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Casella Waste Systems (CWST)
NASDAQ:CWST
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Casella Waste (CWST) AI Stock Analysis

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CWST

Casella Waste

(NASDAQ:CWST)

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Neutral 69 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:69Neutral
Price Target:
$105.00
▲(9.83% Upside)
Casella Waste's overall stock score is driven by strong earnings call results and positive technical indicators, despite challenges in financial performance and valuation concerns. The optimistic outlook and operational efficiency improvements are significant positives, but high valuation metrics and profitability issues temper the overall score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Record revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective pricing strategies, enhancing the company's competitive position and future earnings potential.
Acquisition Strategy
Strategic acquisitions expand market presence and revenue base, providing long-term growth opportunities and operational synergies.
Sustainability Leadership
Commitment to sustainability strengthens brand reputation and aligns with growing environmental regulations, supporting long-term business viability.
Negative Factors
Profit Margin Pressure
Decreasing profit margins indicate challenges in cost management and pricing power, potentially impacting long-term profitability.
Cash Flow Concerns
Declining free cash flow may limit the company's ability to invest in growth opportunities and manage debt, affecting financial stability.
Commodity Price Headwinds
Volatility in commodity prices can impact revenue from recycling operations, posing a risk to consistent earnings and cash flow.

Casella Waste (CWST) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Casella Waste Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCasella Waste Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a vertically integrated solid waste services company in the northeastern United States. It offers resource management services primarily in the areas of solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling, and organics services to residential, commercial, municipal, institutional, and industrial customers. The company provides a range of non-hazardous solid waste services, including collections, transfer stations, and disposal facilities. It also markets recyclable metals, aluminum, plastics, and paper and corrugated cardboard that are processed at its facilities, as well as recyclables purchased from third parties. In addition, the company is involved in commodity brokerage operations. As of January 31, 2022, it owned and/or operated 50 solid waste collection operations, 65 transfer stations, 23 recycling facilities, 8 Subtitle D landfills, 3 landfill gas-to-energy facilities, and 1 landfill permitted to accept construction and demolition materials. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Rutland, Vermont.
How the Company Makes MoneyCasella Waste generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily from its waste collection, recycling, and disposal operations. The company charges fees for its collection services based on the volume and type of waste generated by its customers, which include residential households, commercial businesses, and industrial clients. Additionally, revenue is derived from tipping fees charged at its landfills for waste disposal, as well as from the sale of recyclable materials processed at its recycling facilities. The company also benefits from long-term contracts with municipalities and businesses, providing a stable revenue base. Strategic partnerships with local governments and businesses enhance its market presence and contribute to earnings, alongside investments in technology and infrastructure aimed at improving operational efficiency and sustainability.

Casella Waste Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 12, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected strong operational and financial performance with record-breaking revenue and EBITDA, successful acquisitions, and positive future growth projections. However, there were challenges such as commodity price headwinds and integration issues in the Mid-Atlantic segment. The overall sentiment is optimistic with significant achievements and a robust outlook for 2026.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue and EBITDA
Revenue and adjusted EBITDA were quarterly records at approximately $485 million and $120 million, respectively, with year-over-year growth driven by strong waste pricing and landfill volumes.
Strong Free Cash Flow Growth
Year-to-date adjusted free cash flow totaled $119 million, up 21% year-over-year, supported by EBITDA growth and stronger working capital performance.
Successful Integration and Acquisition Strategy
Completed eight acquisitions year-to-date, adding $105 million in annualized revenue, with expectations to close Mountain State Waste transaction by year-end, contributing an additional $30 million.
Strategic Pricing and Operational Efficiency
Solid waste operations delivered strong performance with pricing and landfill volumes driving margin expansion. Mid-Atlantic integration progressing well with expected improvements in efficiency.
Sustainability Leadership Awards
Casella recognized customers for reducing waste, increasing recycling, and advancing the circular economy, showcasing their commitment to sustainability.
Positive Outlook for 2026
Anticipating strong growth across revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and cash flow for 2026, with planned margin improvements and acquisition rollovers.
Negative Updates
Commodity Price Headwinds
Resource Solutions segment faced challenges with recycling and other processing revenue down 5% due to lower commodity prices affecting average recycled commodity revenue per ton, which was down 29% year-over-year.
G&A Cost Increase
General and administrative costs were up $10.2 million year-over-year, reflecting a 40 basis point increase as a percentage of revenue due to technology upgrades and integration investments.
Mid-Atlantic Segment Challenges
Mid-Atlantic integration resulted in a year-over-year margin headwind of about 10 basis points, highlighting ongoing challenges in fully integrating these operations.
Company Guidance
During the Casella Waste Systems Q3 2025 earnings call, the company reported record quarterly revenues and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $485 million and $120 million, respectively, marking significant year-over-year increases of 17.9% and 16.4%. These results were driven by strong solid waste pricing, healthy landfill volumes, and contributions from acquisitions, which added $53.4 million in revenues. Year-to-date adjusted free cash flow reached $119 million, up 21% year-over-year. The company's M&A strategy included eight acquisitions contributing approximately $105 million in annualized revenue, with an additional $30 million expected from the Mountain State Waste transaction. Looking ahead, Casella expects organic growth of 4% to 5% in 2026 and anticipates total revenue growth of 7% to 8%, alongside a target of 25 to 50 basis points of EBITDA margin improvement, driven by operational enhancements and acquisition rollovers.

Casella Waste Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Casella Waste demonstrates moderate financial health with stable revenue growth but faces challenges in profitability and cash flow generation. The company has improved its leverage position, but declining margins and low return on equity highlight areas for improvement. Continued focus on operational efficiency and cash flow management is essential for future growth.
Income Statement
65
Positive
Casella Waste shows moderate revenue growth with a TTM increase of 4.28% and a previous year growth of 23.15%. However, margins have been declining, with the gross profit margin dropping from 33.36% in 2022 to 17.79% in TTM. Net profit margin is low at 0.64% TTM, indicating profitability challenges. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have also decreased, reflecting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has improved from 1.68 in 2020 to 0.79 TTM, indicating better leverage management. However, the return on equity has decreased significantly from 25.16% in 2020 to 0.98% TTM, suggesting reduced profitability for shareholders. The equity ratio remains stable, reflecting a balanced asset structure.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Operating cash flow has improved, with a TTM coverage ratio of 1.25, but free cash flow growth is negative at -13.97% TTM, indicating cash generation issues. The free cash flow to net income ratio is moderate at 0.27 TTM, showing some ability to convert income into cash.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.80B1.56B1.26B1.09B889.21M774.58M
Gross Profit312.16M295.04M261.80M235.62M203.22M168.16M
EBITDA387.82M321.52M274.17M248.29M208.78M154.87M
Net Income15.26M13.54M25.40M53.08M41.10M91.11M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.29B3.33B2.54B1.45B1.28B1.19B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments192.65M383.30M220.91M71.15M33.81M154.34M
Total Debt1.23B1.21B1.12B665.33M616.09M617.72M
Total Liabilities1.72B1.78B1.51B951.32M861.12M831.76M
Stockholders Equity1.57B1.55B1.02B497.90M422.46M362.14M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow78.31M78.13M78.19M86.35M59.44M31.81M
Operating Cash Flow342.97M281.36M233.09M217.31M182.74M139.92M
Investing Cash Flow-690.70M-670.61M-1.01B-206.92M-293.15M-140.03M
Financing Cash Flow21.41M551.64M922.30M26.95M-10.12M150.98M

Casella Waste Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price95.60
Price Trends
50DMA
90.17
Positive
100DMA
95.08
Positive
200DMA
104.48
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
1.96
Negative
RSI
63.42
Neutral
STOCH
75.59
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CWST, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 95.6 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 91.69, above the 50-day MA of 90.17, and below the 200-day MA of 104.48, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 1.96 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 63.42 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.59 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CWST.

Casella Waste Risk Analysis

Casella Waste disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Casella Waste reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Casella Waste Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$12.21B31.7114.64%2.85%-6.27%
76
Outperform
$86.99B34.0329.31%1.54%15.88%-3.11%
69
Neutral
$6.07B398.500.98%20.54%106.35%
65
Neutral
$66.27B31.8218.24%1.06%4.33%7.59%
65
Neutral
$900.05M-4.17%22.77%44.73%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
55
Neutral
$1.48B-38.53%-2.91%-67.18%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CWST
Casella Waste
95.60
-18.33
-16.09%
CLH
Clean Harbors
239.55
-16.67
-6.51%
NVRI
Enviri
18.30
10.69
140.47%
RSG
Republic Services
212.67
0.10
0.05%
WM
Waste Management
214.54
-7.28
-3.28%
MEG
Montrose Environmental Group
24.96
6.26
33.48%

Casella Waste Corporate Events

Casella Waste Systems Reports Record Earnings and Positive Outlook
Nov 1, 2025

Casella Waste Systems’ recent earnings call painted a picture of robust performance and optimism for the future. The company reported record-breaking revenue and EBITDA figures, alongside successful acquisitions and positive growth projections. Despite facing challenges such as commodity price headwinds and integration issues in the Mid-Atlantic segment, the overall sentiment was optimistic, highlighting significant achievements and a promising outlook for 2026.

Private Placements and Financing
Casella Waste Remarkets $37.5M Revenue Bonds Successfully
Positive
Sep 2, 2025

On September 2, 2025, Casella Waste Systems successfully remarketed $37.5 million of New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, originally issued in 2020. The remarketing, which included a redemption of $2.5 million in bonds, aims to support the company’s operations in New York, with the bonds guaranteed by its subsidiaries to ensure payment obligations are met.

The most recent analyst rating on (CWST) stock is a Hold with a $101.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Casella Waste stock, see the CWST Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
Casella Waste Remarkets $37.5M Bonds at New Rate
Neutral
Aug 28, 2025

On August 28, 2025, Casella Waste Systems announced the pricing of the remarketing of $37.5 million in New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, originally issued in 2020. The remarketing, set for September 2, 2025, involves a new interest rate of 4.250% per annum and is aimed at qualified institutional buyers, with the bonds guaranteed by Casella’s subsidiaries.

The most recent analyst rating on (CWST) stock is a Hold with a $101.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Casella Waste stock, see the CWST Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Casella Waste Begins Remarketing $37.5M Bonds
Neutral
Aug 18, 2025

On August 18, 2025, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. announced the commencement of remarketing $37.5 million of New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds, originally issued in 2020. The remarketing, expected to be effective on September 2, 2025, involves a mandatory tender and a new interest rate period, impacting the company’s financial strategy and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (CWST) stock is a Hold with a $107.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Casella Waste stock, see the CWST Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Casella Waste Announces Leadership Transition with New CEO
Neutral
Aug 6, 2025

On August 1, 2025, Casella Waste Systems announced a leadership transition with John W. Casella stepping down as CEO to become Executive Chairman, effective January 1, 2026. Edmond R. Coletta, the current President, will succeed him as CEO and join the Board as a Class II director. This transition marks a significant change in the company’s leadership, with Mr. Casella having been a pivotal figure in the company’s growth over the past 50 years. The appointment of Mr. Coletta, who has been with the company since 2004 and held various leadership roles, is expected to continue the company’s strategic development and commitment to sustainability and innovation.

The most recent analyst rating on (CWST) stock is a Hold with a $107.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Casella Waste stock, see the CWST 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: Dec 03, 2025