Clean Harbors Q1 Earnings Beat Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 51 minutes ago
0mins
Should l Buy CLH?
Source: seekingalpha
- 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.
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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: 310.440
Low
230.00
Averages
263.14
High
290.00
Current: 310.440
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.
- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- Conference Call Announcement: Clean Harbors will host its Q1 2026 financial results conference call on May 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, highlighting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication as executives discuss financial results and business outlook.
- Executive Participation: The call will feature Co-CEOs Michael L. Battles and Eric W. Gerstenberg, CFO Eric J. Dugas, and SVP of Investor Relations Jim Buckley, ensuring investors receive comprehensive insights into the company's operations and financial health.
- Participation Details: Investors can listen to the live webcast on the company's Investor Relations page or dial in at 877.709.8155 or 201.689.8881, with a recommendation to join at least 10 minutes early to ensure smooth access.
- 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, showcasing its strong market position across various industries such as chemicals, manufacturing, and refining.
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- Rating Upgrade: Citi analysts upgraded Clean Harbors (CLH) from Neutral to Buy, arguing that improving U.S. chemicals production could drive stronger demand for hazardous waste disposal, positively impacting the company's performance.
- Earnings Outlook Raised: Citi now expects 2026 EBITDA to reach approximately $1.3 billion, exceeding company guidance, while free cash flow estimates were lifted to around $566 million, indicating strong performance and pricing gains in the environmental services segment.
- Safety-Kleen Segment Benefits: The Safety-Kleen division is expected to benefit from rising crude prices, which typically enhance margins on recycled base oils and lubricants, leading to significant earnings growth in this segment.
- Valuation Upside Potential: Despite Clean Harbors' stock lagging behind the recent rally in U.S. chemical stocks, Citi believes there is still room for valuation growth, reflecting the company's unique disposal assets and consistent growth history.
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