WMS
IndustrialsAdvanced Drainage Systems, Inc. · Construction · $10B
What is Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.?
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. is a large-cap industrials company headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio, specializing in thermoplastic corrugated pipes and water management solutions. The company serves underground construction and infrastructure markets across North America and internationally.
Advanced Drainage Systems designs, manufactures, and markets thermoplastic corrugated pipes alongside a broad range of drainage and water management products. Revenue flows through four segments: Pipe, International, Infiltrator, and Allied Products. The company sells into residential, non-residential, agricultural, and infrastructure end markets, distributing products through a network of approximately 38 distribution centers. Its Infiltrator segment focuses on onsite wastewater treatment systems, while Allied Products covers geosynthetics, drainage structures, and water quality filters.
Advanced Drainage Systems was incorporated in 1966 and is headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio.
- Single, double, and triple wall corrugated polypropylene and polyethylene pipes
- Plastic leachfield chambers and onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Storm retention and detention chambers
- Geosynthetic fabrics for soil stabilization, filtration, and erosion control
- Water quality filters, separators, and drainage grates
Is WMS a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates WMS as Good overall, reflecting a balanced profile across its five analytical pillars.
The Quality pillar stands out as a clear strength, indicating that Advanced Drainage Systems generates durable earnings and maintains sound financial discipline relative to sector peers. The Risk pillar also rates Good, suggesting the company carries a manageable risk profile that may appeal to investors prioritizing capital preservation alongside growth.
The Moat pillar registers as Weak, pointing to competitive pressures that may limit pricing power over time. Growth and Valuation both land at Neutral, meaning neither acts as a strong tailwind nor a significant headwind at current levels.
See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →
Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does WMS pay dividends?
Yes — Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. pays a dividend.
Advanced Drainage Systems pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among industrials companies still investing heavily in capacity and product expansion. The dividend reflects the company's confidence in its cash generation. Income-oriented investors may view this as a sign of financial discipline, though the primary return driver for WMS has historically been business reinvestment rather than yield.
When does WMS report earnings?
Advanced Drainage Systems reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.
Results have been shaped by activity levels in residential and infrastructure construction, agricultural demand cycles, and the contribution of the Infiltrator segment. Management commentary on pricing trends and volume across end markets tends to move the stock meaningfully around report dates.
For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit Advanced Drainage Systems' investor relations page directly.
WMS Price History
+38.2% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.?
Based on Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
WMS Long-term Outlook
The Growth pillar sitting at Neutral suggests Advanced Drainage Systems is expanding at a pace broadly in line with sector expectations rather than outpacing peers. The Good Risk rating provides some confidence that the business can sustain its trajectory without excessive balance sheet strain. Neutral Valuation implies the market is pricing in a fair but not deeply discounted outlook, leaving limited margin of safety if construction end markets soften.
Growth drivers
- Infrastructure investment and federal spending on water management projects
- Continued penetration of thermoplastic pipe as a replacement for traditional materials
- Expansion of the Infiltrator onsite wastewater segment into new geographies
Key risks
- Cyclical exposure to residential and non-residential construction activity
- Weak Moat rating signals vulnerability to competition on price and product substitution
- Raw material cost volatility for polypropylene and polyethylene inputs
WMS vs Peers
Advanced Drainage Systems competes broadly within the building products and construction materials space alongside several large-cap peers.
Masco focuses on branded home improvement and building products — cabinets, plumbing, and coatings — rather than underground drainage infrastructure.
Owens Corning centers on insulation, roofing, and composites, giving it different end-market exposure than WMS's water management focus.
Builders FirstSource operates as a distributor and manufacturer of structural building components, competing more directly in residential construction supply chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Advanced Drainage Systems do?
Advanced Drainage Systems designs and manufactures thermoplastic corrugated pipes and water management products for underground construction and infrastructure applications. It serves residential, non-residential, agricultural, and infrastructure customers across North America and internationally through four business segments and a network of distribution centers.
Does WMS pay dividends?
Yes, Advanced Drainage Systems pays a regular dividend. While the yield is not the primary investment thesis, the dividend signals confidence in the company's cash generation. Investors seeking income alongside exposure to infrastructure-linked industrials may find this relevant.
When does WMS report earnings?
Advanced Drainage Systems reports on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed companies. Exact upcoming dates are not maintained in our data — check the company's investor relations page or a financial calendar for the next scheduled report.
Is WMS a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates WMS as Good overall. The Quality and Risk pillars are notable strengths, while the Moat pillar is rated Weak. Growth and Valuation are both Neutral. Whether this profile fits your portfolio depends on your own investment criteria — the full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.
Is WMS overvalued?
The UQS Valuation pillar for WMS is rated Neutral, suggesting the stock is neither deeply discounted nor significantly stretched relative to its fundamentals. This does not imply a price target — it reflects a balanced assessment of what the market is currently pricing in.
How does WMS compare to its competitors?
Among peers like Masco, Owens Corning, and Builders FirstSource, Advanced Drainage Systems occupies a distinct niche in underground water management and thermoplastic pipe. Its Quality pillar rates Strong, which may differentiate it from more cyclically exposed building products peers. Full comparative scoring is available on each company's UQS page.
What is WMS's market cap bracket?
Advanced Drainage Systems is classified as a large-cap stock. This places it among established, scaled businesses in the industrials sector with meaningful institutional coverage and liquidity.
Who founded Advanced Drainage Systems?
Advanced Drainage Systems was incorporated in 1966. Detailed founding history, including the names of original founders, is publicly available through the company's official corporate history and investor relations materials.
Is WMS a long-term quality stock?
As a long-term quality indicator, WMS scores Good on the UQS composite. The Strong Quality pillar and Good Risk rating suggest the business has durable financial characteristics. The Weak Moat rating is worth monitoring, as competitive positioning over a long horizon matters for sustained value creation.
What is the main competitive advantage of Advanced Drainage Systems?
Advanced Drainage Systems benefits from its scale in thermoplastic pipe manufacturing, an extensive distribution network of approximately 38 centers, and the breadth of its product portfolio across pipe, wastewater, and geosynthetic categories. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates Weak, indicating these advantages face meaningful competitive pressure.
What sector does WMS belong to?
WMS is classified in the Industrials sector, specifically within building products and water infrastructure. Its end markets span residential construction, non-residential development, agriculture, and public infrastructure — making it sensitive to broader construction and government spending cycles.
Is WMS a growth stock or value stock?
Based on UQS pillar labels, WMS sits in a middle ground — Growth is rated Neutral and Valuation is also Neutral. It does not profile as a high-growth compounder or a deep-value opportunity at current levels, but rather as a quality-oriented industrials business priced in line with expectations.
Unlock Full WMS Analysis
Sign in to unlock the detailed analysis behind the UQS Score.
- ✓View the complete five-pillar UQS Score breakdown
- ✓Access detailed financial metrics and trend data
- ✓Compare WMS against sector peers side by side
- ✓Screen for stocks with similar quality and risk profiles
- ✓Get the full analyst-style report for Pro members
Pro Analysis
WMS — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2026 | 51.6 | 80.5 | 32.0 | 42.4 | 38.5 | 61.5 | -7.6 |
| May 7, 2026 | 59.2 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 45.9 | 74.9 | 59.1 | -0.1 |
| May 3, 2026 | 59.3 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 45.9 | 74.9 | 59.4 | +0.2 |
| Apr 26, 2026 | 59.1 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 45.9 | 74.9 | 58.1 | +0.2 |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 58.9 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 45.9 | 74.9 | 57.1 | -0.4 |
| Apr 19, 2026 | 59.3 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 47.1 | 74.9 | 58.2 | -0.2 |
| Apr 18, 2026 | 59.5 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 47.1 | 74.9 | 59.2 | +0.6 |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 58.9 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 47.1 | 74.9 | 55.3 | -0.2 |
| Apr 12, 2026 | 59.1 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 47.1 | 74.9 | 57.0 | -0.6 |
| Apr 11, 2026 | 59.7 | 87.8 | 32.0 | 47.1 | 74.9 | 60.4 | -0.2 |
WMS — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 80.9/100 (25%)Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. demonstrates outstanding capital efficiency and profitability, placing it among the highest-quality businesses in the market.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 41.1/100 (20%)Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 38.5/100 (15%)Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 59.9/100 (15%)Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 32/100 (25%)Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for WMS.
Score Composition
Financial Data
More Stock Analysis
How is the WMS UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.