Verisign, Inc. vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? Verisign, Inc. trades at $287.11 (market cap $25.51B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $217.1 (market cap $87.05B). The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. is far larger — about 3.4× Verisign, Inc.'s market cap, and Waste Management, Inc. pays the higher dividend (1.74%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| VRSN | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $25.51B | $87.05B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $310.00 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $211.49 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $26.82B | $109.85B |
Dividend Yield | 1.15% | 1.74% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
VeriSign (VRSN) trades at $282.20, down 3.38% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals including a 49.77% net income margin and record domain registrations. Recent Q2 2026 earnings beat estimates with EPS of $2.38, though Q4 2025 and Q2 2026 missed expectations. The stock faces headwinds from an antitrust lawsuit filed in September 2026, but institutional buying by firms like BlackRock signals confidence.
Outlook is mixed: bullish analyst consensus with a $328.50 price target suggests 16% upside, supported by AI-driven domain growth and a pending .web delegation. Risks include legal overhangs and competitive pressures. The current valuation at a P/E of 30.64 may limit near-term gains unless earnings accelerate.
WM trades at $217.78, down 0.55% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported mixed Q2 2026 earnings, beating EPS estimates but missing Q4 2025. Revenue grew to $25.20B in 2025, with strong profitability margins. Analysts maintain a buy consensus with a $263.43 price target, though technical indicators show near-term pressure.
The outlook is supported by steady waste-service demand and sustainability investments, but high debt levels and valuation concerns pose risks. CEO transition adds uncertainty, while institutional buying signals confidence. Upside exists if execution aligns with analyst targets, but investors should weigh premium valuation against growth sustainability.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Verisign is the sole authorized registry for several generic top-level domains, including the widely utilized .com and .net top-level domains. The company operates critical Internet infrastructure to support the domain name system, including operating two of the world's 13 root servers that are used to route Internet traffic. In 2018, the firm sold off its Security Services business, signalling a renewed focus on the core registry business.
Read more on VRSN →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 →