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GFL Environmental (TSE:GFL)
TSX:GFL

GFL Environmental (GFL) AI Stock Analysis

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GFL Environmental

(TSX:GFL)

59Neutral
GFL Environmental's overall score is driven by strong revenue growth and strategic initiatives like share buybacks and debt reduction. However, challenges with profitability and high leverage, along with mixed technical indicators and valuation concerns, weigh on the score.
Positive Factors
EBITDA Growth
The outlook for double-digit Adjusted EBITDA growth over the intermediate term will resonate with some investors.
Growth Momentum
The presentations and discussions with management reinforced the growth momentum in the business, and its focus on operational improvement was encouraging.
M&A Activity
GFL expects to re-accelerate M&A activity, which provides an upside bias to estimates.
Negative Factors
Shareholder Concerns
GFL will address shareholder concerns by moving to ~3x net leverage and buying back ~40mm shares from a large investor.
Valuation Concerns
Valuation keeps analysts on the sidelines, suggesting that optimism is largely captured by the current valuation.

GFL Environmental (GFL) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

GFL Environmental Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionGFL Environmental Inc. operates as a diversified environmental services company in Canada and the United States. The company offers non-hazardous solid waste management, infrastructure and soil remediation, and liquid waste management services. Its solid waste management business line includes the collection, transportation, transfer, recycling, and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste for municipal, residential, and commercial and industrial customers. The company's infrastructure and soil remediation business line provides remediation of contaminated soils, as well as complementary services, including civil, demolition, and excavation and shoring services. Its liquid waste management business collects, manages, transports, processes, and disposes of a range of industrial and commercial liquid wastes, as well as resells liquid waste products. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Vaughan, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyGFL Environmental makes money primarily through its extensive service offerings in waste management and environmental solutions. The company's revenue model is built on collecting fees for waste collection, processing, recycling, and disposal services. Key revenue streams include subscription-based services for residential waste collection, contracts with commercial businesses for waste management solutions, and specialized services for hazardous and liquid waste handling. Additionally, the company benefits from partnerships with municipalities and industrial clients, which often involve long-term contracts that provide stable and recurring revenue. GFL's focus on sustainability and recycling initiatives also allows it to capitalize on the growing demand for environmentally responsible waste management solutions, further contributing to its earnings.

GFL Environmental Financial Statement Overview

Summary
GFL Environmental has shown strong revenue growth and improving cash flow from operations. However, persistent profitability challenges and high leverage pose risks to financial stability. The company's consistent revenue growth is noteworthy, but addressing debt levels and achieving profitability are crucial for long-term success.
Income Statement
65
Positive
GFL Environmental has demonstrated consistent revenue growth, increasing from $3.35 billion in 2019 to $7.86 billion in 2024, reflecting a strong upward trajectory in top-line performance. However, despite revenue growth, the company has struggled with profitability, consistently reporting negative net income, with a notable loss of $722.7 million in 2024. Gross profit margins improved over time, but the inability to generate positive EBIT and net income margins remains a concern, impacting overall profitability.
Balance Sheet
58
Neutral
The balance sheet reflects substantial leverage, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51 in 2024, indicating significant reliance on debt financing. Stockholders' equity has improved over the years, reaching $6.98 billion in 2024, but high total debt levels at $10.55 billion present financial risk. The equity ratio of 32.9% suggests a moderate level of equity financing, but the high debt burden poses challenges to financial stability.
Cash Flow
70
Positive
Cash flow from operations has been strong, with significant growth to $1.54 billion in 2024. The free cash flow has turned positive in 2024 at $347.2 million, compared to a negative figure in 2023, indicating an improvement in cash management. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is high due to negative net income, highlighting efficient cash conversion despite profitability issues. However, the historical volatility in free cash flow underscores potential cash flow management risks.
Breakdown
Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
7.86B7.52B6.76B5.53B4.20B
Gross Profit
1.49B1.27B797.60M527.60M190.10M
EBIT
0.00389.20M87.90M-64.30M-320.30M
EBITDA
1.20B2.33B1.63B1.09B303.80M
Net Income Common Stockholders
-722.70M45.40M-183.20M-606.80M-994.90M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
133.80M135.70M82.10M190.40M27.20M
Total Assets
21.21B20.67B19.77B18.37B15.73B
Total Debt
10.55B9.29B9.65B8.29B7.74B
Net Debt
10.42B9.15B9.56B8.10B7.72B
Total Liabilities
13.99B13.29B13.72B12.60B10.05B
Stockholders Equity
6.98B7.18B6.04B5.78B5.68B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
347.20M-74.70M316.20M250.70M73.90M
Operating Cash Flow
1.54B980.40M1.10B897.90M502.20M
Investing Cash Flow
-1.68B-310.40M-1.73B-2.69B-4.35B
Financing Cash Flow
163.20M-602.80M569.00M1.96B3.34B

GFL Environmental Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price67.63
Price Trends
50DMA
66.59
Positive
100DMA
65.14
Positive
200DMA
60.81
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.02
Negative
RSI
53.03
Neutral
STOCH
57.51
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:GFL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 67.63 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 66.80, above the 50-day MA of 66.59, and above the 200-day MA of 60.81, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of -0.02 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 53.03 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 57.51 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:GFL.

GFL Environmental Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
63
Neutral
$4.26B11.285.43%215.24%4.12%-8.73%
TSGFL
59
Neutral
$26.60B-10.23%0.12%4.61%-2848.30%
TSNFI
56
Neutral
C$1.41B-0.38%18.07%98.61%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:GFL
GFL Environmental
67.63
23.87
54.55%
BLDP
Ballard Power Systems
1.22
-1.38
-53.08%
CNI
Canadian National Railway
97.10
-25.41
-20.74%
RBA
Ritchie Bros
98.73
26.49
36.67%
WCN
Waste Connections
196.72
34.34
21.15%
TSE:NFI
NFI Group Inc
11.83
0.75
6.77%

GFL Environmental Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Feb 24, 2025 | % Change Since: 3.13% | Next Earnings Date: Apr 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
GFL demonstrated strong financial performance with significant margin expansion and promising growth guidance for 2025. While there were challenges such as declines in Environmental Services revenue and headwinds from commodity and fuel prices, the company's strategic initiatives and enhanced balance sheet position it well for future growth.
Highlights
Strong Financial Performance
GFL reported consolidated revenue for the quarter of $1.98.6 billion, ahead of guidance, with fourth quarter solid waste organic growth accelerating to 7%. Adjusted EBITDA margins were 29.1%, 300 basis points higher than the prior year.
Margin Expansion and Guidance
For the second consecutive quarter, GFL saw 300 basis points of margin expansion. The company is guiding industry-leading organic growth across all financial metrics in 2025, with expectations of 100 basis points of adjusted EBITDA margin expansion.
Strategic Initiatives
The sale of the ES business is expected to close on March 1, providing GFL with an enhanced balance sheet and capital deployment options. The company plans to use proceeds to repay $3.75 billion of long-term debt and pursue share buybacks.
M&A Activity and Growth Investments
GFL closed 11 transactions in 2024 and plans to deploy $325 million of incremental growth capital in 2025. The company maintains a robust M&A pipeline and expects to re-ignite its M&A strategies.
Lowlights
Environmental Services Revenue Decline
Environmental Services revenue was down 2.2% compared to the prior year, impacted by lower used motor oil pricing, lower soil volumes, and tough comparisons from large-scale event-driven revenue in the prior year.
Commodity and Fuel Price Headwinds
Decreases in energy prices reduced fourth quarter revenues from fuel surcharges, and lower commodity prices were a headwind to revenues.
Canadian Postal Strike Impact
Q4 cash collections were negatively impacted by a Canadian postal strike in December, creating a headwind to working capital in the quarter.
Leverage Increase Due to FX
The significant strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus the Canadian dollar in Q4 increased net leverage to 4.06 due to the translational impact of revaluing the year-end debt stack.
Company Guidance
During the GFL Fourth Quarter 2024 earnings call, the company provided guidance for 2025 with several key metrics. GFL anticipates a top-line growth of 6% to 7%, targeting revenues between $6.5 billion and $6.55 billion. The guidance includes industry-leading organic growth across all financial metrics, with a focus on achieving a 100 basis point expansion in adjusted EBITDA margins to 29.7%. The company also expects to deploy $325 million in incremental growth capital in 2025, primarily for EPR contracts, and anticipates adjusted free cash flow of $750 million. M&A activity is projected to increase post-sale of the Environmental Services (ES) business, with a planned $2.25 billion share repurchase program to reduce the public float. GFL plans to maintain leverage around three times net debt to adjusted EBITDA, with a focus on achieving an investment-grade credit rating.

GFL Environmental Corporate Events

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
GFL Environmental Resumes Share Repurchase Program
Positive
Apr 24, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. has announced the resumption of its normal course issuer bid (NCIB) following approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange. The company plans to repurchase up to 28,046,256 subordinate voting shares over the next year, excluding shares previously repurchased from BC Partners and those acquired in a secondary offering. This move is part of GFL’s strategy to manage its capital structure and potentially enhance shareholder value, with purchases subject to market conditions and executed through various trading platforms.

Spark’s Take on TSE:GFL Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, TSE:GFL is a Neutral.

GFL Environmental’s overall score is driven by strong revenue growth and strategic initiatives, such as share buybacks and debt reduction, which are positive for long-term stability. However, challenges with profitability and high leverage, along with technical indicators suggesting short-term pressure, weigh on the score.

To see Spark’s full report on TSE:GFL stock, click here.

Dividends
GFL Environmental Boosts Quarterly Dividend by 10%
Positive
Apr 3, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. announced a 10% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, raising it from US$0.014 to US$0.0154 per share. This decision reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing shareholder value and may positively impact its market positioning by demonstrating financial stability and growth potential.

Financial Disclosures
GFL Environmental to Announce Q1 2025 Financial Results
Neutral
Apr 1, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. announced the release of its first quarter 2025 financial results scheduled for April 30, 2025, with an investor conference call to follow on May 1, 2025. This announcement is significant for stakeholders as it provides insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic positioning in the environmental services industry.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
GFL Environmental Completes Strategic Share Transactions
Positive
Mar 31, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. has completed a secondary offering of 18,887,723 subordinate voting shares by several selling shareholders. The company acquired 7,056,027 shares under this offering, alongside purchasing 17,050,298 shares from BC Partners and 7,618,758 shares under its normal course issuer bid, totaling 31,725,083 shares for cancellation. This strategic move allows GFL to optimize its share structure and retain the ability to purchase additional shares, potentially strengthening its market position.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
GFL Environmental Upsizes Secondary Offering and Announces Share Buyback
Neutral
Mar 26, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. announced an increase in the size of its secondary offering by selling shareholders, now totaling 18,887,723 subordinate voting shares priced at US$47.65 per share. The company has also agreed to purchase for cancellation 7,056,027 shares under this offering, which is being managed by RBC Capital Markets, LLC and RBC Dominion Securities Inc. This move is part of GFL’s strategic financial operations and may impact its market positioning by potentially reducing the number of shares available in the market.

Stock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
GFL Environmental Inc. Announces Major Share Buyback Strategy
Positive
Mar 26, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. announced the direct buyback of 17,050,298 subordinate voting shares from BC Partners and plans to repurchase up to 7,056,027 shares in a secondary offering. These transactions align with GFL’s strategy to utilize proceeds from the sale of its Environmental Services business to repurchase shares, aiming to strengthen its market position without negatively impacting share value. The company’s board approved these transactions, supported by a special committee, and received regulatory approval to proceed with share repurchases.

Private Placements and FinancingRegulatory Filings and Compliance
GFL Environmental Announces Secondary Share Offering by Major Shareholders
Neutral
Mar 26, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. announced a secondary offering of 15,739,769 subordinate voting shares by selling shareholders, including Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and other entities. The company will not receive proceeds from this sale, which will be managed by RBC Capital Markets and RBC Dominion Securities in the U.S. and Canada, respectively. This offering, detailed in the prospectus supplement, is part of a multi-jurisdictional disclosure system between Canada and the U.S., potentially impacting the company’s market presence and shareholder dynamics.

M&A TransactionsStock BuybackBusiness Operations and Strategy
GFL Environmental Sells Environmental Services Business for $8 Billion
Positive
Mar 3, 2025

GFL Environmental Inc. has completed the sale of its Environmental Services business for $8 billion, retaining a $1.7 billion equity interest. The company plans to use up to $3.75 billion of the proceeds to repay debt, with $2.25 billion potentially allocated for share repurchases, subject to market conditions, and the remainder for transaction fees and general corporate purposes. This transaction is expected to significantly impact GFL’s financial strategy, potentially improving its debt position and shareholder value.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.