Republic Services Inc
Q1 2026 Earnings
Market Reaction
S&P 500 over the same 30 days: −1.65%.
Did RSG Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results
Republic Services kicked off 2026 on solid footing, posting first-quarter earnings that cleared Wall Street's expectations on both the top and bottom lines. The waste management giant reported adjusted EPS of $1.70, beating the consensus estimate of $1.64 by 3.77%, while revenue of $4.11 billion edged past forecasts and grew 2.6% year over year. The primary engine behind the results was disciplined pricing, with core price on total revenue rising 5.7% and open-market pricing climbing 8.4%, helping lift adjusted EBITDA to $1.32 billion at a margin of 32.1%, an expansion of 50 basis points. Cash generation was a standout, with operating cash flow surging to $1.23 billion from $1.02 billion a year ago. Not everything moved in the right direction; the environmental solutions segment saw net revenue slip to $405 million from $449 million, and average recycled commodity prices fell to $120 per ton from $155 per ton. Still, CEO Jon Vander Ark expressed confidence the company is well positioned to achieve its full-year objectives, with more than $700 million already deployed in acquisitions year to date.
- Core price on total revenue increased 5.7%; open market pricing at 8.4% and restricted market at 4.4%
- Average yield on total revenue was 3.4%; average yield on related business revenue was 4.1%
- Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 50 basis points to 32.1%
- Net income margin expanded 50 basis points to 12.8%
- SG&A expenses improved to 10.3% of revenue from 10.7%
- Recycling & Waste adjusted EBITDA margin was 33.6% vs 33.0% prior year
- Acquisition contributions of 1.1% to revenue growth
“We are off to a strong start and remain well positioned to achieve our full-year objectives. Disciplined pricing and effective cost management drove solid earnings growth and 50 basis points of adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in the first quarter. We remain focused on executing our strategy and investing for growth to deliver long-term value for our customers and shareholders.”
Republic Services CEO, on the earnings call
Forward Guidance & Outlook
CEO Jon Vander Ark stated the company is 'well positioned to achieve our full-year objectives,' though specific numerical guidance was not detailed in the press release.
RSG YoY Financials
RSG Revenue by Segment
Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.