One does occasionally ponder the notion of ‘forever’ stocks, doesn’t one? The modern market, with its frantic ups and downs, often gives one the impression that nothing is truly built to last. However, even in these turbulent times, there remain a few enterprises that seem remarkably well-positioned to weather any storm. And, dashingly enough, one such stalwart is to be found in the rather unglamorous, yet undeniably essential, field of waste management. Specifically, we turn our attention to WM (WM 3.83%), or, as the more pedestrian amongst us know it, Waste Management.
A Business That’s Positively Indestructible
As the late, great Benjamin Franklin observed, death and taxes are life’s only certainties. A rather gloomy thought, perhaps, but undeniably true. One might, however, add a third item to that list: rubbish. As long as humanity continues to inhabit this planet – and one sincerely hopes it shall – there will, inevitably, be a prodigious amount of detritus requiring disposal. It’s a rather unromantic notion, admittedly, but a remarkably dependable one for the investor with a discerning eye.
WM, while not exactly a rocket ship in terms of growth (single-digit revenue increases are the norm, you see), occupies a niche that is, shall we say, remarkably resistant to disruption. The company recently reported revenues of $25.2 billion for 2025, a rather impressive 14% jump year-over-year, fueled by expansions into healthcare-related services. A slight dip in bottom-line profits was largely attributable to rising interest rates – a temporary inconvenience, one hopes – while operating income actually saw a healthy 6% improvement. They’re projecting further top-line growth of between 5.4% and 5.8% this year, continuing a remarkably consistent trajectory.
The company’s infrastructure is, frankly, rather impressive. They operate 257 conventional landfills, 342 transfer stations, a plethora of recycling facilities, and even a handful of medical waste incinerators – a decidedly specialized service, what! All these assets combine to make a rather compelling case for long-term investment.
A Complicated Business, But Not One to Scoff At
Let’s be candid: waste management isn’t exactly the stuff of high drama. It’s not glamorous, and it certainly won’t set the pulse racing. However, that’s precisely why it’s such a sound investment. Its modest past performance and projected growth shouldn’t deter the astute investor, nor should the fact that the dividend, raised for 23 consecutive years, isn’t quite the astronomical sum one might find elsewhere.
The true appeal of WM lies in the growing realization that waste disposal is becoming an increasingly complex and premium-commanding industry. An expanding population, coupled with dwindling landfill space and stricter environmental regulations, is creating a perfect storm of demand. Consider, for instance, the rather vexing problem of decommissioning solar panels and lithium-ion batteries. These items are devilishly difficult – and expensive – to recycle or dispose of safely, and the processes involved generate rather nasty byproducts that require careful management.
Underestimated, But Utterly Essential
WM isn’t the only player in the waste management game, of course. But it is the biggest, which provides a considerable advantage. More importantly, the world is, arguably, woefully underestimating just how critical this industry is going to become in the coming decades.
The World Bank predicted back in 2018 that global garbage production would swell by 70% by 2050, with the United States leading the charge on a per-capita basis. Three years later, RoadRunner Recycling suggested we have only about 60 years remaining before our existing landfills are completely full. The situation, naturally, will only worsen as time marches on.
WM, one suspects, will be one of the companies that figures out how to navigate this rather messy situation. And its customers, quite rightly, will be willing to pay a premium for the privilege. A most solid investment, what!
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2026-03-10 19:57