Back to Dividend Stocks
Waste Management Inc. (WM) logo

Waste Management Inc.

S&P 500
WM|Industrials|Waste Management|$215.37|P/E 32.1|MCap 86.5B|NYSE

Last update: May 9, 2026 at 09:32

Dividend Safety Rating

78/ 100Safe

WM's dividend appears safe and well-supported. Strengths include a 49.5% earnings payout ratio & 42.0% fcf payout ratio. Areas of concern: 0.9x current ratio. The dividend has been growing at a 8.65% 5-year CAGR.

Based on 15 of 15 metrics

Strengths

  • Earnings Payout Ratio: 49.5%Low earnings payout ratio leaves room to grow the dividend.
  • CFO Payout Ratio: 23.4%Operating cash flow strongly supports the payout.
  • Return on Equity: 29.9%Strong return on equity reflects efficient profit generation.

Risks

  • Current Ratio: 0.9xLimited short-term liquidity to meet obligations.

Payout & Coverage

Safe
Earnings Payout Ratio
49.5%Very Safe
FCF Payout Ratio
42.0%Safe
CFO Payout Ratio
23.4%Very Safe
Interest Coverage
4.8xCaution

Balance Sheet

Caution
Net Debt / Total Assets
49.5%Caution
Current Ratio
0.9xWarning
Debt-to-Equity
228.4Caution

Profitability

Very Safe
Return on Equity
29.9%Very Safe
Operating Margin
17.5%Safe
Gross Margin
40.7%Safe
Profit Margin Stability
Very StableVery Safe

Dividend Track Record

Very Safe
Dividend Streak
11+ yrsVery Safe
Dividend Cut
NoneVery Safe
5-Year Dividend CAGR
8.6%Safe
Earnings Stability
GrowingVery Safe

About Waste Management Inc.

Waste Management Inc. is the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating over 260 landfill sites and approximately 340 transfer stations across residential, commercial, industrial, and medical markets. The company offers comprehensive waste collection, transfer, and disposal services while maintaining a leading position in North America's recycling sector. Beyond core waste management, Waste Management operates a renewable energy segment that develops and operates projects utilizing landfill gas, and provides healthcare waste solutions through its dedicated business unit. The company's business model benefits from significant competitive advantages, including regulatory permits for landfill operations and cost efficiencies derived from route density. Known for operational excellence, Waste Management has achieved record-breaking performance in reducing operating expenses relative to revenue and expanding profit margins. The company focuses on technology and automation investments to enhance efficiency across its operations, including recycling facilities and renewable energy infrastructure. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Waste Management serves as a comprehensive environmental solutions provider for waste management and sustainability services.

Dividend Overview

Dividend Yield

1.59%

Annual Dividend

$3.42

Frequency

Quarterly

Payout Ratio

49.49%

FCF Payout Ratio

42.04%

Stock Price

$215.37

52-Week Range

$194.11 $248.13

Dividend History (2016–2025)

WM annual dividend per share and yield history

Earnings & Profitability

WM earnings per share and net profit margin

Key Dates

Last Ex-Dividend Date

March 13, 2026

Last Payment Date

March 27, 2026

Dividend Growth

3-Year Dividend CAGR

8.27%

5-Year Dividend CAGR

8.65%

10-Year Dividend CAGR

7.92%

3-Year Total Growth

26.92%

5-Year Total Growth

51.38%

10-Year Total Growth

114.29%

Income Calculator

WM Dividend Calculator

Total Investment

$21,537.00

Annual Income

$342.00

Quarterly Income

$85.50

Monthly Income

$28.50

Similar Dividend Stocks

StockYield5Y CAGRPrice
Waste Management Inc. (WM) logo
WM
1.59%8.65%$215.37
Cintas Corporation (CTAS) logo
CTAS
1.08%13.87%$166.97
Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) logo
EMR
1.53%1.30%$141.31
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) logo
ITW
2.48%7.07%$254.76
Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) logo
JCI
1.08%-6.58%$139.52
3M Company (MMM) logo
MMM
2.07%-9.90%$143.29
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) logo
NOC
1.68%9.66%$549.52
Republic Services Inc. (RSG) logo
RSG
1.23%7.34%$200.02
TransDigm Group Inc. (TDG) logo
TDG
0.00%N/A$1215.08

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WM's current dividend yield?
Waste Management Inc. (WM) currently has a dividend yield of 1.59%, based on a stock price of $215.37 and an annual dividend of $3.42.
When is WM's next dividend payment date?
WM's next ex-dividend date is 2026-03-13 and the next payment date is 2026-03-27. You must own the stock before the ex-dividend date to receive the upcoming payment.
How much does WM pay in dividends per year?
Waste Management Inc. paid $3.30 per share in annual dividends in 2025. The dividends are paid quarterly.
Has WM been increasing its dividend?
Waste Management Inc. has grown its dividend at a 5-year CAGR of 8.65% and a 10-year CAGR of 7.92%.
Is WM's dividend safe?
Waste Management Inc. has a payout ratio of 49.49%. Its free cash flow payout ratio is 42.04%. A payout ratio below 60% is generally considered sustainable.
How is WM's Dividend Safety Rating calculated?
The Dividend Safety Rating evaluates Waste Management Inc.'s dividend sustainability across four categories: Payout & Coverage (30%), Balance Sheet (20%), Profitability (20%), and Dividend Track Record (30%). Each metric is rated from "Very Safe" to "Danger" based on industry-standard thresholds, with sector-specific adjustments for industrials companies. The overall score ranges from 0 to 100.

Want to understand how we rate dividend safety? Read our full methodology

Track WM Dividends with OnlyDividends

What will WM actually pay you after taxes? Track every payout, get notified on payment dates, and stop guessing.

This page is not investment advice. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Always do your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Financial data, including dividend history, earnings, balance sheet metrics, and the Dividend Safety Rating, is provided for informational purposes only. Data may be delayed or differ from official filings. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always verify with official sources before making investment decisions.

Market data provided by Twelve Data.