On Wednesday, Jefferies maintained a Buy rating on Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) and increased the price target to $235.00 from $229.00. The adjustment follows Republic Services' third-quarter earnings release, which showcased an approximate 2% EBITDA beat and an EBITDA margin that was over 120 basis points higher than estimates.
The company's management has kept its full-year 2024 guidance steady, anticipating revenue at the lower end of its forecast and EBITDA at the higher end. This outlook suggests that there may be a sequential decline in EBITDA for the fourth quarter. Despite this, Jefferies holds a positive stance on the shares and the company's future prospects.
The optimism from Jefferies is partly due to Republic Services' potential for margin expansion, which could arise from investments in sustainability and technology. Additionally, improvements in the Environmental Solutions (ES) business and disciplined pricing strategies contribute to the favorable view.
Jefferies' analyst highlighted that while the fourth quarter may see a dip in EBITDA, the company's overall strategic investments and operational improvements provide a solid basis for maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The firm reiterated its support for Republic Services' stock based on these factors.
In other recent news, Republic Services reported third-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst expectations, with an adjusted earnings per share of $1.81, beating the consensus of $1.61. However, the company's revenue of $4.08 billion fell short of the anticipated $4.12 billion. The waste management company saw a 6.5% year-over-year increase in total revenue, including 4.2% organic growth and 2.3% from acquisitions. Despite this, a decrease in volume reduced revenue by 1.2%.
Republic Services also expanded its adjusted EBITDA margin by 210 basis points to 32.0% compared to the same quarter last year, with adjusted EBITDA rising to $1.30 billion from $1.15 billion. The company has conveyed optimism about reaching the higher end of its full-year 2024 EBITDA guidance and the lower end of its sales forecast.
In response to these developments, Oppenheimer has increased its price target for Republic Services to $220 from $219, maintaining an Outperform rating. The firm has also raised its adjusted EBITDA, EPS, and free cash flow estimates for fiscal years 2024 and 2025, reflecting updated expectations based on the company's performance and prospects.
InvestingPro Insights
Republic Services' strong market position and financial performance are further underscored by recent data from InvestingPro. The company boasts a substantial market capitalization of $62.76 billion, reflecting its prominence in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. With a P/E ratio of 33.44, Republic Services is trading at a premium, which aligns with Jefferies' optimistic outlook on the company's future prospects.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Republic Services' impressive track record of dividend growth, having raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years. This consistency in dividend increases, coupled with a current dividend yield of 1.14%, demonstrates the company's commitment to shareholder returns. The stock's total return of 40.39% over the past year further reinforces Jefferies' bullish stance.
The company's revenue growth of 7.88% in the last twelve months and an EBITDA growth of 14.56% over the same period support the analyst's positive view on Republic Services' potential for continued expansion and margin improvement. These metrics align with the company's strategic investments in sustainability and technology, as noted in Jefferies' analysis.
For investors seeking more comprehensive insights, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips on Republic Services, providing a deeper understanding of the company's financial health and market position.
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