Casella Waste Systems Inc logo

Casella Waste Systems Inc(CWST)

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ADVISORIES YOU CAN VERIFY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$82.77
10/02/2026
(24-hour delay)

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Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CWST

10/02/2026: CWST (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Casella Waste Systems is an integrated environmental services firm operating primarily in the Northeastern U.S. that provides waste collection, recycling, and disposal services. The company benefits from a vertically integrated model and strong regional density, which help protect its margins and competitive position. Its primary growth story revolves around continuous 'tuck-in' acquisitions and the expansion of sustainable resource solutions. Key risks include heavy reliance on debt to fund growth, exposure to regional economic trends, and intense competition from larger industry players. The stock is best suited for growth-oriented investors who can tolerate some volatility while the company executes its consolidation strategy.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorStrong fitThe company has a consistent track record of expanding through strategic acquisitions and operational improvements.
Momentum investorMixed fitMomentum performance depends on favorable market conditions and successful execution of expansion strategies.
Value investorMixed fitThe stock often trades at a premium due to its growth profile and role as an acquisition target.
Dividend investorWeak fitThe company prioritizes capital reinvestment over dividend distributions.
Low-risk investorMixed fitWhile the business is recession-resistant, the stock's valuation and acquisition-driven strategy introduce moderate volatility.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumThe stock can experience fluctuations based on M&A news and broader market sentiment regarding industrial growth.
Valuation riskMedium / highHigher valuation multiples reflect growth expectations that require consistent execution to maintain.
Competition risk (national waste consolidators)HighLarge competitors can use their scale to pressure pricing and acquire assets in Casella's target regions.
Business qualityStrongThe company provides essential services with predictable revenue streams and high barriers to entry.
Dividend incomeLow / noneInvestors seeking immediate cash yield will not find it here as capital is reinvested.
Execution riskMediumIntegrating multiple acquisitions successfully is critical to achieving expected synergies and margin expansion.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -11.85%
Avg. Invested days 45
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/02/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
CWST receives a 3-star rating, supported by solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by soft unit economics, and weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
CWST has moderate overall fundamentals (3 stars), with moderate financial health, moderate growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid revenue growth (+18.0%) is partially offset by negative earnings growth (-41.9%), soft cash generation (FCF margin 4.6%), soft profitability (net margin 0.4%).

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
CWST's financial health is supported by solid cash strength, including free-cash-flow generation (4.6% of revenue). Profitability is soft (2 stars), which helps explain the 3-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Revenue growth is CWST's strongest growth driver at +18.0% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while earnings growth (-41.9%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 126.6% and approximately 99.4% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.56%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 14.76%
Wasatch Advisors LP 5.55%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 5.42%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.44%
State Street Corp 3.96%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
CWST generates approximately $171 of gross profit, $49 of operating income, and $46 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Weak margins explain the 2-star rating, with moderate cash conversion and weak capital efficiency.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 39.70%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
CWST has a liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Low VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 4.97B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 975.88
1Y Target Price 111.8
Price to earnings Ratio 975.88
1Y Target Price 111.8
Volume (30-day avg) 518.7K shares
Beta 0.74
52 Weeks Range 74.05 - 107.96
Updated Date 10/01/2026
52 Weeks Range 74.05 - 107.96
Updated Date 10/01/2026
Dividends yield (FY) -
Basic EPS (TTM) 0.08

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Solid Waste CollectionResidential and commercial waste pickup services.The reliable core business of collecting trash.
Disposal & LandfillsLandfill tipping fees and transfer station operations.A high-barrier, essential asset business that generates consistent cash.
Resource SolutionsRecycling processing and organic waste diversion.A growth-oriented segment capitalizing on environmental trends.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 975.88
Forward PE 56.18
Enterprise Value 6.82B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.54
Enterprise Value 6.82B
Price to Sales(TTM) 2.54
Enterprise Value to Revenue 3.49
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 17.22
Shares Outstanding 62.65M
Shares Floating 62.26M
Shares Outstanding 62.65M
Shares Floating 62.26M
Percent Insiders 0.56
Percent Institutions 126.58

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Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

About Casella Waste Systems Inc

Exchange NASDAQ
Headquarters Rutland, VT, United States
IPO Launch date 1997-10-28
President, CEO & Director Mr. Edmond R. Coletta
Sector Industrials
Industry Waste Management
Full time employees 5600
Full time employees 5600

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. It also provides non-hazardous solid waste services, including collections, transfer stations, recycling, and disposal operations. In addition, the company markets various materials, including fibers, such as corrugated cardboard and newsprint, plastics, glass, ferrous, and aluminum metals. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Rutland, Vermont.