As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q2. Today, we are looking at waste management stocks, starting with Republic Services (NYSE: RSG).

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 8 waste management stocks we track reported a mixed Q2. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

While some waste management stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 4.1% since the latest earnings results.

Republic Services (NYSE: RSG)

Processing several million tons of recyclables annually, Republic (NYSE: RSG) provides waste management services for residences, companies, and municipalities.

Republic Services reported revenues of $4.43 billion, up 4.6% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1.5%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

"Our second quarter results reflect the strength and resilience of our business model, as we continue to execute our strategy and deliver differentiated value for our customers," said Jon Vander Ark, president and chief executive officer.

Interestingly, the stock is up 4.7% since reporting and currently trades at $219.47.

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

Best Q2: Clean Harbors (NYSE: CLH)

Established in 1980, Clean Harbors (NYSE: CLH) provides environmental and industrial services like hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal and emergency spill cleanups.

Clean Harbors reported revenues of $1.74 billion, up 11.9% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.1%. The business had a stunning quarter with EBITDA guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Clean Harbors pulled off the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $315.59.

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

Weakest Q2: Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI)

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

Perma-Fix reported revenues of $12.89 million, down 11.7% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a softer quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 8.5% since the results and currently trades at $17.77.

Read our full analysis of Perma-Fix’s results here.

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 $6.68 billion, up 4% year on year. This result was in line with analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a mixed quarter as it also produced a decent beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but full-year revenue guidance slightly missing analysts’ expectations.

The stock is down 10.9% since reporting and currently trades at $213.41.

Read our full, actionable report on Waste Management 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 $64.07 million, up 7.6% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. Zooming out, it was a mixed quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 9.4% since reporting and currently trades at $1.39.

Read our full, actionable report on Quest Resource here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

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.