Stock Performance: Republic Services (RSG) shares have increased by 9.9% year-to-date, with a total return of 8.5% over the past year and 153% over five years, despite recent easing in momentum.
Valuation Insights: The current share price of $219.82 is below the estimated fair value of $260.91, indicating potential upside, but the high price-to-earnings ratio of 32.3x raises concerns about whether investors are overpaying for future growth.
Growth Potential: Sustainability initiatives, such as Polymer Centers and the Blue Polymers joint venture, are expected to enhance revenue growth starting in 2025, although challenges like declining organic volumes and manufacturing demand uncertainty could impact projections.
Investment Considerations: The article emphasizes the importance of understanding both the rewards and risks associated with investing in Republic Services, encouraging investors to explore additional opportunities beyond the company.
Wall Street analysts forecast RSG stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for RSG is 241.60 USD with a low forecast of 216.53 USD and a high forecast of 265.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
18 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast RSG stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for RSG is 241.60 USD with a low forecast of 216.53 USD and a high forecast of 265.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Buy
8 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 215.750
Low
216.53
Averages
241.60
High
265.00
Current: 215.750
Low
216.53
Averages
241.60
High
265.00
Scotiabank
Sector Perform
downgrade
$246 -> $242
2026-01-21
New
Reason
Scotiabank
Price Target
$246 -> $242
AI Analysis
2026-01-21
New
downgrade
Sector Perform
Reason
Scotiabank lowered the firm's price target on Republic Services to $242 from $246 and keeps a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The firm is updating its price targets for Transportation & Industrials stocks under its coverage, the analyst tells investors. The firm currently sees an upside risk to market expectations for defense companies and a downside risk for freight carriers.
Barclays
Equal Weight
maintain
$237 -> $236
2026-01-20
New
Reason
Barclays
Price Target
$237 -> $236
2026-01-20
New
maintain
Equal Weight
Reason
Barclays lowered the firm's price target on Republic Services to $236 from $237 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares as part of a Q4 preview for the waste group. The firm says a "steady finish" to 2025 sets the stage for a "constructive" 2026.
Unlock Full Analyst Thesis, Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for RSG
Unlock Now
Citi
Buy
downgrade
$268 -> $244
2026-01-16
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$268 -> $244
2026-01-16
downgrade
Buy
Reason
Citi lowered the firm's price target on Republic Services to $244 from $268 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm adjusted targets in the waste services group as part of a Q4 preview. It trimmed estimates but rolled forward valuations to 2027 numbers. The analyst's top pick is WM.
Bernstein
Market Perform
maintain
$205 -> $220
2026-01-05
Reason
Bernstein
Price Target
$205 -> $220
2026-01-05
maintain
Market Perform
Reason
Bernstein raised the firm's price target on Republic Services to $220 from $205 and keeps a Market Perform rating on the shares. The firm notes 2025 was a lackluster year for U.S. Waste stocks. The subsector outperformed the market in the first half of the year due to its defensive qualities ahead of a presumed recession triggered by tariffs which, ultimately, never came to be. That performance reversed in the second half of the year as investors rotated back into higher beta companies and weakness in the Recycling segment weighed on the Waste sector.
About RSG
Republic Services, Inc. provides environmental services in the United States. It provides recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Its segments include Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3. Group 1 is its recycling and waste business operating primarily in geographic areas located in the western United States. Group 2 is its recycling and waste business operating primarily in geographic areas located in the southeastern and mid-western United States, the eastern seaboard of the United States, and Canada. Group 3 is its environmental solutions business operating primarily in geographic areas located across the United States and Canada. It operates across the United States and Canada through 367 collection operations, 248 transfer stations, 75 recycling centers, 208 active landfills, two treatment, recovery and disposal facilities, 23 treatment, storage and disposal facilities, five saltwater disposal wells, 14 deep injection wells and one polymer center.
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.