WM · 10-Q · 2026Q2 · Full report
Free Cash Flow
WASTE MANAGEMENT INC · 2026-07-29 · Importance 69 · Surprise 64 · From source text
Free cash flow increased to $2.024 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2026, from $1.293 billion in 2025, a $731 million or 56.5% year-over-year improvement. The increase reflected $3.227 billion of operating cash flow, $1.280 billion of capital expenditures, and $77 million of divestiture proceeds in 2026. Free cash flow was used to evaluate the Company’s ability to pay dividends, repurchase common stock, fund acquisitions, make other investments, and repay debt absent refinancing.
Key facts
- Free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $1,104 million compared to $818 million in the prior year period, a $286 million increase. source
- Free cash flow for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was $1,104 million; for the six months ended June 30, 2026 free cash flow was $2,024 million and for the six months ended June 30, 2025 it was $1,293 million. source
- Waste Management defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities, less capital expenditures, plus proceeds from divestitures of businesses and other assets, net of cash divested. source
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | positive | realized | +1.6% | Free cash flow for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was $1,104 million; for the six months ended June 30, 2026 free cash flow was… |
| cash | positive | realized | +0.6% | Free cash flow for the six months ended June 30, 2026 was $1,104 million compared to $818 million in the prior year period, a $286 million… |
| cash | positive | realized | — | Free cash flow for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was $1,104 million; for the six months ended June 30, 2026 free cash flow was… |