Is WM's Q1 2025 earnings forecast achievable?

**Waste Management's (WM) Q1 2025 earnings forecast is achievable**, considering the company's historical performance, strategic initiatives, and market conditions. Here's a detailed analysis to support this conclusion: 1. **Strong Revenue Growth Outlook**: WM expects higher prices for garbage collection and disposal, which has led to an upbeat 2025 revenue forecast. This is a positive indicator, as it suggests that WM is well-positioned to capitalize on market demand and pricing trends. 2. **Historical Performance and Trends**: WM's historical financial performance, including a collection and disposal yield of 4.5% and a core price of 6.7%, supports the company's growth prospects. Additionally, the company achieved record EBITDA margins in Q4 2024, with operating EBITDA growth of more than 10% in the legacy business. 3. **Strategic Growth Initiatives**: WM has been focusing on strategic growth initiatives, such as the integration of Stericycle, which is expected to contribute to future earnings growth. The company's emphasis on sustainability and strategic planning also positions it well to mitigate potential challenges. 4. **Market Conditions and Outlook**: The overall waste management industry is expected to see growth, which aligns with WM's expectations and strategic focus. Furthermore, WM's adjusted earnings beat fourth-quarter analyst targets, indicating a strong financial performance even in the face of potential challenges. In conclusion, WM's Q1 2025 earnings forecast appears achievable based on the company's historical performance, strategic initiatives, and favorable market conditions. However, it's important to note that economic factors, such as commodity price fluctuations, could potentially impact earnings. WM's ability to navigate these factors and execute its growth strategies will be critical in achieving its financial targets.