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:
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).
Waste Management, Inc. (the
“Company”) issued a press release today announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2026, a copy of which is
furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K. The Company is conducting an audio webcast to discuss these results beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Eastern Time on April 29, 2026. Listeners can access the live audio webcast by visiting investors.wm.com and
selecting “Events & Presentations” from the website menu. A replay of the audio webcast will be available at the same
location.
On the webcast, management
of the Company is expected to discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures. The Company has provided information regarding its use of non-GAAP
measures and reconciliations of such measures to their most comparable GAAP measures in the notes and tables that accompany the press
release.
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.
Exhibit 99.1
WM Announces First Quarter 2026
Earnings
Strong Performance Drives Cash Flow from Operations
24% Higher to $1.5 Billion
The Company Reaffirms its Full-Year Financial Outlook
WM Completes Three Recycling Facilities Adding Key
Capacity in Growing Markets
Houston
— April 28, 2026
— WM (NYSE: WM) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31,
2026.
| |
Three
Months Ended |
|
Three
Months Ended |
| |
March
31, 2026
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
|
March 31,
2025
(in millions, except per share amounts) |
| |
| |
As
Reported |
As
Adjusted(a) |
|
As
Reported |
As
Adjusted(a) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Revenue |
$6,227 |
$6,227 |
|
$6,018 |
$6,018 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Income
from Operations |
$1,113 |
$1,118 |
|
$1,013 |
$1,059 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating
EBITDA(b) (c) |
$1,848 |
$1,853 |
|
$1,704 |
$1,750 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Operating
EBITDA Margin |
29.7% |
29.8% |
|
28.3% |
29.1% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Net
Income(d) |
$723 |
$731 |
|
$637 |
$673 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| Diluted
EPS |
$1.79 |
$1.81 |
|
$1.58 |
$1.67 |
“Strong earnings and cash flow results in
the quarter achieved our expectations, reflecting the strength of the WM team and the resilience of our business model,” said Jim
Fish, WM’s CEO. “Disciplined pricing, cost optimization and contributions from sustainability growth projects led to first
quarter adjusted operating EBITDA growth of 5.9% and margin expansion of 70 basis points despite a challenging quarter of weather impacts.(a)
The momentum in our business, combined with our confidence in our ability to execute on our plan for the balance of the year, sets us
up to achieve the full-year financial outlook we provided last quarter.”
Fish continued, “Our start to 2026 strengthens
our conviction in the ability to harvest the benefits of our strategic investments in recycling, renewable energy, a medical waste platform,
technology, and our fleet, as free cash flow nearly doubled in the quarter compared to prior year.(a) We allocated the majority
of first quarter free cash flow to shareholders, returning nearly $730 million through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter.
Our balance sheet remains flexible, reflecting our financial discipline and positioning WM to capitalize on opportunities in any economic
environment.”
KEY
HIGHLIGHTS FOR the fIRST quarter OF 2026
| · | Adjusted
operating EBITDA grew 5.9%, with margin expanding 70 basis points.(a) Performance was led by the Collection and Disposal business,
driven by disciplined price execution, operating cost control, and continued optimization of business mix. |
| · | Collection
and Disposal operating EBITDA grew by $154 million and margin expanded 190 basis points. On an adjusted basis, operating EBITDA grew
by $118 million and margin expanded 110 basis points. The improvement was driven by favorable price-to-cost spread as the Company invests
in making improvements in frontline retention and leverages technology and automation to reduce costs.(a) |
| · | Together,
operating EBITDA in the Recycling and Renewable Energy businesses grew $51 million, or $49 million on an adjusted basis, driven by increased
renewable natural gas production from growth projects as well as higher recycling volumes and benefits from automation projects.(a)(e) |
| · | Operating
EBITDA grew by 18.4%, or 11.6% on an adjusted basis, in the Healthcare Solutions business, driven by effective SG&A cost management
and synergy capture.(a) |
| · | Revenue
grew 3.5%, driven by core price of 6.3% and collection and disposal yield of 3.9%. In addition to strong execution on pricing, revenue
growth was driven by increased volumes in the Recycling and Renewable Energy businesses from completed growth projects.(f) |
| · | Collection
and disposal volume declined 1.5%, primarily due to the impacts of harsh winter weather, intentional shedding of lower-margin residential
business, and wildfire cleanup activities that benefitted the prior year period. These volume declines were partially offset by growth
in MSW volume. |
| · | Operating
expenses were 59.3% of revenue, or 59.2% on an adjusted basis, which was an improvement of 70 basis points both on a reported and adjusted
basis from the prior year and reflects the Company’s commitment to using technology and automation to optimize its cost structure
and enhance operational efficiency.(a)(c) |
| · | The
Company generated $1.5 billion of net cash provided by operating activities compared to $1.21 billion in the prior year period, primarily
driven by operating EBITDA growth and working capital improvements. Free cash flow was $920 million, compared to $475 million in the
prior year period.(a) |
| · | The
Company returned $729 million to shareholders in the first quarter, including $385 million in cash dividends and $344 million of share
repurchases. |
| · | During
the quarter, the Company’s leverage ratio returned to its target range of between 2.5 to 3.0 times total debt to EBITDA.(g) |
| · | The
Company began operations at new recycling facilities in Ontario and Detroit and completed a recycling automation project in South Florida,
which is now its largest single stream facility. Together, the projects added nearly 300,000 tons of processing capacity. |
| (a) | The information labeled as adjusted in this press release, as well as free
cash flow, are non-GAAP measures. Please see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and the reconciliations in the accompanying
schedules for more information. |
| (b) | Management defines operating EBITDA as GAAP income from operations before
depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion; this measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other
companies. |
| (c) | Beginning in 2026, landfill accretion expense was moved from operating expenses
to depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion. Landfill accretion expense in the three months ended March, 31 2026 and
2025 was $39 million and $35 million, respectively. For comparability purposes, 2025 actuals have been updated to reflect that change. |
| (d) | For purposes of this press release, all references to “Net income”
refer to the financial statement line item “Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc.” |
| (e) | The Company’s blended average price received for single stream recycled
commodities sold during the quarter was about $65 per ton compared to about $88 per ton in the prior year period. The average price received
for Renewable Fuel Standard credits was $2.32 during the quarter compared to $2.59 in the prior year period. The average price received
for natural gas was $5.59 per MMBtu during the quarter compared to $3.93 per MMBtu in the prior year. The average price received for electricity
was about $83 per megawatt hour in the quarter compared to about $74 per megawatt hour in the prior year period. |
| (f) | Core price is a performance metric used by management to evaluate the effectiveness
of our pricing strategies; it is not derived from our financial statements and may not be comparable to measures |
presented by other companies.
Core price is based on certain historical assumptions, which may differ from actual results, to allow for comparability between reporting
periods and to reveal trends in results over time.
| (g) | Leverage ratio is calculated based on the defined terms for this financial
covenant in the Company’s revolving credit agreement, as amended. See Exhibits 10.8 and 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed
Feb. 9, 2026, and Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed Mar. 25, 2026. |
The Company will host a conference call at 10 a.m.
ET on April 29, 2026, to discuss the first quarter 2026 results. Information contained within this press release will be referenced and
should be considered in conjunction with the call.
Listeners
can access a live audio webcast of the conference call by visiting investors.wm.com
and selecting “Events & Presentations” from the website menu. A replay of the audio webcast will be available at the
same location following the conclusion of the call.
Conference
call participants should register to obtain their dial in and passcode details.
This streamlined process improves security and eliminates wait times when joining the call.
about wm
WM
(WM.com) is North
America's leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston,
Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides
collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout
the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides
environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them pursue their sustainability goals. In North America,
WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet, is the largest recycler and is a leader in beneficial use of landfill gas,
with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gas-to-electricity plants, as well as the largest heavy-duty
natural gas truck fleet in the industry. WM also provides collection and disposal services of regulated medical waste
and secure information destruction services in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To learn more about WM and the
company's sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company, from time to time, provides estimates
or projections of financial and other data, comments on expectations relating to future periods and makes statements of opinion, view
or belief about current and future events, circumstances or performance. This press release contains a number of such forward-looking
statements, including all statements regarding future growth, earnings, value creation, performance and results of our business; targets,
financial guidance and outlook; ability to achieve the Company’s 2026 outlook; and technology and automation investments and results.
You should view these statements with caution. They are based on the facts and circumstances known to the Company as of the date the statements
are made. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different
from those set forth in such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, failure to implement our optimization, automation,
growth, and cost savings initiatives and overall business strategy; failure to obtain the results anticipated from strategic initiatives,
investments, acquisitions, or new lines of business; failure to identify acquisition targets, consummate and integrate acquisitions, including
our ability to integrate the acquisition of Stericycle, Inc. (which is now presented as our Healthcare Solutions segment) and achieve
the anticipated benefits therefrom, including synergies; legal, regulatory, operational, technological and other matters that may affect
the costs and timing of our ability to integrate and deliver all of the expected benefits of the Stericycle, Inc. acquisition; existing
or new environmental and other regulations, including developments related to emerging contaminants, gas emissions, renewable energy,
recyclables, extended producer responsibility and our natural gas fleet; significant
environmental, safety or other incidents resulting
in liabilities or brand damage; failure to obtain and maintain necessary permits due to land scarcity, public opposition or otherwise;
diminishing landfill capacity, resulting in increased costs and the need for disposal alternatives; failure to attract, hire and retain
key team members and a high quality workforce; increases in labor costs due to union organizing activities or changes in wage- and labor-related
regulations; disruption and costs resulting from severe weather and destructive climate events; failure to achieve our sustainability
goals or execute on our sustainability-related strategy and initiatives, including within planned timelines or anticipated budgets due
to disruptions, delays, cost increases or changes in environmental or tax regulations and incentives; focus on, and regulation of, environmental
and sustainability-related disclosures, which could lead to increased costs, risk of non-compliance, brand damage and litigation risk
related to our sustainability efforts; macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical conflict and large-scale market disruption resulting in
labor, supply chain and transportation constraints, inflationary cost pressures and fluctuations in commodity prices, fuel and other energy
costs; increased competition and pricing pressure; impacts from international trade restrictions and tariffs; competitive disposal alternatives,
diversion of waste from landfills and declining waste volumes; changes in general economic conditions, capital markets or consumer trends;
changing conditions in the recycling industry, including impacts on demand, pricing and availability of counterparties; changing conditions
in the healthcare industry; adoption of new tax legislation; fuel shortages; failure to develop and protect new technology; failure of
technology to perform as expected; inability to adapt and manage the benefits and risks of artificial intelligence; failure to prevent,
detect and address cybersecurity incidents or comply with privacy regulations; negative outcomes of litigation or governmental proceedings,
including those acquired through transactions; failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; and
operational or management decisions or developments that result in impairment charges. Please also see the Company’s filings with
the SEC, including Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by subsequent Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q, for additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to its business. The Company
assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, including financial estimates and forecasts, whether as a result of future
events, circumstances or developments or otherwise.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement its financial information, the Company
has presented, and/or may discuss on the conference call, adjusted measures including adjusted earnings per diluted share, adjusted net
income, adjusted income from operations and margin, adjusted operating EBITDA and margin, adjusted operating expense and margin, and adjusted
SG&A expenses and margin. All adjusted measures and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures, as defined in Regulation G of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company reports its financial results in compliance with GAAP but believes that also
discussing non-GAAP measures provides investors with (i) financial measures the Company uses in the management of its business and (ii)
additional, meaningful comparisons of current results to prior periods’ results by excluding items that the Company does not believe
reflect its fundamental business performance and are not representative or indicative of its results of operations.
The Company discusses free cash flow and provides
a projection of free cash flow because the Company believes that it is indicative of its ability to pay its quarterly dividends, repurchase
common stock, fund acquisitions and other investments and, in the absence of refinancings, to repay its debt obligations. The Company
believes free cash flow gives investors useful insight into how the Company views its liquidity, but the use of free cash flow as a liquidity
measure has material limitations because it excludes certain expenditures that are required or that the Company has committed to, such
as declared dividend payments and debt service requirements. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities,
less capital expenditures, plus proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets (net of cash divested); this definition may
not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies.
The quantitative reconciliations of non-GAAP measures
to the most comparable GAAP measures are included in the accompanying schedules, with the exception of projected adjusted operating EBITDA
and margin. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
WM
Website
www.wm.com
Analysts
Ed Egl
713.265.1656
eegl@wm.com
Media
Toni Werner
media@wm.com
###
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Millions, Except per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| Operating revenues | |
$ | 6,227 | | |
$ | 6,018 | |
| Costs and expenses: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating(a) | |
| 3,694 | | |
| 3,612 | |
| Selling, general and administrative | |
| 707 | | |
| 687 | |
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion(a) | |
| 735 | | |
| 691 | |
| Restructuring | |
| 4 | | |
| 13 | |
| (Gain) loss from divestitures, asset impairments and unusual items, net | |
| (26 | ) | |
| 2 | |
| | |
| 5,114 | | |
| 5,005 | |
| Income from operations | |
| 1,113 | | |
| 1,013 | |
| Other income (expense): | |
| | | |
| | |
| Interest expense, net | |
| (225 | ) | |
| (232 | ) |
| Other, net | |
| 3 | | |
| 7 | |
| | |
| (222 | ) | |
| (225 | ) |
| Income before income taxes | |
| 891 | | |
| 788 | |
| Income tax expense | |
| 168 | | |
| 151 | |
| Consolidated net income | |
| 723 | | |
| 637 | |
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc. | |
$ | 723 | | |
$ | 637 | |
| Basic earnings per common share | |
$ | 1.79 | | |
$ | 1.58 | |
| Diluted earnings per common share | |
$ | 1.79 | | |
$ | 1.58 | |
| Weighted average basic common shares outstanding | |
| 403.2 | | |
| 402.3 | |
| Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding | |
| 404.4 | | |
| 403.9 | |
| (a) | Beginning in 2026, landfill accretion expense was moved from operating expenses to depreciation, depletion,
amortization, and accretion. Landfill Accretion expense in the three months ended March, 31 2026 and 2025 was $39 million and $35 million,
respectively. For comparability purposes, 2025 actuals have been updated to reflect that change. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
| | |
March 31, | | |
December 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| ASSETS | |
| | | |
| | |
| Current assets: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | |
$ | 158 | | |
$ | 201 | |
| Receivables, net | |
| 3,964 | | |
| 4,055 | |
| Other | |
| 686 | | |
| 654 | |
| Total current assets | |
| 4,808 | | |
| 4,910 | |
| Property and equipment, net | |
| 20,335 | | |
| 20,378 | |
| Goodwill | |
| 13,873 | | |
| 13,880 | |
| Other intangible assets, net | |
| 3,664 | | |
| 3,767 | |
| Other | |
| 3,020 | | |
| 2,900 | |
| Total assets | |
$ | 45,700 | | |
$ | 45,835 | |
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |
| | | |
| | |
| Current liabilities: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and deferred revenues | |
$ | 4,505 | | |
$ | 4,813 | |
| Current portion of long-term debt | |
| 641 | | |
| 711 | |
| Total current liabilities | |
| 5,146 | | |
| 5,524 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | |
| 22,250 | | |
| 22,196 | |
| Other | |
| 8,282 | | |
| 8,124 | |
| Total liabilities | |
| 35,678 | | |
| 35,844 | |
| Equity: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Waste Management, Inc. stockholders’ equity | |
| 10,021 | | |
| 9,990 | |
| Noncontrolling interests | |
| 1 | | |
| 1 | |
| Total equity | |
| 10,022 | | |
| 9,991 | |
| Total liabilities and equity | |
$ | 45,700 | | |
$ | 45,835 | |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
| | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Consolidated net income | |
$ | 723 | | |
$ | 637 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion | |
| 735 | | |
| 691 | |
| Other | |
| 166 | | |
| 122 | |
| Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures | |
| (123 | ) | |
| (242 | ) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |
| 1,501 | | |
| 1,208 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | |
| — | | |
| (3 | ) |
| Capital expenditures | |
| (650 | ) | |
| (831 | ) |
| Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets, net of cash divested | |
| 69 | | |
| 98 | |
| Other, net | |
| (150 | ) | |
| (93 | ) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | |
| (731 | ) | |
| (829 | ) |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |
| | | |
| | |
| New borrowings | |
| 6,048 | | |
| 4,993 | |
| Debt repayments | |
| (6,125 | ) | |
| (5,163 | ) |
| Common stock repurchase program | |
| (344 | ) | |
| — | |
| Cash dividends | |
| (385 | ) | |
| (336 | ) |
| Exercise of common stock options | |
| 26 | | |
| 25 | |
| Tax payments associated with equity-based compensation transactions | |
| (40 | ) | |
| (45 | ) |
| Other, net | |
| (1 | ) | |
| (10 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | |
| (821 | ) | |
| (536 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | |
| (1 | ) | |
| 1 | |
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | |
| (52 | ) | |
| (156 | ) |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | |
| 297 | | |
| 487 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period | |
$ | 245 | | |
$ | 331 | |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SUMMARY DATA SHEET
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
Operating Revenues by Line of Business
| | |
Three
Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| | |
Gross | | |
Intercompany | | |
Net | | |
Gross | | |
Intercompany | | |
Net | |
| | |
Operating | | |
Operating | | |
Operating | | |
Operating | | |
Operating | | |
Operating | |
| | |
Revenues | | |
Revenues(a) | | |
Revenues | | |
Revenues | | |
Revenues(a) | | |
Revenues | |
| Commercial | |
$ | 1,658 | | |
$ | (229 | ) | |
$ | 1,429 | | |
$ | 1,594 | | |
$ | (214 | ) | |
$ | 1,380 | |
| Industrial | |
| 980 | | |
| (222 | ) | |
| 758 | | |
| 940 | | |
| (199 | ) | |
| 741 | |
| Residential | |
| 906 | | |
| (18 | ) | |
| 888 | | |
| 894 | | |
| (22 | ) | |
| 872 | |
| Other
collection | |
| 866 | | |
| (72 | ) | |
| 794 | | |
| 825 | | |
| (72 | ) | |
| 753 | |
| Total
collection | |
| 4,410 | | |
| (541 | ) | |
| 3,869 | | |
| 4,253 | | |
| (507 | ) | |
| 3,746 | |
| Landfill | |
| 1,246 | | |
| (382 | ) | |
| 864 | | |
| 1,193 | | |
| (353 | ) | |
| 840 | |
| Transfer | |
| 619 | | |
| (271 | ) | |
| 348 | | |
| 592 | | |
| (256 | ) | |
| 336 | |
| Total
Collection and Disposal | |
$ | 6,275 | | |
$ | (1,194 | ) | |
$ | 5,081 | | |
$ | 6,038 | | |
$ | (1,116 | ) | |
$ | 4,922 | |
| Recycling
Processing and Sales | |
| 455 | | |
| (87 | ) | |
| 368 | | |
| 465 | | |
| (81 | ) | |
| 384 | |
| Renewable
Energy | |
| 161 | | |
| (2 | ) | |
| 159 | | |
| 92 | | |
| (1 | ) | |
| 91 | |
| Healthcare
Solutions(b) | |
| 721 | | |
| (107 | ) | |
| 614 | | |
| 721 | | |
| (102 | ) | |
| 619 | |
| Corporate
and Other | |
| 13 | | |
| (8 | ) | |
| 5 | | |
| 10 | | |
| (8 | ) | |
| 2 | |
| Total | |
$ | 7,625 | | |
$ | (1,398 | ) | |
$ | 6,227 | | |
$ | 7,326 | | |
$ | (1,308 | ) | |
$ | 6,018 | |
| (a) | Includes each segment’s intercompany activity, including transactions within a segment and between
segments. Transactions within and between segments are generally made on a basis intended to reflect the market value of the service. |
| (b) | In the third quarter of 2025, as a result of continued integration efforts and to enhance transparency
and accountability, the Company began reflecting intra-segment activity within the Healthcare Solutions segment. These charges were designed
to measure profitability at more granular levels of the enterprise and to facilitate clearer financial accountability within operating
units. Accordingly, adjustments to the three months ended March 31, 2025 activity were made to properly reflect intra-segment activity
for the period. Intra-segment operating revenues and operating expenses within Healthcare Solutions for the three months ended March 31,
2026 and 2025 are $101 million and $94 million, respectively. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SUMMARY DATA SHEET
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
Internal Revenue Growth
| | |
Period-to-Period Change for the
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2026 vs. 2025 | |
| | |
| | |
As a % of | | |
| | |
As a % of | |
| | |
| | |
Related | | |
| | |
Total | |
| | |
Amount | | |
Business(a) | | |
Amount | | |
Company(b) | |
| Collection and Disposal | |
$ | 182 | | |
| 3.9 | % | |
| | | |
| | |
| Recycling Processing and Sales and Renewable Energy(c) | |
| (35 | ) | |
| (7.1 | ) | |
| | | |
| | |
| Energy surcharges and mandated fees | |
| 20 | | |
| 8.2 | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Total average yield | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 167 | | |
| 2.7 | % |
| Volume(d) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 10 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| Healthcare Solutions(e) | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (13 | ) | |
| (0.2 | ) |
| Internal revenue growth | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 164 | | |
| 2.7 | |
| Acquisitions | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 35 | | |
| 0.6 | |
| Divestitures | |
| | | |
| | | |
| (4 | ) | |
| — | |
| Foreign currency translation | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 14 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| Total | |
| | | |
| | | |
$ | 209 | | |
| 3.5 | % |
| | |
Period-to-Period Change for the | |
| | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, 2026 vs. 2025 | |
| | |
As a % of Related Business(a) | |
| | |
Yield | | |
Volume | |
| Commercial | |
| 4.7 | % | |
| (1.6 | )% |
| Industrial | |
| 3.1 | | |
| 0.2 | |
| Residential | |
| 6.3 | | |
| (5.0 | ) |
| Total collection | |
| 4.5 | | |
| (2.0 | ) |
| MSW | |
| 6.9 | | |
| 2.7 | |
| Transfer | |
| 3.2 | | |
| (2.9 | ) |
| Total collection and disposal | |
| 3.9 | % | |
| (1.5 | )% |
| (a) | Calculated by dividing the increase or decrease for the current year period by the prior year
period’s related business revenues adjusted to exclude the impacts of divestitures for the current year period. |
| (b) | Calculated by dividing the increase or decrease for the current year period by the prior year
period’s total Company revenues adjusted to exclude the impacts of divestitures for the current year period. |
| (c) | Includes combined impact of commodity price variability in both our Recycling Processing and Sales and
Renewable Energy segments, as well as changes in certain recycling fees charged by our collection and disposal operations. |
| (d) | Includes activities from our Corporate and Other businesses. |
| (e) | The amounts reported herein represent the change in our revenues from the combined impacts of yield and
volume attributable to our Healthcare Solutions business. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SUMMARY DATA SHEET
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
| Free Cash Flow(a) | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |
$ | 1,501 | | |
$ | 1,208 | |
| Capital expenditures to support the business | |
| (589 | ) | |
| (703 | ) |
| Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets, net of cash divested | |
| 69 | | |
| 98 | |
| Free cash flow before sustainability growth investments | |
| 981 | | |
| 603 | |
| Capital expenditures - sustainability growth investments | |
| (61 | ) | |
| (128 | ) |
| Free cash flow | |
$ | 920 | | |
$ | 475 | |
| | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| Supplemental Data | |
| | | |
| | |
| Internalization of waste, based on disposal costs | |
| 71.7 | % | |
| 70.7 | % |
| Landfill depletable tons (in millions) | |
| 28.8 | | |
| 29.3 | |
| Acquisition Summary(b) | |
| | | |
| | |
| Gross annualized revenue acquired | |
$ | — | | |
$ | 11 | |
| Total consideration, net of cash acquired | |
| — | | |
| 7 | |
| Cash paid for acquisitions consummated during the period, net of cash acquired | |
| — | | |
| 7 | |
| Cash paid for acquisitions including contingent consideration and other items from prior periods, net of cash acquired | |
| 1 | | |
| 13 | |
Landfill Amortization and Accretion Expenses:
| | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| Landfill depletion expense: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Cost basis of landfill assets | |
$ | 160 | | |
$ | 150 | |
| Asset retirement costs | |
| 32 | | |
| 33 | |
| Total landfill depletion expense | |
| 192 | | |
| 183 | |
| Accretion expense | |
| 39 | | |
| 35 | |
| Landfill depletion and accretion expense | |
$ | 231 | | |
$ | 218 | |
| (a) | The summary of free cash flow has been prepared to highlight and facilitate understanding of the principal
cash flow elements. Free cash flow is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles and is not
intended to replace the consolidated statement of cash flows that was prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. |
| (b) | Represents amounts associated with business acquisitions consummated during the applicable period except
where noted. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 | |
| | |
Income from | | |
Pre-tax | | |
Tax | | |
Net | | |
Diluted Per | |
| | |
Operations | | |
Income | | |
Expense | | |
Income(a) | | |
Share Amount | |
| As reported amounts | |
$ | 1,113 | | |
$ | 891 | | |
$ | 168 | | |
$ | 723 | | |
$ | 1.79 | |
| Adjustments: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Stericycle transaction and integration costs | |
| 19 | | |
| 19 | | |
| 4 | | |
| 15 | | |
| | |
| (Gain) loss from asset impairments, unusual items and other, net(c) | |
| (14 | ) | |
| (14 | ) | |
| (7 | ) | |
| (7 | ) | |
| | |
| | |
| 5 | | |
| 5 | | |
| (3 | ) | |
| 8 | | |
| 0.02 | |
| As adjusted amounts | |
$ | 1,118 | | |
$ | 896 | | |
$ | 165 | (b) | |
$ | 731 | | |
$ | 1.81 | |
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion(d) | |
| 735 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| As adjusted operating EBITDA(d) | |
$ | 1,853 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Adjusted operating EBITDA margin | |
| 29.8 | % | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | |
| | |
Income from | | |
Pre-tax | | |
Tax | | |
Net | | |
Diluted Per | |
| | |
Operations | | |
Income | | |
Expense | | |
Income(a) | | |
Share Amount | |
| As reported amounts | |
$ | 1,013 | | |
$ | 788 | | |
$ | 151 | | |
$ | 637 | | |
$ | 1.58 | |
| Adjustments: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Stericycle transaction and integration costs | |
| 33 | | |
| 33 | | |
| 7 | | |
| 26 | | |
| | |
| (Gain) loss from asset impairments, unusual items and other, net(e) | |
| 13 | | |
| 13 | | |
| 3 | | |
| 10 | | |
| | |
| | |
| 46 | | |
| 46 | | |
| 10 | | |
| 36 | | |
| 0.09 | |
| As adjusted amounts | |
$ | 1,059 | | |
$ | 834 | | |
$ | 161 | (b) | |
$ | 673 | | |
$ | 1.67 | |
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion(d) | |
| 691 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| As adjusted operating EBITDA(d) | |
$ | 1,750 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Adjusted operating EBITDA margin | |
| 29.1 | % | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| (a) | For purposes of this press release table, all references to "Net Income" refer to the financial
statement line item "Net income attributable to Waste Management, Inc." |
| (b) | The Company calculates its effective tax rate based on actual dollars. When the effective tax rate is
calculated by dividing the Tax Expense amount in the table above by the Pre-tax Income amount, differences occur due to rounding, as these
items have been rounded in millions. The first quarter 2026 and 2025 adjusted effective tax rates were 18.4% and 19.2%, respectively. |
| (c) | Primarily due to a $34 million gain related to a business divestiture in our West Tier, offset by loss
contingency reserve adjustments and other restructuring costs. |
| (d) | Beginning in 2026, landfill accretion expense was moved from operating expenses to depreciation, depletion,
amortization, and accretion. Landfill Accretion expense in the three months ended March, 31 2026 and 2025 was $39 million and $35 million,
respectively. For comparability purposes, 2025 actuals have been updated to reflect that change. |
| (e) | Primarily due to a legacy loss contingency reserve adjustment and other restructuring costs. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
| | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2026 | |
| | |
| | |
Recycling | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Collection | | |
Processing | | |
Renewable | | |
Healthcare | | |
Corporate | | |
Total | |
| | |
and Disposal(a)(b) | | |
and Sales(a) | | |
Energy(b) | | |
Solutions | | |
and Other | | |
WM | |
| Adjusted Operating EBITDA and Adjusted Operating EBITDA Margin | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating revenues, as reported | |
$ | 5,081 | | |
$ | 368 | | |
$ | 159 | | |
$ | 614 | | |
$ | 5 | | |
$ | 6,227 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Income from Operations, as reported | |
$ | 1,460 | | |
$ | 19 | | |
$ | 48 | | |
$ | (14 | ) | |
$ | (400 | ) | |
$ | 1,113 | |
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion(c) | |
| 531 | | |
| 51 | | |
| 24 | | |
| 104 | | |
| 25 | | |
| 735 | |
| Operating EBITDA, as reported(c) | |
$ | 1,991 | | |
$ | 70 | | |
$ | 72 | | |
$ | 90 | | |
$ | (375 | ) | |
$ | 1,848 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Adjustments: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Stericycle transaction and integration costs | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 9 | | |
| 10 | | |
| 19 | |
| (Gain) loss from asset impairments, unusual items and other, net(d) | |
| (34 | ) | |
| 2 | | |
| — | | |
| 7 | | |
| 11 | | |
| (14 | ) |
| | |
| (34 | ) | |
| 2 | | |
| — | | |
| 16 | | |
| 21 | | |
| 5 | |
| Adjusted operating EBITDA(c) | |
$ | 1,957 | | |
$ | 72 | | |
$ | 72 | | |
$ | 106 | | |
$ | (354 | ) | |
$ | 1,853 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating EBITDA margin, as reported | |
| 39.2 | % | |
| 19.0 | % | |
| 45.3 | % | |
| 14.7 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| 29.7 | % |
| Adjusted operating EBITDA margin | |
| 38.5 | % | |
| 19.6 | % | |
| 45.3 | % | |
| 17.3 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| 29.8 | % |
| | |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 | |
| | |
| | |
Recycling | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
Collection | | |
Processing | | |
Renewable | | |
Healthcare | | |
Corporate | | |
Total | |
| | |
and Disposal(a)(b) | | |
and Sales(a) | | |
Energy(b) | | |
Solutions | | |
and Other | | |
WM | |
| Adjusted Operating EBITDA and Adjusted Operating EBITDA Margin | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating revenues, as reported | |
$ | 4,922 | | |
$ | 384 | | |
$ | 91 | | |
$ | 619 | | |
$ | 2 | | |
$ | 6,018 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Income from Operations, as reported | |
$ | 1,328 | | |
$ | 18 | | |
$ | 19 | | |
$ | (25 | ) | |
$ | (327 | ) | |
$ | 1,013 | |
| Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and accretion(c) | |
| 509 | | |
| 39 | | |
| 15 | | |
| 101 | | |
| 27 | | |
| 691 | |
| Operating EBITDA, as reported(c) | |
$ | 1,837 | | |
$ | 57 | | |
$ | 34 | | |
$ | 76 | | |
$ | (300 | ) | |
$ | 1,704 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Adjustments: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Stericycle transaction and integration costs | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 19 | | |
| 14 | | |
| 33 | |
| (Gain) loss from asset impairments, unusual items and other, net(e) | |
| 2 | | |
| 4 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 7 | | |
| 13 | |
| | |
| 2 | | |
| 4 | | |
| — | | |
| 19 | | |
| 21 | | |
| 46 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Adjusted operating EBITDA(c) | |
$ | 1,839 | | |
$ | 61 | | |
$ | 34 | | |
$ | 95 | | |
$ | (279 | ) | |
$ | 1,750 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating EBITDA margin, as reported | |
| 37.3 | % | |
| 14.8 | % | |
| 37.4 | % | |
| 12.3 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| 28.3 | % |
| Adjusted operating EBITDA margin | |
| 37.4 | % | |
| 15.9 | % | |
| 37.4 | % | |
| 15.3 | % | |
| N/A | | |
| 29.1 | % |
| (a) | Certain fees related to the processing of recycled material we collect are included within our Collection
and Disposal business. The total amount of such fees in income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025
is $18 million and $20 million, respectively. |
| (b) | Renewable Energy pays a 15% intercompany royalty to our Collection and Disposal business and Corporate
and Other for landfill gas. The total amount of royalties in income from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and
2025 is $24 million and $14 million, respectively. |
| (c) | Beginning in 2026, landfill accretion expense was moved from operating expenses to depreciation, depletion,
amortization, and accretion. Landfill Accretion expense in the three months ended March, 31 2026 and 2025 was $39 million and $35 million,
respectively. For comparability purposes, 2025 actuals have been updated to reflect that change. |
| (d) | Primarily due to a $34 million gain related to a business divestiture in our West Tier, offset by loss
contingency reserve adjustments and other restructuring costs. |
| (e) | Primarily due to a legacy loss contingency reserve adjustment and other restructuring costs. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN NON-GAAP MEASURES
(In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
| | |
Three Months Ended | | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, 2026 | | |
March 31, 2025 | |
| Adjusted Operating Expenses and Adjusted Operating Expenses Margin | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating revenues, as reported | |
$ | 6,227 | | |
$ | 6,018 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating expenses, as reported(a) | |
$ | 3,694 | | |
$ | 3,612 | |
| As a % of revenues | |
| 59.3 | % | |
| 60.0 | % |
| Adjustment: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Legacy loss contingency reserve | |
| (10 | ) | |
| (7 | ) |
| Operating expenses, as adjusted | |
$ | 3,684 | | |
$ | 3,605 | |
| As a % of revenues | |
| 59.2 | % | |
| 59.9 | % |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
Three Months Ended | | |
Three Months Ended | |
| | |
March 31, 2026 | | |
March 31, 2025 | |
| Adjusted SG&A Expenses and Adjusted SG&A Expenses Margin | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| Operating revenues, as reported | |
$ | 6,227 | | |
$ | 6,018 | |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| SG&A expenses, as reported | |
$ | 707 | | |
$ | 687 | |
| As a % of revenues | |
| 11.4 | % | |
| 11.4 | % |
| Adjustment: | |
| | | |
| | |
| Stericycle acquisition and integration costs | |
| (17 | ) | |
| (24 | ) |
| SG&A expenses, as adjusted | |
$ | 690 | | |
$ | 663 | |
| As a % of revenues | |
| 11.1 | % | |
| 11.0 | % |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| 2026 Projected Free Cash Flow Reconciliation(b) | |
Scenario 1 | | |
Scenario 2 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | |
$ | 6,300 | | |
$ | 6,450 | |
| Capital expenditures to support the business | |
| (2,450 | ) | |
| (2,550 | ) |
| Proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets, net of cash divested | |
| 100 | | |
| 150 | |
| Free cash flow before sustainability growth investments | |
$ | 3,950 | | |
$ | 4,050 | |
| Capital expenditures - sustainability growth investments | |
| (200 | ) | |
| (200 | ) |
| Free cash flow | |
$ | 3,750 | | |
$ | 3,850 | |
| (a) | Beginning in 2026, landfill accretion expense was moved from operating expenses to depreciation, depletion,
amortization, and accretion. Landfill Accretion expense in the three months ended March, 31 2026 and 2025 was $39 million and $35 million,
respectively. For comparability purposes, 2025 actuals have been updated to reflect that change. |
| (b) | The reconciliation includes two scenarios that illustrate our projected free cash flow range for 2026.
The amounts used in the reconciliation are subject to many variables, some of which are not under our control and, therefore, are not
necessarily indicative of actual results. |
WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION PROVIDED FOR ILLUSTRATIVE
PURPOSES ONLY
(In Millions)
(Unaudited)
Diversity in the structure
of recycling contracts results in different accounting treatment for commodity rebates. In accordance with revenue recognition guidance,
the Company records gross recycling revenue and records rebates paid to customers as cost of goods sold. Other contract structures allow
for netting of rebates against revenue.
The table below illustrates
the impact that differing contract structures has on the Company’s adjusted operating EBITDA margin results. This information has
been provided to enhance comparability and is not intended to replace or adjust GAAP reported results.
| | |
Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | |
2026 | | |
2025 | |
| | |
Amount | | |
Change in
Adjusted
Operating
EBITDA Margin | | |
Amount | | |
Change in
Adjusted
Operating
EBITDA Margin | |
| Recycling commodity rebates | |
$ | 162 | | |
| 0.8 | % | |
$ | 238 | | |
| 1.2 | % |
