Clean Harbors Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy CLH?
Source: seekingalpha
Clean Harbors Inc's stock fell by 9.32% as it crossed below the 5-day SMA, despite reporting strong Q1 earnings. The company achieved a GAAP EPS of $1.19, beating expectations by $0.05, and reported a revenue of $1.46 billion, marking a 2.1% year-over-year increase. Additionally, Clean Harbors raised its 2026 guidance for adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, indicating confidence in future growth.
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Analyst Views on CLH
Wall Street analysts forecast CLH stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 282.370
Low
230.00
Averages
263.14
High
290.00
Current: 282.370
Low
230.00
Averages
263.14
High
290.00
About CLH
Clean Harbors, Inc. is a provider of environmental and industrial services. The Company delivers a range of services, such as end-to-end hazardous waste management, emergency spill response, industrial cleaning and maintenance, and recycling services. Its Environmental Services segment offers an array of services to customers. It collects, transports, treats and disposes of hazardous and non-hazardous waste through its network of waste disposal facilities, including incinerators, landfills, treatment, storage and disposal facilities (TSDFs), wastewater treatment facilities and solvent recycling centers. Its Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions (SKSS) segment offerings span the lifecycle of sustainable lubricant products. It collects used oil which serves as feedstock for its oil re-refineries. At these facilities, it manufactures, formulates and packages lubricants which are returned to the marketplace. It also provides parts washers and environmental services to various customers.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
CLEAN HARBORS INC: NEEDHAM INCREASES TARGET PRICE TO $325, UP FROM $308
- Price Increase Announcement: Clean Harbors has raised its target price to $325 from $308.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects the company's growth expectations and market performance.
See More
Clean Harbors (CLH) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Clean Harbors Exceeds Q1 2026 Earnings Expectations
- Profitability Improvement: Clean Harbors reported Q1 2026 revenue of $1.46 billion, a 2% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 6% to $248 million, demonstrating strong performance in both Environmental Services and Safety-Kleen Sustainable Solutions despite challenging weather conditions.
- Safety Metric Achievement: The company achieved its lowest total recordable incident rate in history at just 0.39 in Q1, reflecting ongoing improvements in safety management, which not only boosts employee morale but also enhances customer trust, aiding future business expansion.
- Optimistic Outlook: CFO Dugas raised the 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $1.24 billion to $1.30 billion, an increase of $40 million from prior expectations, indicating confidence in future market demand, particularly amid rising base oil prices.
- Cash Flow Improvement: Adjusted free cash flow is expected to range between $490 million and $550 million; although Q1 experienced negative cash flow due to seasonality, the overall financial health remains strong with stable liquidity and leverage ratios.
See More
Clean Harbors Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Highlights: Clean Harbors reported Q1 GAAP EPS of $1.19, beating expectations by $0.05, indicating robust profitability despite slightly missing revenue forecasts.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $1.46 billion, a 2.1% year-over-year increase, marking the highest Q1 revenue in its history, reflecting sustained market demand.
- Adjusted EBITDA Increase: Q1 adjusted EBITDA grew by 6% to $247.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding by 60 basis points year-over-year, showcasing success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Future Guidance: Clean Harbors raised its 2026 guidance for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow, demonstrating confidence in future growth and aiming to capitalize on favorable conditions in the chemicals market.
See More
Clean Harbors Q1 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: Clean Harbors (CLH) is set to announce its Q1 2023 earnings on May 6 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $1.15 and revenue forecast at $1.47 billion, reflecting a 2.8% year-over-year growth, which could significantly impact the company's stock performance.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past year, CLH has beaten EPS estimates 50% of the time and revenue estimates 25% of the time, indicating volatility in its profitability, which investors should monitor closely for future performance trends.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and five downward revisions, while revenue estimates have experienced three upward and four downward revisions, suggesting mixed market confidence regarding CLH's future performance, potentially influencing investor decisions.
- Long-term Growth Outlook: Clean Harbors projects a 2026 adjusted EBITDA midpoint of $1.23 billion with a 5% growth projection for PFAS, indicating that the company still holds growth potential in the coming years despite facing certain market challenges.
See More
Clean Harbors CFO to Participate in Investor Conference
- Executive Participation: Clean Harbors' CFO Eric J. Dugas and SVP of Investor Relations Jim Buckley will participate in the 21st Annual Oppenheimer Industrial Growth Conference on May 7, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in environmental and industrial services.
- Live Webcast Details: The event will be webcast live at 1:30 p.m. ET, allowing investors to access the live or archived session through the 'Investor Relations' section of Clean Harbors' website, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Company Overview: Founded in 1980, Clean Harbors is North America's leading provider of environmental and industrial services, serving a diverse customer base that includes a majority of Fortune 500 companies across various industries, demonstrating its extensive market influence.
- Diverse Service Offerings: The company provides a wide range of services, including hazardous waste management, emergency spill response, and industrial cleaning, and through its Safety-Kleen subsidiary, it is the largest re-refiner and recycler of used oil in North America, further solidifying its market position.
See More
CLEAN HARBORS INC: NEEDHAM INCREASES TARGET PRICE TO $325, UP FROM $308
- Price Increase Announcement: Clean Harbors has raised its target price to $325 from $308.
- Market Impact: This adjustment reflects the company's growth expectations and market performance.
See More
Clean Harbors (CLH) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Clean Harbors Exceeds Q1 2026 Earnings Expectations
- Profitability Improvement: Clean Harbors reported Q1 2026 revenue of $1.46 billion, a 2% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA rising 6% to $248 million, demonstrating strong performance in both Environmental Services and Safety-Kleen Sustainable Solutions despite challenging weather conditions.
- Safety Metric Achievement: The company achieved its lowest total recordable incident rate in history at just 0.39 in Q1, reflecting ongoing improvements in safety management, which not only boosts employee morale but also enhances customer trust, aiding future business expansion.
- Optimistic Outlook: CFO Dugas raised the 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $1.24 billion to $1.30 billion, an increase of $40 million from prior expectations, indicating confidence in future market demand, particularly amid rising base oil prices.
- Cash Flow Improvement: Adjusted free cash flow is expected to range between $490 million and $550 million; although Q1 experienced negative cash flow due to seasonality, the overall financial health remains strong with stable liquidity and leverage ratios.
See More
Clean Harbors Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Highlights: Clean Harbors reported Q1 GAAP EPS of $1.19, beating expectations by $0.05, indicating robust profitability despite slightly missing revenue forecasts.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved Q1 revenue of $1.46 billion, a 2.1% year-over-year increase, marking the highest Q1 revenue in its history, reflecting sustained market demand.
- Adjusted EBITDA Increase: Q1 adjusted EBITDA grew by 6% to $247.9 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin expanding by 60 basis points year-over-year, showcasing success in cost control and operational efficiency.
- Future Guidance: Clean Harbors raised its 2026 guidance for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow, demonstrating confidence in future growth and aiming to capitalize on favorable conditions in the chemicals market.
See More
Clean Harbors Q1 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: Clean Harbors (CLH) is set to announce its Q1 2023 earnings on May 6 before market open, with consensus EPS estimate at $1.15 and revenue forecast at $1.47 billion, reflecting a 2.8% year-over-year growth, which could significantly impact the company's stock performance.
- Historical Performance Review: Over the past year, CLH has beaten EPS estimates 50% of the time and revenue estimates 25% of the time, indicating volatility in its profitability, which investors should monitor closely for future performance trends.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen one upward revision and five downward revisions, while revenue estimates have experienced three upward and four downward revisions, suggesting mixed market confidence regarding CLH's future performance, potentially influencing investor decisions.
- Long-term Growth Outlook: Clean Harbors projects a 2026 adjusted EBITDA midpoint of $1.23 billion with a 5% growth projection for PFAS, indicating that the company still holds growth potential in the coming years despite facing certain market challenges.
See More
Clean Harbors CFO to Participate in Investor Conference
- Executive Participation: Clean Harbors' CFO Eric J. Dugas and SVP of Investor Relations Jim Buckley will participate in the 21st Annual Oppenheimer Industrial Growth Conference on May 7, 2026, showcasing the company's leadership in environmental and industrial services.
- Live Webcast Details: The event will be webcast live at 1:30 p.m. ET, allowing investors to access the live or archived session through the 'Investor Relations' section of Clean Harbors' website, enhancing engagement with stakeholders.
- Company Overview: Founded in 1980, Clean Harbors is North America's leading provider of environmental and industrial services, serving a diverse customer base that includes a majority of Fortune 500 companies across various industries, demonstrating its extensive market influence.
- Diverse Service Offerings: The company provides a wide range of services, including hazardous waste management, emergency spill response, and industrial cleaning, and through its Safety-Kleen subsidiary, it is the largest re-refiner and recycler of used oil in North America, further solidifying its market position.
See More
