Waste Management, Inc. vs Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? Waste Management, Inc. trades at $217.2 (market cap $87.05B), while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $43.02. The key difference: Waste Management, Inc. pays a 1.74% dividend while Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund pays none, and Waste Management, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| WM | XLU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $87.05B | — |
Sector | Industrials | — |
52-Week High | $246.51 | $47.73 |
52-Week Low | $196.77 | $41.86 |
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.
XLU trades at $43.45, up 0.86% today, with a mixed technical picture showing bullish overall signals but bearish moving averages. The utilities ETF faces conflicting narratives around AI power demand versus regulatory headwinds, with recent news highlighting both defensive appeal and concerns about concentrated AI exposure. Support levels cluster around $42-43 while resistance sits at $44.
The ETF's outlook balances defensive utility characteristics against AI-driven growth potential. Key opportunities include inflation hedging and dividend income, while risks center on regulatory intervention and uneven AI benefits across the portfolio. Current sentiment reflects cautious optimism as investors weigh utility stability against transformative power demand.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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: electric utilities; water utilities; multi-utilities; independent power and renewable electricity producers; and gas utilities. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLU →