Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) Price Target Cut to $195.00 by Analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) had its price objective decreased by equities research analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $210.00 to $195.00 in a note issued to investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an “overweight” rating on the business services provider’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s target price would indicate a potential upside of 13.51% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on the company. Barclays set a $180.00 price target on Waste Connections and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 28th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $218.00 price objective (up from $210.00) on shares of Waste Connections in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Waste Connections from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 13th. BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $208.00 target price (up from $206.00) on shares of Waste Connections in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $211.00 target price on shares of Waste Connections in a research note on Thursday, April 23rd. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Waste Connections has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $202.00.

Waste Connections Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WCN traded up $0.72 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $171.79. 317,946 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,664,800. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $158.28 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $163.67. The company has a market cap of $43.59 billion, a PE ratio of 41.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.69. Waste Connections has a 1-year low of $146.89 and a 1-year high of $191.91.

Waste Connections (NYSE:WCN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 22nd. The business services provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.19 by $0.04. Waste Connections had a net margin of 10.97% and a return on equity of 16.49%. The business had revenue of $2.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.13 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Waste Connections will post 5.5 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Waste Connections

In other news, VP James Little sold 2,605 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $163.98, for a total value of $427,167.90. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 34,395 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,640,092.10. This represents a 7.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Eric Hansen sold 6,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.82, for a total transaction of $988,920.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,350 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,200,347. This trade represents a 31.01% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 17,605 shares of company stock valued at $2,822,923. Corporate insiders own 0.27% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Waste Connections

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. City Holding Co. bought a new stake in shares of Waste Connections in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC bought a new stake in Waste Connections in the third quarter valued at approximately $26,000. KERR FINANCIAL PLANNING Corp acquired a new stake in Waste Connections during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position in Waste Connections by 1,166.7% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 190 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Waste Connections by 346.2% during the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 174 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.09% of the company’s stock.

Waste Connections Company Profile

Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) is a North American integrated waste services company that provides a range of solid waste and environmental services to municipal, commercial, industrial and residential customers. The company offers collection, transportation, transfer, disposal and recycling services, and operates an extensive network of transfer stations and disposal facilities. Waste Connections positions itself as a provider of infrastructure-driven waste solutions across many regions of the United States and Canada.

The company’s operating activities include routine curbside and commercial collection, roll-off and container services, operation of landfills and transfer stations, and recycling and resource recovery programs.