Wasatch Advisors Takes 4.1% Passive Stake in Casella Waste Systems

Wasatch Advisors LP, a Delaware‑registered investment adviser fund, reported beneficial ownership of 2,582,220 shares of Casella Waste Systems Inc. (Class A, CUSIP 147448104), representing 4.1% of the outstanding stock. The filing, a Schedule 13G amendment submitted on April 22, 2026, confirms the fund’s passive, non‑controlling stance under Rule 13d‑1(b).

The adviser holds sole voting power over 1,764,429 shares and sole dispositive power over the entire position, with no shared voting or disposition rights. As a passive institutional investor, Wasatch is not signaling an intent to influence board composition or corporate strategy, but the size of the stake underscores a growing institutional conviction in CWST’s waste‑management business.

CWST’s stock has rallied 3.69% on the day, lifting the price to $80.84 and outpacing the S&P 500’s 1.03% gain. The move comes amid a broader market correction that has left the company’s 52‑week range near the lower end (about 14% of the band) and a year‑to‑date decline of ‑17.5%. Yet the fund’s entry at this price point may be read as a vote of confidence in the firm’s long‑term growth prospects, especially given its $5.1 billion market cap and the sector’s steady demand for waste‑collection and recycling services.

For existing shareholders, the filing adds a reputable, capital‑rich backer to the shareholder roster, potentially supporting liquidity and price stability. While Wasatch’s passive classification precludes immediate activist pressure, the sizable holding could position the fund to weigh in on material corporate actions should the need arise.

Overall, the 13G amendment signals that sophisticated investors are keeping a close eye on CWST’s trajectory, even as the stock navigates short‑term volatility.