Price movement over the last 24 hours
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. trades at $296.7 (market cap $66.70B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $233.85 (market cap $93.70B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.42%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APD | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $66.70B | $93.70B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $314.19 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $230.42 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $84.11B | $116.43B |
Dividend Yield | 2.42% | 1.52% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
APD trades at $299.53, up 1.24% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong analyst support. Recent earnings beats and strategic project exits, like the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex, have boosted investor confidence. The company maintains solid profitability margins but faces pressure from a negative net income in 2025 due to a pre-tax charge. Cash flow trends show volatility, with significant investing outflows for growth initiatives.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $324.89, implying ~8% upside. Risks include high debt levels, execution on new projects, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Long-term growth is supported by renewable energy investments, but near-term profitability recovery is key for sustained gains.
WM trades at $233.33, up 0.72% today, showing steady performance near its 52-week high. The stock maintains a bullish technical signal with strong moving average support. Fundamentally, revenue grew to $25.20B in 2025 with a net income margin of 10.99%, though recent quarters show mixed earnings results. Analyst consensus remains positive with a $263.57 price target. The company continues its dividend payments, with the next $0.95 dividend scheduled for June 2026.
Outlook: WM's defensive business model and pricing power provide stability, but elevated valuation ratios (P/E 33.77) pose risks if growth slows. Upside potential exists if the company meets Q2 2026 earnings expectations. Key risks include debt levels and economic sensitivity. Wall Street's strong buy sentiment (57% buy ratings) supports a cautiously optimistic view.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Since its founding in 1940, Air Products has become one of the leading industrial gas suppliers globally, with operations in 50 countries and 19,000 employees. The company is the largest supplier of hydrogen and helium in the world. It has a unique portfolio serving customers in a number of industries, including chemicals, energy, healthcare, metals, and electronics. Air Products generated $10.3 billion in revenue in fiscal 2021.
Read more on APD →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →