-

Waste Connections Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results and Raises Full Year Outlook

  • Strong execution, improving solid waste landfill volumes and further strength in commodity-related revenues drive outsized results and another increase to full year outlook
  • Revenue of $2.638 billion, exceeding expectations
  • Net income of $359.2 million, and adjusted EBITDA* of $895.8 million, or 34.0% of revenue, above expectations
  • Net income and adjusted net income* of $1.43 and $1.58 per share, respectively
  • Year to date closed acquisitions of approximately $130 million in annualized revenues
  • Increases regular quarterly dividend by 10% and completes year to date share repurchases of over $1 billion
  • Second increase to full year 2026 outlook for revenue and adjusted EBITDA*

THE WOODLANDS, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) (“Waste Connections” or the “Company”) today announced its results for the third quarter of 2026.

"Another top to bottom beat in the period was driven by continued strength in operational execution along with improving trends in landfill activity and commodity-driven revenue. Sequential improvement of 70 basis points in solid waste unit volumes was led by an uptick in landfill volumes, with operating results continuing to reflect the benefits of elevated employee retention and record safety performance,” said Ronald J. Mittelstaedt, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Most importantly, we overcame a late quarter surge in diesel pricing to deliver adjusted EBITDA margin* of 34% on underlying margin expansion of 50 basis points,” continued Mr. Mittelstaedt. “Our performance puts us firmly on track to exceed the increased full year 2026 outlook we provided in July for revenue and adjusted EBITDA*, and we remain positioned to deliver double-digit growth in adjusted free cash flow* of at least $1.4 billion. Additional acquisitions completed later this year, and further improvement in E&P waste activity or other commodity-driven revenues, would provide incremental benefit."

Mr. Mittelstaedt continued, "As anticipated, the strength of our operating performance, free cash flow generation and balance sheet positioned us for another double-digit annual increase in our quarterly cash dividend, our sixteenth in a row. Additionally, we continued our opportunistic share repurchases, bringing year to date outlays to over $1 billion for 2.5% of outstanding shares, demonstrating once again our ability to fund our differentiated growth strategy and acquisition activity, along with record return of capital to shareholders."

Q3 2026 Results

Revenue in the third quarter totaled $2.638 billion, up from $2.458 billion in the year ago period. Operating income was $541.7 million, which included $3.0 million in transaction-related expenses and $1.9 million in impairments and other operating items, partially offset by $0.6 million associated with fair value changes to equity awards. This compares to operating income of $439.6 million in the third quarter of 2025 that included $63.5 million primarily from the write-down of contracts and a non-operating E&P waste facility permit, an environmental liability at an operating facility and transaction-related expenses. Net income in the third quarter was $359.2 million, or $1.43 per share on a diluted basis of 251.9 million shares. In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $286.3 million, or $1.11 per share on a diluted basis of 257.6 million shares.

Adjusted net income* in the third quarter was $398.9 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, versus $372.0 million, or $1.44 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA* in the third quarter was $895.8 million, as compared to $830.3 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 acquisition-related items, as reflected in the detailed reconciliations in the attached tables.

Nine Months Year to Date Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, revenue was $7.570 billion, up from $7.094 billion in the year ago period. Operating income was $1.343 billion, which included $139.9 million from impairments and other operating items and $13.0 million in transaction-related expenses, partially offset by $1.8 million associated with fair value changes to equity awards. This compares to operating income in the prior year period of $1.289 billion, which included $70.6 million from impairments and other operating items and $20.3 million primarily attributable to transaction-related expenses and fair value changes to equity awards.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $875.0 million, or $3.45 per share on a diluted basis of 253.9 million shares. In the year ago period, the Company reported net income of $818.1 million, or $3.16 per share on a diluted basis of 258.5 million shares.

Adjusted net income* for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $1.095 billion, or $4.32 per diluted share, compared to $998.3 million, or $3.86 per diluted share, in the year ago period. Adjusted EBITDA* for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 was $2.505 billion, as compared to $2.329 billion in the prior year period.

Updated 2026 Outlook

Waste Connections also updated its outlook for 2026, which assumes no change in the current economic environment or underlying economic trends. The Company’s outlook excludes any impact from additional acquisitions that may close during the year, and 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 to be approximately $10.09 billion;
  • Net income is estimated to be approximately $1.18 billion, and adjusted EBITDA* is estimated to be approximately $3.345 billion;
  • Capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $1.25 billion; and
  • Net cash provided by operating activities is estimated to be between $2.64 billion and $2.69 billion, and adjusted free cash flow* is estimated to be between $1.40 billion and $1.45 billion.

* A non-GAAP measure; see accompanying Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedule

Q3 2026 Earnings Conference Call

Waste Connections will be hosting a conference call related to third quarter earnings on October 22nd 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 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. Waste Connections views its sustainability 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 –

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2026

(Unaudited)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

2,458,378

 

 

$

2,638,081

 

 

$

7,093,609

 

 

$

7,570,319

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of operations

 

 

1,406,854

 

 

 

1,501,143

 

 

 

4,091,153

 

 

 

4,341,459

 

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

236,476

 

 

 

253,934

 

 

 

729,576

 

 

 

765,546

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

263,999

 

 

 

290,625

 

 

 

763,727

 

 

 

836,387

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

51,331

 

 

 

48,783

 

 

 

149,209

 

 

 

143,647

 

 

Impairments and other operating items

 

 

60,127

 

 

 

1,851

 

 

 

70,598

 

 

 

139,901

 

 

Operating income

 

 

439,591

 

 

 

541,745

 

 

 

1,289,346

 

 

 

1,343,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(84,449

)

 

 

(96,376

)

 

 

(248,074

)

 

 

(275,298

)

 

Interest income

 

 

5,090

 

 

 

2,988

 

 

 

9,174

 

 

 

10,227

 

 

Other income, net

 

 

14,542

 

 

 

2,768

 

 

 

26,463

 

 

 

40,105

 

 

Income before income tax provision

 

 

374,774

 

 

 

451,125

 

 

 

1,076,909

 

 

 

1,118,413

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax provision

 

 

(88,503

)

 

 

(91,901

)

 

 

(258,852

)

 

 

(243,446

)

 

Net income

 

$

286,271

 

 

$

359,224

 

 

$

818,057

 

 

$

874,967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.11

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

3.17

 

 

$

3.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

$

1.11

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

3.16

 

 

$

3.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in the per share calculations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

256,948,902

 

 

 

251,338,542

 

 

 

257,835,515

 

 

 

253,369,277

 

 

Diluted

 

 

257,580,321

 

 

 

251,873,132

 

 

 

258,484,698

 

 

 

253,855,805

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends per common share

 

$

0.315

 

 

$

0.350

 

 

$

0.945

 

 

$

1.050

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,
2025

 

September 30,
2026

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

45,968

 

 

$

95,694

 

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $21,402 and $23,669 at December 31, 2025 and September 30, 2026, respectively

 

 

1,024,992

 

 

 

1,106,208

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

240,603

 

 

 

235,136

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,311,563

 

 

 

1,437,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted cash

 

 

183,612

 

 

 

183,125

 

 

Restricted investments

 

 

80,757

 

 

 

73,896

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

8,733,327

 

 

 

9,005,291

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

312,508

 

 

 

320,279

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

8,392,249

 

 

 

8,413,634

 

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

2,006,200

 

 

 

1,967,946

 

 

Other assets, net

 

 

109,147

 

 

 

109,059

 

 

Total assets

 

$

21,129,363

 

 

$

21,510,268

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

765,227

 

 

$

811,498

 

 

Book overdraft

 

 

14,674

 

 

 

14,841

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

416,025

 

 

 

436,145

 

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

810,367

 

 

 

776,370

 

 

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

44,272

 

 

 

48,043

 

 

Current portion of contingent consideration

 

 

65,029

 

 

 

60,120

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable

 

 

8,667

 

 

 

7,801

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

2,124,261

 

 

 

2,154,818

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term portion of debt and notes payable

 

 

8,811,104

 

 

 

9,427,069

 

 

Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities

 

 

267,000

 

 

 

275,113

 

 

Long-term portion of contingent consideration

 

 

19,667

 

 

 

19,464

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,085,613

 

 

 

1,146,675

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

576,337

 

 

 

603,087

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

12,883,982

 

 

 

13,626,226

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares: Unlimited shares authorized; 255,661,011 shares issued and 255,614,663 shares outstanding at December 31, 2025; 250,293,972 shares issued and 250,247,624 shares outstanding at September 30, 2026

 

 

2,783,431

 

 

 

1,845,308

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

373,239

 

 

 

406,383

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(111,044

)

 

 

(176,879

)

 

Treasury shares: 46,348 and 46,348 shares at December 31, 2025 and September 30, 2026, respectively

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

Retained earnings

 

 

5,199,755

 

 

 

5,809,230

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

 

8,245,381

 

 

 

7,884,042

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

21,129,363

 

 

$

21,510,268

 

 

WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND 2026

(Unaudited)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

818,057

 

 

$

874,967

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss from disposal of assets, impairments and other

 

 

71,614

 

 

 

10,222

 

 

Adjustments to closure and post-closure liabilities

 

 

-

 

 

 

131,977

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

763,727

 

 

 

836,387

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

149,209

 

 

 

143,647

 

 

Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions

 

 

93,839

 

 

 

62,316

 

 

Current period provision for expected credit losses

 

 

9,321

 

 

 

19,488

 

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

6,271

 

 

 

6,949

 

 

Share-based compensation

 

 

60,432

 

 

 

61,824

 

 

Interest accretion

 

 

38,411

 

 

 

33,311

 

 

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings

 

 

(400

)

 

 

(1

)

 

Adjustments to contingent consideration

 

 

30,874

 

 

 

(1,315

)

 

Other

 

 

(7,046

)

 

 

(7,411

)

 

Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions

 

 

(177,119

)

 

 

(201,550

)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

1,857,190

 

 

 

1,970,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(627,310

)

 

 

(368,682

)

 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

 

(794,937

)

 

 

(893,732

)

 

Capital expenditures for undeveloped land

 

 

-

 

 

 

(56,192

)

 

Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

 

9,153

 

 

 

5,470

 

 

Other

 

 

(20,819

)

 

 

1,863

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(1,433,913

)

 

 

(1,311,273

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

2,222,235

 

 

 

2,668,176

 

 

Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt

 

 

(1,808,598

)

 

 

(2,022,304

)

 

Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date

 

 

(28,324

)

 

 

(11,211

)

 

Change in book overdraft

 

 

(336

)

 

 

167

 

 

Payments for repurchase of common shares

 

 

(442,176

)

 

 

(944,432

)

 

Payments for cash dividends

 

 

(243,950

)

 

 

(265,492

)

 

Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation

 

 

(31,306

)

 

 

(29,279

)

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(4,825

)

 

 

(9,572

)

 

Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan

 

 

5,464

 

 

 

6,309

 

 

Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust

 

 

324

 

 

 

-

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(331,492

)

 

 

(607,638

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

627

 

 

 

(2,661

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

92,412

 

 

 

49,239

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

198,173

 

 

 

229,580

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

290,585

 

 

$

278,819

 

 

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 nine month periods ended September 30, 2026:

 

 

 

Three months ended

September 30, 2026

 

Nine months ended

September 30, 2026

 

Yield(a)

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

4.5

%

 

Surcharges

 

 

1.3

%

 

 

0.8

%

 

Unit Volume(a)

 

 

(1.2

%)

 

 

(1.5

%)

 

Recycling

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

(0.1

%)

 

Foreign Exchange Impact

(0.2

%)

 

 

0.1

%

 

Total

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

3.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Price(b)

 

 

5.5

%

 

 

5.7

%

 

____________________

(a) In the first quarter of 2026, WCN began providing a breakdown of organic growth in solid waste collection, transfer and disposal to include Yield and Unit Volume, which are performance metrics used by management to evaluate the effectiveness of our pricing and organic growth strategies. Yield, or change in average price per unit of service, reflects the impacts of customer churn and new business activity and the resulting mix by line of business and by geographic segment; Unit Volume reflects estimated change in units of activity.

 

(b) Core Price is defined as the revenue growth attributable to price increases, net of rollbacks, on solid waste collection, transfer and disposal customers. This definition is consistent with Core Price references provided in prior periods.

Revenue Breakdown: The following table reflects a breakdown of our revenue for the three month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2026:

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2025

 

 

Revenue

 

Inter-company
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

Solid Waste Collection

 

$

1,730,339

 

$

(5,733

)

 

$

1,724,606

 

70.1

%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

 

 

804,442

 

 

(348,040

)

 

 

456,402

 

18.6

%

Solid Waste Recycling

 

 

58,351

 

 

(2,110

)

 

 

56,241

 

2.3

%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

 

 

188,679

 

 

(9,542

)

 

 

179,137

 

7.3

%

Intermodal and Other

 

 

42,686

 

 

(694

)

 

 

41,992

 

1.7

%

Total

 

$

2,824,497

 

$

(366,119

)

 

$

2,458,378

 

100.0

%

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2026

 

 

Revenue

 

Inter-company
Elimination

 

Reported
Revenue

 

%

Solid Waste Collection

 

$

1,825,657

 

$

(5,771

)

 

$

1,819,886

 

69.0

%

Solid Waste Disposal and Transfer

 

 

866,609

 

 

(374,421

)

 

 

492,188

 

18.7

%

Solid Waste Recycling

 

 

67,707

 

 

(3,001

)

 

 

64,706

 

2.4

%

E&P Waste Treatment, Recovery and Disposal

 

 

222,636

 

 

(9,781

)

 

 

212,855

 

8.1

%

Intermodal and Other

 

 

60,348

 

 

(11,902

)

 

 

48,446

 

1.8

%

Total

 

$

3,042,957

 

$

(404,876

)

$

2,638,081

 

100.0

%

ADDITIONAL STATISTICS (continued)

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

 

Contribution from Acquisitions: The following table reflects revenues from acquisitions, net of divestitures, closed during or subsequent to the prior periods:

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

Acquisitions, net

 

$

76,621

 

$

53,434

 

$

318,789

 

$

154,445

Other Cash Flow Items: The following table reflects cash interest and cash taxes for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2025 and 2026:

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

Cash Interest Paid

 

$

83,792

 

$

108,072

 

$

239,038

 

$

280,973

Cash Taxes Paid

 

 

50,394

 

 

44,792

 

 

141,535

 

 

143,970

Debt to Book Capitalization as of September 30, 2026: 54%

 

Internalization for the three months ended September 30, 2026: 58%

 

Days Sales Outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2026: 39 (23 net of deferred revenue)

 

Share Information for the three months ended September 30, 2026:

 

Basic shares outstanding

251,338,542

Dilutive effect of equity-based awards

 

534,590

Diluted shares outstanding

 

251,873,132

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, 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
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

Net income

 

$

286,271

 

 

$

359,224

 

 

$

818,057

 

 

$

874,967

 

Plus: Income tax provision

 

 

88,503

 

 

 

91,901

 

 

 

258,852

 

 

 

243,446

 

Plus: Interest expense

 

 

84,449

 

 

 

96,376

 

 

 

248,074

 

 

 

275,298

 

Less: Interest income

 

 

(5,090

)

 

 

(2,988

)

 

 

(9,174

)

 

 

(10,227

)

Plus: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

315,330

 

 

 

339,408

 

 

 

912,936

 

 

 

980,034

 

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

 

 

11,963

 

 

 

10,343

 

 

 

35,779

 

 

 

30,962

 

Plus: Impairments and other operating items

 

 

60,127

 

 

 

1,851

 

 

 

70,598

 

 

 

139,901

 

Less: Other income, net

 

 

(14,542

)

 

 

(2,768

)

 

 

(26,463

)

 

 

(40,105

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus: Transaction-related expenses(a)

 

 

3,835

 

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

19,778

 

 

 

12,952

 

Plus/(Less): Fair value changes to equity awards(b)

 

 

(509

)

 

 

(570

)

 

 

527

 

 

 

(1,839

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

830,337

 

 

$

895,781

 

 

$

2,328,964

 

 

$

2,505,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As % of revenues

 

 

33.8

%

 

 

34.0

%

 

 

32.8

%

 

 

33.1

%

____________________

(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. This measure is not meant to represent residual cash available for strategic acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends or other discretionary expenditures since it does not adjust for mandatory debt service requirements and other non-discretionary expenditures. Other companies may calculate adjusted free cash flow differently.

 

 

 

Three months ended
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

677,449

 

 

$

691,925

 

 

$

1,857,190

 

 

$

1,970,811

 

Plus/(Less): Change in book overdraft

 

 

(733

)

 

 

(14,077

)

 

 

(336

)

 

 

167

 

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets

 

 

3,736

 

 

 

2,548

 

 

 

9,153

 

 

 

5,470

 

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

 

(297,172

)

 

 

(294,783

)

 

 

(794,937

)

 

 

(893,732

)

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction-related expenses(a)

 

 

1,734

 

 

 

1,686

 

 

 

12,895

 

 

 

9,058

 

Executive separation costs(b)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,119

 

 

 

978

 

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings(c)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

400

 

 

 

1

 

Pre-existing Progressive Waste share-based grants(d)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

-

 

Tax effect(e)

 

 

(434

)

 

 

(422

)

 

 

(2,832

)

 

 

(2,510

)

Adjusted free cash flow

 

$

384,580

 

 

$

386,877

 

 

$

1,083,668

 

 

$

1,090,243

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As % of revenues

 

 

15.6

%

 

 

14.7

%

 

 

15.3

%

 

 

14.4

%

____________________

(a)

Reflects the addback of acquisition-related transaction costs.

(b)

Reflects the cash component of severance expense associated with an executive departure from 2023.

(c)

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.

(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 and Adjusted Net Income per Diluted Share:

 

Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share, both non-GAAP financial measures, are provided supplementally because they are widely used by investors as valuation measures in the solid waste industry. Management uses adjusted net income and adjusted net income per diluted share as one of the principal measures to evaluate and monitor the ongoing financial performance of Waste Connections’ operations. Waste Connections provides adjusted net income to exclude the effects of items management believes impact the comparability of operating results between periods. Adjusted net income 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 and adjusted net income per diluted share 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
September 30,

 

Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

2025

 

2026

 

2025

 

2026

Reported net income

 

$

286,271

 

 

$

359,224

 

 

$

818,057

 

 

$

874,967

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles(a)

 

 

51,331

 

 

 

48,783

 

 

 

149,209

 

 

 

143,647

 

Impairments and other operating items(b)

 

 

60,127

 

 

 

1,851

 

 

 

70,598

 

 

 

139,901

 

Transaction-related expenses(c)

 

 

3,835

 

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

19,778

 

 

 

12,952

 

Fair value changes to equity awards(d)

 

 

(509

)

 

 

(570

)

 

 

527

 

 

 

(1,839

)

Tax effect(e)

 

 

(29,005

)

 

 

(13,412

)

 

 

(59,903

)

 

 

(74,177

)

Adjusted net income

 

$

372,050

 

 

$

398,880

 

 

$

998,266

 

 

$

1,095,451

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported net income

 

$

1.11

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

$

3.16

 

 

$

3.45

 

Adjusted net income

 

$

1.44

 

 

$

1.58

 

 

$

3.86

 

 

$

4.32

 

____________________

(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.

UPDATED 2026 OUTLOOK

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION SCHEDULE

(in thousands of U.S. dollars, except where noted)

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

Updated 2026

Outlook

Net income

 

$

1,182,000

 

Plus: Income tax provision(a)

 

 

336,000

 

Plus: Interest expense, net

 

 

362,000

 

Plus: Depreciation and Depletion

 

 

1,120,000

 

Plus: Amortization

 

 

192,000

 

Plus: Closure and post-closure accretion

 

 

42,091

 

Plus: Impairments and other operating items(b)

 

 

139,901

 

Less: Other income, net(b)

 

 

(40,105

)

Adjustments(b)

 

 

 

Plus: Transaction-related expenses

 

 

12,952

 

Plus: Fair value changes to equity awards

 

 

(1,839

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

3,345,000

 

____________________

(a)

Approximately 22.1% full year effective tax rate, including amounts reported for the nine month period ended September 30, 2026.

(b)

Reflects amounts reported for the nine month period ended September 30, 2026, as shown on page 9.

Reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow:

 

 

Updated 2026 Outlook

 

Low Estimate

 

High Estimate

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

2,636,836

 

 

$

2,686,836

 

Plus: Change in book overdraft(a)

 

167

 

 

 

167

 

Plus: Proceeds from disposal of assets(a)

 

5,470

 

 

 

5,470

 

Less: Capital expenditures for property and equipment

 

(1,250,000

)

 

 

(1,250,000

)

Adjustments:(a)

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction-related expenses

 

9,058

 

 

 

9,058

 

Executive separation costs

 

978

 

 

 

978

 

Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Tax effect

 

(2,510

)

 

 

(2,510

)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

$

1,400,000

 

 

$

1,450,000

 

____________________

(a)

Reflects amounts reported for the nine month period ended September 30, 2026, as shown on page 10.

 

Contacts

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

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

Waste Connections, Inc.

TSX:WCN
Details
Headquarters: Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
CEO: Ronald Mittelstaedt
Employees: 25,000
Organization: PUB

Release Versions

Contacts

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

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

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