Waste Management (NYSE:WM) Given New $245.00 Price Target at Robert W. Baird

Waste Management (NYSE:WM - Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by investment analysts at Robert W. Baird from $235.00 to $245.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "neutral" rating on the business services provider's stock. Robert W. Baird's target price suggests a potential upside of 6.87% from the company's previous close.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on WM. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Waste Management from $227.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. StockNews.com raised shares of Waste Management from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. Scotiabank boosted their price target on shares of Waste Management from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Waste Management from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Raymond James boosted their target price on shares of Waste Management from $235.00 to $237.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Waste Management presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $241.82.

Waste Management Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of WM traded up $0.45 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $229.25. 260,020 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,643,729. The stock's 50-day moving average is $227.95 and its 200-day moving average is $219.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.73, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 0.76. Waste Management has a fifty-two week low of $196.59 and a fifty-two week high of $239.32. The company has a market cap of $92.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.66.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The business services provider reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.59 by $0.08. Waste Management had a net margin of 12.45% and a return on equity of 37.93%. The company had revenue of $6.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.14 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.75 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 16.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Waste Management will post 7.7 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO John A. Carroll sold 209 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $220.55, for a total value of $46,094.95. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 9,066 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,999,506.30. This represents a 2.25 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 44,405 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.43, for a total value of $10,143,434.15. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 211,061 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $48,212,664.23. This trade represents a 17.38 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 95,577 shares of company stock worth $21,662,464 over the last 90 days. 0.18% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Waste Management

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Westend Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Waste Management by 126.9% in the first quarter. Westend Capital Management LLC now owns 118 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates lifted its stake in shares of Waste Management by 892.9% in the 4th quarter. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates now owns 139 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Transce3nd LLC acquired a new stake in Waste Management during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC lifted its position in Waste Management by 69.0% during the first quarter. West Branch Capital LLC now owns 120 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Finally, General Partner Inc. purchased a new stake in Waste Management during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.40% of the company's stock.

About Waste Management

Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity.

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