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Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)
NYSE:WMS

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) AI Stock Analysis

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Advanced Drainage Systems

(NYSE:WMS)

69Neutral
Advanced Drainage Systems presents a solid financial foundation with strong revenue growth and efficient cash management. However, high leverage remains a concern. The technical indicators show mixed momentum, while the stock's valuation reflects moderate market expectations. Earnings call sentiment is cautiously optimistic, supported by strategic growth plans despite economic headwinds.
Positive Factors
Acquisition
The acquisition of Orenco is expected to leverage complementary portfolio offerings and operational fine-tuning.
Growth
Orenco has an ideal strategic fit alongside Infiltrator and should notably accelerate ADS' growth in the advanced wastewater treatment space.
Market Opportunity
The increasing recurrence of storm events is driving adoption of more resilient stormwater management infrastructure, providing further share opportunity for ADS.
Negative Factors
Agriculture Sales
Agriculture sales were the clear negative to start FY25 with a decrease of 25%.
Cost Pressures
Incremental headwinds are emerging for WMS, including material cost pressures and a more challenged end market backdrop.
Earnings Guidance
The FY'25 guidance cut reflects softness on all fronts: weaker end markets, higher raw material costs, and a market that is not receptive to cost-based price increases.

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Advanced Drainage Systems Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAdvanced Drainage Systems, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes and related water management products, and drainage solutions for use in the underground construction and infrastructure marketplace in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. The company operates through Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other segments. It offers single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes; plastic leachfield chambers and systems, EZflow synthetic aggregate bundles, mechanical aeration wastewater solutions, septic tanks and accessories, and combined treatment and dispersal systems; and allied products, including storm retention/detention and septic chambers, polyvinyl chloride drainage structures, fittings, and water quality filters and separators. The company also purchases and distributes construction fabrics and other geosynthetic products for soil stabilization, reinforcement, filtration, separation, erosion control, and sub-surface drainage, as well as drainage grates and other products. It offers its products for non-residential, residential, agriculture, and infrastructure applications through a network of approximately 38 distribution centers. The company was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio.
How the Company Makes MoneyAdvanced Drainage Systems generates revenue through the sale of its comprehensive range of water management products and solutions. The company primarily earns money from its core product lines, which include corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes, polypropylene pipes, and related fittings and accessories. These products are essential for effective stormwater management, wastewater management, and drainage applications. The company also provides various water management solutions that enhance its product offerings, such as stormwater treatment units and water storage systems. Key revenue streams include sales to construction and infrastructure development projects, agricultural sectors, and residential markets. Additionally, Advanced Drainage Systems benefits from strategic partnerships with distributors and contractors, facilitating broader market reach and increased sales opportunities. Factors such as increasing regulations on water management and the growing need for sustainable infrastructure solutions further contribute to the company's financial performance.

Advanced Drainage Systems Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Advanced Drainage Systems shows strong financial health with consistent revenue and profitability growth. The company demonstrates efficient cash flow management, although high leverage poses a potential risk. Improvement in equity balance and reduced leverage could enhance stability.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Advanced Drainage Systems has demonstrated consistent revenue growth over the years, with a notable recovery in profitability metrics such as gross profit and net income margins. The gross profit margin for the latest year is impressive at 37.7%, and the company has maintained strong EBIT and EBITDA margins at 22.6% and 22.6%, respectively. Despite a slight decrease in revenue from the previous year, the overall trend is positive.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a relatively high debt-to-equity ratio, which is a point of concern with a ratio of approximately 15.39. Stockholders' equity has significantly decreased, impacting the equity ratio, which stands low at about 2.5%. However, the company maintains a solid asset base with a total asset value of $3.69 billion. Return on Equity has improved, reflecting better profitability relative to equity.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Advanced Drainage Systems has shown a robust operating cash flow to net income ratio, indicating strong cash generation capability. The free cash flow has decreased compared to the previous year, but the company continues to generate positive free cash flow, reflecting sound financial management. The free cash flow to net income ratio suggests efficient cash utilization in operations.
Breakdown
Mar 2025Mar 2024Mar 2023Mar 2022Mar 2021
Income StatementTotal Revenue
2.90B2.87B3.07B2.77B1.98B
Gross Profit
1.09B1.15B1.12B800.38M690.08M
EBIT
657.44M732.13M719.31M411.92M344.52M
EBITDA
657.44M907.39M868.46M554.55M493.51M
Net Income Common Stockholders
450.17M509.92M507.09M271.33M224.23M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
463.32M490.16M217.13M20.13M195.01M
Total Assets
3.69B3.27B2.90B2.65B2.41B
Total Debt
1.43B1.41B1.32B944.64M841.50M
Net Debt
962.35M915.69M1.11B924.51M646.49M
Total Liabilities
2.05B1.99B1.91B1.54B1.35B
Stockholders Equity
92.65M1.26B977.37M1.09B1.05B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
368.55M534.12M540.90M125.81M373.46M
Operating Cash Flow
581.49M717.93M707.81M274.89M452.22M
Investing Cash Flow
-447.87M-155.66M-214.48M-198.83M-77.87M
Financing Cash Flow
-157.73M-284.34M-296.28M-251.07M-354.58M

Advanced Drainage Systems Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price121.86
Price Trends
50DMA
110.25
Positive
100DMA
114.34
Positive
200DMA
130.02
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
3.33
Negative
RSI
61.93
Neutral
STOCH
73.84
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For WMS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 121.86 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 114.07, above the 50-day MA of 110.25, and below the 200-day MA of 130.02, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 3.33 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 61.93 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 73.84 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for WMS.

Advanced Drainage Systems Risk Analysis

Advanced Drainage Systems disclosed 26 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Advanced Drainage Systems reported the most risks in the “Finance & Corporate” category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Advanced Drainage Systems Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$7.37B49.6610.62%5.93%3.50%
SSSSD
75
Outperform
$6.86B21.3318.10%0.68%1.38%-3.80%
LPLPX
74
Outperform
$6.64B16.7824.41%1.11%8.09%55.08%
IBIBP
72
Outperform
$4.59B18.9636.73%0.85%4.30%-0.69%
WMWMS
69
Neutral
$9.45B21.1731.26%0.53%1.04%-10.78%
69
Neutral
$6.52B33.2723.07%-9.10%-21.50%
64
Neutral
$4.43B12.015.16%249.23%4.03%-11.73%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
WMS
Advanced Drainage Systems
121.86
-54.71
-30.98%
LPX
Louisiana-Pacific
95.48
4.64
5.11%
SSD
Simpson Manufacturing Co
163.92
-6.62
-3.88%
TREX
Trex Company
60.83
-26.77
-30.56%
IBP
Installed Building Products
166.37
-43.09
-20.57%
AZEK
AZEK Company
51.24
4.99
10.79%

Advanced Drainage Systems Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 15, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: 0.15%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 31, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call highlighted a year of modest growth with significant achievements in product sales and profitability, especially in high-margin areas. However, challenges such as a decline in fourth-quarter sales, economic uncertainties, and anticipated market pressures were also noted. The overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic, with plans for strategic investments and growth counterbalanced by economic headwinds.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Increase in Net Sales
Fiscal 2025 concluded with net sales of $2.9 billion, representing a 1% increase over the prior year.
Double-Digit Growth in Key Markets
Significant growth was noted in Florida and Texas, with double-digit increases in various products including pipe and Infiltrator products.
Strong Performance in Water Quality Products
Water quality products, including Cultec retention/detention chambers, experienced double-digit growth.
High Adjusted EBITDA Margin
The company achieved a 30.6% adjusted EBITDA margin, marking the second most profitable year in its history.
Infiltrator's Strong Year
Infiltrator reported $560 million in sales, a 15% increase over the prior year, with organic sales growth driven by double-digit growth in septic tanks and advanced treatment products.
Strategic Diversification and Growth
The company strategically diversified its product mix and focused on higher-margin Allied products, which grew at a 10% CAGR over the period from FY 2016 to FY 2025.
Positive Cash Flow and Dividends
The company generated $581 million of cash from operations during fiscal 2025 and announced a 13% increase in its annual dividend.
Negative Updates
Decline in Fourth Quarter Net Sales
Net sales decreased by 6% in the fourth quarter due to challenges such as higher interest rates, economic uncertainty, and unfavorable weather conditions.
Challenging Economic Environment
The fiscal year faced headwinds in pricing and material costs, alongside a challenging economic backdrop impacting demand.
Postponement of Investor Day
The company decided to postpone its Investor Day due to high industry dynamics and economic uncertainty, affecting the ability to provide a clear three-year outlook.
Anticipated Decline in Certain End Markets
The company expects the nonresidential and residential end markets to face pressure from higher interest rates and economic uncertainty, with projected declines in these segments.
Absorption Impact on Manufacturing Costs
The company expects unfavorable manufacturing costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 due to fixed cost absorption and lower production volumes.
Company Guidance
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, Advanced Drainage Systems reported net sales of $2.9 billion, reflecting a 1% increase from the previous year. The company experienced a 3% growth in the domestic construction market, with significant double-digit growth in both Florida and Texas, particularly in pipe and Infiltrator products. Water quality products and Cultec retention/detention chambers also saw double-digit growth. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 30.6%, marking the second most profitable year in the company's history, despite challenges in pricing, material costs, and economic conditions. The Infiltrator segment reported $560 million in sales, a 15% increase from the previous year, driven by a 12% growth in septic tanks and a 33% growth in advanced treatment products. The company's fiscal year 2026 guidance anticipates net sales between $2.825 billion and $2.975 billion, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 30.1% to 30.6%.

Advanced Drainage Systems Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Advanced Drainage Systems Reports Q4 2025 Financial Results
Neutral
May 15, 2025

On May 15, 2025, Advanced Drainage Systems announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. The company experienced a decrease in net sales and income in the fourth quarter, attributed to unfavorable weather conditions and economic uncertainties. Despite these challenges, ADS saw growth in its more profitable segments, with a focus on expanding its market share through new products and strategies. The company also declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share, payable on June 16, 2025, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (WMS) stock is a Buy with a $200.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Advanced Drainage Systems stock, see the WMS Stock Forecast page.

Spark’s Take on WMS Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, WMS is a Outperform.

Advanced Drainage Systems exhibits strong financial performance, especially in income growth, but faces challenges with high leverage and mixed cash flow consistency. Technical indicators suggest limited momentum with potential overbought conditions. The valuation is reasonable, though dividend yield is low. The earnings call indicates balanced prospects with stable guidance, contributing to cautious optimism.

To see Spark’s full report on WMS stock, click here.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.