The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how Onterris (NYSE: ONT) and the rest of the waste management stocks fared in Q1.

Waste management companies can possess licenses permitting them to handle hazardous materials. Furthermore, many services are performed through contracts and statutorily mandated, non-discretionary, or recurring, leading to more predictable revenue streams. However, regulation can be a headwind, rendering existing services obsolete or forcing companies to invest precious capital to comply with new, more environmentally-friendly rules. Lastly, waste management companies are at the whim of economic cycles. Interest rates, for example, can greatly impact industrial production or commercial projects that create waste and byproducts.

The 8 waste management stocks we track reported a slower Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 2.6%.

While some waste management stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.2% since the latest earnings results.

Onterris (NYSE: ONT)

Founded to protect a tree-lined two-lane road, Onterris (NYSE: ONT) provides air quality monitoring, environmental laboratory testing, compliance, and environmental consulting services.

Onterris reported revenues of $168.5 million, down 5.2% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 6.2%. Overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The market seems disappointed with the results as the stock is down 20.5% since reporting and currently trades at $17.49.

Is now the time to buy Onterris? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN)

Operating a network of municipal solid waste landfills in the U.S. and Canada, Waste Connections (NYSE: WCN) is North America's third-largest waste management company providing collection, disposal, and recycling services.

Waste Connections reported revenues of $2.37 billion, up 6.4% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. The business had a strong quarter with a decent beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income and revenue estimates.

Waste Connections delivered the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 1.6% since reporting. It currently trades at $153.97.

Is now the time to buy Waste Connections? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI)

Tackling hazardous waste challenges since 1990, Perma-Fix (NASDAQ: PESI) provides environmental waste treatment services.

Perma-Fix reported revenues of $11.13 million, down 20.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 14.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Perma-Fix delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 20.8% since the results and currently trades at $10.24.

Read our full analysis of Perma-Fix’s results here.

Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC)

Recycling corporate waste to help companies be more sustainable, Quest Resource (NASDAQ: QRHC) is a provider of waste and recycling services.

Quest Resource reported revenues of $61.74 million, down 9.8% year on year. This result came in 0.7% below analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also produced EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and a slight miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.

The stock is up 29.2% since reporting and currently trades at $1.40.

Read our full, actionable report on Quest Resource here, it’s free.

Waste Management (NYSE: WM)

Headquartered in Houston, Waste Management (NYSE: WM) is a provider of comprehensive waste management services in North America.

Waste Management reported revenues of $6.23 billion, up 3.5% year on year. This number lagged analysts’ expectations by 0.5%. It was a slower quarter as it also logged a slight miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is down 3.6% since reporting and currently trades at $219.18.

Read our full, actionable report on Waste Management here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand-wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.