Written by StockNews.com

Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WM) early Thursday [Feb 16, 2017 | 7:42am ] posted mixed fourth quarter earnings results and offered a 2017 outlook that matches Wall Street expectations.

The Houston-based waste removal giant reported Q4 EPS of $0.75, which was $0.02 worse than the Wall Street consensus estimate of $0.77. Revenues rose 6.6% from last year to $3.46 billion, however, topping analysts’ $3.42 billion view. WM said the big uptick in revenue was due to positive yield and volume in its collection and disposal business, along with some recent acquisitions and higher recycling yield.

Looking ahead, Waste Management forecast adjusted full-year 2017 EPS ranging from $3.14 to $3.18, which is right in-line with the $3.16 that analysts are looking for.

The company commented via press release:

“The fourth quarter saw internal revenue growth from each of yield and total Company volume achieve 2.0% or greater. This is the first time we have achieved this result in over a decade. This revenue growth drove significant increases in net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow.(b) We will maintain our focus on driving core price, growing high margin volumes, and controlling costs, positioning us for strong earnings and cash generation in 2017.”

...Year-to-date, WM has gained 0.62%, versus a 5.10% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.

WM currently has a StockNews.com POWR Rating of A (Strong Buy), and is ranked #2 of 12 stocks in the Waste Disposal category.