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 September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — UPS vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
UPS +34.9% (+3.0%/yr)WM +301.6% (+14.9%/yr)WM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$135$402
UPS WM

UPS vs WM: by the numbers

  • •WM is the larger company ($82.67B vs $79.80B market cap).
  • •UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (17.46 vs 29.30 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 (6.61% vs 1.64%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricUPSWM
P/E ratio17.4629.30
Forward P/E13.0625.50
P/S ratio0.893.22
P/B ratio5.308.33
EV / EBITDA9.9413.58
FCF yield6.87%4.32%

Profitability

MetricUPSWM
Gross margin16.63%35.04%
Operating margin7.31%18.54%
Net margin5.08%11.12%
ROE30.33%28.74%
ROIC8.99%9.01%

Dividends

MetricUPSWM
Dividend yield6.61%1.64%
Payout ratio121.93%50.14%

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)-7.84%8.67%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, UPS or WM?
UPS has the lower trailing P/E: UPS trades at 17.46 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, 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 6.61% and WM yields 1.64% 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 3.13% 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 10, 2026.