Howmet Aerospace Inc. (HWM) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)
HWM leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though WM is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Howmet Aerospace Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 9, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — HWM vs WM
growth of $100 · last 30yHWM +1113.6%WM +731.6%HWM compounded faster
HWM WM
HWM vs WM: by the numbers
- •HWM is the larger company ($109.54B vs $93.03B market cap).
- •WM trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.86 vs 63.01 P/E).
- •HWM converts more revenue to profit (20.22% vs 10.99% net margin).
- •HWM grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.27% vs 10.25% CAGR).
- •WM pays the higher dividend yield (1.62% vs 0.18%).
Which is better, HWM or WM?
Metric tally: HWM 9 · WM 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueWM(lower P/E)
GrowthHWM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeWM(higher dividend yield)
QualityHWM(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 63.01 | 33.86● |
| Forward P/E | 53.68 | 28.59● |
| P/S ratio | 12.69 | 3.72● |
| P/B ratio | 19.82 | 9.44● |
| PEG ratio | 1.73● | 2.47 |
| EV / EBITDA | 41.66 | 15.30● |
| FCF yield | 1.31% | 3.48%● |
Profitability
| Metric | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.56% | 32.06% |
| Operating margin | 27.75%● | 18.46% |
| Net margin | 20.22%● | 10.99% |
| ROE | 31.58%● | 27.88% |
| ROIC | 18.19%● | 8.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.18% | 1.62%● |
| Payout ratio | 12.87% | 56.25% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | HWM | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.27%● | 10.25% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 50.70%● | 13.68% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 103.64%● | 7.28% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 52.94%● | 12.21% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, HWM or WM?
- It depends on your goal. value: WM (lower P/E); growth: HWM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: WM (higher dividend yield); quality: HWM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HWM leads 9 to 7.
- Is HWM or WM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, WM is cheaper: HWM trades at a 63.01 P/E and WM at 33.86.
- Which has grown faster, HWM or WM?
- Over the past five years, HWM grew revenue faster — HWM at a 12.27% CAGR versus WM at 10.25%.
- Does HWM or WM pay a bigger dividend?
- HWM yields 0.18% and WM yields 1.62% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is HWM or WM more profitable?
- HWM runs the higher net margin — HWM at 20.22% versus WM at 10.99%.
- Which has been the better investment, HWM or WM?
- Over the past 10-year, HWM delivered the higher annualized total return — HWM at 29.65% versus WM at 15.28%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Howmet Aerospace P/E ratioWaste Management P/E ratioHowmet Aerospace dividend yieldWaste Management dividend yieldHowmet Aerospace ROEWaste Management ROEHowmet Aerospace operating marginWaste Management operating marginHowmet Aerospace revenue growthWaste Management revenue growthHowmet Aerospace free cash flowWaste Management free cash flow
Howmet Aerospace & Waste Management appear in these rankings
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 July 9, 2026.