Wrapping up Q4 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the waste management stocks, including Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI) and its peers.

Waste management companies can possess licenses permitting them to handle hazardous materials. Furthermore, many services are performed through contracts and statutorily mandated, non-discretionary, or recurring, leading to more predictable revenue streams. However, regulation can be a headwind, rendering existing services obsolete or forcing companies to invest precious capital to comply with new, more environmentally-friendly rules. Lastly, waste management companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Interest rates, for example, can greatly impact industrial production or commercial projects that create waste and byproducts.

The 9 waste management stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4%.

While some waste management stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.3% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q4: Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI)

Tackling hazardous waste challenges since 1990, Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI) provides environmental waste treatment services.

Perma-Fix reported revenues of $15.72 million, up 6.9% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 11.2%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EBITDA estimates.

Mark Duff, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, commented, “During 2025, we focused on strengthening Perma-Fix’s operational foundation and positioning the Company for the next phase of growth tied to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (“DOE”) Hanford cleanup mission.

Perma-Fix delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. Interestingly, the stock is up 1.6% since reporting and currently trades at $12.25.

Read our full report on Perma-Fix here, it’s free.

Best Q4: Enviri (NYSE: NVRI)

Cooling America’s first indoor ice rink in the 19th century, Enviri (NYSE: NVRI) offers steel and waste handling services.

Enviri reported revenues of $555 million, flat year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and EBITDA estimates.

The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.2% since reporting. It currently trades at $19.73.

Is now the time to buy Enviri? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC)

Recycling corporate waste to help companies be more sustainable, Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC) is a provider of waste and recycling services.

Quest Resource reported revenues of $58.91 million, down 15.8% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 3.8%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and EBITDA estimates.

Quest Resource delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 21.4% since the results and currently trades at $1.14.

Read our full analysis of Quest Resource’s results here.

Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN)

Operating a network of municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. and Canada, Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) is North America's third-largest waste management company providing collection, disposal, and recycling services.

Waste Connections reported revenues of $2.37 billion, up 5% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a narrow beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year revenue guidance meeting analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $162.91.

Read our full, actionable report on Waste Connections here, it’s free.

Waste Management (NYSE: WM)

Headquartered in Houston, Waste Management (NYSE: WM) is a provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America.

Waste Management reported revenues of $6.31 billion, up 7.1% year on year. This number missed analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. It was a slower quarter as it also logged a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Waste Management delivered the highest full-year guidance raise among its peers. The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $231.11.

Read our full, actionable report on Waste Management here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.