We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Here's Why You Should Retain CLH Stock in Your Portfolio Now
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
Clean Harbors' stock surged 59.4% in a year, beating industry and S&P 500 gains.
CLH expands PFAS solutions with EPA-aligned framework and $110M Hawaii contracts.
CLH faces rising operating costs, which could pressure margins without pricing or efficiency gains.
Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH - Free Report) had an impressive run over the past year. Its shares have gained 59.4%, outperforming the Waste Removal Services industry’s 1.6% return and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 34% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CLH’s revenues are anticipated to increase 3.33% and 4.67% year over year in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Earnings are estimated to rise 12.23% in 2026 and 10.74% in 2027.
Factors That Bode Well for CLH
Clean Harbors has taken a significant step in addressing the challenges posed by Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by releasing a structured, tiered disposal and treatment framework. The company integrates incineration, engineered landfills and water treatment solutions, positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in a market with limited standardization. It has aligned the framework with regulatory expectations and shared it with the Environmental Protection Agency, strengthening its credibility as demand for PFAS remediation grows.
CLH’s position in PFAS remediation has been strengthened by the award of $110 million in contracts to expand water filtration efforts in Hawaii in December 2025, highlighting rising demand to address PFAS contamination. Its credibility has been reinforced through a partnership with V2X and the demonstration of large-scale treatment capabilities as regulatory focus intensifies.
The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in Clean Harbors’ early achievement of its 2030 recycling target and strong environmental performance. By recycling 1.9 million metric tons in 2024 and significantly reducing greenhouse gas impact, the company highlights its ability to align environmental responsibility with financial performance. Its continued investment in advanced recycling and solutions like PFAS destruction further strengthens its position as demand for sustainable waste management services grows.
Clean Harbors is driving growth through strategic acquisitions. Its recent acquisition of HEPACO has strengthened the Environmental Services segment’s field operations, while the purchase of Noble Oil Services and its subsidiaries has expanded the SKSS segment’s oil collection footprint in the southeastern United States. The company has signed an agreement to acquire environmental businesses from Depot Connect International for approximately $130 million.
CLH’s current ratio at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 was 2.33, higher than the industry’s average of 1. This showcases strong liquidity, indicating that the company is well positioned to easily pay off its short-term obligations.
The company creates value for shareholders in the form of share repurchases. It repurchased shares worth $2.5 billion, $55.2 million, $51.1 million and $50.2 million in 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This underlines the company’s confidence in its business and helps boost investors’ confidence in the stock.
CLH: Key Risks to Watch
Clean Harbors has been grappling with mounting cost pressure, as reflected in its steadily rising operating expenses, which increased from 4.53 million in 2022 to 4.80 million in 2023, 5.22 million in 2024 and 5.36 million in 2025. This consistent upward trend indicates growing cost intensity in its operations, which could weigh on margins if not offset by revenue growth, pricing actions or efficiency gains.
Some better-ranked stocks for investors’ consideration are Dave Inc. (DAVE - Free Report) and Maximus (MMS - Free Report) .
Dave currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.5% and 24.5% for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
DAVE has an encouraging earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average earnings beat of 54.2%.
Maximus carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). MMS has an expected earnings growth rate of 15% and 5.04% for fiscal 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history, as it has topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while missing in the remaining one, delivering an average earnings surprise of 25.5%.
Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)
Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Shutterstock
Here's Why You Should Retain CLH Stock in Your Portfolio Now
Key Takeaways
Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH - Free Report) had an impressive run over the past year. Its shares have gained 59.4%, outperforming the Waste Removal Services industry’s 1.6% return and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 34% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
CLH’s revenues are anticipated to increase 3.33% and 4.67% year over year in 2026 and 2027, respectively. Earnings are estimated to rise 12.23% in 2026 and 10.74% in 2027.
Factors That Bode Well for CLH
Clean Harbors has taken a significant step in addressing the challenges posed by Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by releasing a structured, tiered disposal and treatment framework. The company integrates incineration, engineered landfills and water treatment solutions, positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in a market with limited standardization. It has aligned the framework with regulatory expectations and shared it with the Environmental Protection Agency, strengthening its credibility as demand for PFAS remediation grows.
CLH’s position in PFAS remediation has been strengthened by the award of $110 million in contracts to expand water filtration efforts in Hawaii in December 2025, highlighting rising demand to address PFAS contamination. Its credibility has been reinforced through a partnership with V2X and the demonstration of large-scale treatment capabilities as regulatory focus intensifies.
The company’s commitment to sustainability is evident in Clean Harbors’ early achievement of its 2030 recycling target and strong environmental performance. By recycling 1.9 million metric tons in 2024 and significantly reducing greenhouse gas impact, the company highlights its ability to align environmental responsibility with financial performance. Its continued investment in advanced recycling and solutions like PFAS destruction further strengthens its position as demand for sustainable waste management services grows.
Clean Harbors is driving growth through strategic acquisitions. Its recent acquisition of HEPACO has strengthened the Environmental Services segment’s field operations, while the purchase of Noble Oil Services and its subsidiaries has expanded the SKSS segment’s oil collection footprint in the southeastern United States. The company has signed an agreement to acquire environmental businesses from Depot Connect International for approximately $130 million.
CLH’s current ratio at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 was 2.33, higher than the industry’s average of 1. This showcases strong liquidity, indicating that the company is well positioned to easily pay off its short-term obligations.
The company creates value for shareholders in the form of share repurchases. It repurchased shares worth $2.5 billion, $55.2 million, $51.1 million and $50.2 million in 2025, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. This underlines the company’s confidence in its business and helps boost investors’ confidence in the stock.
CLH: Key Risks to Watch
Clean Harbors has been grappling with mounting cost pressure, as reflected in its steadily rising operating expenses, which increased from 4.53 million in 2022 to 4.80 million in 2023, 5.22 million in 2024 and 5.36 million in 2025. This consistent upward trend indicates growing cost intensity in its operations, which could weigh on margins if not offset by revenue growth, pricing actions or efficiency gains.
Clean Harbor’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
CLH currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Some better-ranked stocks for investors’ consideration are Dave Inc. (DAVE - Free Report) and Maximus (MMS - Free Report) .
Dave currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 10.5% and 24.5% for 2026 and 2027, respectively.
DAVE has an encouraging earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average earnings beat of 54.2%.
Maximus carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). MMS has an expected earnings growth rate of 15% and 5.04% for fiscal 2026 and 2027, respectively.
The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history, as it has topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters while missing in the remaining one, delivering an average earnings surprise of 25.5%.