United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

A side-by-side comparison of United Parcel Service, Inc. and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 12, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnUPS vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
UPS +37.7% (+3.3%/yr)WM +313.0% (+15.2%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$138$413
UPS WM

UPS vs WM: by the numbers

  • WM is the larger company ($90.46B vs $88.29B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.41 vs 32.13 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • WM converts more revenue to profit (11.12% vs 5.08% net margin).
  • WM grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.22% vs 0.98% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.28% vs 1.56%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricUPSWM
P/E ratio19.4132.13
Forward P/E14.5427.95
P/S ratio0.993.56
P/B ratio5.909.22
EV / EBITDA10.8114.71
FCF yield6.17%3.90%

Profitability

MetricUPSWM
Gross margin16.63%35.04%
Operating margin7.31%18.54%
Net margin5.08%11.12%
ROE30.33%28.74%
ROIC10.40%8.88%

Dividends

MetricUPSWM
Dividend yield6.28%1.56%
Payout ratio100.00%52.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricUPSWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)0.98%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)33.45%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-7.15%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-7.42%10.46%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, UPS or WM?
UPS has the lower trailing P/E: UPS trades at 19.41 and WM at 32.13. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, UPS or WM?
Over the past five years, WM grew revenue faster — UPS at a 0.98% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
Does UPS or WM pay a bigger dividend?
UPS yields 6.28% and WM yields 1.56% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is UPS or WM more profitable?
WM runs the higher net margin — UPS at 5.08% versus WM at 11.12%.
How have UPS and WM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, UPS delivered 3.25% and WM delivered 15.06% 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 August 12, 2026.