Significant ETF Withdrawals: USMV, MCK, COR, WM
52-Week Range of USMV: The USMV ETF has a 52-week low of $83.99 and a high of $95.59, with the last trade recorded at $94.31.
Understanding ETFs: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) function like stocks, where investors buy and sell "units" that can be created or destroyed based on demand.
Monitoring ETF Flows: Weekly monitoring of shares outstanding helps identify ETFs with significant inflows (new units created) or outflows (units destroyed), impacting the underlying assets.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Nasdaq, Inc.
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- Wealth Donation Plan: Bill Gates plans to donate nearly all of his wealth over the next 20 years, with the foundation expected to spend over $200 billion during this period, reflecting his ongoing commitment to combat global poverty and disease.
- Portfolio Structure: The Gates Foundation trust fund is primarily composed of value stocks, with Microsoft remaining a significant holding; despite recent share sales, Gates retains approximately $43 billion in Microsoft stock.
- Berkshire Hathaway Holdings: The foundation's largest position is in Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, which account for 25% of the portfolio, bolstered by Warren Buffett's annual donations, ensuring a steady influx of funds for the foundation.
- WM Company Performance: WM, the second-largest holding in the foundation's portfolio at 18%, benefits from its strong market position and sustainable business initiatives, leading to margin improvements despite challenges posed by climate change.
- Investment Strategy Shift: The Gates Foundation's investment managers are favoring value stocks over growth stocks, with two primary value stocks trading around fair value, indicating a preference for stable returns that may enhance the fund's long-term financial stability.
- Microsoft Share Donation Plan: Gates plans to donate nearly all of his Microsoft shares over the next 20 years, currently holding 103 million shares worth about $43 billion, which will reduce the fund's reliance on Microsoft while providing more capital to support its philanthropic mission.
- Berkshire Hathaway's Continued Investment: Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares account for about 25% of the fund's portfolio, benefiting from Warren Buffett's annual donations; despite high spending requirements, the fund has managed to retain a significant number of shares, reflecting a strong commitment to value investing.
- WM's Market Position: WM, formerly Waste Management, constitutes about 18% of the fund, leveraging its 262 active landfills and strong scale advantages, with EBITDA margins reaching 29.8% last quarter, showcasing growth potential in sustainable energy and medical waste, although its current P/E ratio of nearly 27 suggests a premium price for its competitive advantages.
- Industrial Production Surge: The U.S. industrial production index hit a six-year high in April, indicating a rebound in domestic industrial activity that is expected to enhance corporate production control and mitigate geopolitical risks.
- Agricultural Equipment Outlook: The USDA forecasts farm profits will reach $153.4 billion by 2026, stabilizing at high levels, suggesting Deere & Company's equipment sales may achieve mid-single-digit growth, driving a cyclical recovery in the industry.
- Waste Management Growth: Waste Management reported $25.2 billion in revenue last year, a 14% increase, and is poised to benefit from rising domestic consumer demand, with the global waste management market projected to grow to $426 billion by 2050.
- Diversified Investment Opportunities: Illinois Tool Works focuses on long-term strategies, and despite a 17% drop in stock price recently, its low-capital-cost product lineup positions it as one of the first beneficiaries of any industrial investment uptick, expected to continue stable revenue and profit growth.
- Agricultural Machinery Outlook: The USDA forecasts that U.S. farms will achieve combined profits of $153.4 billion by 2026, stabilizing at 2025 levels, indicating a potential cyclical turnaround for the agricultural machinery sector after years of delayed equipment replacements.
- Industrial Activity Rebound: Domestic industrial production in the U.S. hit a six-year high in April, signaling a recovery in economic activity that could create a favorable market environment for manufacturers like Deere & Company, potentially driving sales growth.
- Waste Management Industry Potential: WM reported $25.2 billion in revenue for 2022, a 14% increase, and with global population growth and rising waste management needs, the municipal waste management market is expected to grow from $250 billion to $426 billion by 2050, positioning WM to capture significant market share.
- Illinois Tool Works Strategy: Illinois Tool Works focuses on long-term strategies, and despite facing short-term challenges, analysts expect it to continue achieving steady single-digit revenue growth, accompanied by faster profit growth, highlighting its potential benefits from a rebound in industrial investments.
- Carvana Earnings Highlights: Carvana reported a 58% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4, reaching $5.6 billion, although its EBITDA of $511 million fell short of the expected $535.7 million, indicating strong revenue growth potential despite high cost pressures.
- Block Stock Analysis: While Block's stock has stagnated since its pandemic peak, analysts overwhelmingly rate it as a strong buy, with a 12-month price target of $87.27, suggesting a 25% upside from current levels, reflecting confidence in its future growth.
- WM's Market Position: Waste Management holds a significant position in the U.S. waste management market with over 260 landfills and 500 transfer facilities, and as waste generation continues to rise, the company is poised to benefit from increasing demand.
- Long-term Investment Returns: WM has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade, and despite recent spending pressures from its entry into the medical waste sector, its 23 consecutive years of per-share dividend growth and ongoing stock buybacks provide a stable return outlook for investors.
Company Overview: Waste Management Inc. is a leading provider of waste management services in North America.
Stock Price Update: Raymond James has raised the target price for Waste Management's stock to $243 from $238.











