Empowered Funds LLC Acquires 5,220 Shares of Waste Management, Inc. $WM

Key Points

• Empowered Funds LLC increased its Waste Management stake by 20.4% in the first quarter, purchasing 5,220 additional shares to hold 30,790 shares valued at approximately $7.1 million. Institutional investors own 80.4% of WM.
• Waste Management exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $2.02 versus the $1.98 consensus, while revenue rose 4% year over year to $6.68 billion. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $258.89.
• The company faces mixed prospects: pricing, margin expansion and cash flow support the investment case, but softer volumes led to a lower 2026 revenue outlook, while elevated valuation, debt and weak liquidity add downside risk.

Empowered Funds LLC grew its holdings in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM - Free Report) by 20.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,790 shares of the business services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 5,220 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in Waste Management were worth $7,075,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of WM. Broadway Wealth Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Broadway Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 1,588 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $349,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the period. Bey Douglas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 3.7% in the fourth quarter. Bey Douglas LLC now owns 1,233 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $271,000 after buying an additional 44 shares in the last quarter. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Waste Management by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Birch Hill Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,104 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,341,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Waste Management by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,398 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $527,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 10.2% in the first quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 485 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $111,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the period. 80.40% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Waste Management News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Higher margins, pricing gains and stronger cash flow could help WM sustain earnings momentum even as operating conditions soften. Technology-driven efficiencies, including benefits from the Stericycle integration, and the company’s consistent dividend also support the long-term investment case. Is WM Stock Worth Buying as Margins Rise but Valuation Stays Rich?
• Positive Sentiment: WM’s recent earnings performance exceeded analysts’ EPS expectations, while revenue continued to grow year over year. These results reinforce the potential for margin expansion and disciplined pricing to offset slower volume growth.
• Neutral Sentiment: WM has lagged the broader market rally, prompting some investors to view the stock as a potential opportunity for defensive, income-oriented portfolios. However, the investment case depends on continued execution rather than a clear near-term catalyst. Waste Management Fell Behind the Rally. Is It an Opportunity?
• Negative Sentiment: WM lowered its 2026 revenue outlook because of softer volumes. Investors are watching whether margin improvements, pricing and cash flow can fully offset weaker demand. WM’s 2026 Outlook Tests Whether Margin Gains Can Offset Softer Volumes
• Negative Sentiment: A premium earnings multiple, substantial debt and weak liquidity metrics increase downside risk if growth or integration benefits disappoint. With shares trading near their moving averages and valuation still rich, investors may demand continued earnings execution. Is WM Stock Worth Buying as Margins Rise but Valuation Stays Rich?

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $270.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Waste Management from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research note on Friday, August 7th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $250.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Oppenheimer cut their target price on shares of Waste Management from $264.00 to $263.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $258.89.

Waste Management Price Performance

WM opened at $224.73 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $227.62 and its 200 day simple moving average is $227.88. The firm has a market cap of $89.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.83, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.44. Waste Management, Inc. has a 1 year low of $194.11 and a 1 year high of $248.13.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 28th. The business services provider reported $2.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $6.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.71 billion. Waste Management had a return on equity of 31.68% and a net margin of 11.11%.The business's revenue was up 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.92 earnings per share. As a group, analysts predict that Waste Management, Inc. will post 8.14 earnings per share for the current year.

Waste Management Company Profile

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.

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