Company Reports Q1 Revenue of $1.46B, Below Expectations
Reports Q1 revenue $1.46B, consensus $1.47B. "We began 2026 with better-than-expected first-quarter results, including higher profitability in both of our operating segments," said Eric Gerstenberg, Co-Chief Executive Officer. "Our Environmental Services (ES) segment delivered its 16th consecutive quarter of year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA margin improvement, navigating challenging weather conditions that impacted our collection and services businesses. At the same time, our Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions (SKSS) segment benefited from our continued focus around charge-for-oil (CFO) services and a late-quarter surge in base oil pricing. Our safety performance was outstanding, with the team achieving the lowest quarterly Total Recordable Incident Rate in our history at 0.39."
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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.









