Autozone Inc vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Autozone Inc trades at $3,053.55 (market cap $49.67B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $226.66 (market cap $90.68B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays a 1.56% dividend while Autozone Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZO | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $49.67B | $90.68B |
Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
52-Week High | $4.35K | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $2.92K | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $62.05B | $113.47B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.56% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AutoZone (AZO) trades at $3,038.29, down 0.97% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bearish trend. The company maintains strong fundamentals with $18.94B in revenue and 12.4% net income margin, though profit margins have declined from 14.94% in 2022 to 13.19% in 2025. Recent earnings show mixed results with Q3 2025 missing expectations but Q1 2026 beating estimates. Analyst sentiment remains strongly bullish with 32 buy ratings and a consensus price target of $3,730.
AZO presents a compelling value opportunity with solid cash flow generation and dominant market position, though investors face risks from margin compression and competitive pressures. The stock's current valuation at 20.93 P/E appears reasonable given the company's consistent profitability and analyst optimism, but requires monitoring of international expansion execution and macroeconomic impacts on consumer spending.
WM trades at $227.2, up 0.26% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.02, beating estimates, and maintains robust profitability with a net income margin of 11.12%. Revenue growth is steady, reaching $25.20B in 2025, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 59.74 appear elevated. Recent news highlights institutional trading activity and earnings focus on pricing discipline.
The outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $263.43, implying 16% upside, supported by 57% buy ratings. Risks include high debt levels and sensitivity to economic cycles, but consistent cash flow generation and margin gains provide a solid foundation for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
AutoZone is the premier seller of aftermarket automotive parts, tools, and accessories to do-it-yourself customers in the United States. The company derives an increasing proportion of its sales from domestic commercial customers, although its presence in its home market is still dominated by its do-it-yourself operation, which accounts for nearly 75% of sales in country. AutoZone also has a growing presence in Mexico and Brazil. AutoZone had 6,767 stores in the U.S. (6,051), Mexico (664), and Brazil (52) as of the end of fiscal 2021.
Read more on AZO →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 →