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Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd. (AU:CWY)
ASX:CWY

Cleanaway Waste Management (CWY) AI Stock Analysis

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AU:CWY

Cleanaway Waste Management

(Sydney:CWY)

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Neutral 54 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:54Neutral
Price Target:
AU$2.50
▼(-1.57% Downside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/26/26
The score is anchored by middling financial performance (low profitability and weak free-cash-flow trend despite a stable balance sheet) and weak technicals (below major moving averages with negative MACD). These are partially offset by a constructive earnings update, including upgraded EBIT guidance and improving operating momentum, while valuation is a mild headwind due to a high P/E despite a moderate dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Vertical integration and asset network
Cleanaway's integrated model—collection, processing, recycling and disposal—lets it internalize volumes and capture margin across multiple steps. That durable asset network improves utilization, pricing leverage and resilience to outsourcing pressure, supporting steadier revenues and margins over years.
Multi-year municipal and contract wins
Long-dated municipal contracts provide predictable, recurring revenue and better fleet/facility utilization. Multi-year pricing and route stability lower volume volatility, improve cash flow visibility and support long-term planning and investment returns across the network.
Identified cost synergies and upgraded guidance
Management has quantified near-term synergies and raised EBIT guidance, indicating operational levers to sustainably expand margins. Realized savings and integration gains should durablely boost profitability into FY27, improving cash generation quality if execution continues as guided.
Negative Factors
Fatal safety incidents
Two fatalities are material and can trigger sustained regulatory scrutiny, higher HS&E compliance costs, insurance and contract risk. Beyond one-off remediation, reputational damage can affect municipal tenders and client relationships, imposing lasting operational and cost implications.
Weak free cash flow conversion
Significant negative FCF growth and a low FCF-to-net-income ratio signal constrained cash conversion. Even with strong OCF vs earnings, catch-up tax, working-capital swings and capex needs reduce cash available for deleveraging, dividends or bolt-on investment over the medium term.
Higher finance costs and leverage pressure
Elevated interest expense from acquisition funding increases fixed financial burden and raises sensitivity to rate moves. Higher net finance costs and reported leverage (~2.3x at H1) limit balance-sheet flexibility and heighten refinancing and margin pressures over the coming 2-6 months.

Cleanaway Waste Management (CWY) vs. iShares MSCI Australia ETF (EWA)

Cleanaway Waste Management Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCleanaway Waste Management Limited provides waste management, industrial, and environmental services in Australia. The company operates through three segments: Solid Waste Services, Industrial & Waste Services, and Liquid Waste & Health Services. It offers commercial and industrial, municipal, and residential collection services for various types of solid waste streams, including general waste, recyclables, construction, and demolition waste, as well as medical and washroom services. The company also involved in the ownership and management of waste transfer stations, resource recovery and recycling facilities, secure product destruction, quarantine treatment operations, and landfills; sale of recovered paper, cardboard, metals, and plastics; and collection, treatment, processing, and recycling of liquid and hazardous waste, including industrial waste, grease trap waste, oily waters, and used mineral and cooking oils in packaged and bulk forms. In addition, it offers industrial solutions comprising industrial cleaning, vacuum tanker loading, site remediation, sludge management, parts washing, concrete remediation, CCTV, corrosion protection, and emergency response services. Further, the company refines and recycles used mineral oils to produce fuel oils and base oils; generates and sells electricity produced utilizing landfill gas; and provides health and biohazardous waste, organic waste, e-waste recycling, industrial construction and cleaning, and equipment cleaning services, as well as spill kits. It offers its services to various industries. The company was formerly known as Transpacific Industries Group Ltd. and changed its name to Cleanaway Waste Management Limited in February 2016. Cleanaway Waste Management Limited was incorporated in 2002 and is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.
How the Company Makes MoneyCleanaway generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily by charging customers for waste collection and disposal services. Their revenue model includes fees for regular waste collection, one-off pickups, and specialized services for hazardous waste management. Additionally, the company earns money from recycling operations, where recovered materials are sold to manufacturers and other industries. Cleanaway has formed significant partnerships with municipalities and private enterprises, which provide stable contracts and recurring revenue. The company also benefits from government initiatives that promote recycling and waste reduction, further enhancing its earning potential in the sustainability sector.

Cleanaway Waste Management Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 25, 2026
(Q2-2026)
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% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Aug 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presents a broadly positive operational and financial momentum: solid top-line growth (13%), double‑digit improvements in key profitability metrics (EBIT +16.9%), an upgraded FY26 EBIT guidance, identified cost savings and synergies that should meaningfully boost FY27 results, and continued investment in safety and digitization. Material negatives include two fatal incidents, one-off cash drag from a large catch‑up tax payment and legacy remediation costs, higher net finance costs from acquisition financing, underperformance in Health Services/OTS and noncash impairments tied to specific assets. On balance the company signals improving performance, credible execution on synergies and a clearer path to stronger free cash flow in H2 and FY27, outweighing the notable but largely one-off or remediable lowlights.
Q2-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Group Revenue Growth
Net revenue increased 13% to almost $1.9 billion in 1H FY26, driven by disciplined pricing and strategic acquisitions (Citywide, Contract Resources).
EBIT and Margin Expansion
Group EBIT rose 16.9% to $228 million and EBIT margin improved 40 basis points to 12.2%, reflecting better asset utilization and cost efficiency.
Upgraded Full-Year Guidance
Management upgraded FY26 EBIT guidance to $480–$500 million (midpoint implies ~19% year‑on‑year EBIT growth), citing clear drivers for a stronger second half.
Strong Segment Performance – Solid Waste Services
Solid Waste Services net revenue grew 7.5% to $1.25 billion; EBIT increased 11% to $196.7 million and EBIT margin expanded 50 basis points to 15.7%.
Industrial Services and Contract Resources Outperformance
Industrial Services net revenue increased 74% to $339 million and EBIT grew 164% to $28.8 million. Contract Resources revenue up 19.5% to $157.8 million with EBIT $17.5 million and EBITA $20.1 million (EBITA margin 12.7%).
Return and Profitability Improvements
Group ROCE improved 80 basis points to 9.4%; ROIC up 60 basis points to 6.3%; EPSA up 18.2% and NPATA up 18.5% to $117.3 million.
Dividend Increase
Board declared a fully franked interim dividend of $0.0335 per share, up 19.6%, reflecting confidence in sustainable cash generation.
Cost Savings and Synergies Identified
Expect to capture ~$3 million in synergies from the Contract Resources acquisition and $15 million in in‑year savings from the indirect cost review, increasing to at least $35 million annualized benefit in FY27.
Capital Intensity Declining; CapEx Guidance Stable
FY26 CapEx guidance unchanged at ~ $415 million; company expects CapEx as a percentage of revenue to be the lowest in five years and to shift spend toward lower‑risk fleet investment.
Operational and Network Wins
Secured Cairns municipal collections contract (7.5 years; >$100 million revenue over life), improved post‑collections project volumes/pricing, and grew resource recovery volumes (CDS + FOGO-driven wins in NSW).
Safety and Risk-Reduction Investments
Serious injury frequency rate reduced 64% vs 1H FY25 to 0.36; TRIFR down 35% to 3.5. No major or significant environmental incidents in the half. $21 million of HS&E capital spent in H1 on risk reduction, with yellow-gear pedestrian detection rolled out mid‑calendar year and IVMS across ~3,500 heavy vehicles by Dec 2026 (costs included in FY26 CapEx).
Negative Updates
Two Fatal Incidents
Cleanaway reported two fatal incidents at company-owned sites in 1H FY26 (separate operational contexts). Management noted independent safety review found no systemic failures but fatalities remain a material negative outcome and focus area.
Free Cash Flow and Cash Timing Headwinds
Free cash flow was $74.2 million, $20 million lower than prior period, driven by a $58.7 million catch-up tax payment, higher cash component of underlying adjustments (~$40.2 million), adverse working capital movement of $12.2 million and higher interest paid (~$9.2 million). Management expects stronger H2 cash flow once one-off items normalize.
Higher Net Finance Costs and Interest Exposure
Underlying net finance costs rose to $73.4 million in H1 and FY26 full-year outlook increased to ~ $155 million (from prior ~$150 million), reflecting higher debt from acquisitions and a February rate rise outside company control.
Underperformance in OTS and Health Services
Aggregate OTS & Health net revenue fell 5.1% to $342 million and EBIT fell 12.6% to $36 million; EBIT margin contracted 90 basis points to 10.5%. Health Services was impacted by losing parts of the HealthShare Victoria tender (retained 85%) and ex-Cyclone Alfred disruption at Yatala causing ~$2.4 million extra logistics costs.
Legacy and Underlying Adjustments
Company incurred costs to remediate legacy waste provisions and review/rectify legacy enterprise agreements dating back to 2018; these have cash impacts (expected to be low single-digit millions per year for EA reviews) and contributed to H1 underlying adjustments and exclusion from underlying results.
Restructuring and Workforce Reduction
Strategy refresh led to centralization and restructuring of indirect labor, resulting in reduction of ~250 FTEs (primarily FTAs). While expected to generate cost savings (~$15m H2, >$35m FY27), this is a material workforce change.
Noncash Impairments and Portfolio Retirements
Decision to retire the Construction & Demolition SBU and a noncash impairment taken against the Circular Plastics Australia joint venture (laverton HDPE plant) due to weaker market/pricing outlook tied to slower policy support for minimum domestic recycled content.
New Chum Landfill Closure Loss
Planned closure of New Chum landfill on 30 November resulted in an operating loss of approximately $3 million in the period.
Softening Commodity Prices Impacting Resource Recovery
Old corrugated cardboard (OCC) prices softened through the half, creating a first-half rebate headwind (lagged customer rebates) though management expects a relative tailwind in second half.
Company Guidance
Cleanaway upgraded FY26 EBIT guidance to $480–500m (mid‑point implying ~19% y/y EBIT growth) and maintained FY26 CapEx guidance of ≈$415m (lowest CapEx/net revenue ratio in 5 years, includes ~$15m for Contract Resources and ~$21m H1 risk‑reduction spend). H1 operating metrics were strong: net revenue ~ $1.9bn (+13%), EBIT $228m (+16.9%), EBIT margin 12.2% (+40bps), free cash flow $74.2m, ROCE 9.4% (+80bps) and ROIC 6.3% (+60bps); leverage is 2.3x and H1 net finance costs were $73.4m with FY26 net finance cost guidance ≈$155m. Management expects a significantly stronger H2 and into FY27 as a $58.7m catch‑up tax paid in H1 normalizes (H2 instalments ~ $48–53m), underlying adjustment cash impact to be ~ $30m higher y/y (H1 cash impact ~$40m), ~ $5m further H2 integration costs, $3m initial Contract Resources synergies plus $15m in‑year indirect‑cost savings (ramping to ≥$35m annualized in FY27), and operational tails (CDS late‑summer volumes, carbon benefits, OTS/Health recovery) supporting the upgraded guidance; operational safety and tech rollouts include IVMS on ~3,500 heavy vehicles by Dec‑2026 and AI pedestrian detection by mid‑calendar 2026.

Cleanaway Waste Management Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Income statement is pressured by slightly negative revenue growth (-0.99%) and a low net margin (4.14%). Balance sheet is comparatively solid with moderate leverage (debt-to-equity 0.59) and a healthy equity ratio (46.24%), but ROE is modest (5.16%). Cash flow is mixed: operating cash flow is strong versus earnings (OCF/NI 2.91) but free cash flow growth is materially negative (-34.36%).
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Cleanaway Waste Management shows a declining revenue growth rate of -0.99% in the latest year, indicating potential challenges in maintaining sales momentum. The gross profit margin is notably high at 100% due to the accounting treatment of costs, but the net profit margin is relatively low at 4.14%, suggesting limited profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are moderate, reflecting operational efficiency but also highlighting room for improvement in cost management.
Balance Sheet
60
Neutral
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 0.59, indicating a balanced approach to leveraging debt. Return on equity is modest at 5.16%, suggesting average efficiency in generating returns from shareholders' equity. The equity ratio stands at 46.24%, showing a solid equity base relative to total assets, which provides financial stability.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Free cash flow growth is negative at -34.36%, raising concerns about cash generation capabilities. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.91, indicating strong cash flow generation relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.27, suggesting that a portion of earnings is being converted into free cash flow, albeit at a declining rate.
BreakdownTTMJun 2025Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue4.08B3.79B3.70B3.51B2.97B2.37B
Gross Profit818.70M3.79B480.70M365.00M328.50M316.50M
EBITDA659.40M707.90M688.10M434.00M487.40M521.80M
Net Income120.90M156.90M156.60M21.60M78.90M145.30M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets7.13B6.58B6.37B6.07B5.85B4.80B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments102.30M86.50M120.60M102.10M66.50M69.40M
Total Debt2.92B1.80B1.73B1.59B1.68B1.07B
Total Liabilities4.10B3.53B3.37B3.13B3.22B2.16B
Stockholders Equity3.03B3.04B3.00B2.94B2.63B2.63B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow180.80M122.10M138.90M96.70M204.30M179.50M
Operating Cash Flow474.20M457.20M542.10M482.60M467.30M425.70M
Investing Cash Flow-797.80M-308.10M-459.50M-548.90M-774.40M-292.40M
Financing Cash Flow308.00M-183.20M-64.10M101.90M304.20M-143.70M

Cleanaway Waste Management Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price2.54
Price Trends
50DMA
2.50
Positive
100DMA
2.56
Negative
200DMA
2.67
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.02
Negative
RSI
59.21
Neutral
STOCH
52.47
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For AU:CWY, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 2.54 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 2.45, above the 50-day MA of 2.50, and below the 200-day MA of 2.67, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.02 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 59.21 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 52.47 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for AU:CWY.

Cleanaway Waste Management Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
70
Neutral
AU$466.65M10.206.54%4.73%-9.67%-6.49%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
54
Neutral
AU$5.69B38.825.08%2.32%2.39%
54
Neutral
AU$93.19M-1.385.66%1.28%-14.88%-56.89%
49
Neutral
AU$31.03M-16.21-16.00%11.53%46.15%
42
Neutral
AU$12.81M-0.15-51.88%-8.37%-300.48%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
AU:CWY
Cleanaway Waste Management
2.54
0.03
1.20%
AU:CLG
Close the Loop Ltd.
0.02
-0.08
-76.00%
AU:VEE
Veem Ltd
0.64
-0.18
-22.56%
AU:DEM
De.mem Ltd.
0.10
>-0.01
-5.00%
AU:KSC
K & S Corporation Limited
3.41
-0.02
-0.58%

Cleanaway Waste Management Corporate Events

Cleanaway lifts guidance as strong first-half boosts margins and dividend
Feb 25, 2026

Cleanaway Waste Management reported a strong first half for FY26, with gross revenue up 13.7% to $2.21 billion and net revenue up 13.0% to $1.88 billion, driven by solid growth in its Solid Waste Services segment and the contribution from the Contract Resources acquisition. While statutory EBIT fell 21.2% to $137.2 million due to $91 million of significant, non-recurring items, underlying EBIT rose 16.9% to $228.2 million, lifting the underlying EBIT margin to 12.2% and supporting a 19.6% increase in the fully franked interim dividend to 3.35 cents per share.

The company upgraded its FY26 underlying EBIT guidance to a range of $480 million to $500 million, reflecting a robust first-half performance and a strong outlook. Cleanaway also advanced key safety and efficiency initiatives, including AI-enabled pedestrian detection and in-vehicle monitoring across about 3,500 collection vehicles, signalling continued investment in operational risk reduction and fleet transformation that underpins its improving returns and industry positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (AU:CWY) stock is a Hold with a A$2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cleanaway Waste Management stock, see the AU:CWY Stock Forecast page.

Cleanaway Declares Interim Dividend for Half‑Year to December 2025
Feb 25, 2026

Cleanaway Waste Management has declared an ordinary dividend of AUD 0.0335 per fully paid share, relating to the six‑month period ending 31 December 2025. The ex‑dividend date is 11 March 2026, the record date is 12 March 2026 and shareholders will receive payment on 16 April 2026, with participation in the dividend reinvestment plan closing on 13 March 2026.

The announcement underlines Cleanaway’s continued practice of returning cash to shareholders in line with its interim reporting cycle. The scheduled distribution may be viewed as a signal of ongoing cash generation and financial stability, providing income for investors while potentially supporting longer‑term capital management through the dividend reinvestment plan option.

The most recent analyst rating on (AU:CWY) stock is a Hold with a A$2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cleanaway Waste Management stock, see the AU:CWY Stock Forecast page.

Cleanaway Appoints Vanessa Guthrie to Board, Discloses Shareholding
Feb 1, 2026

Cleanaway Waste Management Limited has announced the appointment of Vanessa Ann Guthrie as a director, effective 1 February 2026. According to the initial director’s interest notice lodged with the ASX, Guthrie holds a beneficial interest in 19,685 ordinary shares in the company via BNP Paribas Securities Services, with no additional contractual interests disclosed, underscoring the company’s ongoing refresh of its board and governance disclosures to the market.

The most recent analyst rating on (AU:CWY) stock is a Hold with a A$2.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cleanaway Waste Management stock, see the AU:CWY Stock Forecast page.

Cleanaway to Issue 2.6 Million Unquoted Performance Rights Under Staff Incentive Plan
Jan 14, 2026

Cleanaway Waste Management has notified the market of the issue of 2,620,128 unquoted performance rights under its employee incentive scheme, scheduled to be issued on 5 November 2025. The issuance of these performance rights, which are not intended to be quoted on the ASX, underscores the company’s continued use of equity-based incentives to reward and retain staff, aligning employee interests with long-term shareholder value and operational performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (AU:CWY) stock is a Buy with a A$3.15 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cleanaway Waste Management stock, see the AU:CWY Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 26, 2026