Christopher P. DeSantis, Waste Management's SVP of Operations - East, completed two stock dispositions in early March 2026, according to a Form 4 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On March 9, 2026, DeSantis sold 61 shares of Waste Management common stock at $245.50 per share, generating proceeds of $14,975. The filing indicates the sale was executed to cover a personal federal income tax obligation and was carried out pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan.
Two days earlier, on March 7, 2026, DeSantis had disposed of 107 shares at $246.31 per share, for total proceeds of $26,355. That transaction was completed to settle a restricted share award that had been granted under the Waste Management, Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
Both sales were recorded near the stock's recent highs. At the time of reporting, Waste Management shares were trading at $236.87 in a company market-capitalized at $95.5 billion.
Valuation and shareholder returns
External analysis cited in the filing context indicates the shares appear overvalued on current metrics, trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.41. The company has increased its dividend for 22 consecutive years and carries a current yield of 1.53%.
Following the two sales in March, DeSantis directly holds 9392.87 shares of Waste Management stock.
Earnings and capital allocation activity
Waste Management reported fourth-quarter 2025 results that slightly missed expectations. The company posted earnings per share of $1.93, compared with an expected $1.95, and reported revenue of $6.31 billion versus anticipated revenue of $6.39 billion.
Alongside its earnings release, Waste Management declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.945 per share, payable on March 27, 2026, to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2026. The company’s Management Development and Compensation Committee also awarded annual incentive payments to senior executives, including CEO James C. Fish, Jr. and CFO David L. Reed.
Analyst commentary and sector context
Barclays analysts noted that firms in the waste management sector, including Waste Management, are positioned to absorb elevated fuel costs arising from the ongoing Iran war due to established surcharge programs. The analysts highlighted the sector's defensive characteristics and their appeal amid higher global energy prices.
What the filings show
The Form 4 disclosure provides a succinct record of the two transactions: the March 7 sale to settle a restricted award and the March 9 sale under a Rule 10b5-1 plan to satisfy a tax obligation. The filing also confirms the post-transaction direct share ownership total for DeSantis.
No additional transactions or changes to executive ownership were reported in the filing beyond the items described above.