Emerson Electric Co. (EMR) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

A side-by-side comparison of Emerson Electric Co. and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — EMR vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
EMR +267.6% (+13.9%/yr)WM +308.8% (+15.1%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$368$409
EMR WM

EMR vs WM: by the numbers

  • •EMR is the larger company ($88.55B vs $82.67B market cap).
  • •WM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.30 vs 34.60 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •EMR converts more revenue to profit (13.83% vs 11.12% net margin).
  • •WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.22% vs 0.87% CAGR).
  • •WM pays the higher dividend yield (1.64% vs 1.46%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricEMRWM
P/E ratio34.6029.30
Forward P/E24.1025.50
P/S ratio4.753.22
P/B ratio4.358.33
EV / EBITDA19.8013.58
FCF yield3.91%4.32%

Profitability

MetricEMRWM
Gross margin53.16%35.04%
Operating margin20.11%18.54%
Net margin13.83%11.12%
ROE12.65%28.74%
ROIC7.93%9.01%

Dividends

MetricEMRWM
Dividend yield1.46%1.64%
Payout ratio48.58%50.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricEMRWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)0.87%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)4.54%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.41%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)10.92%8.67%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, EMR or WM?
WM has the lower trailing P/E: EMR trades at 34.60 and WM at 29.30. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, EMR or WM?
Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — EMR at a 0.87% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
Does EMR or WM pay a bigger dividend?
EMR yields 1.46% and WM yields 1.64% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is EMR or WM more profitable?
EMR runs the higher net margin — EMR at 13.83% versus WM at 11.12%.
How have EMR and WM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, EMR delivered 14.33% and WM delivered 15.17% annualized total return. 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 September 13, 2026.