CSX Corporation (CSX) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

WM leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though CSX is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of CSX Corporation and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 29, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CSX vs WM

growth of $100 · last 30y
CSX +1665.2%WM +664.5%CSX compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,765$765
CSX WM

CSX vs WM: by the numbers

  • WM is the larger company ($90.57B vs $88.56B market cap).
  • CSX trades at the lower earnings multiple (29.24 vs 32.64 P/E).
  • CSX converts more revenue to profit (21.55% vs 10.99% net margin).
  • WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.25% vs 6.07% CAGR).
  • WM pays the higher dividend yield (1.68% vs 1.17%).

Which is better, CSX or WM?

Metric tally: CSX 8 · WM 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCSX(lower P/E)
GrowthWM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeWM(higher dividend yield)
QualityWM(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCSXWM
P/E ratio29.2432.64
Forward P/E21.8324.48
P/S ratio6.273.59
P/B ratio6.549.10
PEG ratio5.712.39
EV / EBITDA16.7314.85
FCF yield4.65%3.61%

Profitability

MetricCSXWM
Gross margin37.54%32.06%
Operating margin33.45%18.46%
Net margin21.55%10.99%
ROE22.47%27.88%
ROIC8.40%8.88%

Dividends

MetricCSXWM
Dividend yield1.17%1.68%
Payout ratio36.36%56.25%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSXWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.07%10.25%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.12%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.34%7.28%
Total return CAGR (5Y)9.78%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CSX or WM?
It depends on your goal. value: CSX (lower P/E); growth: WM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: WM (higher dividend yield); quality: WM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, WM leads 9 to 8.
Is CSX or WM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CSX is cheaper: CSX trades at a 29.24 P/E and WM at 32.64.
Which has grown faster, CSX or WM?
Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — CSX at a 6.07% CAGR versus WM at 10.25%.
Does CSX or WM pay a bigger dividend?
CSX yields 1.17% and WM yields 1.68% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSX or WM more profitable?
CSX runs the higher net margin — CSX at 21.55% versus WM at 10.99%.
Which has been the better investment, CSX or WM?
Over the past 10-year, CSX delivered the higher annualized total return — CSX at 20.39% versus WM at 15.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 29, 2026.