The stock of Waste Connections Inc (NYSE: WCN) has decreased by -0.12 when compared to last closing price of 167.54. Despite this, the company has experienced a -0.39% fall in its stock price over the last five trading sessions. Zacks Investment Research reported 2024-04-10 that Waste Connection (WCN) is benefitting from a highly efficient operational structure and acquisitions amid operational risks and low liquidity.
Is It Worth Investing in Waste Connections Inc (NYSE: WCN) Right Now?
Waste Connections Inc (NYSE: WCN) has a higher price-to-earnings ratio of 56.63x compared to its average ratio, The 36-month beta value for WCN is at 0.66. Analysts have varying views on the stock, with 9 analysts rating it as a “buy,” 3 rating it as “overweight,” 2 as “hold,” and 0 as “sell.”
The public float for WCN is 256.76M, and currently, shorts hold a 0.49% of that float. The average trading volume for WCN on April 12, 2024 was 920.67K shares.
WCN’s Market Performance
WCN’s stock has seen a -0.39% decrease for the week, with a -1.46% drop in the past month and a 13.03% gain in the past quarter. The volatility ratio for the week is 1.33%, and the volatility levels for the past 30 days are at 1.22% for Waste Connections Inc The simple moving average for the last 20 days is -1.47% for WCN stock, with a simple moving average of 14.05% for the last 200 days.
Analysts’ Opinion of WCN
Many brokerage firms have already submitted their reports for WCN stocks, with RBC Capital Mkts repeating the rating for WCN by listing it as a “Outperform.” The predicted price for WCN in the upcoming period, according to RBC Capital Mkts is $196 based on the research report published on April 08, 2024 of the current year 2024.
UBS, on the other hand, stated in their research note that they expect to see WCN reach a price target of $181, previously predicting the price at $170. The rating they have provided for WCN stocks is “Neutral” according to the report published on February 29th, 2024.
WCN Trading at 0.62% from the 50-Day Moving Average
After a stumble in the market that brought WCN to its low price for the period of the last 52 weeks, the company was unable to rebound, for now settling with -3.28% of loss for the given period.
Volatility was left at 1.22%, however, over the last 30 days, the volatility rate increased by 1.33%, as shares sank -1.03% for the moving average over the last 20 days. Over the last 50 days, in opposition, the stock is trading +7.88% upper at present.
During the last 5 trading sessions, WCN fell by -0.31%, which changed the moving average for the period of 200-days by +20.68% in comparison to the 20-day moving average, which settled at $169.75. In addition, Waste Connections Inc saw 12.11% in overturn over a single year, with a tendency to cut further gains.
Insider Trading
Reports are indicating that there were more than several insider trading activities at WCN starting from LITTLE JAMES, who sale 6,000 shares at the price of $168.64 back on Mar 07 ’24. After this action, LITTLE JAMES now owns 28,215 shares of Waste Connections Inc, valued at $1,011,840 using the latest closing price.
GUILLET EDWARD E, the Director of Waste Connections Inc, sale 2,000 shares at $168.79 during a trade that took place back on Mar 07 ’24, which means that GUILLET EDWARD E is holding 31,600 shares at $337,590 based on the most recent closing price.
Stock Fundamentals for WCN
Current profitability levels for the company are sitting at:
- 0.17 for the present operating margin
- 0.38 for the gross margin
The net margin for Waste Connections Inc stands at 0.09. The total capital return value is set at 0.09. Equity return is now at value 10.31, with 4.32 for asset returns.
Based on Waste Connections Inc (WCN), the company’s capital structure generated 0.47 points at debt to capital in total, while cash flow to debt ratio is standing at 0.32. The debt to equity ratio resting at 0.88. The interest coverage ratio of the stock is 10.56.
Currently, EBITDA for the company is 2.52 billion with net debt to EBITDA at 3.18. When we switch over and look at the enterprise to sales, we see a ratio of 6.2. The receivables turnover for the company is 9.17for trailing twelve months and the total asset turnover is 0.45. The liquidity ratio also appears to be rather interesting for investors as it stands at 0.68.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Waste Connections Inc (WCN) has had a mixed performance lately. Opinion on the stock among analysts is bullish, with some giving it a “buy” rating and others a “hold”. It is worth mentioning that the stock is currently trading in close proximity to its 50-day moving average and its 52-week high.
