Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.14 EPS

Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The business services provider reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.14, FiscalAI reports. Republic Services had a net margin of 12.77% and a return on equity of 18.24%. The business had revenue of $4.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.21 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.58 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Republic Services updated its FY 2026 guidance to 7.200-7.28 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Republic Services’ conference call:

• The company reported a strong 2025 performance with 3.5% revenue growth, ~7% adjusted EBITDA growth, $7.02 adjusted EPS, and $2.43B adjusted free cash flow, and provided 2026 guidance implying low-single-digit top-line and EBITDA growth and continued cash returns (including $854M of share repurchases in 2025).
• Organic volumes are a headwind — Q4 related-volume reduced revenue ~1% and Republic expects ~1% organic volume decline in 2026, driven by construction/manufacturing weakness and continued shedding of underperforming residential contracts (plus a ~60bp comp from 2025 disaster cleanup volumes); weather also pressured Q1 by an estimated $25–35M.
• Margin and productivity initiatives remain a focus — Republic expanded adjusted EBITDA margin ~90bps in 2025 and expects ~60–70bps of underlying margin expansion in 2026, driven in part by digital and AI investments (RISE routing, pricing analytics) that management says can unlock nine-figure efficiencies over time.
• Recycling and Environmental Solutions faced headwinds — recycled commodity prices declined (baseline ~$115/ton for 2026 vs. $153/ton prior-year Q4), recycling revenue was flat with commodity pressure a margin drag, and ES revenue fell ~$60M in Q4 (≈$50M due to a non-recurring emergency response job that did not repeat), leaving ES guidance roughly flat for 2026.
• Capital allocation and balance sheet posture — Republic invested ~$1.1B in acquisitions in 2025 and plans ~$1B in 2026 (~$400M already closed), expects those deals to add ~70bps to 2026 growth, and finished the year with $13.7B debt, ~2.6x leverage and $2B liquidity, while forecasting ~24% equivalent tax impact (including non-cash renewable-energy charges) and ~$575–585M net interest in 2026.

Republic Services Stock Down 0.8%

NYSE RSG opened at $221.39 on Wednesday. Republic Services has a twelve month low of $201.42 and a twelve month high of $258.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.58. The stock has a market cap of $68.53 billion, a PE ratio of 32.94, a PEG ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.54. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $214.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $220.10.

Republic Services Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 2nd. This represents a $2.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.1%. Republic Services’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.20%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RSG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $238.00 target price on the stock. Raymond James Financial reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $240.00 price objective on shares of Republic Services in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Republic Services from $205.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on Republic Services from $246.00 to $242.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Republic Services in a research note on Monday, November 24th. They set a “buy” rating and a $255.00 price target on the stock. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and nine have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Republic Services has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $248.29.

Key Headlines Impacting Republic Services

Here are the key news stories impacting Republic Services this week:

• Positive Sentiment: EPS beat and improved profitability — Q4 adjusted EPS was $1.76, topping consensus (~$1.62) and up vs. year‑ago, with expanded net and adjusted EBITDA margins. Republic Services (RSG) Tops Q4 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Raised FY‑2026 EPS guidance — company set full‑year EPS guidance at $7.20–$7.28 vs. consensus ~$7.14, which supports longer‑term earnings expectations. Republic Services, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Results; Provides 2026 Full-Year Financial Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: Shareholder returns and dividend — company returned $1.6B to shareholders in 2025 and announced a quarterly dividend ($0.625/share), supporting income investors. Republic Services, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2025 Results; Provides 2026 Full-Year Financial Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views and price targets remain mixed‑to‑positive — multiple buy ratings and a median 6‑month target near $241 provide support but show dispersion among firms. Republic Services Inc. (RSG) Releases Q4 2025 Earnings: Revenue Miss, EPS Beat
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call transcript/details available for deeper read — useful for specifics on pricing, recycling volumes, and regional trends. Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue missed expectations — Q4 revenue (~$4.1–4.14B) came in below consensus (~$4.21–4.25B), signaling softer volume/price mix vs. what the market modeled. Republic Services (NYSE:RSG) misses Q4 CY2025 sales expectations
• Negative Sentiment: Operating cash flow and margin dynamics require watching — operating cash flow showed some softening, operating profit was flat/down modestly, and capital spending rose, which could pressure near‑term free cash flow and valuation. Republic Services Inc. (RSG) Releases Q4 2025 Earnings: Revenue Miss, EPS Beat

Insider Activity

In other Republic Services news, Director Katharine Weymouth purchased 478 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $209.46 per share, with a total value of $100,121.88. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 5,740 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,202,300.40. This represents a 9.08% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.11% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in RSG. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Republic Services by 75.8% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,822 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $3,988,000 after acquiring an additional 8,547 shares in the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in Republic Services in the fourth quarter worth $279,000. GM Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Republic Services during the fourth quarter worth $264,000. Perbak Capital Partners LLP bought a new position in shares of Republic Services in the third quarter valued at about $253,000. Finally, PGIM Custom Harvest LLC acquired a new position in Republic Services during the 3rd quarter worth about $231,000. 57.73% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Republic Services Company Profile

Republic Services, Inc is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste and recycling services in the United States. The company offers a broad range of waste management solutions to residential, commercial, industrial and municipal customers, positioning itself as a full-service partner for everyday waste collection as well as specialized disposal needs.

Republic’s core operations include curbside and commercial collection, transfer and hauling, materials recovery and recycling facilities, and landfill disposal.