Waste Management Earnings Preview: Analyts Expect Higher Earnings, Revenue from Prior Quarter

Waste Management WM announces its next round of earnings this Thursday, July 28, 2011. Get prepared with Benzinga's ultimate preview for Waste Management's second quarter earnings.

Earnings and Revenue:

Analysts are predicting an EPS reading of 55 cents per share and revenues of $3.34 billion. Whether the reported numbers beat or miss analysts' estimates, they will also be compared against last year's numbers for the same period, which were a profit of 54 cents per share on revenues of $3.16 billion. We'll have to wait for Thursday to see if Waste Management has accomplished the estimated 1.9% rise in EPS and 5.7% increase in revenues on a year-over-year basis.

Here's how the company's reported EPS has stacked up against analyst estimates in the past:

Quarter	Q1	Q4	Q3	Q2
EPS Estimate	$0.41	$0.55	$0.59	$0.54
EPS Actual	$0.39	$0.60	$0.60	$0.54

Stock Performance:

Shares of Waste Management were trading at $35.97 as of July 22, 2011. Since January 1st, shares of Waste Management have declined 0.7%. For a full 12 months, the return has risen by 2.8%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are probably satisfied going into this earnings release.

• Long-term shareholders are already enjoying 12-month gains prior to the announcement

Average Stock Rating:

The average rating by analysts for Waste Management is a Hold.

Competitors:

Looking for a sympathy stock to trade or interested in the performance of other companies in the same sector? Take a look at some of Waste Management's peers.

• Casella Waste Systems CWST: Moderate Buy with a -$0.85 recent quarter EPS
• Republic Services RSG: Moderate Buy with a $0.42 recent quarter EPS
• Clean Harbors (CLH): Moderate Buy with a $0.86 recent quarter EPS
• American Ecology (ECOL): Hold with a $0.18 recent quarter EPS

Waste Management is in the waste removal services industry, which has experienced price/earnings growth of 1.8%.

Finally, a description of the company's main areas of operation: Waste Management is a provider of integrated waste services in North America. It provides collection, transfer, recycling, disposal and waste-to-energy services.

Take Action:

Now that you're fully prepared, get ready to take quick action if the company reports any numbers significantly different from those listed above. Also, check back in with us after the announcement for a full recap and what-to-do-next guide.

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