NASDAQ$CWST

Casella Waste Systems Inc · Q4 2020 earnings

Q4 2020 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Casella's financial results exceeded expectations due to strong operating execution, real-time cost controls and disciplined cash flow management.

Casella Waste Systems, Inc. reported a revenue increase of 3.4% for Q4 2020, driven by positive pricing and acquisitions, despite a decrease in solid waste volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Net income saw a significant rise due to a non-recurring tax benefit. The company provided fiscal year 2021 guidance, anticipating continued growth.

  • Revenues for the quarter were $200.2 million, up 3.4% from the same period in 2019.
  • Net income for the quarter was $62.9 million, including a $55.0 million non-recurring benefit to income taxes.
  • Overall solid waste pricing increased by 3.9%, with collection pricing up 3.8% and landfill pricing up 5.6%.
  • Solid waste volumes were down (4.6)% year-over-year due to COVID-19 impacts.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$200M

Previous: $194M+3.4%
EPS (adj)

$0.17

Previous: $0.21-19.0%
Solid Waste Price Growth

3.9%

Previous: 5.0%-22.0%
Solid Waste Volume Growth

-4.6%

No prior period
Capital Expenditures

$30.8M

Previous: $27.2M+13.5%
Free Cash Flow

-$2.83M

Previous: $18.2M-115.6%
Net Income

$62.9M

Previous: $9.1M+591.2%
Operating Income

$14.2M

Previous: $14.6M-2.7%
Gross Profit

$67M

Previous: $62.7M+6.9%
Cash & Equivalents

$154M

Previous: $3.47M+4346.6%
Total Assets

$1.19B

Previous: $932M+28.1%
Stock-Based Comp

$2.87M

Previous: $2.01M+43.3%

Revenue & EPS history

Casella · Revenue · Quarterly

$200M

Q4 2020+3.4%vs Q4 2019
Beat estimate in 9 of 16 quarters(56%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Casella · $146M total across 2 segments · Q4 2020

  • Collection
    $101M+2.7%
  • Disposal
    $45.6M-3.3%

Forward guidance

The Company provided guidance for fiscal year 2021 by estimating revenues between $815 million and $830 million and net income between $33 million and $37 million.

Tailwinds

  • Revenue growth of between 5.2% and 7.2% in fiscal year 2021.
  • 1.5% revenue growth from the roll-over impact of acquisitions completed during fiscal year 2020 and those already completed in early fiscal year 2021.
  • Solid Waste business, revenue growth of between 6.5% and 9.5%, with price growth from 3.5% to 4.5%, volume growth from 1.0% to 2.5%, and 2.0% growth from acquisitions completed during fiscal year 2020 and those already completed in early fiscal year 2021.
  • Resource Solutions business, revenue growth of approximately 1.5%, mainly driven by higher recycling commodity prices and neutral to slightly higher volumes, partially offset by lower processing fees.
  • Adjusted Free Cash Flow between $75 million and $79 million

Headwinds

  • Volume headwinds and negative cost impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Guidance ranges do not contemplate a severe relapse of the COVID-19 pandemic or new stay-at-home orders, which may negatively impact commercial and general economic activity.
  • Capital expenditures of approximately $113 million, which includes approximately $15 million of non-recurring capital associated with acquisition integration, and $13 million of Waste USA landfill phase VI construction capital expenditures.
  • Net cash provided by operating activities will be negatively impacted in fiscal year 2021 as we plan to spend $10 million on landfill closure, site improvement and remediation expenditures associated with the Southbridge landfill closure.
  • Income statement tax provision of approximately 30.5% in fiscal year 2021.

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q4 2020

Historical avgQ4 2020

+1.8%

Avg return

Earnings day

+1.0%

Avg return

5 days after

+3.6%

Avg return

30 days after

61%

36 / 59 earnings

Positive

+27.5%

Q1 2010

Best reaction

-7.6%

Q3 2018

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+9.7%+6.7%+3.7%
Q4 2025-5.8%-12.0%-23.3%
Q3 2025+7.1%+8.6%+16.4%
Q1 2025-0.7%+2.5%-0.1%
Q4 2024+0.1%+7.8%+0.7%
Q3 2024-4.4%-2.9%+10.5%
Q2 2024+1.8%-1.5%+4.2%
Q1 2024-5.2%-4.8%+5.0%
Q4 2023-0.1%-1.4%+4.5%
Q3 2023+4.1%+5.7%+10.8%
Q2 2023-4.7%-2.4%-4.5%
Q1 2023+2.8%+3.4%+6.7%
Q4 2022-4.4%-4.9%-1.9%
Q3 2022+3.9%+6.8%+10.3%
Q2 2022+6.2%+7.0%+7.7%
Q1 2022-5.6%-11.9%-16.4%
Q4 2021+1.0%-4.1%+17.2%
Q3 2021+4.6%+5.1%+3.3%
Q2 2021+6.1%+7.4%+13.1%
Q1 2021+0.7%+0.6%+1.1%
Q4 2020+1.6%+0.3%+7.6%
Q3 2020-3.0%+0.3%+7.2%
Q2 2020+0.3%+2.1%+5.6%
Q1 2020+7.0%+6.4%+13.8%
Q4 2019-2.5%-3.3%-26.0%
Q3 2019-0.9%-1.2%+9.7%
Q2 2019+3.8%+2.9%+4.4%
Q1 2019+0.5%+0.6%+3.1%
Q4 2018+0.4%-0.7%-0.4%
Q3 2018-7.6%-4.8%+0.3%
Q2 2018+1.3%+2.4%+1.4%
Q1 2018+7.7%+0.2%-4.7%
Q4 2017-2.2%-5.4%-8.0%
Q3 2017+12.0%+6.7%+14.2%
Q2 2017-7.2%-5.3%+0.9%
Q1 2017-0.6%-1.1%-1.6%
Q4 2016+10.2%+12.1%+20.8%
Q3 2016+3.1%+6.1%+20.1%
Q2 2016+4.3%+5.5%+2.7%
Q1 2016+0.4%
Q4 2015+2.5%
Q3 2015-0.5%
Q2 2015+3.0%
Q1 2015+0.0%
Q1 2014-1.2%
Q3 2013-2.0%
Q2 2014-1.3%
Q2 2013+6.5%
Q1 2013+5.9%
Q4 2012+8.3%
Q2 2012+8.3%
Q3 2011-1.4%
Q2 2011-2.1%
Q1 2012+4.5%
Q1 2011-0.6%
Q4 2010+0.6%
Q2 2010+1.8%
Q1 2010+27.5%
Q4 2009+2.5%

Discussion

Share your read of this quarter. Sign-in carries your eToro identity.

Join the conversation

Sign in with eToro to post your read of this quarter and vote on others'.

Sign in with eToro