RSG

As AI dominates investment focus, healthcare and waste management sectors offer alternative diversification opportunities. Healthcare benefits from an aging population and rising medical needs, while waste management provides recurring revenue from essential services. Key companies like Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Waste Management, and Republic Services are positioned to capitalize on these structural trends.

Waste Connections (WCN) stock jumped 5.5% to $165.51, driven by AI-backed operational improvements, employee retention gains, and renewable natural gas investments. The company is expected to report quarterly EPS of $1.52 (+5.6% YoY) with revenues of $2.61 billion (+6% YoY).

Earnings estimate revisions have increased 1.5% over the past month, suggesting potential continued strength. Peer Republic Services (RSG) also gained 2.3% but saw a slight -0.7% downward revision in EPS estimates.

Republic Services (RSG) raised its 2026 revenue and EBITDA guidance following strong Q2 results, with adjusted earnings of $1.85 per share beating estimates. The company demonstrated pricing power with 5.3% core price increases, though margin expansion was limited by flat EBITDA margins and rising debt levels to $13.52B.