WM Profit Margins
Gross, Operating & Net Margin Analysis for Waste Management Inc
Margin Quality
Strong
Current Profit Margins
Gross Margin
40.4%
$10.19B gross profit
Operating Margin
17.1%
$4.31B operating income
Net Profit Margin
10.7%
$2.71B net income
5-Year Margin Trends
What Margins Indicate About WM
Business Quality
Moderate gross margins indicate Waste Management Inc operates in a competitive market with balanced pricing dynamics.
Operational Efficiency
Expanding operating margins show Waste Management Inc is improving operational leverage and cost management.
Profitability
Net margins in the 5-15% range are solid and typical for many profitable businesses.
Investment Implications
Mixed margin trends require deeper analysis to understand underlying business dynamics and sustainability.
Understanding Profit Margins
Gross Margin
(Revenue - Cost of Goods Sold) / Revenue. Measures pricing power and production efficiency before operating expenses.
Operating Margin
Operating Income / Revenue. Shows profitability from core operations after all operating expenses but before interest and taxes.
Net Profit Margin
Net Income / Revenue. The bottom line - shows how much profit the company keeps from each dollar of revenue after all expenses.
Analyze WM Profitability
Get complete financial analysis with profitability trends, ROE, ROIC, and more
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WM's profit margin?
WM (Waste Management Inc) has a net profit margin of 10.7%, meaning the company keeps $0.1074432629741311 in profit for every dollar of revenue. This represents a change from the previous year's net margin of 12.4%.
What is WM's gross margin?
WM's gross margin is 40.4%. Gross margin measures the percentage of revenue remaining after subtracting the cost of goods sold. A moderate gross margin like this reflects the competitive dynamics of the Industrials.
What is WM's operating margin?
WM has an operating margin of 17.1%. Operating margin shows profitability after operating expenses but before interest and taxes. The 17.1% year-over-year improvement suggests better operational efficiency.
Are WM's profit margins good?
WM's margins are considered strong. With a gross margin of 40.4% and net margin of 10.7%, Waste Management Inc demonstrates strong pricing power and operational efficiency.
How do profit margins affect WM stock?
Profit margins are a key indicator of WM's business quality and competitive position. The current margins should be evaluated alongside growth rates and return on capital to assess overall business quality. Expanding margins often lead to stock price appreciation, while contracting margins can signal competitive pressures.
What drives WM's profit margins?
WM's profit margins are influenced by several factors: pricing power vs competitors, operational efficiency, scale advantages, input costs (materials, labor), Commercial Services & Supplies-specific dynamics, and management execution. The significant expansion in gross margin suggests changes in these underlying drivers.
Disclaimer: Margin analysis is based on reported financial statements and should be compared to industry peers for context. Different sectors have structurally different margin profiles. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.