Republic Services (RSG +0.38%) once again benefited from its ability to collect greater volumes even as it pushes through higher prices. Those dual fuels propelled revenue up 7.5% in the second quarter -- its best growth rate in eight years -- while earnings notched a double-digit gain. That strong performance allowed the company to boost its full-year profit outlook.
Republic Services results: The raw numbers
|
Metric |
Q2 2017 |
Q2 2016 |
Year-Over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Revenue |
$2.5 billion |
$2.4 billion |
7.5% |
|
Adjusted net income |
$205.9 million |
$189.5 million |
8.7% |
|
Adjusted EPS |
$0.61 |
$0.55 |
10.9% |
Data source: Republic Services, Inc.
Image source: Getty Images.
What happened with Republic Services this quarter?
Republic Services' new pricing mechanism is paying big dividends.
- Driving the robust revenue growth was a 2.5% increase in average yield, 1.9% higher volumes, and a 4.1% core price increase. One of the factors driving the improved pricing is the company's continued conversion of contracts from CPI (Consumer Price Index) to a more favorable pricing mechanism for the annual price adjustment.
- At the same time, the company is improving productivity and reducing costs via several fleet-based initiatives, including steadily increasing the percentage of its fleet that runs on cheaper natural gas as well as increasing fleet automation.
- Republic Services collected $358 million in adjusted free cash flow during the quarter, up from $240 million last quarter and $177.3 million in the year-ago period. The company returned most of that cash to shareholders, sending back a combined $247 million via dividends and share repurchases. The company also spent $36 million on acquisitions.
- Speaking of the dividend, the company announced an 8% increase in the quarterly payout, which is the eighth straight year it has raised the dividend.
What management had to say
CEO Donald Slager said, "Our second-quarter performance underscores our ability to grow both price and volume, increase earnings and free cash flow, and consistently improve cash returns to shareholders."
The refuse industry as a whole is thriving right now thanks to a growing economy, which is churning out higher volumes of waste, enabling trash companies to push through price increases. Rival Waste Management, for example, captured 3.4% higher volumes and collected a 4.7% higher core price during its recently completed second quarter. Those dual fuels pushed the company's revenue up 7.4% while earnings jumped almost 10%, matching Republic's great quarter. That strong start enabled Waste Management to increase its full-year guidance.
Looking forward
Republic Services' excellent second-quarter showing also positioned the company to boost its full-year profit guidance. It now sees adjusted earnings in the range of $2.36 to $2.39 per share, which is up from its prior range of $2.32 to $2.36 per share.
