About Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN)
Waste Connections, Inc. is a Waste Management company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Woodbridge, Canada. WCN has been publicly traded since 2002, giving it 24+ years of trading history.
Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) has been publicly traded since 2002, making it a 24-year-old public company. It operates in the Waste Management industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Woodbridge, Canada and employs approximately 24,214 people. With a market capitalization of C$59 billion, WCN is a large established company.
WCN trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately C$59 billion. The company employs approximately 24,214 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- C$228.56
- Market Cap
- C$58.64B
- 52-Week High
- C$284.73
- 52-Week Low
- C$211.93
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Waste Management
WCN Investment Performance
WCN has declined 4.8% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a C$1,000 investment in WCN would have grown to C$1,744, representing a 74.4% total return. Since its IPO in 2002, a C$1,000 investment would now be worth C$38,281.
C$1,000 Invested in Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN)
How much would C$1,000 invested in WCN be worth today?
What would C$1,000 invested in WCN 1 year ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) in 2025 would be worth C$821 as of March 2026, representing a -17.9% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in WCN 3 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) in 2023 would be worth C$1,241 as of March 2026, representing a +24.1% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in WCN 5 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) in 2021 would be worth C$1,744 as of March 2026, representing a +74.4% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in WCN 10 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) in 2016 would be worth C$4,491 as of March 2026, representing a +349.1% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in WCN at IPO be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) at IPO would be worth C$38,281 as of March 2026, representing a +3728.1% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 23+ years (287 months), Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) has averaged a monthly return of +1.49% with a median return of +1.65%. The stock had 171 positive months (60%) and 115 negative months (40%). The best month in WCN's history was January 2016 with a +20.8% return, while the worst was November 2008 at -28.7%. Historically, May tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.3%), and September the weakest (-0.6%).
WCN's longest winning streak was 7 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2009 with a cumulative return of +64.4%, and the worst was 2008 at -73.1%.
Annual Returns
Over 24 years of trading history, Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) has delivered an average annual return of +18.87% with a median return of +17.00%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +15.12%. The stock posted gains in 19 years (79%) and losses in 5 years (21%).
WCN's best year was 2009 with a +73.81% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -56.72%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 9, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. WCN achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 16 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 2 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -4.85% | C$240.21 | C$228.56 |
| 2025 | -1.70% | C$244.35 | C$240.21 |
| 2024 | +25.48% | C$194.74 | C$244.35 |
| 2023 | +11.09% | C$175.31 | C$194.74 |
| 2022 | +4.86% | C$167.19 | C$175.31 |
| 2021 | +33.02% | C$125.68 | C$167.19 |
| 2020 | +11.52% | C$112.70 | C$125.68 |
| 2019 | +17.27% | C$96.10 | C$112.70 |
| 2018 | +16.73% | C$82.33 | C$96.10 |
| 2017 | +27.96% | C$64.34 | C$82.33 |
| 2016 | +57.33% | C$40.89 | C$64.34 |
| 2015 | -4.87% | C$42.98 | C$40.89 |
| 2014 | +35.80% | C$31.65 | C$42.98 |
| 2013 | +25.30% | C$25.26 | C$31.65 |
| 2012 | +10.72% | C$22.82 | C$25.26 |
| 2011 | -15.75% | C$27.08 | C$22.82 |
| 2010 | +46.66% | C$18.46 | C$27.08 |
| 2009 | +73.81% | C$10.62 | C$18.46 |
| 2008 | -56.72% | C$24.54 | C$10.62 |
| 2007 | +6.17% | C$23.12 | C$24.54 |
| 2006 | +1.85% | C$22.70 | C$23.12 |
| 2005 | +21.69% | C$18.65 | C$22.70 |
| 2004 | +57.75% | C$11.82 | C$18.65 |
| 2003 | +51.68% | C$7.79 | C$11.82 |
WCN Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Waste Connections, Inc. as an investment
Valuation
WCN currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 40.3, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 26.7 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 5.1. The price-to-sales ratio is 6.2.
Dividends
Waste Connections, Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.81%. This translates to C$1.84 per share annually. The payout ratio of 31% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WCN has a beta of 0.59, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is C$211.93 to C$284.73, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 6 analyst opinions, WCN has a consensus "strong_buy" rating. The average price target of C$259.73 suggests 13.6% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WCN
What sector is WCN in? ▼
WCN operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Waste Management industry.
How has WCN performed historically? ▼
Over 24 years of trading history, WCN has posted gains in 19 years (79% of the time). The best year was 2009 with a +73.8% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WCN? ▼
You can invest in WCN through any brokerage account that offers access to the Toronto Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold WCN.
Does WCN pay dividends? ▼
Waste Connections, Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.81%. This translates to C$1.84 per share annually. The payout ratio of 31% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Waste Connections, Inc. do? ▼
Waste Connections, Inc. is a Waste Management company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Woodbridge, Canada.
What sector is WCN in? ▼
WCN operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Waste Management industry.
When did WCN go public? ▼
Waste Connections, Inc. went public in 2002, making it a 24-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would C$1,000 invested in WCN 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in WCN five years ago would be worth approximately C$1,744 today, representing a 74.4% return.
How much would C$1,000 invested in WCN 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in WCN ten years ago would be worth approximately C$4,491 today, representing a 349.1% total return over the decade.
What is WCN's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, WCN has returned 24.1%. A C$1,000 investment would have grown to C$1,241.
How much would C$1,000 invested in WCN at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested C$1,000 in WCN at its IPO in 2002, it would be worth approximately C$38,281 today, a 3,728.1% return over 24 years.
Does WCN pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Waste Connections, Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 0.81%, which is C$1.84 per share annually.
What is WCN's market cap? ▼
Waste Connections, Inc. has a market capitalization of C$59 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WCN's P/E ratio? ▼
WCN has a trailing P/E ratio of 40.3 and a forward P/E of 26.7, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WCN a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 6 opinions, WCN has a consensus "strong_buy" rating. The average price target is C$259.73.
Last updated: 3/15/2026