On Monday, RBC Capital Markets upgraded shares of Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) stock to Outperform, marking an improvement from the previous Sector Perform rating. Accompanying the upgrade, the analyst increased the price target for the waste management company to $237, up from the former target of $219.
The company, currently valued at $63 billion, has demonstrated remarkable financial strength with a perfect Piotroski Score of 9, according to InvestingPro data.
RBC's decision to upgrade Republic Services is rooted in the company's promising outlook leading into 2025 and its appealing valuation in light of the stock's recent decline. In his analysis, RBC anticipates approximately 9% earnings per share (EPS) growth for 2025, building on the company's current revenue growth of 7.88%.
He also notes potential for additional growth stemming from prospective mergers and acquisitions. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company has maintained dividend payments for 23 consecutive years, demonstrating consistent financial stability.
The analyst highlighted that, following a recent downturn in share price, Republic Services is now trading at around 13.5 times its estimated 2025 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). This figure stands below the 12-month average of roughly 14.8 times the next twelve months (NTM) EBITDA. According to the analyst, this presents an attractive opportunity for investors to engage with a high-quality company in the waste sector.
However, InvestingPro Fair Value analysis suggests the stock may be currently overvalued, despite its strong fundamentals including $4.8 billion in EBITDA and historically low price volatility. Investors can access 12 additional ProTips and comprehensive valuation metrics through InvestingPro's detailed research report.
Republic Services' stock adjustment is predicated on a combination of the company's robust growth prospects and the perceived undervaluation by the market. RBC's revised price target suggests a confidence in the company's future performance and its ability to capitalize on market opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions that could further enhance its growth trajectory.
In other recent news, Republic Services has experienced a series of upgrades and positive outlooks from multiple financial institutions. Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) recently upgraded Republic Services from Hold to Buy, with an increased price target of $237, indicating a positive outlook on the company's performance.
BMO Capital also upgraded the waste management company to Outperform, setting a new price target of $238.00, reflecting confidence in its strategic investments. TD Cowen, while maintaining a Hold rating, raised its price target for Republic Services to $220, anticipating a strong fourth quarter for the company.
These recent developments come on the heels of Republic Services' impressive Q3 2024 performance, which included a 7% revenue growth and a 14% rise in adjusted EBITDA. The company also expects to close over $200 million in acquisitions by year-end. Republic Services' resilience and strategic approach to success are underscored by these developments, with the company anticipating meeting the high end of its adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2024.
While Deutsche Bank, BMO Capital, and TD Cowen have all expressed positive sentiments towards Republic Services, it's important to note that these are their analysis and not a guarantee of future performance. As always, investors are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
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