Selling, General, and Administrative Costs: Waste Management, Inc. vs United Rentals, Inc.

A Comparative Analysis of SG&A Expenses: Waste Management, Inc. vs United Rentals, Inc.

In the ever-evolving landscape of corporate finance, understanding the nuances of Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses is crucial. Over the past decade, Waste Management, Inc. and United Rentals, Inc. have showcased distinct trajectories in their SG&A expenditures.

From 2014 to 2023, Waste Management, Inc. consistently reported higher SG&A costs, peaking in 2022 with a 31% increase from 2014. In contrast, United Rentals, Inc. demonstrated a more dynamic growth, with a staggering 130% rise in SG&A expenses over the same period, reaching its zenith in 2024.

This divergence highlights the strategic differences between the two industry giants. While Waste Management, Inc. maintained a steady approach, United Rentals, Inc. aggressively expanded its operational footprint. Notably, data for Waste Management, Inc. in 2024 remains unavailable, leaving room for speculation on its future financial strategies.