WASTE CONNECTIONS RENEWS NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID FOR SHARE REPURCHASES

Rhea-AI Summary

Waste Connections (TSX/NYSE: WCN) has received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange for the annual renewal of its normal course issuer bid (NCIB). The company plans to purchase up to 12,901,981 common shares, representing 5% of its issued and outstanding shares, over the next 12 months. Daily repurchases will be to a maximum of 60,089 common shares on the TSX and 25% of the average daily trading volume on the NYSE.

The NCIB will run from August 12, 2024, to August 11, 2025. Waste Connections believes that share repurchases align with its objective to return capital to shareholders over time. The company has not purchased any shares under its current NCIB, which expires on August 9, 2024.

Positive

• Authorization to repurchase up to 12,901,981 common shares (5% of outstanding shares)
• Potential to return capital to shareholders through share buybacks
• Flexibility to adjust repurchase strategy based on market conditions and acquisition opportunities

Negative

• None.

Financial Analyst

Waste Connections' renewal of its Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) for share repurchases is a neutral to slightly positive development for investors. The company's authorization to repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding shares over the next 12 months signals confidence in its financial position and commitment to returning capital to shareholders.

However, it's important to note that the company hasn't repurchased any shares under its current NCIB, which expires on August 9, 2024. This suggests that while the company values flexibility in capital allocation, it may prioritize other uses of cash, such as potential acquisitions or reinvestment in the business.

The NCIB renewal provides Waste Connections with a strategic tool to manage its capital structure and potentially enhance shareholder value. However, the actual impact on the stock price and earnings per share will depend on the extent to which the company utilizes this authorization in the coming year.

Market Research Analyst

The renewal of Waste Connections' NCIB reflects a broader trend in the waste management industry, where companies are focusing on shareholder returns alongside growth strategies. This move aligns with investor expectations for mature companies in the sector to balance growth investments with capital returns.

Interestingly, Waste Connections' decision to renew the NCIB without having used the previous authorization suggests a cautious approach to share repurchases. This could indicate:

• A preference for maintaining financial flexibility in an uncertain economic environment
• Potential opportunities for acquisitive growth in the fragmented waste management market
• A strategy to have a share repurchase option available as a tool for opportunistic buying if market conditions change

Investors should monitor the company's capital allocation decisions in the coming quarters to gauge management's priorities and outlook on market conditions.

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waste Connections, Inc. (TSX/NYSE: WCN) ("Waste Connections" or the "Company") today announced that it has received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") for the annual renewal of its normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB"). The renewal will follow on the conclusion of the Company's current NCIB expiring August 9, 2024.

Pursuant to the renewed NCIB, Waste Connections proposes to purchase through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and/or alternative Canadian trading systems, from time to time over the next 12 months, if considered advisable, up to 12,901,981 common shares, being 5% of its 258,039,620 issued and outstanding common shares as of August 1, 2024.

In accordance with TSX rules, any daily repurchases would be limited to a maximum of 60,089 common shares, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX of 240,359 common shares for the period from February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2024. The TSX rules also allow the Company to purchase, once a week, a block of common shares not owned by any insiders, which may exceed such daily limit. The maximum number of shares which can be purchased per day on the NYSE will be 25% of the average daily trading volume for the four calendar weeks preceding the date of purchase, subject to certain exceptions for block purchases.

Waste Connections is authorized to make purchases during the period of August 12, 2024, to August 11, 2025, or until such earlier time as the NCIB is completed or terminated at the option of the Company. Any common shares Waste Connections purchases under the NCIB will be purchased on the open market through the facilities of the TSX, the NYSE and/or alternative Canadian trading systems at the prevailing market price at the time of such transaction.

Management's decisions regarding any share repurchases will be based on market conditions, share price and other factors, including potential acquisition growth opportunities. The NCIB has been renewed because Waste Connections believes that the repurchase of common shares is consistent with its objective to return capital to shareholders over time. All common shares purchased through the NCIB will be returned to treasury for cancellation.

Under the current NCIB that commenced on August 10, 2023, and that will expire on August 9, 2024, the Company sought and obtained approval from the TSX to purchase up to 12,881,534 common shares for cancellation. Since the commencement of the current NCIB, the Company has not purchased any common shares through the facilities of the TSX, NYSE and/or alternative Canadian trading systems.

About Waste Connections
Waste Connections (wasteconnections.com) is an integrated solid waste services company that provides non-hazardous waste collection, transfer and disposal services, including by rail, along with resource recovery primarily through recycling and renewable fuels generation. The Company serves approximately nine million residential, commercial and industrial customers in mostly exclusive and secondary markets across 46 states in the U.S. and six provinces in Canada. Waste Connections also provides non-hazardous oilfield waste treatment, recovery and disposal services in several basins across the U.S. and Canada, as well as intermodal services for the movement of cargo and solid waste containers in the Pacific Northwest.

Safe Harbor and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("PSLRA"), including "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect Waste Connections' current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. These forward-looking statements can be identified by use of forward-looking terminology, such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "may," "might," "will," "could," "should," or "anticipates," or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by the discussions of strategy. All of the forward-looking statements included in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the PSLRA and applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements about the return of capital to shareholders, including repurchases of common shares of the Company and management's decisions related thereto. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC and the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Waste Connections undertakes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements set forth in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

CONTACT:
Mary Anne Whitney / (832) 442-2253					Joe Box / (832) 442-2153
maryannew@wasteconnections.com					joe.box@wasteconnections.com

 

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SOURCE Waste Connections, Inc.

FAQ

How many shares is Waste Connections (WCN) authorized to repurchase under the renewed NCIB?

Waste Connections is authorized to repurchase up to 12,901,981 common shares, which represents 5% of its issued and outstanding shares as of August 1, 2024.

What is the duration of Waste Connections' (WCN) renewed normal course issuer bid (NCIB)?

The renewed NCIB is authorized for the period from August 12, 2024, to August 11, 2025, or until the NCIB is completed or terminated at the option of the company.

What are the daily repurchase limits for Waste Connections (WCN) under the renewed NCIB?

Daily repurchases are to a maximum of 60,089 common shares on the TSX and 25% of the average daily trading volume for the four calendar weeks preceding the date of purchase on the NYSE.

Has Waste Connections (WCN) purchased any shares under its current NCIB expiring on August 9, 2024?

No, Waste Connections has not purchased any common shares through the facilities of the TSX, NYSE, or alternative Canadian trading systems under its current NCIB.