Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: WMSAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

WMS AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS) manufactures thermoplastic corrugated pipes and water management solutions for infrastructure and construction projects. In FY2026, the company generated $3.05B in revenue and $569.3M in free cash flow, supported by a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.0%. For the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, revenue increased 20.6% year-over-year while operating margin reached 26.3% over the trailing twelve months.

Market cap
$9.67B
Revenue (TTM)
$3.22B
P/E
21.8x
fwd 20.8x
1Y return
-8.3%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$181.73
41.8% vs last close

Bull case

  • Trailing twelve-month operating margin reached 26.3%, substantially exceeding the median of its US-listed Industrials peers of 11.7%.
  • Free cash flow reached $569.3M in FY2026, providing strong organic funding for $249.8M in capital expenditures and shareholder distributions.
  • Quarterly revenue grew 20.6% year-over-year in the period ended June 30, 2026, well above the peer median quarterly growth rate of 9.1%.

Bear case

  • The stock fell 8.3% over the past year, underperforming the broader market as the S&P 500 advanced 16.8%.
  • Total debt of $1.77B substantially outweighs cash and short-term investments of $162.3M, leaving net debt at $1.60B as of June 30, 2026.
  • The stock trades at a price-to-sales multiple of 3.0x and a forward P/E of 20.8x, both above the US-listed Industrials peer medians of 1.5x and 17.2x.

What Advanced Drainage Systems does

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. specializes in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of thermoplastic corrugated pipes and water management solutions essential for underground construction and infrastructure projects. Operating across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and globally, the company serves markets through four segments: Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products & Other. Its product portfolio includes single, double, and triple wall polypropylene and polyethylene pipes used for stormwater management, agricultural irrigation, and residential drainage. It also provides plastic leachfield chambers, septic tanks, storm retention chambers, fittings, water filters, and geosynthetic fabrics. Founded in 1966 and based in Hilliard, Ohio, the company operates approximately 38 distribution centers.

Growth and profitability

Revenue grew from $2.77B in FY2022 to $3.07B in FY2023, declined 6.4% to $2.87B in FY2024, and recovered to $2.90B in FY2025 and $3.05B in FY2026, delivering a 5-year revenue CAGR of 9.0%. Gross margin shifted from 28.9% in FY2022 to a peak of 39.9% in FY2024 before settling at 36.3% in FY2026. Operating margin reached 22.5% in FY2026, with net income totaling $426.5M and diluted EPS at $6.27. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue growth accelerated to 20.6% year-over-year and quarterly earnings grew 18.8%, lifting trailing twelve-month revenue to $3.22B.

WMS income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, the company held $162.3M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $1.77B, resulting in net debt of $1.60B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95. Working capital liquidity remains supported by a current ratio of 2.12 across $4.51B in total assets. During FY2026, operating cash flow reached $819.1M, generating $569.3M in free cash flow. Advanced Drainage Systems deployed this capital toward $249.8M in capital expenditures, $92.0M in share buybacks, and $56.1M in dividends paid.

WMS balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

Trading at $128.20 as of October 16, 2026, the stock has a trailing P/E of 21.8x, below the median of its US-listed Industrials peers of 24.8x. However, its forward P/E of 20.8x and EV/EBITDA of 12.3x compare to sector peer medians of 17.2x and 13.9x, respectively. The stock trades at a price-to-sales multiple of 3.0x versus the peer median of 1.5x. Over the past year, the stock fell 8.3%, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%, and its 5-year return of 16.2% lagged the S&P 500 return of 83.0%.

WMS key metrics →

WMS dividend

Advanced Drainage Systems pays an annual forward dividend of $0.80 per share, representing a dividend yield of 0.62% and a payout ratio of 11.2%. The dividend is distributed quarterly and has been paid for 13 consecutive years, with an annualized 5-year dividend growth rate of 14.2%. The last ex-dividend date was September 1, 2026.

WMS dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage consists of 9 Strong Buy ratings and 2 Buy ratings, with no Hold, Sell, or Strong Sell recommendations. The mean price target is $181.73, representing a 41.8% premium to the last close of $128.20. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, consensus estimates project EPS of $6.29 on revenue of $3.46B, followed by EPS of $7.35 and revenue of $3.67B the following year. The company topped EPS estimates in all 4 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings date is November 5, 2026.

WMS forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Annual net income decreased from $509.9M in FY2024 to $426.5M in FY2026, reflecting potential margin compression or fluctuating end-market demand.
  • With a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.95 and net debt of $1.60B, debt service obligations require sustained high cash generation.
  • The stock exhibits a beta of 1.29 and sits 11.1% below its 200-day average, signaling higher volatility relative to the wider market.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this WMS AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (WMS). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: WMS income statement, WMS balance sheet, WMS key metrics, WMS analyst forecast, WMS chart. See the WMS stock overview for the latest quote and news.

WMS AI stock analysis FAQ

What products does Advanced Drainage Systems provide?

Advanced Drainage Systems manufactures thermoplastic corrugated pipe systems, stormwater retention units, plastic leachfield chambers, septic tanks, and geosynthetic construction fabrics. These products serve residential, commercial, agricultural, and civil infrastructure drainage applications.

What is the dividend profile of WMS stock?

WMS pays a quarterly dividend totaling $0.80 annually, which yields 0.62% with a payout ratio of 11.2%. The company has paid consecutive dividends for 13 years and generated an annualized 5-year dividend growth rate of 14.2%.

How did WMS perform financially in FY2026 and the latest quarter?

For FY2026, the company posted $3.05B in revenue, $426.5M in net income, and $569.3M in free cash flow. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 20.6% year-over-year while quarterly earnings expanded 18.8%.

What are analysts forecasting for Advanced Drainage Systems?

All 11 covering analysts maintain positive recommendations (9 Strong Buy, 2 Buy) with a mean price target of $181.73. Consensus estimates call for FY2027 revenue of $3.46B and EPS of $6.29, followed by $3.67B in revenue and EPS of $7.35 in FY2028.

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