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Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)
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Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) AI Stock Analysis

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WMS

Advanced Drainage Systems

(NYSE:WMS)

Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$157.00
▲(12.71% Upside)
Advanced Drainage Systems demonstrates strong financial performance and resilience in profitability, supported by robust cash flow management and operational efficiency. The technical indicators suggest bullish momentum, though caution is advised due to overbought signals. Valuation metrics indicate the stock is fairly valued, with modest income potential. The earnings call provided positive insights into strategic growth and innovation, despite some demand challenges.
Positive Factors
Acquisition
The acquisition of Orenco is expected to leverage complementary portfolio offerings and operational fine-tuning.
Growth
Orenco has an ideal strategic fit alongside Infiltrator and should notably accelerate ADS' growth in the advanced wastewater treatment space.
Market Opportunity
The increasing recurrence of storm events is driving adoption of more resilient stormwater management infrastructure, providing further share opportunity for ADS.
Negative Factors
Agriculture Sales
Agriculture sales were the clear negative to start FY25 with a decrease of 25%.
Cost Pressures
Incremental headwinds are emerging for WMS, including material cost pressures and a more challenged end market backdrop.
Earnings Guidance
The FY'25 guidance cut reflects softness on all fronts: weaker end markets, higher raw material costs, and a market that is not receptive to cost-based price increases.

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Advanced Drainage Systems Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAdvanced Drainage Systems (WMS) is a leading manufacturer of innovative water management solutions, specializing in the design and supply of products for stormwater management, sanitary sewer systems, and various drainage applications. The company operates primarily in the construction and infrastructure sectors, providing a comprehensive range of high-performance drainage products, including corrugated plastic pipe, fittings, and related accessories, aimed at improving water quality and sustainability in urban and rural environments.
How the Company Makes MoneyAdvanced Drainage Systems generates revenue through the production and sale of its extensive product line, which includes various types of drainage pipes, fittings, and geosynthetic materials. The company primarily serves contractors, engineers, and municipalities involved in construction and infrastructure projects. Key revenue streams are derived from direct sales to these customers, as well as distribution partnerships with wholesalers and retailers. Additionally, the company may benefit from government contracts and public sector projects focused on infrastructure development and environmental management. Factors contributing to its earnings include a strong focus on innovation, a robust supply chain, and strategic acquisitions that enhance its product offerings and market reach.

Advanced Drainage Systems Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: 22.28%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 30, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted resilience in profitability and growth in specific segments despite a challenging demand environment and adverse weather conditions impacting project timelines. Strong margins, cash flow, and innovation efforts were contrasted with mixed demand signals and infrastructure revenue challenges.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Adjusted EBITDA Margin
The company delivered a 33.5% adjusted EBITDA margin despite a challenging market environment, which is among the highest in the company's history.
Revenue Increase and Growth in Key Segments
Overall revenue increased by 2% to $830 million, driven by the Orenco acquisition. Notably, Infiltrator's growth was 21%, complemented by double-digit organic growth in on-site wastewater tanks.
Innovation and Product Development
The launch of new products like the Arcadia hydrodynamic separator and EcoStream Biofiltration product highlights the company's focus on innovation and addressing environmental needs.
Strong Free Cash Flow
The company generated $222 million in free cash flow year-to-date, compared to $126 million in the prior year, indicating strong cash generation.
Operational Excellence and Safety
The company achieved the safest quarter ever with a record low total recordable incident rate below 1.5 compared to an industry average of 3.2.
Negative Updates
Challenging Demand Environment
The company described the demand environment as 'tepid' and 'choppy', indicating uncertainty in market conditions.
Infrastructure Segment Revenue Decline
Revenue in the infrastructure segment was down compared to the prior year, although it was the third highest revenue quarter in the company's history for this segment.
Impact of Weather on Project Timelines
Projects were delayed due to heavy rainfall and high temperatures, particularly affecting the Midwest, Atlantic Coast, South, and Southeastern United States.
Company Guidance
During the Advantage Drainage Systems first-quarter fiscal year 2026 conference call, the company reported a 33.5% adjusted EBITDA margin, highlighting strong results despite a challenging market environment. Revenue increased by 2% to $830 million, driven primarily by the Orenco acquisition, while organic sales saw a slight decline. Infiltrator products experienced 21% growth, bolstered by double-digit growth in on-site wastewater tanks. The company emphasized its focus on profitable growth, operational excellence, and innovation, with a notable product launch being the Arcadia hydrodynamic separator. Looking ahead, the company maintained its guidance, emphasizing the importance of their strategic investments and disciplined execution in driving long-term shareholder value, with an unchanged full-year capital expenditure forecast of $200-$225 million. The call also noted favorable price/cost dynamics and strong free cash flow of $222 million, supported by better working capital performance. Despite the positive results, the company expressed caution about demand variability and emphasized its commitment to maintaining strong margins and driving above-market growth through strategic initiatives.

Advanced Drainage Systems Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Advanced Drainage Systems shows strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth and profitability. However, high leverage and a low equity ratio are concerns. The company maintains robust cash flow management, though it could benefit from improved equity balance.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Advanced Drainage Systems has demonstrated consistent revenue growth over the years, with a notable recovery in profitability metrics such as gross profit and net income margins. The gross profit margin for the latest year is impressive at 37.7%, and the company has maintained strong EBIT and EBITDA margins at 22.6% and 22.6%, respectively. Despite a slight decrease in revenue from the previous year, the overall trend is positive.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a relatively high debt-to-equity ratio, which is a point of concern with a ratio of approximately 15.39. Stockholders' equity has significantly decreased, impacting the equity ratio, which stands low at about 2.5%. However, the company maintains a solid asset base with a total asset value of $3.69 billion. Return on Equity has improved, reflecting better profitability relative to equity.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Advanced Drainage Systems has shown a robust operating cash flow to net income ratio, indicating strong cash generation capability. The free cash flow has decreased compared to the previous year, but the company continues to generate positive free cash flow, reflecting sound financial management. The free cash flow to net income ratio suggests efficient cash utilization in operations.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.78B2.90B2.87B3.07B2.77B1.98B
Gross Profit1.00B1.09B1.15B1.12B800.38M690.08M
EBITDA769.54M864.55M907.39M868.46M554.55M493.51M
Net Income370.00M450.17M509.92M507.09M271.33M224.23M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets3.60B3.69B3.27B2.90B2.65B2.41B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments488.86M463.32M490.16M217.13M20.13M195.01M
Total Debt1.41B1.45B1.41B1.32B958.84M841.50M
Total Liabilities2.04B2.05B1.99B1.91B1.54B1.35B
Stockholders Equity1.55B1.62B1.26B977.37M1.09B1.05B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow378.55M368.55M534.12M540.90M125.81M373.46M
Operating Cash Flow588.00M581.49M717.93M707.81M274.89M452.22M
Investing Cash Flow-682.00M-447.87M-155.66M-214.48M-198.83M-77.87M
Financing Cash Flow-105.14M-157.73M-284.34M-296.28M-251.07M-354.58M

Advanced Drainage Systems Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price139.29
Price Trends
50DMA
118.38
Positive
100DMA
114.40
Positive
200DMA
119.20
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
5.67
Negative
RSI
69.04
Neutral
STOCH
93.99
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WMS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 139.29 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 121.68, above the 50-day MA of 118.38, and above the 200-day MA of 119.20, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 5.67 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 69.04 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 93.99 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WMS.

Advanced Drainage Systems Risk Analysis

Advanced Drainage Systems disclosed 26 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Advanced Drainage Systems reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Advanced Drainage Systems Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
72
Outperform
$6.66B22.5517.53%1.10%-1.44%-31.12%
71
Outperform
$7.96B24.3517.88%0.58%2.95%0.76%
71
Outperform
$7.19B29.2737.03%1.18%3.44%0.25%
71
Outperform
$10.64B24.6927.68%0.47%0.24%-12.68%
68
Neutral
$6.55B37.9219.81%-9.65%-28.30%
63
Neutral
$10.80B16.556.58%2.06%2.37%-15.86%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WMS
Advanced Drainage Systems
139.29
-8.99
-6.06%
LPX
Louisiana-Pacific
100.37
5.87
6.21%
SSD
Simpson Manufacturing Co
191.19
16.12
9.21%
TREX
Trex Company
65.00
1.25
1.96%
IBP
Installed Building Products
266.77
59.24
28.55%

Advanced Drainage Systems Corporate Events

M&A TransactionsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Advanced Drainage Systems Reports Q1 2026 Financial Results
Neutral
Aug 7, 2025

On August 7, 2025, Advanced Drainage Systems announced its fiscal first quarter results for 2026, revealing a 1.8% increase in net sales to $829.9 million, despite a decrease in net income by 11.2% to $144.1 million. The company highlighted strong execution amid challenging conditions, with investments in engineering and new product offerings like the Arcadia stormwater separator. The acquisition of River Valley Pipe and Orenco Systems contributed to growth, while the company remains focused on long-term profitability and market expansion.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMS) stock is a Buy with a $195.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Advanced Drainage Systems stock, see the WMS Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Advanced Drainage Systems Holds Successful Annual Meeting
Neutral
Jul 17, 2025

On July 15, 2025, Darin Harvey, the Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., announced his resignation effective August 22, 2025, without any disputes or disagreements with the company. During the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 17, 2025, stockholders elected eleven directors, ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent accounting firm for fiscal year 2026, and approved the executive officers’ compensation, reflecting continued shareholder support for the company’s governance and financial strategies.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMS) stock is a Buy with a $149.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Advanced Drainage Systems stock, see the WMS Stock Forecast page.

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Advanced Drainage Systems Reports Q4 2025 Financial Results
Neutral
May 15, 2025

On May 15, 2025, Advanced Drainage Systems announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The company experienced a decrease in net sales and income in the fourth quarter, attributed to unfavorable weather conditions and economic uncertainties. Despite these challenges, ADS saw growth in its more profitable segments, with a focus on expanding its market share through new products and strategies. The company also declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share, payable on June 16, 2025, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMS) stock is a Buy with a $200.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Advanced Drainage Systems stock, see the WMS 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: Aug 14, 2025