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WM climbs as analyst target hikes and steady-growth expectations lift shares

WM (WM) is up 3.7% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement.

Analysis: The most likely driver appears to be a wave of supportive analyst actions in July, including fresh price-target increases, combined with investor confidence in WM’s defensive business model ahead of its late-July earnings report. This could also reflect continued optimism around pricing discipline, cash-flow growth, and contributions from recycling, renewable energy, and healthcare solutions.

Details:

  • WM is scheduled to report second-quarter 2026 results after the close on July 28, with the conference call set for July 29, keeping investor focus on a near-term catalyst.
  • Recent analyst updates have been constructive, with multiple firms maintaining positive ratings and lifting price targets in July, suggesting Wall Street still sees upside from current levels.
  • In first-quarter 2026 results, WM posted revenue growth, higher operating EBITDA, stronger operating cash flow, and reaffirmed its full-year outlook, reinforcing the view that the business remains resilient.
  • WM has also continued investing in growth projects, including a new $110 million recycling and hauling site in the Denver market, which supports its longer-term sustainability and capacity expansion story.
  • Sources:

    WM, TipRanks, MarketBeat

    Disclaimer: This price movement analysis was generated with the help of AI. Please double-check the information provided for mistakes.

    $WM Insider Trading Activity

    WM Insider Trades

    $WM insiders have traded $WM stock on the open market 33 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 33 have been sales.

    Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $WM stock by insiders over the last 6 months:

    • JAMES C JR FISH (Chief Executive Officer) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 36,753 shares for an estimated $8,469,157.
    • MICHAEL J. WATSON (Sr. VP-Chief Customer Officer) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 17,938 shares for an estimated $4,322,506.
    • JOHN J MORRIS (President & COO) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 12,880 shares for an estimated $3,131,720.
    • DONALD J SMITH (Sr. VP - Operations) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 12,884 shares for an estimated $2,998,568.
    • RAFAEL CARRASCO (SVP of Enterprise Strategy) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 10,697 shares for an estimated $2,460,500.
    • TARA J. HEMMER (SVP & Chief Sustainability Off) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 5,508 shares for an estimated $1,316,733.
    • JOHN A. CARROLL (VP & Chief Accounting Officer) has made 0 purchases and 4 sales selling 1,325 shares for an estimated $307,959.
    • JOHNSON VARKEY (SVP-Chief Information Officer) has made 0 purchases and 3 sales selling 1,166 shares for an estimated $274,309.
    • CHARLES C BOETTCHER (EVP, Chief Legal Officer) sold 689 shares for an estimated $151,111
    • DAVID L. REED (EVP & CFO) has made 0 purchases and 4 sales selling 403 shares for an estimated $91,016.
    • CHRISTOPHER P. DESANTIS (SVP Operations - East) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 276 shares for an estimated $62,028.
    • KIMBERLY G. STITH (SVP - Chief HR Officer) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 178 shares for an estimated $39,591.

    To track insider transactions, check out Quiver Quantitative's insider trading dashboard. You can access data on insider stock transactions through the Quiver Quantitative API insider transaction endpoint.

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    $WM Hedge Fund Activity

    We have seen 1,031 institutional investors add shares of $WM stock to their portfolio, and 887 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

    Here are some of the largest recent moves:

    To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard. You can access data on hedge funds moves and 13F filings through the Quiver Quantitative API 13F endpoint.

    $WM Government Contracts

    We have seen $5,946 of award payments to $WM over the last year.

    Here are some of the awards which we have have seen pay out the most over the last year:

    To track government contracts to publicy traded companies, check out Quiver Quantitative's government contracts dashboard. You can access data on government contracts through the Quiver Quantitative API government contracts endpoint.

    $WM Analyst Ratings

    Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $WM in the last several months. We have seen 3 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.

    Here are some recent analyst ratings:

    • Barclays issued a "Overweight" rating on 04/30/2026
    • Wells Fargo issued a "Overweight" rating on 04/30/2026
    • Stifel issued a "Buy" rating on 01/30/2026

    To track analyst ratings and price targets for $WM, check out Quiver Quantitative's $WM forecast page.

    $WM Price Targets

    Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $WM recently. We have seen 10 analysts offer price targets for $WM in the last 6 months, with a median target of $261.5.

    Here are some recent targets:

    • Noah Kaye from Oppenheimer set a target price of $263.0 on 07/08/2026
    • Kevin Chiang from CIBC set a target price of $244.0 on 07/07/2026
    • William Grippin from Barclays set a target price of $270.0 on 04/30/2026
    • Jerry Revich from Wells Fargo set a target price of $268.0 on 04/30/2026
    • Sabahat Khan from RBC Capital set a target price of $240.0 on 04/30/2026
    • James Schumm from TD Cowen set a target price of $275.0 on 04/30/2026
    • David Manthey from Baird set a target price of $260.0 on 04/16/2026

    This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative's disclaimers for more information. Note that there may be inaccuracies due to mistakes in ticker-mapping, and other anomalies.

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