Bull case
RSG would need investors to value it at roughly 37x earnings — about 9x more generous than today's 28x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where RSG stock could go
RSG would need investors to value it at roughly 37x earnings — about 9x more generous than today's 28x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 32x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 7x multiple contraction could push RSG down roughly 26% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Republic Services is a leading non-hazardous solid waste management company that provides collection, recycling, and disposal services across the United States. It generates revenue primarily from collection services (about 70% of revenue) and landfill operations (roughly 20%), with recycling and other services making up the remainder. The company's competitive advantage lies in its extensive network of landfills and transfer stations—which create significant barriers to entry through high capital requirements and regulatory hurdles—and its long-term contracts with municipalities and commercial customers.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $1.58/$1.53 | +3.3% | $4.0B/$4.0B | -0.9% |
| Q3 2025 | $1.77/$1.77 | +0.0% | $4.2B/$4.3B | -0.5% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.90/$1.83 | +3.8% | $4.2B/$4.2B | -0.6% |
| Q1 2026 | $1.76/$1.62 | +8.6% | $4.1B/$4.2B | -1.7% |
RSG beat EPS estimates in 4 of 4 tracked quarters. A perfect track record raises the bar for the upcoming report.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
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Latest annual revenue by reported region
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Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $226 — implies +9.3% from today's price.
| Metric | RSG | S&P 500 | Industrials | 5Y Avg RSG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 27.6x | 19.1x+45% | 20.8x+33% | — |
| Trailing PE | 29.2x | 25.2x+16% | 25.9x+13% | 30.8x |
| PEG Ratio | 1.64x | 1.75x | 1.59x | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 11.9x | 15.3x-22% | 13.9x-15% | 14.5x-18% |
| Price/FCF | 25.7x | 21.3x+20% | 20.6x+24% | 27.6x |
| Price/Sales | 3.7x | 3.1x+19% | 1.6x+134% | 3.7x |
| Dividend Yield | 1.18% | 1.88% | 1.24% | 1.22% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolRSG generates $2.4B in free cash flow at a 14.5% margin — 13.5% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.6% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~0.2 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Republic Services reported a current ratio of 0.58 at the end of 2024 and 0.64 at the end of 2025, well below the generally accepted threshold of 1.0. This short‑term liquidity shortfall could limit the company's ability to meet obligations, increase borrowing costs, or force asset sales.
The recycling segment’s profitability is tied to commodity prices, which fell more than 25% between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025. A sustained decline could turn recycling operations into a loss‑leader and depress overall earnings.
Republic Services pursues growth through acquisitions, exposing it to the risk of paying premiums that strain cash flow, raise debt levels, and dilute existing shareholders. Overpaying could impair balance‑sheet strength and earnings per share.
Increasing reliance on AI and digital platforms raises the risk of system failures or a significant cyber‑security breach. Such events could disrupt operations, damage customer relationships, and generate legal liabilities.
Operating expenses rose from $8.2 million in 2022 to $8.9 million in 2023 and are projected to increase 4.6% YoY in 2024, driven by inflation, higher labor wages, and material costs. These cost pressures may erode profit margins if not offset by pricing power.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 11, 2026
Republic Services has consistently posted strong AEBITDA margins and generated significant free cash flow. Revenue, net income, and operating income have all risen year-over-year, underscoring its ability to grow earnings even in competitive markets.
The company is investing in polymer centers for advanced plastics recycling and partnering on renewable natural gas projects. These initiatives position Republic Services to capture growth in the environmental solutions sector.
Republic Services has increased its dividend for 23 consecutive years and maintains a low dividend cash payout ratio, indicating a sustainable and growing dividend stream.
As the second-largest waste‑management company by revenue, Republic Services owns a vast network of landfills, transfer stations, and recycling centers, giving it a strong competitive moat.
The company has demonstrated year-over-year revenue growth even amid market competition, reflecting resilient demand for its waste‑management services.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RSG RSG Republic Services, Inc. | $61.8B | 27.6x | +4.6% | 12.9% | Buy | +20.1% |
WM WM Waste Management, Inc. | $88.9B | 26.9x | +7.3% | 11.0% | Buy | +14.7% |
CWS CWST Casella Waste Systems, Inc. | $5.3B | 63.3x | +16.9% | 0.4% | Buy | +40.7% |
WCN WCN Waste Connections, Inc. | $39.1B | 27.9x | +5.8% | 11.0% | Buy | +33.0% |
CLH CLH Clean Harbors, Inc. | $15.4B | 34.1x | +5.4% | 6.5% | Buy | +3.9% |
NVR NVRI Enviri Corporation | $1.6B | — | -2.0% | -7.6% | Buy | +29.9% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
RSG returns 2.6% annually — 1.18% through dividends and 1.4% through buybacks.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $1.25 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $2.36 | +43.3% | 1.3% | 2.4% |
| 2024 | $1.65 | -19.9% | 0.8% | 1.8% |
| 2023 | $2.06 | +7.9% | 0.5% | 1.7% |
| 2022 | $1.91 | +7.9% | 0.5% | 1.9% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 35 analysts covering the stock, 20 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 15 rate it Hold, and 0 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $240, implying +20.1% from the current price of $200. The bear case scenario is $149 and the bull case is $267.
The Wall Street consensus price target for RSG is $240 based on 35 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $255 (+27.7% from today), and the low-end target is $220 (+10.2%). The base case model target is $233.
RSG trades at 27.6x times forward earnings. The stock trades at a notable premium to the broad market, which is typical for businesses with strong free cash flow and above-average growth expectations. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals slightly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for RSG in 2026 are: (1) Liquidity Constraints (Current Ratio <1) — Republic Services reported a current ratio of 0. (2) Recycling Commodity Price Volatility — The recycling segment’s profitability is tied to commodity prices, which fell more than 25% between Q4 2024 and Q4 2025. (3) Acquisition Overpayment Risk — Republic Services pursues growth through acquisitions, exposing it to the risk of paying premiums that strain cash flow, raise debt levels, and dilute existing shareholders. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates RSG will report consensus revenue of $17.4B (+4.6% year-over-year) and EPS of $7.31 (+5.7% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $18.4B in revenue.
Republic Services, Inc. is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-05-07. Consensus expects EPS of $1.64 and revenue of $4.1B. Over recent quarters, RSG has beaten EPS estimates 92% of the time.
Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) generated $2.4B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 14.5%. RSG returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.2% yield) and share repurchases ($870M TTM).