Tearsheet

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $144.71 | Market Cap: $11.3 Bil
Sector: Industrials | Industry: Building Products

Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)


Market Price (12/18/2025): $144.71
Market Cap: $11.3 Bil
Sector: Industrials
Industry: Building Products

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 22%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -29%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -2.2%
Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -2.0%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 25%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%
  Key risks
WMS key risks include [1] challenges integrating significant recent acquisitions and [2] margin pressure from volatile resin input costs.
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 40%
  
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Water Infrastructure, Circular Economy & Recycling, and Sustainable Resource Management. Themes include Wastewater Management, Show more.
  
0 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 22%
1 Attractive cash flow generation
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 25%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 18%
2 Low stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 40%
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Water Infrastructure, Circular Economy & Recycling, and Sustainable Resource Management. Themes include Wastewater Management, Show more.
4 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -29%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -2.2%
5 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg 3Y AvgRevenue Change % averaged over trailing 3 years is -2.0%
6 Key risks
WMS key risks include [1] challenges integrating significant recent acquisitions and [2] margin pressure from volatile resin input costs.

Valuation, Metrics & Events

WMS Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

1. Analyst Sentiment and Price Target Adjustments

Throughout late 2024 and into 2025, Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS) saw various updates to analyst ratings and price targets. While some analysts maintained a "Strong Buy" rating with an average price target implying an upside, other analysts made adjustments, including some downgrades or lowered price targets, which could contribute to minor negative sentiment and daily price fluctuations in the stock.

2. Ex-Dividend Date Impact

The ex-dividend date for Advanced Drainage Systems was December 1, 2025. It is common for a stock's price to experience a slight downward adjustment on or immediately after its ex-dividend date, typically reflecting the value of the dividend paid out. This event, occurring early in December, likely contributed to a minor downward pressure on the stock price.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
WMS Return117%63%-40%72%-17%28%291%
Peers Return-10%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%14%108%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
WMS Win Rate83%67%42%67%42%50% 
Peers Win Rate43%47% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%73% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
WMS Max Drawdown-39%-4%-41%-7%-18%-16% 
Peers Max Drawdown-31% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: WLK, CNM, FERG, SITE, TREX. See WMS Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/17/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventWMSS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-50.3%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven101.2%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven325 days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-53.7%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven115.9%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven136 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-29.8%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven42.4%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven191 days120 days

Compare to ATR, NCL, TT, JCI, CARR


In The Past

Advanced Drainage Systems's stock fell -50.3% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 8/16/2022. A -50.3% loss requires a 101.2% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)

Better Bets than Advanced Drainage Systems (WMS)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to WMS. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
16.3%16.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
3.2%3.2%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
5.6%5.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-0.4%-0.4%-0.4%
WMS_6302025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy06302025WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
26.3%26.3%-3.5%
WMS_12312024_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy12312024WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
3.8%25.9%-16.2%
WMS_5312023_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy05312023WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
26.4%79.5%0.0%
WMS_11302022_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11302022WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-0.2%25.1%-21.8%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CNM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025CNMCore & MainDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
16.3%16.3%-1.6%
VRRM_11212025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11212025VRRMVerra MobilityDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
3.2%3.2%-1.2%
LII_11212025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy11212025LIILennox InternationalDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
4.8%4.8%0.0%
ADP_11212025_Monopoly_xInd_xCD_Getting_Cheaper11212025ADPAutomatic Data ProcessingMonopolyMY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S Decline
Large cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple
5.6%5.6%-1.2%
CW_11212025_Quality_Momentum_RoomToRun_10%11212025CWCurtiss-WrightQualityQ | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and Upside
Buying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run
-0.4%-0.4%-0.4%
WMS_6302025_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy06302025WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
26.3%26.3%-3.5%
WMS_12312024_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy12312024WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
3.8%25.9%-16.2%
WMS_5312023_Dip_Buyer_ValueBuy05312023WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin
26.4%79.5%0.0%
WMS_11302022_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11302022WMSAdvanced Drainage SystemsDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
-0.2%25.1%-21.8%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Advanced Drainage Systems

Peers to compare with:

Financials

WMSWLKCNMFERGSITETREXMedian
NameAdvanced.Westlake Core & M.Ferguson.SiteOne .Trex  
Mkt Price144.7073.9853.07225.00127.5534.86100.77
Mkt Cap11.39.510.244.15.73.79.9
Rev LTM2,98711,4807,76431,1594,6721,1816,218
Op Inc LTM667337282,789218270468
FCF LTM529-3655751,64720510367
FCF 3Y Avg4945447561,76523046519
CFO LTM7416746171,993255284646
CFO 3Y Avg6931,5757932,145274266743

Growth & Margins

WMSWLKCNMFERGSITETREXMedian
NameAdvanced.Westlake Core & M.Ferguson.SiteOne .Trex  
Rev Chg LTM2.5%-5.3%8.1%4.9%4.0%0.1%3.2%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg-2.0%-10.3%6.0%1.6%5.9%-0.7%0.5%
Rev Chg Q8.7%-9.0%1.2%5.1%4.1%22.1%4.6%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM2.3%-2.4%0.3%1.3%1.1%4.6%1.2%
Op Mgn LTM22.3%0.3%9.4%9.0%4.7%22.9%9.2%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg23.6%6.6%10.2%8.9%5.1%25.1%9.6%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM0.1%-2.3%-0.1%0.2%0.3%0.4%0.2%
CFO/Rev LTM24.8%5.9%7.9%6.4%5.5%24.1%7.2%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg23.8%12.6%11.2%7.1%6.2%23.1%11.9%
FCF/Rev LTM17.7%-3.2%7.4%5.3%4.4%0.9%4.8%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg17.0%4.1%10.7%5.9%5.2%4.1%5.5%

Valuation

WMSWLKCNMFERGSITETREXMedian
NameAdvanced.Westlake Core & M.Ferguson.SiteOne .Trex  
Mkt Cap11.39.510.244.15.73.79.9
P/S3.60.91.31.41.24.71.4
P/EBIT15.5-14.6--26.420.518.0
P/E23.5-10.323.522.541.528.023.5
P/CFO14.614.716.622.122.619.518.0
Total Yield4.7%-8.3%4.2%4.4%2.4%3.6%3.9%
Dividend Yield0.5%1.4%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg4.8%2.8%--3.5%0.7%3.1%
D/E0.10.5--0.20.00.1
Net D/E0.10.3--0.10.00.1

Returns

WMSWLKCNMFERGSITETREXMedian
NameAdvanced.Westlake Core & M.Ferguson.SiteOne .Trex  
1M Rtn2.8%26.4%18.1%-4.5%-0.9%11.3%7.1%
3M Rtn3.0%-14.2%8.1%0.6%-6.1%-35.3%-2.8%
6M Rtn28.4%5.5%-5.5%5.8%9.1%-33.7%5.7%
12M Rtn19.5%-35.4%2.1%23.7%-9.0%-54.6%-3.5%
3Y Rtn71.4%-24.4%167.0%-9.1%-20.4%9.1%
1M Excs Rtn2.1%25.7%17.3%-5.3%-1.6%10.6%6.3%
3M Excs Rtn-1.2%-13.5%4.0%-2.8%-7.8%-36.9%-5.3%
6M Excs Rtn16.0%-6.9%-17.9%-6.6%-3.3%-46.1%-6.7%
12M Excs Rtn3.8%-47.5%-9.4%11.0%-20.8%-65.8%-15.1%
3Y Excs Rtn-2.2%-96.3%89.3%--62.6%-90.9%-62.6%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20252024202320222021
Pipe1,5871,7591,5551,059955
Allied Products & Other684700569442403
Infiltrator531524552398211
International222239225165149
Intersegment Eliminations-150-151-132-82-44
Total2,8743,0712,7691,9831,674


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11282025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity3,672,810
Short Interest: % Change Since 111520259.8%
Average Daily Volume688,242
Days-to-Cover Short Interest5.34
Basic Shares Quantity77,752,000
Short % of Basic Shares4.7%

Earnings Returns History

Expand for More

 Forward Returns
Earnings Date1D Returns5D Returns21D Returns
11/6/20258.8%12.0%10.3%
8/7/202517.2%25.2%30.4%
5/15/2025-3.4%-8.7%-7.0%
2/6/20251.4%7.5%-0.8%
11/8/2024-14.4%-18.1%-17.8%
8/8/2024-1.9%-2.5%-5.9%
5/16/2024-2.1%0.5%-2.9%
2/8/202414.4%17.7%17.2%
...
SUMMARY STATS   
# Positive151714
# Negative9710
Median Positive8.2%8.5%12.4%
Median Negative-3.4%-8.1%-6.4%
Max Positive20.9%25.2%30.4%
Max Negative-25.0%-27.9%-17.8%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251106202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025807202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025515202510-K 3/31/2025
12312024206202510-Q 12/31/2024
93020241108202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024808202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024516202410-K 3/31/2024
12312023208202410-Q 12/31/2023
93020231102202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023803202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023518202310-K 3/31/2023
12312022202202310-Q 12/31/2022
93020221103202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022804202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022519202210-K 3/31/2022
12312021203202210-Q 12/31/2021

Insider Activity

Expand for More

 OwnerTitleFiling DateActionPriceSharesTransacted
Value
Value of
Held Shares
Form
0WAUN THOMAS J. SR.EVP, International11132025Sell148.301,272188,690118,188Form
1MAKOWSKI TIM ASee Remarks11132025Sell149.214,800716,208383,171Form