Republic’s collection services include curbside collection of material for transport to transfer stations, landfills or recycling processing centers; supply of recycling and waste containers; and renting of compactors. In addition, the company engages in the processing and sale of old corrugated containers, old newsprint, aluminum, glass and other materials, and in provision of landfill and transfer services.
The company also offers disposal of nonhazardous solid and liquid material and in-plant services, such as transportation and logistics. It serves small-container, large-container and residential customers. As of December 31, 2021, the company operated through 356 collection operations, 239 transfer stations, 198 active landfills, 71 recycling processing centers, six saltwater disposal wells and seven deep injection wells, as well as three treatment, recovery and disposal facilities in 41 states. It also operated 77 landfill gas-to-energy and renewable energy projects and had 124 closed landfills.
The dividend yield here is 1.46%. Goldman Sachs has set its price target at $175, while the consensus target is $165.71. Republic Services stock ended trading on Friday at $146.28.
Southern Company
This large-cap utility leader makes sense for very conservative investors. Southern Company (NYSE: SO) engages in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. It constructs, acquires, owns and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy and battery energy storage projects. and sells electricity in the wholesale market.
The company distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, wholesale gas services and gas pipeline investments operations. It constructs, operates, and maintains 75,924 miles of natural gas pipelines and 14 storage facilities with total capacity of 157 Bcf to provide natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
It serves approximately 8.6 million electric and gas utility customers. It also owns or operates 30 hydroelectric generating stations, 24 fossil fuel generating stations, three nuclear-generating stations, 13 combined cycle/cogeneration stations, 44 solar facilities, 13 wind facilities, one fuel cell facility and one battery storage facility. And it provides products and services in the areas of energy efficiency and utility infrastructure. In addition, the company offers digital wireless communications and fiber optics services.
Shareholders receive a 4.04% dividend. Southern Company stock has an $80 price objective at Goldman Sachs. The consensus target is $73.87, and shares closed at $67.81 on Friday.
These more defensive companies can continue to thrive if we slip into a recession and the market reverses back into sell-off mode. They should be able to hold their own if the risk-off contingent returns in a big way. All are among the leaders in the respective sectors and should continue paying their dependable dividends.
Originally published at 24/7 Wall St.
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