PCT
PureCycle Technologies, Inc.
Industrial - Pollution & Treatment Controls
Market Cap$1.62B
5Y Perf.-9.5%
Compare Stocks
2 / 10Try these comparisons:
Stock Comparison
PCT vs WM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
Waste Management
Market Cap$89.32B
5Y Perf.+102.1%
PCT vs WM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | PCT | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Industrial - Pollution & Treatment Controls | Waste Management |
| Market Cap | $1.62B | $89.32B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $11M | $25.41B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-225M | $2.79B |
| Gross Margin | -10.4% | 32.1% |
| Operating Margin | -11.8% | 18.5% |
| Forward P/E | — | 27.1x |
| Total Debt | $776M | $22.91B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $157M | $201M |
PCT vs WM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
PCT
WM
| Stock | Jul 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PureCycle Technolog… (PCT) | 100 | 90.5 | -9.5% |
| Waste Management, I… (WM) | 100 | 202.1 | +102.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PCT vs WM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: WM leads in 4 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. PureCycle Technologies, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
PCT
PureCycle Technologies, Inc.
The Growth Play
PCT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 5.9%, EPS growth 31.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.45, current ratio 2.26x
- Beta 2.45, yield 0.7%, current ratio 2.26x
Best for: growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
The Income Pick
WM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 24 yrs, beta -0.17, yield 1.5%
- 301.0% 10Y total return vs PCT's -12.4%
- 11.0% margin vs PCT's -20.6%
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PCT | 5.9% revenue growth vs WM's 14.2% |
| Quality / Margins | WM | 11.0% margin vs PCT's -20.6% |
| Stability / Safety | WM | Lower D/E ratio (229.3% vs 16.9%) |
| Dividends | WM | 1.5% yield, 24-year raise streak, vs PCT's 0.7% |
| Momentum (1Y) | PCT | +36.3% vs WM's -4.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WM | 6.1% ROA vs PCT's -23.4%, ROIC 10.7% vs -20.3% |
PCT vs WM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
PCT vs WM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLWMLAGGINGPCT
PCTPureCycle Technologie…
0leads
WMWaste Management, Inc.
6leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PCTMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
WM5/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WM2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WM7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WM5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
WM2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
WM2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WM is the larger business by revenue, generating $25.4B annually — 2331.0x PCT's $11M. WM is the more profitable business, keeping 11.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PCT's -20.6%. On growth, PCT holds the edge at +161.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | PCTPureCycle Technol… | WMWaste Management,… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $11M | $25.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$105M | $7.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$225M | $2.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$176M | $3.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -10.4% | +32.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -11.8% | +18.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -20.6% | +11.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -16.1% | +12.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +161.2% | +3.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -5.2% | +13.3% |
WM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WM leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | PCTPureCycle Technol… | WMWaste Management,… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.6B | $89.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.2B | $112.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -7.39x | 33.05x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 27.06x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.41x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 15.00x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 193.38x | 3.54x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 35.16x | 8.96x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 31.72x |
WM leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WM leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WM delivers a 28.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $29 in annual profit, vs $-4 for PCT. WM carries lower financial leverage with a 2.29x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PCT's 16.91x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), WM scores 7/9 vs PCT's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | PCTPureCycle Technol… | WMWaste Management,… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -4.1% | +28.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -23.4% | +6.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -20.3% | +10.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -21.6% | +11.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 16.91x | 2.29x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $619M | $22.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $157M | $201M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $776M | $22.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -2.18x | 4.89x |
WM leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in WM five years ago would be worth $16,680 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,889 for PCT. Over the past 12 months, PCT leads with a +36.3% total return vs WM's -4.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WM at 10.9% vs PCT's 6.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PCTPureCycle Technol… | WMWaste Management,… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.1% | +1.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +36.3% | -4.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +20.5% | +36.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -41.1% | +66.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -12.4% | +301.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +6.4% | +10.9% |
WM leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WM is the less volatile stock with a -0.17 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PCT's 2.45 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WM currently trades 89.2% from its 52-week high vs PCT's 51.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | PCTPureCycle Technol… | WMWaste Management,… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.45x | -0.17x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.37 | $248.13 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.93 | $194.11 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +51.5% | +89.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 62.2 | 38.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 4.8M | 1.9M |
WM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
WM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PCT as "Buy" and WM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 14.2% upside for WM (target: $253) vs 0.7% for PCT (target: $9). For income investors, WM offers the higher dividend yield at 1.49% vs PCT's 0.70%.
| Metric | PCTPureCycle Technol… | WMWaste Management,… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $9.00 | $252.86 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 9 | 35 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.7% | +1.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 24 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.06 | $3.30 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.3% | 0.0% |
WM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
WM leads in 6 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics.
Best OverallWaste Management, Inc. (WM)Leads 6 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
PCT vs WM: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PCT or WM a better buy right now?
Waste Management, Inc.
(WM) offers the better valuation at 33. 1x trailing P/E (27. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT) a "Buy" — based on 9 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 is the better long-term investment — PCT or WM?
Over the past 5 years, Waste Management, Inc.
(WM) delivered a total return of +66. 8%, compared to -41. 1% for PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: WM returned +301. 0% versus PCT's -12. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — PCT or WM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Waste Management, Inc.
(WM) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 17β versus PureCycle Technologies, Inc. 's 2. 45β — meaning PCT is approximately -1506% more volatile than WM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Waste Management, Inc. (WM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 17% for PureCycle Technologies, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — PCT or WM?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PureCycle Technologies, Inc.
grew EPS 31. 3% year-over-year, compared to -1. 6% for Waste Management, Inc.. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — PCT or WM?
Waste Management, Inc.
(WM) is the more profitable company, earning 10. 7% net margin versus -21. 9% for PureCycle Technologies, Inc. — meaning it keeps 10. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WM leads at 18. 3% versus -1991. 2% for PCT. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WM leads at 29. 1%, 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.
06Is PCT or WM more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WM: 14.
2% to $252. 86.
07Which pays a better dividend — PCT or WM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Waste Management, Inc. (WM) offers the highest yield at 1. 5%, versus 0. 7% for PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT).
08Is PCT or WM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Waste Management, Inc.
(WM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 17), 1. 5% yield, +301. 0% 10Y return). PureCycle Technologies, Inc. (PCT) carries a higher beta of 2. 45 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (WM: +301. 0%, PCT: -12. 4%), 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.
09What are the main differences between PCT and WM?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
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.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that outperform both.
Revenue Growth>
%
(PCT: 161.2% · WM: 3.5%)You Might Also Compare
Based on how these companies actually compete and overlap — not just which sector they're filed under.