RSG Stock Today: December 24 — Tight Range as Margins Improve, Outlook Held
Republic Services stock trades in a tight holiday range as investors weigh steady margins and a cautious outlook. The RSG stock price hovered near $213.20 in light volume, with buyers respecting nearby support and resistance. Management kept 2025 revenue near the low end of its outlook while maintaining margin discipline. Analysts remain Buy-leaning with targets in the mid-$230s to mid-$260s, implying room for upside. We break down today’s setup, guidance signals, and what to watch next in the US market.
Price Action And Technical Setup
The RSG stock price ticked up 0.07% to $213.20, trading between $213.13 and $215.16 on soft volume of 917,239 versus a 1.50 million average. Average true range sits at 3.20, and Bollinger Bands are tight at $208.79 to $218.73, with the middle band near $213.76. RSI at 48.9 is neutral. We see a balanced tape for Republic Services stock into the Christmas week.
Price is near the 50-day average at $213.84 and below the 200-day at $232.87, which caps rallies for now. MACD is flat and ADX at 11.4 signals no strong trend. Watch $218.7 to $219.8 as first resistance, and $213.7 then $208.8 as support. A daily close above the upper band would likely attract momentum into year-end for Republic Services stock.
Margins And Cash Generation
Benzinga highlighted Q3 adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.8%, up 80 bps year over year, as management held 2025 revenue near the low end of its range. That margin strength supports the bull case for Republic Services stock despite softer seasonal volumes. TTM operating margin sits near 20.1% and net margin near 12.8%, underscoring disciplined pricing and cost control source.
Operating cash flow per share is $13.91 and free cash flow per share is $8.11, implying an FCF yield around 3.8%. The dividend is $2.365 per share for a 1.11% yield with a roughly 34% payout ratio, leaving room for growth. Capex is about 42% of operating cash flow, funding fleet, landfill, and recycling projects that help sustain Republic Services stock over cycles.
Valuation, Consensus, And Peers
Republic Services stock carries 12 Buy and 1 Hold ratings. The target consensus is $253.2, with a range of $238 to $284. From $213.20, the consensus implies about 19% upside, while the high target suggests greater potential if margins hold and volumes stabilize. Our quantitative grade is B+ with a BUY suggestion, aligning with a constructive medium-term view.
Shares trade at 31.5 times TTM EPS and about 14.3 times EV to EBITDA, with price to sales near 4.0. That is a premium typical for waste management stocks given durability and cash visibility. Sector discussions continue to focus on recycling pricing and steady 2025 gains, as seen in peer coverage source.
Outlook, Catalysts, And Risk Checks
Management kept 2025 revenue near the low end, a cautious stance that still pairs with firm margins. Key drivers include pricing discipline, recycling commodity trends, landfill gas energy projects, and tuck-in M&A. The next earnings report is scheduled for February 12, 2026. We think Republic Services stock can grind higher if cash generation remains steady into Q1.
Short term, we watch the Bollinger mid at $213.76 as a pivot. Above $218.7 to $219.8 opens a path toward the low $220s. On dips, $213.7 and $208.8 are support zones. A close back over the 200-day average at $232.87 would signal trend repair for Republic Services stock. First mention of RSG is linked for quick reference.
Final Thoughts
Republic Services stock is steady in a narrow holiday band, with neutral momentum, tight bands, and light volume. Fundamentals remain the anchor. Q3’s 32.8% adjusted EBITDA margin and healthy free cash flow help offset soft seasonal volumes. Valuation is not cheap, but analyst targets around $253 suggest room if margins hold and volumes normalize. Near term, we would watch $213.7 support and $218.7 resistance. Into early 2026, a move above the 200-day near $232.87 would strengthen the bull case. For investors who prefer durable cash flows, waste management stocks like Republic Services can offer defensive exposure with modest growth. As always, size positions carefully and review updates around the next earnings date.
FAQs
Analysts lean Buy with 12 Buys and 1 Hold, and a $253.2 consensus target that implies near 19% upside from $213. Valuation is premium at 31.5 times earnings, but margins and cash flow are strong. Short term is neutral. Many investors wait for a break over $219 or pullbacks near $210.
We are watching $213.7 as a pivot, $218.7 to $219.8 as near resistance, and $208.8 as support. The 200-day average at $232.87 is a bigger trend marker. A daily close above the upper band near $218.7 may invite momentum buying.
Management kept 2025 revenue near the low end, but margins remain firm. That mix supports a steady, not flashy, setup. If pricing, recycling commodities, and M&A contributions hold, consensus near $253 looks achievable. Any guide up on volumes would be a positive surprise.
The dividend is $2.365 per share, yielding about 1.11%. The payout ratio is roughly 34%, backed by strong operating and free cash flow. Net leverage looks conservative with solid interest coverage, which supports continued dividend growth, subject to capital needs and market conditions.
Yes. Core collection and disposal services are essential, so revenue is less cyclical than many sectors. That is why waste management stocks often trade at premium multiples. Risks include recycling commodity swings, fuel and labor costs, and regulatory changes at the state and local level.
Disclaimer:
The content shared by Meyka AI PTY LTD is solely for research and informational purposes. Meyka is not a financial advisory service, and the information provided should not be considered investment or trading advice.
