 0.07), with at-the-money implied volatility around 35.7%. The options market is pricing roughly a ±3.1% move by that expiry — a range of about $150.74–$160.38.

Put/call ratio (2026-10-16)
0.07
ATM implied volatility
35.7%
Total open interest
934
Expected move by 2026-10-16
±3.1% ($150.74–$160.38)

Analyst Rating Changes

Are analysts turning bullish or bearish on WCN?

Morgan Stanley most recently reiterated its rating on Waste Connections Inc. to Overweight on Oct 13, 2026 with a price target of $195 (from $205). Over the last 90 days, coverage has run 1 upgrade against 0 downgrades, a net bullish lean.

Latest action
Morgan Stanley — Overweight
90-day upgrades
1
90-day downgrades
0
Net rating momentum
+1
DateFirmActionRatingPrice target
Oct 13, 2026Morgan StanleyMaintainedOverweight$205 → $195
Oct 8, 2026JP MorganMaintainedOverweight$195 → $180
Oct 8, 2026CIBCMaintainedOutperformer$199 → $184
Sep 18, 2026UBSUpgradeNeutral → Buy$176 → $200
Aug 4, 2026UBSMaintainedNeutral$170 → $176
Jul 28, 2026BarclaysMaintainedEqual-Weight$180 → $187
Jul 24, 2026TD CowenMaintainedBuy$200 → $210
Jul 13, 2026JP MorganMaintainedOverweight$210 → $195
Jul 10, 2026CitigroupMaintainedNeutral$180 → $182
Apr 28, 2026BarclaysMaintainedEqual-Weight$176 → $180
Apr 24, 2026JP MorganMaintainedOverweight$195 → $210
Apr 24, 2026RBC CapitalMaintainedOutperform$210 → $218

ETF holders

ETFs holding WCN

News Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment gathered from recent headlines

51/100
Strong NegativeNeutralStrong Positive
MIXED

Recent News Coverage

Most recent articles, ranked by recency (click to expand).

10+ articles
What did this article say?
Waste Connections (WCN) reported steady revenue growth and resilient cash flows, yet its shares were trading above fair value on October 12. The company’s financial performance remained solid, but the market priced in expectations of continued expansion that may not be fully justified by current fundamentals. Analysts noted that the premium could reflect optimism about future growth opportunities, but also raised concerns about potential overvaluation. The situation underscores a cautious stance for investors weighing the trade‑off between growth prospects and valuation levels.
What did this article say?
WCN reported that its recent acquisitions and the broader expansion of the global waste‑management market are expected to boost its revenue and market share. The company highlighted several buyouts that strengthen its position in key regions, adding new service lines and customer contracts. Analysts noted that the combined effect of these deals and industry growth should support higher earnings in the coming quarters.
What did this article say?
JP Morgan analyst Tami Zakaria reduced Waste Connections’ (WCN) price target from $195 to $180 while keeping an Overweight rating. The downgrade reflects concerns about the company’s earnings outlook and competitive pressures in the waste management sector. The firm cited weaker margin expectations and higher operating costs as key factors behind the new target. This adjustment signals a more cautious view on WCN’s near‑term valuation, potentially weighing on investor sentiment.
What did this article say?
Oppenheimer reduced Waste Connections’ price target from $203 to $193, signaling a modest downward revision of the company’s valuation. The brokerage maintained its outperform recommendation, indicating that the stock still remains attractive relative to peers. The cut reflects concerns about future earnings growth and market conditions, but the overall view remains positive.
What did this article say?
Waste Connections (WCN) reported a projected sales growth of only 5.8% for the next year, a sharp decline from its recent two‑year trend. The company also saw a 2.5 percentage point drop in free cash flow, indicating tightening liquidity. Analysts noted that the slowdown could limit the firm’s ability to expand and may pressure its valuation. The news highlights potential risks for investors holding the stock.
What did this article say?
Analysts recently raised Waste Connections’ earnings estimates, signaling stronger future profitability. Technical analysis highlighted an RSI near 29, indicating the stock may be oversold and poised for a rebound. The combination of improved earnings outlook and buying pressure suggests a potential shift in investor sentiment toward the company. This development could support a more favorable valuation for Waste Connections. The positive outlook is grounded in concrete analyst revisions and market indicators.
What did this article say?
Waste Connections (WCN) experienced a decline in share price, falling 8.1% over the past month and 13.5% year‑to‑date, as investors reassessed growth prospects. The company’s shares were technically oversold, prompting renewed attention from the market. Despite the short‑term weakness, long‑term shareholder returns over three and five years remain positive, indicating that the underlying business model is still viewed favorably. The upcoming third‑quarter 2026 earnings release and conference call are expected to provide further clarity on the company’s trajectory.
What did this article say?
Waste Connections (WCN) has fallen 6.2% over the past month but entered oversold territory, signaling a potential reversal. Analysts have uniformly raised earnings estimates, indicating confidence in improved financial performance. The technical indicator RSI below 30 supports the view that the stock may rebound in the near term.
What did this article say?
Waste Connections, Inc. announced that it would report its third‑quarter 2026 financial results after the market close on October 21, 2026. An investor conference call was scheduled for October 22 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, with a live webcast and replay available on the company’s website. The company also noted that it would post presentation slides 24 hours before any scheduled events. No guidance or performance updates were provided, and the announcement was purely procedural.
What did this article say?
Waste Connections (WCN) projects 6% top‑line growth in 2026, with earnings per share rising 9% year‑over‑year, driven by continued emissions reductions and recycling expansion. 2024 saw a 9% cut in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 100 MT CO2e per million dollars revenue drop, underscoring the company’s sustainability momentum. The firm’s focus on biogas recovery and landfill gas energy generation supports its long‑term operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Technical Analysis

Real-time indicators across multiple timeframes

23
BEARISH
Momentum rank against about 1,000 stocks and ETFs for this timeframe.
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Institutional & Hedge Fund Ownership
25 tracked managers · $13.67B combined position · 8 adding, 17 trimming, 0 unchanged (latest 13F filings)
ManagerTrendShares Held% of Co.Position ValueFiled
Vanguard Group Inc▼ Sell31,162,8318.66%$5.46B2026-01-29
BlackRock, Inc.▲ Buy6,370,7881.77%$1.06B2026-08-07
FMR LLC (Fidelity)▼ Sell5,341,0981.48%$890.24M2026-08-13
AQR Capital Management LLC▲ Buy4,111,0351.14%$683.99M2026-08-14
Norges Bank▼ Sell3,957,3851.10%$659.46M2026-08-12
Invesco Ltd.▲ Buy3,587,7851.00%$598.05M2026-08-14
Two Sigma Investments, LP▼ Sell3,245,8930.90%$541.06M2026-08-14
Bank of America Corp▲ Buy3,062,7300.85%$510.53M2026-08-14
Citadel Advisors LLC▼ Sell2,890,7790.80%$481.86M2026-09-02
Wellington Management Group LLP▼ Sell2,867,2680.80%$477.94M2026-08-14
JPMorgan Chase & Co▼ Sell2,446,7170.68%$408.92M2026-08-12
Goldman Sachs Group Inc▼ Sell2,422,1090.67%$403.74M2026-08-14
Morgan Stanley▼ Sell2,211,9290.61%$368.71M2026-08-13
Millennium Management LLC▲ Buy1,323,4860.37%$220.61M2026-08-14
Neuberger Berman Group LLC▼ Sell1,126,9330.31%$187.85M2026-08-13
Northern Trust Corp▼ Sell814,0110.23%$135.69M2026-08-13
Geode Capital Management, LLC▼ Sell768,4010.21%$130.94M2026-08-12
AllianceBernstein L.P.▲ Buy719,4600.20%$116.87M2026-08-14
D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc.▼ Sell530,3320.15%$88.38M2026-08-14
Point72 Asset Management, L.P.▼ Sell440,6170.12%$73.45M2026-08-14
Adage Capital Partners GP, L.L.C.▼ Sell305,4780.08%$50.92M2026-08-14
Wells Fargo & Company▼ Sell217,6190.06%$36.27M2026-08-14
Janus Henderson Group plc▲ Buy210,5410.06%$34.19M2026-05-18
Citigroup Inc▲ Buy156,1870.04%$26.02M2026-08-03
Capital Research Global Investors▼ Sell123,5300.03%$20.64M2026-08-12
Q2 2026 flow:7.97M sh bought ($1.32B)10.02M sh sold ($1.67B)net -2.05M sh (−$345.90M)
Congressional Trading Activity
4 disclosed trades · ~$24.0K est. traded value · 3 buys, 0 sells
MemberChamberStateTypeAmountTradedFiled
Valerie HoyleHouseOR04▲ Buy$1K - $15K2024-10-292025-09-12
Susan M. CollinsSenateME↔ Exchange$15K - $50K2016-06-012016-07-08
Susan M. CollinsSenateME▲ Buy$1K - $15K2015-01-132015-01-29
Susan M. CollinsSenateME▲ Buy$1K - $15K2014-06-192015-07-20