Donald Smith Sells 12,194 Shares of Waste Management (NYSE:WM) Stock

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) VP Donald Smith sold 12,194 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.48, for a total value of $2,847,055.12. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 6,024 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,406,483.52. This trade represents a 66.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink.

Waste Management Price Performance

NYSE WM opened at $234.14 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22. Waste Management, Inc. has a 12 month low of $194.11 and a 12 month high of $242.58. The stock has a market cap of $94.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.95, a PEG ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.58. The company’s 50 day moving average is $223.44 and its two-hundred day moving average is $219.36.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The business services provider reported $1.93 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.95 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $6.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.39 billion. Waste Management had a return on equity of 32.45% and a net margin of 10.74%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.70 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Waste Management, Inc. will post 7.7 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have issued reports on WM. Scotiabank reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and issued a $250.00 price objective (down previously from $254.00) on shares of Waste Management in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Waste Management from $246.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $266.00 to $265.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reduced their target price on shares of Waste Management from $235.00 to $231.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Waste Management from $255.00 to $265.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $253.55.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Waste Management in the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Waste Management by 101.5% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 133 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. RHL Group LLC purchased a new position in Waste Management in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Waste Management by 55.3% during the 4th quarter. Financial Network Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 132 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Waste Management in the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Institutional investors own 80.40% of the company’s stock.

More Waste Management News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Long-term market tailwind: an industry report forecasts the global smart waste-management market growing to about $13.31 billion by 2035 — a structural demand driver for WM’s technology, routing and recycling services. Smart Waste Management Market Size to Worth $13.31 Billion by 2035
• Positive Sentiment: Strong institutional support and favorable analyst coverage: large holders (Vanguard, State Street, etc.) have recently increased positions and several analysts maintain buy/outperform views with targets above the current price, which provides a cushion for shares. WM Profile & Analyst Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector context — Republic Services (RSG) posted mixed results and cautious guidance; sector peers’ guidance and cash-flow dynamics can influence sentiment for WM even when WM’s business is steady. Can RSG Stock Turn Guidance Into Gains in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling — SVP Rafael Carrasco sold 7,352 shares (avg. ~$234.50), reducing his stake by ~32%; disclosed in an SEC filing and flagged by insider-trade services. Insider sales are being read as near-term negative signal by some investors. Rafael Carrasco Sells 7,352 Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling — VP Donald J. Smith sold 12,194 shares (avg. ~$233.48), cutting his holding substantially; another near-term negative catalyst for trader sentiment. Donald Smith Sells 12,194 Shares
• Negative Sentiment: Broader insider profit-taking: coverage notes multiple insiders have been locking in gains, which can amplify short-term selling pressure and investor caution. Top Waste Management Insiders Quietly Lock In Massive Profits
• Negative Sentiment: Recent quarterly results were slightly below expectations (Q4 EPS $1.93 vs. $1.95 consensus; revenue below street estimates), which likely cements near-term caution despite solid year-over-year revenue growth. WM Earnings & Performance

About Waste Management

Waste Management, Inc (NYSE: WM) is a leading provider of integrated waste management and environmental services in North America. The company offers end-to-end solutions that span collection, transfer, disposal and recycling, along with landfill operations and related infrastructure. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Waste Management serves a broad customer base that includes residential, commercial, industrial and municipal clients.

Core services include curbside and commercial waste collection, roll-off and temporary container services, materials recovery and recycling, and engineered landfill disposal.