Stronger 2025 earnings at Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) set 2026 cash flow goals
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Waste Connections reported higher fourth quarter and full year 2025 results and issued a 2026 outlook. Q4 2025 revenue rose to $2.37 billion from $2.26 billion, with adjusted EBITDA increasing to $795.6 million and margin improving to 33.5%.
For 2025, revenue grew to $9.47 billion and net income rose to $1.08 billion, or $4.17 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA reached $3.13 billion with a 33.0% margin, and adjusted free cash flow was $1.26 billion. The company completed about $330 million of acquired annualized revenue and repurchased over $500 million of shares. For 2026, it targets adjusted EBITDA of $3.30–$3.33 billion and adjusted free cash flow of $1.40–$1.45 billion, implying double-digit growth in adjusted free cash flow.
Positive
- Significant earnings and margin expansion in 2025: Net income rose to $1.08 billion, adjusted EBITDA increased to $3.13 billion with margin improving to 33.0%, and Q4 adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 110 basis points year over year.
- Strong cash generation and capital deployment: Adjusted free cash flow reached $1.26 billion, alongside approximately $330 million in acquired annualized revenue and over $500 million of share repurchases, while maintaining leverage at 2.75 times.
- Constructive 2026 outlook: Management projects adjusted EBITDA of $3.30–$3.33 billion and adjusted free cash flow of $1.40–$1.45 billion for 2026, targeting double-digit growth in adjusted free cash flow.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Strong 2025 earnings, margin gains and a solid 2026 cash flow outlook are favorable for Waste Connections.
Waste Connections delivered 2025 revenue of $9.47 billion and net income of $1.08 billion, a substantial increase from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA rose to $3.13 billion with a 33.0% margin, showing continued operating leverage despite environmental-related impairments.
Cash generation remained robust, with adjusted free cash flow of $1.26 billion. Management deployed capital into about $330 million of acquired annualized revenue and over $500 million of share repurchases, while ending 2025 with leverage of 2.75 times, indicating balance sheet capacity.
The 2026 outlook calls for adjusted EBITDA of $3.30–$3.33 billion and adjusted free cash flow of $1.40–$1.45 billion, reflecting targeted double-digit growth in adjusted free cash flow. Execution against these targets, including margin expansion and acquisition integration during 2026, will help indicate how durable current performance trends are.
8-K Event Classification
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
Current Report
Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |||
(State or other jurisdiction | (Commission | (I.R.S. Employer |
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Not Applicable
(Former name or address, if changed since last report.)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NYSE Texas, Inc. |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | ||
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | ||
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | ||
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
See Item 7.01 below.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On February 11, 2026, Waste Connections, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Ontario, Canada (“Waste Connections” or the “Company”), issued a press release announcing its fourth quarter and full year 2025 results and its full year 2026 outlook. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information furnished in Items 2.02 and 7.01 is not deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is not subject to the liabilities of that section, and is not deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Information
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"), including "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect Waste Connections' current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "expects," "estimate," "continue," "intends" or other words of similar meaning. All of the forward-looking statements included in this document are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements about expected 2026 financial results, outlook and related assumptions, and potential acquisition activity. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. Waste Connections undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)Exhibits.
Exhibit No. | Description |
99.1 | Press Release, dated February 11, 2026, issued by Waste Connections, Inc. |
104 | The cover page of Waste Connections, Inc. on Current Report on Form 8-K formatted in Inline XBRL. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC. | ||
Date: February 11, 2026 | BY: | /s/ Mary Anne Whitney |
Mary Anne Whitney | ||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Exhibit 99.1
WASTE CONNECTIONS REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2025 RESULTS AND PROVIDES 2026 OUTLOOK
Fourth Quarter Highlights
| - | Strong finish to the year driving top-to-bottom beat, with momentum for continued outsized margin performance in 2026 |
- Revenue of $2.373 billion
| - | Net income(a) of $258.5 million, and adjusted EBITDA(b) of $795.6 million, up 8.7% year over year |
| - | Adjusted EBITDA(b) margin of 33.5% of revenue, up 110 basis points year over year, above expectations |
Full Year 2025 Highlights
| - | Full year 2025 revenue of $9.467 billion |
| - | Net income(a) of $1.077 billion, and adjusted EBITDA(b) of $3.125 billion and 33.0% of revenue, up 50 basis points year over year |
| - | Completed acquisitions with approximately $330 million in annualized revenue and returned record $839.3 million to shareholders |
Expectations for 2026
| - | Revenue in the range of $9.90 billion to $9.95 billion |
| - | Net income(a) in the range of $1.223 billion to $1.238 billion and adjusted EBITDA(b) in the range of $3.300 billion to $3.325 billion |
| - | Net cash provided by operating activities in the range of $2.65 billion to $2.70 billion and double-digit growth in adjusted free cash flow(b) to a range of $1.40 billion to $1.45 billion |
| - | Upside from additional acquisitions, improvement in commodity prices or increases in macroeconomic activity |
TORONTO, ONTARIO, February 11, 2026 - Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) (“Waste Connections” or the “Company”) today announced its results for the fourth quarter of 2025 and outlook for 2026.
“Adjusted EBITDA(b) margin expansion of 110 basis points in the fourth quarter capped off a remarkable year for Waste Connections, driven by price-led organic growth in solid waste and strong execution from ongoing improvements in operating trends. For the full year 2025, we delivered industry-leading adjusted EBITDA(b) margin of 33.0%, up 100 basis points year over year, excluding the impact of lower commodities,” said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We also completed another year of above-average acquisition activity, with approximately $330 million in acquired annualized revenue, plus returned a record amount to shareholders including through share repurchases of over $500 million."
“For the third consecutive year, both employee turnover and safety incident rates declined, exiting 2025 at multi-year lows,” continued Mr. Mittelstaedt, “providing ongoing benefits through cost savings, increased productivity, heightened employee engagement and improved customer service. This operating momentum sets up 2026 for another year of outsized underlying solid waste margin expansion, along with upside from any improvement in the broader economy or commodities that are approaching historical cyclical lows.”
Mr. Mittelstaedt concluded, “We are extremely pleased by our 2025 results and our positioning for double-digit growth in adjusted free cash flow in 2026. Further, with leverage at 2.75 times, our balance sheet strength continues to provide significant optionality to execute on our strong acquisition pipeline, along with further increases in return of capital to shareholders, while also pursuing technology-driven initiatives supporting continued growth."
Q4 2025 Results
Revenue in the fourth quarter totaled $2.373 billion, up from $2.260 billion in the year ago period. Operating income was $420.8 million, which included $39.1 million in impairments and other items primarily related to an environmental liability at an operating facility and $4.3 million primarily in transaction-related expenses. This compares to an operating loss of $199.2 million in the prior year period, which included $602.4 million primarily in impairments related to the early closure of a landfill and adjustments to landfill closure and post-closure costs.
Net income in the fourth quarter was $258.5 million, or $1.01 per share on a diluted basis of 256.5 million shares. In the year ago period, the Company reported net loss of $196.0 million, or $0.76 per share on a diluted basis of 258.0 million shares.
Adjusted net income(b) in the fourth quarter was $330.1 million, or $1.29 per diluted share, up from $300.6 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA(b) in the fourth quarter was $795.6 million, as compared to $731.9 million in the prior year period. Adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share and adjusted EBITDA, all non-GAAP measures, primarily exclude impairments and transaction-related items, as reflected in the detailed reconciliations in the attached tables.
Full Year 2025 Results
For the year ended December 31, 2025, revenue was $9.467 billion, up from $8.920 billion in the year ago period. Operating income was $1.710 billion, which included $109.7 million in impairments and other operating items primarily related to an environmental liability at an operating facility and the write-down of a non-operating E&P waste facility permit, plus $24.2 million in transaction-related expenses and $0.4 million in fair value changes to certain equity awards. In the year ago period, operating income was $1.068 billion, which included $613.0 million in impairments primarily related to the early closure of a landfill and closure and post-closure costs, $26.1 million in transaction-related expenses and $1.6 million in fair value changes to certain equity awards.
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $1.077 billion, or $4.17 per share on a diluted basis of 258.0 million shares. In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $617.6 million, or $2.39 per share on a diluted basis of 258.7 million shares.
Adjusted net income(b) for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $1.328 billion, or $5.15 per diluted share, up from $1.239 billion, or $4.79 per diluted share, in the year ago period. Adjusted EBITDA(b) for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $3.125 billion, up from $2.902 billion in the prior year period.
2026 Outlook
Waste Connections also announced its outlook for 2026, which assumes no change in the current economic environment. The Company’s outlook excludes expensing of transaction-related items. The outlook provided below is forward looking, and actual results may differ materially depending on risks and uncertainties detailed at the end of this release and in our periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. Certain components of the outlook for 2026 are subject to quarterly fluctuations. See reconciliations in the attached tables.
| - | Revenue is estimated in the range of $9.90 billion to $9.95 billion; |
| - | Net income is estimated in the range of $1.223 billion to $1.238 billion and adjusted EBITDA(b) is estimated in the range of $3.300 billion to $3.325 billion; |
| - | Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated in the range of $2.65 billion to $2.70 billion; |
| - | Capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $1.25 billion; and |
| - | Adjusted free cash flow(b) is estimated in the range of $1.40 billion to $1.45 billion, up 11.2% to 15.1% year over year. |
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(a) All references to "Net income" refer to the financial statement line item "Net income attributable to Waste Connections".
(b) A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule.
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Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call
Waste Connections will be hosting a conference call related to fourth quarter earnings on February 12th at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time. A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed by visiting investors.wasteconnections.com and selecting "Events & Presentations" from the website menu. Alternatively, conference call participants can preregister by clicking here. Registered participants will receive dial-in instructions and a personalized code for entry to the conference call. Shortly after the conclusion of the conference call, a webcast replay will be available on the Waste Connections investor website or by clicking here.
About Waste Connections
Waste Connections (wasteconnections.com) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation. The Company serves approximately nine million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 46 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S. and Canada, as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest. Waste Connections views its Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) efforts as integral to its business, with initiatives consistent with its objective of long-term value creation and focused on reducing emissions, increasing resource recovery of both recyclable commodities and clean energy fuels, reducing reliance on off-site disposal for landfill leachate, further improving safety and enhancing employee engagement. Visit wasteconnections.com/sustainability for more information and updates on our progress towards targeted achievement.
Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Information
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"), including "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect Waste Connections' current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. These forward-looking statements are often identified by the words "may," "might," "believes," "thinks," "expects," "estimate," "continue," "intends" or other words of similar meaning. All of the forward-looking statements included in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about expected 2026 financial results, outlook and related assumptions, and potential acquisition activity. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Waste Connections undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.
– financial tables attached –
CONTACT:
Mary Anne Whitney / (832) 442-2253 Joe Box / (832) 442-2153
maryannew@wasteconnections.com joe.box@wasteconnections.com
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Waste Connections, Inc.
CONDENSED Consolidated Statements of NET INCOME
THRee AND TWELVE months ended DECEMBER 31, 2024 and 2025
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
| | Three months ended | | Twelve months ended | | ||||||||||||||||
| | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | | ||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | ||||||||||||
Revenues | | $ | 2,260,283 | | $ | 2,373,306 | | $ | 8,919,591 | | $ | 9,466,915 |
| ||||||||
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Cost of operations | | | 1,324,774 | | | 1,364,229 | | | 5,191,706 | | | 5,455,382 | | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | | | 211,335 | | | 229,968 | | | 883,445 | | | 959,544 | | ||||||||
Depreciation | | | 261,609 | | | 266,838 | | | 974,001 | | | 1,030,565 | | ||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | | | 60,184 | | | 52,332 | | | 189,768 | | | 201,541 | | ||||||||
Impairments and other operating items | | | 601,570 | | | 39,111 | | | 613,012 | | | 109,709 | | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) | | | (199,189) | | | 420,828 | | | 1,067,659 | | | 1,710,174 | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Interest expense | | | (82,419) | | | (86,477) | | | (326,804) | | | (334,551) | | ||||||||
Interest income | | | 2,215 | | | 2,965 | | | 11,607 | | | 12,139 | | ||||||||
Other income (expense), net | | | (2,256) | | | 3,691 | | | 10,471 | | | 30,154 | | ||||||||
Income (loss) before income tax provision | | | (281,649) | | | 341,007 | | | 762,933 | | | 1,417,916 | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Income tax (provision) benefit | | | 85,645 | | | (82,508) | | | (146,363) | | | (341,359) | | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | | | (196,004) | | | 258,499 | | | 616,570 | | | 1,076,557 | | ||||||||
Plus: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | - | | | 1,003 | | | - | | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections | | $ | (196,004) | | $ | 258,499 | | $ | 617,573 | | $ | 1,076,557 | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Basic | | $ | (0.76) | | $ | 1.01 | | $ | 2.39 | | $ | 4.18 | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Diluted | | $ | (0.76) | | $ | 1.01 | | $ | 2.39 | | $ | 4.17 | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Shares used in the per share calculations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Basic | | | 258,043,117 | | | 255,804,530 | | | 257,965,871 | | | 257,323,595 | | ||||||||
Diluted | | | 258,043,117 | | | 256,469,561 | | | 258,662,190 | | | 257,976,741 | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | ||||||||
Cash dividends per common share | | $ | 0.315 | | $ | 0.350 | | $ | 1.17 | | $ | 1.295 | | ||||||||
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Waste Connections, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
| | December 31, | | December 31, |
| ||
ASSETS | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and equivalents | | $ | 62,366 | | $ | 45,968 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $25,730 and $21,402 at December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively | | | 935,027 | | | 1,024,992 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 229,519 | | | 240,603 | |
Total current assets | | | 1,226,912 | | | 1,311,563 | |
| | | | | | | |
Restricted cash | | | 135,807 | | | 183,612 | |
Restricted investments | | | 78,126 | | | 80,757 | |
Property and equipment, net | | | 8,035,929 | | | 8,733,327 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | | | 308,198 | | | 312,508 | |
Goodwill | | | 7,950,406 | | | 8,392,249 | |
Intangible assets, net | | | 1,991,619 | | | 2,006,200 | |
Other assets, net | | | 90,812 | | | 109,147 | |
Total assets | | $ | 19,817,809 | | $ | 21,129,363 | |
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 637,371 | | $ | 765,227 | |
Book overdraft | | | 14,628 | | | 14,674 | |
Deferred revenue | | | 382,501 | | | 416,025 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 736,824 | | | 810,367 | |
Current portion of operating lease liabilities | | | 40,490 | | | 44,272 | |
Current portion of contingent consideration | | | 59,169 | | | 65,029 | |
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable | | | 7,851 | | | 8,667 | |
Total current liabilities | | | 1,878,834 | | | 2,124,261 | |
| | | | | | | |
Long-term portion of debt and notes payable | | | 8,072,928 | | | 8,811,104 | |
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities | | | 272,107 | | | 267,000 | |
Long-term portion of contingent consideration | | | 27,993 | | | 19,667 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 958,340 | | | 1,085,613 | |
Other long-term liabilities | | | 747,253 | | | 576,337 | |
Total liabilities | | | 11,957,455 | | | 12,883,982 | |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | | |
Equity: | | | | | | | |
Common shares: Unlimited shares authorized; 258,067,487 shares issued and 258,019,389 shares outstanding at December 31, 2024; 255,661,011 shares issued and 255,614,663 shares outstanding at December 31, 2025 | | | 3,283,161 | | | 2,783,431 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 325,928 | | | 373,239 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (205,740) | | | (111,044) | |
Treasury shares: 48,098 and 46,348 shares at December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively | | | - | | | - | |
Retained earnings | | | 4,457,005 | | | 5,199,755 | |
Total Waste Connections’ equity | | | 7,860,354 | | | 8,245,381 | |
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries | | | - | | | - | |
Total equity | | | 7,860,354 | | | 8,245,381 | |
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 19,817,809 | | $ | 21,129,363 | |
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Waste Connections, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Twelve months ended december 31, 2024 and 2025
(Unaudited)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars)
| | Twelve months ended December 31, | | ||||
| | 2024 | | 2025 |
| ||
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 616,570 | | $ | 1,076,557 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Loss from disposal of assets, impairments and other | | | 122,641 | | | 113,555 | |
Adjustment to closure and post-closure liabilities | | | 480,786 | | | - | |
Depreciation | | | 974,001 | | | 1,030,565 | |
Amortization of intangibles | | | 189,768 | | | 201,541 | |
Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions | | | (57,285) | | | 116,654 | |
Current period provision for expected credit losses | | | 20,243 | | | 14,493 | |
Amortization of debt issuance costs | | | 10,007 | | | 8,383 | |
Share-based compensation | | | 77,885 | | | 79,448 | |
Interest accretion | | | 36,001 | | | 51,500 | |
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings | | | (35,035) | | | (400) | |
Adjustments to contingent consideration | | | (3) | | | (6,215) | |
Other | | | 2,656 | | | (7,845) | |
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions | | | (209,308) | | | (264,167) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 2,228,927 | | | 2,414,069 | |
| | | | | |||
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | |
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | | (2,120,878) | | | (817,577) | |
Capital expenditures for property and equipment | | | (1,055,988) | | | (1,179,228) | |
Capital expenditures for undeveloped landfill property | | | - | | | (15,138) | |
Proceeds from disposal of assets | | | 7,903 | | | 10,125 | |
Proceeds from sale of investment in noncontrolling interests | | | 37,000 | | | - | |
Other | | | (27,213) | | | (21,425) | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (3,159,176) | | | (2,023,243) | |
| | | | | |||
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from long-term debt | | | 4,564,469 | | | 2,674,357 | |
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt | | | (3,245,419) | | | (2,129,965) | |
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date | | | (27,743) | | | (34,269) | |
Change in book overdraft | | | (227) | | | 46 | |
Payments for repurchase of common shares | | | - | | | (505,517) | |
Payments for cash dividends | | | (302,258) | | | (333,807) | |
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation | | | (32,928) | | | (31,809) | |
Debt issuance costs | | | (13,449) | | | (4,864) | |
Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan | | | 4,486 | | | 5,464 | |
Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust | | | 2,014 | | | 323 | |
Other | | | (4,000) | | | - | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 944,945 | | | (360,041) | |
| | | | | |||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | (561) | | | 622 | |
| | | | | |||
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | 14,135 | | | 31,407 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year | | | 184,038 | | | 198,173 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year | | $ | 198,173 | | $ | 229,580 | |
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ADDITIONAL STATISTICS
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)
Solid Waste Internal Growth: The following table reflects a breakdown of the components of our solid waste internal growth for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2025:
| | Three months ended December 31, 2025 | | Twelve months ended December 31, 2025 | ||
Core Price | | | 6.4% | | | 6.5% |
Surcharges | | | (0.0%) | | | (0.1%) |
Volume | | | (2.7%) | | | (2.8%) |
Recycling | | | (0.6%) | | | (0.5%) |
Foreign Exchange Impact | | 0.0% | | | (0.3%) | |
Closed Operation | | | (0.5%) | | | (0.8%) |
Total | | 2.6% | | | 2.0% | |
Revenue Breakdown: The following table reflects a breakdown of our revenue for the three month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2025:
| | Three months ended December 31, 2024 | | |||||||||
| | Revenue | | Inter-company | | Reported | | % | ||||
Solid Waste Collection | | $ | 1,612,307 | | $ | (4,513) | | $ | 1,607,794 | | 71.1 | % |
Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer | | | 718,525 | | | (309,508) | | | 409,017 | | 18.1 | % |
Solid Waste Recycling | | | 59,802 | | | (2,102) | | | 57,700 | | 2.6 | % |
E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal | | | 146,328 | | | (6,074) | | | 140,254 | | 6.2 | % |
Intermodal and Other | | | 45,908 | | | (390) | | | 45,518 | | 2.0 | % |
Total | | $ | 2,582,870 | | $ | (322,587) | | $ | 2,260,283 | | 100.0 | % |
| | Three months ended December 31, 2025 | | |||||||||
| | Revenue | | Inter-company | | Reported | | % | ||||
Solid Waste Collection | | $ | 1,705,896 | | $ | (6,202) | | $ | 1,699,694 | | 71.6 | % |
Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer | | | 757,060 | | | (338,748) | | | 418,312 | | 17.6 | % |
Solid Waste Recycling | | | 51,202 | | | (2,022) | | | 49,180 | | 2.1 | % |
E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal | | | 171,066 | | | (6,661) | | | 164,405 | | 6.9 | % |
Intermodal and Other | | | 42,295 | | | (580) | | | 41,715 | | 1.8 | % |
Total | | $ | 2,727,519 | | $ | (354,213) | | $ | 2,373,306 | | 100.0 | % |
Contribution from Acquisitions: The following table reflects revenues from acquisitions, net of divestitures, for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2025:
| | Three months ended | | Twelve months ended | ||||||||||
| | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | ||||||
Acquisitions, net | | $ | 169,467 | | $ | 58,470 | | $ | 529,183 | | $ | 377,259 | ||
-7-
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS (continued)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)
Other Cash Flow Items: The following table reflects cash interest and cash taxes for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2024 and 2025:
| | Three months ended | | Twelve months ended | ||||||||
| | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | ||||
Cash Interest Paid | | $ | 75,738 | | $ | 69,278 | | $ | 298,934 | | $ | 308,316 |
Cash Taxes Paid | | | 51,382 | | | 79,488 | | | 215,997 | | | 221,022 |
Debt to Book Capitalization as of December 31, 2025: 52%
Internalization for the three months ended December 31, 2025: 59%
Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2025: 40 (24 net of deferred revenue)
Share Information for the three months ended December 31, 2025:
Basic shares outstanding | 255,804,530 | |
Dilutive effect of equity-based awards | | 665,031 |
Diluted shares outstanding | | 256,469,561 |
-8-
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a performance and valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted EBITDA as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections’ operations. Waste Connections defines adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Waste Connections, plus or minus net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, plus income tax provision, plus interest expense, less interest income, plus depreciation and amortization expense, plus closure and post-closure accretion expense, plus or minus any loss or gain on impairments and other operating items, plus other expense, less other income. Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of other items management believes impact the ability to assess the operating performance of its business. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently.
| | Three months ended | | Twelve months ended | ||||||||
| | 2024 | | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2025 | ||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections | | $ | (196,004) | | $ | 258,499 | | $ | 617,573 | | $ | 1,076,557 |
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | - | | | (1,003) | | | - |
Plus/(Less): Income tax provision (benefit) | | | (85,645) | | | 82,508 | | | 146,363 | | | 341,359 |
Plus: Interest expense | | | 82,419 | | | 86,477 | | | 326,804 | | | 334,551 |
Less: Interest income | | | (2,215) | | | (2,965) | | | (11,607) | | | (12,139) |
Plus: Depreciation and amortization | | | 321,793 | | | 319,170 | | | 1,163,769 | | | 1,232,106 |
Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion | | | 6,896 | | | 12,176 | | | 29,774 | | | 47,955 |
Plus: Impairments and other operating items | | | 601,570 | | | 39,111 | | | 613,012 | | | 109,709 |
Plus/(Less): Other expense (income), net | | | 2,256 | | | (3,691) | | | (10,471) | | | (30,154) |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Plus: Transaction-related expenses(a) | | | 890 | | | 4,400 | | | 26,059 | | | 24,178 |
Plus/(Less): Fair value changes to equity awards(b) | | | (11) | | | (94) | | | 1,592 | | | 433 |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 731,949 | | $ | 795,591 | | $ | 2,901,865 | | $ | 3,124,555 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
As % of revenues | | | 32.4% | | | 33.5% | | | 32.5% | | | 33.0% |
____________________________
| (a) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs. |
| (b) | Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards. |
-9-
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)
Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:
Adjusted free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided supplementally because it is widely used by investors as a liquidity measure in the solid waste industry. Waste Connections calculates adjusted free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, plus or minus change in book overdraft, plus proceeds from disposal of assets, less capital expenditures for property and equipment. Waste Connections further adjusts this calculation to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the ability to evaluate the liquidity of its business operations. This measure is not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP liquidity or financial measures. Other companies may calculate adjusted free cash flow differently.
| | | Twelve months ended | ||||
| | | 2024 | | 2025 | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | $ | 2,228,927 | | $ | 2,414,069 |
Plus/(Less): Change in book overdraft | | | | (227) | | | 46 |
Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets | | | | 7,903 | | | 10,125 |
Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment | | | | (1,055,988) | | | (1,179,228) |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | |
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings(a) | | | | 35,035 | | | 400 |
Transaction-related expenses(b) | | | | 11,408 | | | 15,142 |
Executive separation costs (c) | | | | 1,670 | | | 2,119 |
Pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based grants(d) | | | | 1,194 | | | 16 |
Tax effect(e) | | | | (12,396) | | | (3,396) |
Adjusted free cash flow | | | $ | 1,217,526 | | $ | 1,259,293 |
| | | | | | | |
As % of revenues | | | | 13.7% | | | 13.3% |
___________________________
| (a) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related payments for contingent consideration that were recorded as expenses in earnings and as a component of cash flows from operating activities as the amounts paid exceeded the fair value of the contingent consideration recorded at the acquisition date. |
| (b) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs. |
| (c) | Reflects the cash component of severance expense associated with an executive departure. |
| (d) | Reflects the cash settlement of pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based awards during the period. |
| (e) | The aggregate tax effect of footnotes (a) through (d) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods. |
-10-
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE (continued)
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income attributable to Waste Connections and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share attributable to Waste Connections:
Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections, both non-GAAP financial measures, are provided supplementally because they are widely used by investors as a valuation measure in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections’ operations. Waste Connections provides adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections has limitations due to the fact that it excludes items that have an impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections and adjusted net income per diluted share attributable to Waste Connections are not a substitute for, and should be used in conjunction with, GAAP financial measures. Other companies may calculate these non-GAAP financial measures differently.
| | Three months ended | | Twelve months ended | ||||||||
| | 2024 | | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | ||||||
Reported net income (loss) attributable to Waste Connections | | $ | (196,004) | | $ | 258,499 | | $ | 617,573 | | $ | 1,076,557 |
Adjustments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of intangibles(a) | | | 60,184 | | | 52,332 | | | 189,768 | | | 201,541 |
Impairments and other operating items(b) | | | 601,570 | | | 39,111 | | | 613,012 | | | 109,709 |
Transaction-related expenses(c) | | | 890 | | | 4,400 | | | 26,059 | | | 24,178 |
Fair value changes to equity awards(d) | | | (11) | | | (94) | | | 1,592 | | | 433 |
Tax effect(e) | | | (166,051) | | | (24,181) | | | (208,711) | | | (84,084) |
Adjusted net income attributable to Waste Connections | | $ | 300,578 | | $ | 330,067 | | $ | 1,239,293 | | $ | 1,328,334 |
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reported net income (loss) | | $ | (0.76) | | $ | 1.01 | | $ | 2.39 | | $ | 4.17 |
Adjusted net income | | $ | 1.16 | | $ | 1.29 | | $ | 4.79 | | $ | 5.15 |
Shares used in the per share calculations:
Reported diluted shares | | 258,043,117 | | 256,469,561 | | 258,662,190 | | 257,976,741 | ||||
Adjusted diluted shares(f) | | | 258,842,751 | | | 256,469,561 | | | 258,662,190 | | | 257,976,741 |
____________________________
| (a) | Reflects the elimination of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets. |
| (b) | Reflects the addback of impairments and other operating items. |
| (c) | Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs. |
| (d) | Reflects fair value accounting changes associated with certain equity awards. |
| (e) | The aggregate tax effect of the adjustments in footnotes (a) through (d) is calculated based on the applied tax rates for the respective periods. |
| (f) | Reflects reported diluted shares adjusted for shares that were excluded from the reported diluted shares calculation due to reporting a net loss during the three months ended December 31, 2024. |
-11-
2026 OUTLOOK
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE
(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)
Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:
| 2026 Outlook | |||||||
| | Low Estimate | | | High Estimate | | | Observation |
Net income attributable to Waste Connections | $ | 1,223,000 | | $ | 1,238,000 | | | |
Plus: Income tax provision | | 397,000 | | | 402,000 | | | Approximate 24.5% effective rate |
Plus: Interest expense, net | | 330,000 | | | 330,000 | | | |
Plus: Depreciation and Depletion | | 1,105,000 | | | 1,110,000 | | | Approximately 11.2% of revenue |
Plus: Amortization | | 195,000 | | | 195,000 | | | Approximately 2.0% of revenue |
Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion | | 50,000 | | | 50,000 | | | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 3,300,000 | | $ | 3,325,000 | | | Approximately 33.3% - 33.4% of revenue |
Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:
| 2026 Outlook | ||||
| | Low Estimate | | | High Estimate |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,650,000 | | $ | 2,700,000 |
Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment | | (1,250,000) | | | (1,250,000) |
Adjusted Free Cash Flow | $ | 1,400,000 | | $ | 1,450,000 |
-12-