WCN: Bull Flag detected on 15 Jul 2026
All prices, scores, and news on this page reflect data available before market open on .
Browse all Bull Flag detections →On 15 Jul 2026, our scan flagged WCN as a bull flag setup scoring 73 out of 98 (Good tier), with a 76% win probability based on our historical pattern database and a 2.6 to 1 reward to risk ratio. This is a swing trade setup: win probability reflects a 10 trading day hold, not an intraday move. At $169.57, the conservative target is $175.17 with a stop at $160.24.
Overall Score
73
of 98
Good
Win Probability
76%
High
Reward / Risk
2.6
: 1
$3.06 reward
$-1.20 risk
Swing Trading Plan
Entry
$169.57
Target
$175.17
Stop Loss
$160.24
Holding Period
Up to 10 trading days
Win Probability
76%
Current Setup
WCN is forming a bull flag pattern after an extended rally, with structure score of 15/15 and breakout score of 10.7/13, indicating high-quality pattern mechanics. The stock trades at $169.57 between key support at $168.98 and resistance at $173.70, with volume ratio of 0.54 relative to 20-day average. RSI at 60.72 shows measured momentum without overbought conditions. Win probability of 76.09% suggests favorable technical setup for breakout confirmation.
Stock Context
WCN reported Q1 2026 earnings on April 22, beating analyst expectations with EPS of $1.23 versus $1.19 estimate. The company delivered 6.4% revenue growth and EBITDA margin expansion of 90 basis points year-over-year. Core price increases reached 6%, providing visibility to the high end of full-year 2026 guidance of 5-5.5%. However, diesel costs rose 12% year-over-year, impacting margins by $5 million above expectations. Q2 earnings are expected July 22, 2026 with analyst projection of $1.36 EPS. The Utilities sector regime shows strong momentum at 0.95, supporting price momentum into an imminent earnings release.
What to Expect
A successful bull flag breakout above $173.70 resistance would target $175.17 conservatively, representing 3.3% upside from current price. The pattern formed ahead of the July 22 earnings call, creating potential volume confirmation catalyst. Historical bull flag completion rates support the 76.09% win probability. Invalidation occurs below $168.98 support where the pattern structure fails.
Risk Factors
Elevated fuel costs present near-term margin pressure despite pricing momentum. The pattern forms 7 days before earnings (July 22), creating binary event risk that could violate the setup regardless of technical structure. Volume ratio at 0.54 is below 1.0, indicating below-average participation relative to recent trading—potential confirmation weakness on breakout. Beta of 0.15 is extremely low, suggesting limited alpha generation and potential liquidity constraints during volatility spikes. Prior ascending triangle and bullish pennant patterns detected suggest repetitive testing, which may indicate consolidation exhaustion rather than genuine strength.
Sources:
Waste Connections, Inc. - Form 8-K - FY2026
·
Waste Connections (WCN) Earnings: Latest Report, Earnings Call & Financials
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Waste Connections Inc (WCN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue Growth Amid Fuel Cost Challenges
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Waste Connections Q1 Earnings Call Highlights | MarketBeat
·
Waste Connections, Inc. (WCN) Stock Price, News, Quote & History - Yahoo Finance
·
Waste Connections, Inc. - Waste Connections Reports First Quarter 2026 Results
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Waste Connections WCN Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript - The Globe and Mail
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Waste Connections WCN Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript | The Motley Fool
How We Find and Score This Setup
We scan more than 6,000 NYSE and NASDAQ stocks every trading day and compare each detected pattern against a database of 370,000+ historical detections. Every setup is scored across three dimensions: Structure, Volume, and Breakout Readiness. Win probability is a calibrated estimate of how similar historical setups performed over the following 10 trading days. This is a swing trading tool built for multi-day holds. It is not built or tested for day trading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WCN a good swing trade?
WCN scored 73 out of 98 on our bull flag scan, with a 76% historical win probability over the standard 10 trading day hold. Good setup based on our systematic scoring.
What is the entry, target, and stop loss for this setup?
The setup's reference price is $169.57, with a conservative target of $175.17 and a stop loss at $160.24.
What would invalidate this bull flag setup?
A close below the stop loss at $160.24 would invalidate the setup and suggest the pattern has failed.
How is the win probability calculated?
Win probability is a calibrated estimate of how similar historical bull flag setups performed over the following 10 trading days, drawn from a database of 370,000+ historical pattern detections across 6,000+ NYSE and NASDAQ stocks.
Market & Sector Regime
Market
Bullish
0.60
-1.0
0
+1.0
Utilities Sector
Bullish
0.95
-1.0
0
+1.0
Other Patterns Detected Today
Ascending Triangle
40 days in pattern
Good
30.5
Bullish Pennant
17 days in pattern
Moderate
29.0
Overall Score
38
of 40
Pattern Quality
9
of 20
Setup
13
of 20
R/R
13
of 18
Context
Pattern Quality Score
15
of 15
Structure
11
of 13
Breakout
12
of 12
Volume
Recent Performance
Momentum & Trend
RSI (14)
60.7
Neutral
MACD Histogram
+0.35
Bullish
Bollinger Band Position
68.2%
Mid Zone
Volatility & Risk
20-Day Volatility
0.28
Moderate
ATR %
2.3%
Medium
Beta
0.15
Defensive
Volume Analysis
Volume Ratio
0.54x
Below Avg
20-Day Avg Vol
1.7M
shares / day
Current Volume
915K
shares traded
Price Levels
52W High
$190.36
Target
$175.17
Resistance
$173.70
Current
$169.57
Support
$168.98
Stop Loss
$160.24
52W Low
$146.89
Disclaimer: This analysis is algorithmically generated for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past pattern performance does not guarantee future results. Win probabilities are based on historical data across 370,000+ observations. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified financial advisor. AI-assisted contextual analysis by Claude (Anthropic). Indicators reflect values at time of detection.