Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd Boosts Stake in Waste Management, Inc. $WM

Key Points

• Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management boosted its stake in Waste Management by 11.7% in Q4 to 104,032 shares, worth roughly $22.86 million.
• Waste Management beat quarterly EPS at $1.81 versus $1.75 expected, while revenue was $6.23 billion (slightly below the $6.28 billion estimate) and rose 3.5% year‑over‑year.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.945 ($3.78 annualized, a 1.7% yield); analysts hold a consensus "Moderate Buy" with an average target of $255.67, even as insiders sold about 92,616 shares (~$21.85 million) last quarter.

Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM - Free Report) by 11.7% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 104,032 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 10,892 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd's holdings in Waste Management were worth $22,857,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Elevated Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Waste Management in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of Waste Management by 101.5% during the 3rd quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 133 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Waste Management in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Kelleher Financial Advisors purchased a new stake in Waste Management in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,000. Finally, Holos Integrated Wealth LLC bought a new position in Waste Management during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors own 80.40% of the company's stock.

Waste Management Stock Down 1.5%

Shares of Waste Management stock opened at $224.51 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.22, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 0.93. Waste Management, Inc. has a 52-week low of $194.11 and a 52-week high of $248.13. The company's 50 day moving average price is $232.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $222.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $90.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.49.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The business services provider reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.75 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $6.23 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.28 billion. Waste Management had a net margin of 10.99% and a return on equity of 31.90%. The firm's revenue was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.67 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Waste Management, Inc. will post 8.17 EPS for the current year.

Waste Management Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th were paid a dividend of $0.945 per share. This represents a $3.78 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a positive change from Waste Management's previous quarterly dividend of $0.83. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 13th. Waste Management's payout ratio is currently 54.70%.

Key Headlines Impacting Waste Management

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

• Positive Sentiment: Bullish retail/coverage piece highlighting reasons investors might revisit WM as a turnaround/speculation candidate; could attract short-term interest from momentum buyers. Here's Why We Think Waste Management NYSE: WM Might Deserve Your Attention Today
• Neutral Sentiment: Industry research on the e‑waste management market outlines long‑term growth drivers (recycling, regulation, services) that could benefit diversified waste operators like WM over time, but it’s not an immediate earnings catalyst. E-Waste Management Market 2031: Size, Share, Trends, Analysis & Forecast Report
• Neutral Sentiment: Geomembrane/liner materials report (HDPE vs LLDPE) discusses landfill containment trends that affect landfill capex/operating choices; relevant to WM’s landfill operations but not a near‑term stock mover. Geomembrane Market Report: HDPE vs LLDPE Material Trends & Waste Management 2033
• Negative Sentiment: Scotiabank cut its FY2026 EPS estimate for WM to $8.05 from $8.36 and maintained a "Sector Perform" stance with a $250 price target; the revision sits below some consensus figures and is likely weighing on the share price by lowering near‑term earnings expectations. (Source: Market summary provided)
• Negative Sentiment: Another analyst note reported an FY2027 EPS reduction for WM, further signaling downward pressure on forward estimates and investor expectations. FY2027 EPS Estimate for Waste Management Reduced by Analyst

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on WM shares. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Waste Management from $235.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on shares of Waste Management from $248.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, April 16th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Waste Management from $236.00 to $252.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Waste Management from $273.00 to $268.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Waste Management from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Waste Management currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $255.67.

Insider Activity at Waste Management

In other Waste Management news, SVP Johnson Varkey sold 121 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.27, for a total value of $29,677.67. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 9,293 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,279,294.11. This trade represents a 1.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, VP Donald J. 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 directly owned 6,024 shares in the company, valued at $1,406,483.52. This trade represents a 66.93% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 92,616 shares of company stock valued at $21,849,115 in the last quarter. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

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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