Wall Street's three-day rally came to a pause on Friday, with major indices hovering near the flatline by midday in New York as caution returned amid mixed signals on U.S.-China trade relations.
Waste management company Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) fell short of the market’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025 as sales rose 3.8% year on year to $4.01 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.58 per share was 3.1% above analysts’ consensus estimates.
U.S. equities are pushing higher for a third straight session, eyeing the longest winning streak since the Trump tariff announcement on April 2, as optimism over corporate earnings and easing trade tensions boosts risk sentiment.
While strong cash flow is a key indicator of stability, it doesn’t always translate to superior returns.
Some cash-heavy businesses struggle with inefficient spending, slowing demand, or weak competitive positioning.
Since April 2020, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of 91.3%. But one standout stock has more than doubled the market - over the past five years, Republic Services has surged 213% to $242.06 per share. Its momentum hasn’t stopped as it’s also gained 17.8% in the last six months thanks to its solid quarterly results, beating the S&P by 26.1%.
As the Q4 earnings season wraps, let’s dig into this quarter’s best and worst performers in the waste management industry, including Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) and its peers.
As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the waste management industry, including Casella Waste Systems (NASDAQ:CWST) and its peers.
Phoenix-based Republic Services offers environmental services in the U.S. and Canada. The company collects and processes recyclable waste and provides residential recycling services.
While the S&P 500 includes industry leaders, not every stock in the index is a winner.
Some companies are past their prime, weighed down by poor execution, weak financials, or structural headwinds.
Whether you see them or not, industrials businesses play a crucial part in our daily activities. Unfortunately, this role also comes with a demand profile tethered to the ebbs and flows of the broader economy, and investors seem to be forecasting a downturn -
over the past six months, the industry has pulled back by 5.4%. This drawdown was disheartening since the S&P 500 held its ground.
The best-performing stocks typically have robust sales growth, increasing margins, and rising returns on capital,
and those that can maintain this trifecta year in and year out often become the legends of the investing world.
"You get what you pay for" often applies to expensive stocks with best-in-class business models and execution.
While their quality can sometimes justify the premium, they typically experience elevated volatility during market downturns when expectations change.
Environmental waste treatment and services provider Perma-Fix (NASDAQ:PESI)
will be announcing earnings results tomorrow before the bell. Here’s what to expect.
As recession indicators begin to flash, investors may turn to defensive plays for protection—these three stocks offer a compelling case for sturdiness.
