19:10:02 EST Wed 11 Feb 2026
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Waste Connections Reports Fourth Quarter 2025 Results and Provides 2026 Outlook

2026-02-11 16:05 ET - News Release

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 -- (Business Wire)

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.
 

(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.

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

 
 

 

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
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2024

 

December 31,
2025

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

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
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

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
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

 

2024

 

2025

 

2024

 

2025

Acquisitions, net

 

$

169,467

 

$

58,470

 

$

529,183

 

$

377,259

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
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

 

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

 

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
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

 

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.

 

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
December 31,

 

 

 

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.

 

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
December 31,

 

Twelve months ended
December 31,

 

 

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.

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

 

 

Contacts:

Mary Anne Whitney / (832) 442-2253
maryannew@wasteconnections.com

Joe Box / (832) 442-2153
joe.box@wasteconnections.com

Source: Waste Connections, Inc.

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