Waste Management, Inc. vs Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? Waste Management, Inc. trades at $217.1 (market cap $87.05B), while Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $51.45. The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. pays a 1.74% dividend while Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund pays none, and Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund is trading nearer its 52-week high, Waste Management, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| WM | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $87.05B | — |
Sector | Industrials | — |
52-Week High | $246.51 | $53.67 |
52-Week Low | $196.77 | $42.23 |
Enterprise Value | $109.85B | — |
Dividend Yield | 1.74% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
XLB trades at $51.95, down 0.93% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bullish overall signal driven by moving averages. The ETF offers broad exposure to the materials sector, which is benefiting from infrastructure spending and AI-related demand. Recent news highlights the sector's potential for earnings growth and defensive characteristics in the current market environment.
The materials sector appears well-positioned for continued growth with strong Q2 earnings momentum and AI infrastructure tailwinds. However, investors face risks from cyclical sector exposure and potential geopolitical supply chain disruptions. Current technical strength suggests near-term upside potential, though valuation metrics remain unavailable for detailed fundamental assessment.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes securities of companies from the following industries: chemicals; metals and mining; paper and forest products; containers and packaging; and construction materials. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLB →