GFL
GFL Environmental Inc.
Waste Management
Market Cap$12.88B
5Y Perf.+94.1%
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Stock Comparison
GFL vs CWST
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
CWST
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
Waste Management
Market Cap$5.35B
5Y Perf.+67.7%
GFL vs CWST — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | GFL | CWST |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Waste Management | Waste Management |
| Market Cap | $12.88B | $5.35B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.70B | $1.88B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $209M | $7M |
| Gross Margin | 20.6% | 17.4% |
| Operating Margin | 5.5% | 4.5% |
| Forward P/E | 40.0x | 63.9x |
| Total Debt | $7.93B | $1.24B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $86M | $124M |
GFL vs CWST — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
GFL
CWST
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFL Environmental I… (GFL) | 100 | 194.1 | +94.1% |
| Casella Waste Syste… (CWST) | 100 | 167.7 | +67.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GFL vs CWST
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: GFL leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Casella Waste Systems, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
GFL
GFL Environmental Inc.
The Income Pick
GFL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 6 yrs, beta 0.20, yield 0.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.20, current ratio 0.58x
- Beta 0.20, yield 0.2%, current ratio 0.58x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
CWST
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
The Growth Play
CWST is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 18.0%, EPS growth -47.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 19.2%
- 10.6% 10Y total return vs GFL's 124.0%
- 18.0% revenue growth vs GFL's 7.8%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | CWST | 18.0% revenue growth vs GFL's 7.8% |
| Value | GFL | Lower P/E (40.0x vs 63.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | GFL | 3.1% margin vs CWST's 0.4% |
| Stability / Safety | GFL | Beta 0.20 vs CWST's 0.32 |
| Dividends | GFL | 0.2% yield; 6-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | GFL | -27.2% vs CWST's -28.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | GFL | 1.1% ROA vs CWST's 0.2%, ROIC 1.6% vs 2.6% |
GFL vs CWST — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
GFL vs CWST — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLGFLLAGGINGCWST
CWSTCasella Waste Systems…
1leads
GFLGFL Environmental Inc.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs CWSTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
GFL5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
CWST5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
GFL4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
GFL2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
GFL1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — GFL and CWST each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GFL is the larger business by revenue, generating $6.7B annually — 3.6x CWST's $1.9B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 3.1% (GFL) to 0.4% (CWST). On growth, CWST holds the edge at +9.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | GFLGFL Environmental… | CWSTCasella Waste Sys… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6.7B | $1.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $1.7B | $414M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $209M | $7M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $87M | $102M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +20.6% | +17.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.5% | +4.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.1% | +0.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +1.3% | +5.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +5.4% | +9.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -107.3% | -18.6% |
Evenly matched — GFL and CWST each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
GFL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.1x trailing earnings, GFL trades at a 99% valuation discount to CWST's 712.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, GFL's 15.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CWST's 15.7x.
| Metric | GFLGFL Environmental… | CWSTCasella Waste Sys… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $12.9B | $5.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $18.6B | $6.5B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 5.08x | 712.08x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 39.96x | 63.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.29x | 15.74x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.66x | 2.91x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.57x | 3.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 100.62x | 63.17x |
GFL leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CWST leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
GFL delivers a 2.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $3 in annual profit, vs $0 for CWST. CWST carries lower financial leverage with a 0.79x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GFL's 1.06x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GFL scores 8/9 vs CWST's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | GFLGFL Environmental… | CWSTCasella Waste Sys… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.7% | +0.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.1% | +0.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.6% | +2.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +2.0% | +2.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.06x | 0.79x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $7.8B | $1.1B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $86M | $124M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $7.9B | $1.2B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.59x | 1.12x |
CWST leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
GFL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CWST five years ago would be worth $12,572 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,495 for GFL. Over the past 12 months, GFL leads with a -27.2% total return vs CWST's -28.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GFL at 0.8% vs CWST's -2.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | GFLGFL Environmental… | CWSTCasella Waste Sys… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -13.1% | -13.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -27.2% | -28.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +2.4% | -6.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +14.9% | +25.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +124.0% | +1059.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +0.8% | -2.2% |
GFL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GFL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
GFL is the less volatile stock with a 0.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CWST's 0.32 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | GFLGFL Environmental… | CWSTCasella Waste Sys… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.20x | 0.32x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $51.70 | $121.24 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $36.17 | $74.05 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +72.0% | +70.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 28.7 | 52.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.1M | 874K |
GFL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
GFL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GFL as "Buy" and CWST as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 52.3% upside for GFL (target: $57) vs 39.3% for CWST (target: $119). GFL is the only dividend payer here at 0.16% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | GFLGFL Environmental… | CWSTCasella Waste Sys… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $56.67 | $119.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 18 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.2% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.08 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +16.9% | 0.0% |
GFL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
GFL leads in 4 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). CWST leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
Best OverallGFL Environmental Inc. (GFL)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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GFL vs CWST: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GFL or CWST a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
(CWST) is the stronger pick with 18. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 7. 8% for GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL). GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL) offers the better valuation at 5. 1x trailing P/E (40. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL) a "Buy" — based on 18 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — GFL or CWST?
On trailing P/E, GFL Environmental Inc.
(GFL) is the cheapest at 5. 1x versus Casella Waste Systems, Inc. at 712. 1x. On forward P/E, GFL Environmental Inc. is actually cheaper at 40. 0x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GFL or CWST?
Over the past 5 years, Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
(CWST) delivered a total return of +25. 7%, compared to +14. 9% for GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CWST returned +1059% versus GFL's +124. 0%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — GFL or CWST?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), GFL Environmental Inc.
(GFL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 20β versus Casella Waste Systems, Inc. 's 0. 32β — meaning CWST is approximately 63% more volatile than GFL relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 79% versus 106% for GFL Environmental Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — GFL or CWST?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
(CWST) is pulling ahead at 18. 0% versus 7. 8% for GFL Environmental Inc. (GFL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: GFL Environmental Inc. grew EPS 573. 5% year-over-year, compared to -47. 8% for Casella Waste Systems, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CWST leads at 19. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — GFL or CWST?
GFL Environmental Inc.
(GFL) is the more profitable company, earning 58. 0% net margin versus 0. 4% for Casella Waste Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 58. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: GFL leads at 5. 2% versus 4. 9% for CWST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — GFL leads at 20. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is GFL or CWST more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, GFL Environmental Inc.
(GFL) trades at 40. 0x forward P/E versus 63. 9x for Casella Waste Systems, Inc. — 24. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GFL: 52. 3% to $56. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — GFL or CWST?
In this comparison, GFL (0.
2% yield) pays a dividend. CWST does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is GFL or CWST better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
(CWST) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 32), +1059% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (CWST: +1059%, GFL: +124. 0%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between GFL and CWST?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: GFL is a mid-cap deep-value stock; CWST is a small-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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%
(GFL: 5.4% · CWST: 9.6%)P/E Ratio<
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