Casella Waste Systems (CWST) vs Waste Connections (WCN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Casella Waste Systems (CWST) has outperformed Waste Connections (WCN) over the past year, losing 8.3% versus a loss of 10.5%. Over five years, WCN leads with a +19.6% price change compared with +5.1% for CWST. Waste Connections is the larger company by market cap ($38.92 billion vs $5.35 billion), about 7.3 times the size, while Casella Waste Systems is growing revenue faster (+18.0% vs +6.1%).
On valuation, Waste Connections trades at a lower forward P/E (24.9x vs 57.3x for Casella Waste Systems). Waste Connections pays a dividend yielding 0.88%, while Casella Waste Systems does not currently pay one. Waste Connections converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.4% versus 0.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CWST | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $84.05 | $154.69 |
| Market cap | $5.35B | $38.92B |
| 1-day change | +0.39% | -0.30% |
| YTD return | -14.18% | -11.52% |
| 1-year return | -8.33% | -10.55% |
| 5-year return | +5.06% | +19.63% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 933.89 | 37.36 |
| Forward P/E | 57.26 | 24.92 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.09 | $4.14 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.88% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.84B | $9.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +17.95% | +6.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.87M | $1.08B |
| Gross margin | 33.77% | 42.37% |
| Operating margin | 3.47% | 18.06% |
| Net margin | 0.43% | 11.37% |
| 52-week high | $107.96 | $179.74 |
| 52-week low | $74.05 | $146.89 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -22.15% | -13.94% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.06% | +29.83% |
| Average volume | 572.32K | 1.24M |
| Shares outstanding | 62.65M | 251.57M |
| Employees | 5,600 | 24,214 |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Industry | Environmental Services | Environmental Services |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Waste Connections is about 7.3 times larger than Casella Waste Systems by market value ($38.92B vs $5.35B).
- Casella Waste Systems trades at a higher earnings multiple (933.9x vs 37.4x trailing P/E).
- Waste Connections is more profitable, keeping 11.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 0.4 cents for Casella Waste Systems.
- Casella Waste Systems grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+17.95% vs +6.14%).
About Casella Waste Systems
CWST stock →Casella Waste Systems, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a vertically integrated solid waste services company in the United States. The company offers resource management expertise and services primarily in the areas of solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling and organics services to residential, commercial, municipal, institutional, and industrial customers.
Utilities · Environmental Services · 5,600 employees
About Waste Connections
WCN stock →Waste Connections, Inc. provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, and disposal services in the United States and Canada.
Utilities · Environmental Services · 24,214 employees
CWST vs WCN FAQ
Which is bigger, Casella Waste Systems or Waste Connections?
Waste Connections (WCN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $38.92B compared with $5.35B for Casella Waste Systems (CWST).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CWST or WCN?
CWST returned -8.33% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.55% for WCN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CWST or WCN?
WCN has the lower trailing P/E at 37.4, versus 933.9 for CWST. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Casella Waste Systems or Waste Connections?
Waste Connections pays a dividend yielding 0.88%, while Casella Waste Systems does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Casella Waste Systems and Waste Connections in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Environmental Services industry within the Utilities sector.