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.
UPS
United Parcel Service, Inc.
$103.93IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 12, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
$226.32IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 12, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — UPS vs WM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yUPS +37.7% (+3.3%/yr)WM +313.0% (+15.2%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | UPS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.41 | 32.13 |
| Forward P/E | 14.54 | 27.95 |
| P/S ratio | 0.99 | 3.56 |
| P/B ratio | 5.90 | 9.22 |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.81 | 14.71 |
| FCF yield | 6.17% | 3.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | UPS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 16.63% | 35.04% |
| Operating margin | 7.31% | 18.54% |
| Net margin | 5.08% | 11.12% |
| ROE | 30.33% | 28.74% |
| ROIC | 10.40% | 8.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | UPS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 6.28% | 1.56% |
| Payout ratio | 100.00% | 52.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | UPS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
United Parcel Service P/E ratioWaste Management P/E ratioUnited Parcel Service dividend yieldWaste Management dividend yieldUnited Parcel Service ROEWaste Management ROEUnited Parcel Service operating marginWaste Management operating marginUnited Parcel Service revenue growthWaste Management revenue growthUnited Parcel Service free cash flowWaste Management free cash flow
United Parcel Service & 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 August 12, 2026.