Republic Services (RSG) Up 2.4% Since Last Earnings Report: Can It Continue?

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Republic Services (RSG). Shares have added about 2.4% in that time frame, outperforming the S&P 500.But investors have to be wondering, will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Republic Services due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.Republic Services Beats Q4 Earnings EstimatesRepublic Services reported mixed fourth-quarter 2025 results. Earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues missed the same.RSG’s earnings per share of $1.76 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.7% and grew 11.4% from the year-ago quarter. Revenues of $4.1 billion missed the consensus mark by 1.8% but increased 2.2% year over year.Q4 Segmental Revenues of Republic ServicesRevenues from Collection totaled $2.8 billion, rising 3.8% from the year-ago quarter but missing the consensus estimate of $2.9 billion. Environmental Solutions' revenues (net) of $422 million declined 12.4% year over year, missing the consensus projection of $438.2 million. Revenues (net) in the Transfer and Landfill segments were $214 million and $467 million, respectively, both increasing 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. Revenues of the Transfer segment surpassed the consensus estimate of $213.5 million, while the Landfill segment fell short of the consensus projection of $484 million. The Other segment’s revenues of $200 million rose 5.3% from the year-ago quarter but missed the consensus estimate of $208.6 million.Operating Results of RSGAdjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $1.3 billion, up 3.4% from the year-ago quarter. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 31.3%, up 30 basis points from the year-ago quarter.Key Balance Sheet and Cash Flow FiguresRepublic Services exited the fourth quarter of 2025 with cash and cash equivalents of $76 million compared with $84 million at the end of the third quarter of 2025. The long-term debt (net of current maturities) was $13 billion compared with $12.4 billion at the end of the preceding quarter. RSG generated $981 million in cash from operating activities in the fourth quarter of 2025. The adjusted free cash flow was $242 million. Capital expenditure was $577 million.RSG’s 2026 GuidanceFor 2026, RSG expects its revenues to be between $17.05 billion and $17.15 billion. The company anticipates adjusted EPS in the range of $7.20-$7.28. Adjusted EBITDA is estimated to be $5.475-$5.525 billion, while adjusted free cash flow is expected to be $2.52-$2.56 billion.How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in estimates revision.VGM ScoresAt this time, Republic Services has a average Growth Score of C, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with an F. However, the stock has a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for value investors.Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of D. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. Interestingly, Republic Services has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.Performance of an Industry PlayerRepublic Services is part of the Zacks Waste Removal Services industry. Over the past month, Waste Connections (WCN), a stock from the same industry, has gained 0.6%. The company reported its results for the quarter ended December 2025 more than a month ago.Waste Connections reported revenues of $2.37 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +5%. EPS of $1.29 for the same period compares with $1.16 a year ago.For the current quarter, Waste Connections is expected to post earnings of $1.20 per share, indicating a change of +6.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.2% over the last 30 days.The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Waste Connections. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of D.Quantum Computing Stocks Set To SoarArtificial intelligence has already reshaped the investment landscape, and its convergence with quantum computing could lead to the most significant wealth-building opportunities of our time.Today, you have a chance to position your portfolio at the forefront of this technological revolution. In our urgent special report, Beyond AI: The Quantum Leap in Computing Power, you'll discover the little-known stocks we believe will win the quantum computing race and deliver massive gains to early investors.Access the Report Free Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Republic Services, Inc. (RSG): Free Stock Analysis Report Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks