Republic Services (RSG) vs Waste Connections (WCN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Republic Services (RSG) has outperformed Waste Connections (WCN) over the past year, losing 3.8% versus a loss of 10.9%. Over five years, RSG leads with a +69.8% price change compared with +19.3% for WCN. Republic Services is the larger company by market cap ($66.47 billion vs $38.42 billion), about 1.7 times the size, while Waste Connections is growing revenue faster (+6.1% vs +3.3%).
On valuation, Waste Connections trades at a lower forward P/E (24.6x vs 26.9x for Republic Services). Republic Services offers the higher dividend yield (1.15% vs 0.89%). Waste Connections converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.4% versus 11.2%.
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 | RSG | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $217.08 | $152.73 |
| Market cap | $66.47B | $38.42B |
| 1-day change | +0.11% | -1.27% |
| YTD return | +2.32% | -11.79% |
| 1-year return | -3.78% | -10.94% |
| 5-year return | +69.76% | +19.27% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 30.79 | 36.89 |
| Forward P/E | 26.93 | 24.60 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.05 | $4.14 |
| Dividend yield | 1.15% | 0.89% |
| Annual dividend | $2.50 | $1.37 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $19.03B | $9.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.31% | +6.14% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.14B | $1.08B |
| Gross margin | 49.39% | 42.37% |
| Operating margin | 17.35% | 18.06% |
| Net margin | 11.24% | 11.37% |
| 52-week high | $233.42 | $179.74 |
| 52-week low | $196.41 | $146.89 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.00% | -15.03% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.92% | +31.50% |
| Average volume | 1.46M | 1.25M |
| Shares outstanding | 306.21M | 251.57M |
| Employees | 42,000 | 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.
About Republic Services
RSG stock →Republic Services, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, offers environmental services in the United States and Canada. It is involved in the collection and processing of recyclable, solid waste, and industrial waste materials; transportation and disposal of non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams; and other environmental solutions.
Utilities · Environmental Services · 42,000 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
RSG vs WCN FAQ
Which is bigger, Republic Services or Waste Connections?
Republic Services (RSG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $66.47B compared with $38.42B for Waste Connections (WCN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RSG or WCN?
RSG returned -3.78% over the past 12 months, compared with -10.94% for WCN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, RSG or WCN?
RSG has the lower trailing P/E at 30.8, versus 36.9 for WCN. 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, Republic Services or Waste Connections?
Republic Services has the higher yield at 1.15%, compared with 0.89% for Waste Connections.
Are Republic Services and Waste Connections in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Environmental Services industry within the Utilities sector.