Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc (HCCI)
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Analysis by Sedat ANAK, Founder & Editor-in-Chief | AI-powered analysis. Data sourced from SEC filings and institutional-grade financial providers. Editorially reviewed. Not financial advice.
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc (HCCI) trades at $45.51 with AI Score 46/100 (Grade C). Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides environmental services and oil re-refining, focusing on small to mid-sized industrial and vehicle maintenance customers. Market cap: $1.11B, Sector: Industrials.
Price live · AI analysis from May 5, 2026Analyst Coverage for HCCI: HCCI does not currently have published analyst price targets in our coverage universe. This is common for smaller-cap names with limited Wall Street coverage. In the absence of analyst consensus, our AI model evaluates HCCI against Industrials peers across nine fundamental dimensions and assigns an underweight signal based on the underlying data.
HCCI: the 1 perspectives are evenly split.
How is this calculated? →Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc (HCCI) Industrial Operations Profile
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (HCCI) provides essential waste management and oil re-refining services to industrial and vehicle maintenance sectors across the U.S. and Canada. With a focus on sustainability and a network of 91 branches, HCCI offers a comprehensive suite of environmental solutions, positioning it as a key player in the waste management industry.
What Is the Investment Thesis for HCCI?
Heritage-Crystal Clean presents a compelling investment case based on its established market position and sustainable business model. With a P/E ratio of 12.6 and a profit margin of 11.9%, HCCI demonstrates solid profitability. The company's focus on environmental services and oil re-refining caters to increasing regulatory and environmental concerns, driving demand for its services. Key growth catalysts include expansion of its branch network and increased penetration in existing markets. Potential risks include fluctuations in oil prices and changes in environmental regulations. The company's beta of 1.30 suggests higher volatility compared to the market. Investors should monitor the company's ability to maintain its gross margin of 30.0% and capitalize on growth opportunities in the environmental services sector.
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
HCCI Key Highlights
- Market Cap of $1.11B reflects investor confidence in HCCI's market position and growth potential.
- P/E Ratio of 12.6 indicates a reasonable valuation compared to earnings.
- Profit Margin of 11.9% demonstrates efficient operations and profitability in the waste management sector.
- Gross Margin of 30.0% showcases HCCI's ability to manage costs effectively.
- 91 branches serving approximately 95,000 customer locations as of January 1, 2022, highlighting extensive market reach.
Who Are HCCI's Competitors?
HCCI is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.
| Company | Price | Change | Market Cap | AI Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WM Waste Management, Inc. | $228.46 | -0.84% | $91.74B | 63 |
| RSG Republic Services, Inc. | $215.36 | -0.91% | $66.26B | 72 |
| ECLMF Ecolomondo Corporation | $0.08 | -0.00% | $17.55M | 63 |
| VCIGF Vitreous Glass Inc. | $4.61 | +0.00% | $29.31M | 56 |
| YDDL One and one Green Technologies. Inc | $2.11 | +1.00% | $96.74M | 56 |
| SCPJ Scope Industries | $325.00 | +8.33% | $297.71M | 55 |
| TNJIF Tianjin Capital Environmental Protection Group Company Limited | $0.40 | -14.98% | $1.04B | 46 |
| ECOL US Ecology, Inc. | $47.99 | +0.00% | 46 |
AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance
What Are HCCI's Key Strengths?
- Established presence in the environmental services market.
- Integrated service model with both waste collection and oil re-refining.
- Extensive network of branches across the United States and Canada.
- Strong relationships with small and mid-sized customers.
What Are HCCI's Weaknesses?
- Exposure to fluctuations in oil prices.
- Dependence on regulatory compliance.
- Potential for environmental liabilities.
- Limited brand recognition compared to larger competitors.
What Could Drive HCCI Stock Higher?
- Potential for increased government regulations on waste disposal, driving demand for HCCI's services.
- Growing corporate focus on sustainability, increasing demand for HCCI's recycling and re-refining solutions.
- Expansion of industrial production, leading to higher volumes of waste requiring management.
What Are the Key Risks for HCCI?
- Fluctuations in oil prices impacting the profitability of the Oil Business segment.
- Changes in environmental regulations increasing compliance costs.
- Economic downturn reducing industrial production and waste generation.
- Competition from larger waste management companies with greater resources.
What Are the Growth Opportunities for HCCI?
- Expansion of Branch Network: Heritage-Crystal Clean can expand its market presence by strategically opening new branches in underserved regions. The market for environmental services is growing, driven by stricter environmental regulations and increasing corporate sustainability initiatives. By increasing its branch network, HCCI can reach new customers and increase its service offerings, potentially increasing revenue by 10-15% over the next three years.
- Increased Penetration in Existing Markets: HCCI can deepen its market penetration by offering additional services to its existing customer base. The company serves approximately 95,000 customer locations. By cross-selling additional services such as wastewater vacuum services and antifreeze recycling, HCCI can increase its revenue per customer. This strategy could lead to a 5-10% increase in revenue within the next two years.
- Strategic Acquisitions: Heritage-Crystal Clean can pursue strategic acquisitions to expand its service offerings and geographic reach. The waste management industry is fragmented, presenting opportunities for consolidation. By acquiring smaller competitors, HCCI can gain access to new markets and technologies. A successful acquisition strategy could increase market share by 3-5% over the next five years.
- Enhanced Oil Re-Refining Capabilities: Investing in advanced oil re-refining technologies can improve the efficiency and output of HCCI's Oil Business segment. The demand for re-refined oil is increasing as companies seek sustainable alternatives to virgin oil. By enhancing its re-refining capabilities, HCCI can increase its production volume and capture a larger share of the market. This could lead to a 10-12% increase in revenue from the Oil Business segment.
- Focus on Sustainable Solutions: As environmental awareness grows, HCCI can further emphasize its commitment to sustainable solutions. This includes promoting its recycling and re-refining services and developing new environmentally friendly technologies. By positioning itself as a leader in sustainable waste management, HCCI can attract environmentally conscious customers and investors. This could enhance brand reputation and drive long-term growth.
What Opportunities Does HCCI Have?
- Expansion into new geographic markets.
- Strategic acquisitions to expand service offerings.
- Increased demand for sustainable waste management solutions.
- Development of new environmentally friendly technologies.
What Threats Does HCCI Face?
- Changes in environmental regulations.
- Increased competition from larger waste management companies.
- Economic downturn impacting industrial production.
- Potential for environmental incidents and liabilities.
What Are HCCI's Competitive Advantages?
- Established network of branches provides a competitive advantage in service delivery.
- Integrated service model, including waste collection and oil re-refining, offers a comprehensive solution.
- Long-standing relationships with a diverse customer base.
- Expertise in navigating complex environmental regulations.
What Does HCCI Do?
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc., established in 2007 and headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, operates through its subsidiary, Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC. The company specializes in providing environmental services, including parts cleaning, hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, and used oil collection. Targeting small and mid-sized customers primarily in the industrial and vehicle maintenance sectors, HCCI has built a robust service network spanning the United States and Canada. The company's operations are divided into two key segments: Environmental Services and Oil Business. The Environmental Services segment offers a range of solutions, including parts cleaning, containerized waste management, wastewater vacuum services, antifreeze recycling, and specialized field services. The Oil Business segment focuses on the collection of used oil, the sale of recycled fuel oil, used oil filter removal and disposal, and the re-refining of used oil into lubricant base oil and other valuable products. As of January 1, 2022, Heritage-Crystal Clean operated through 91 branches, serving approximately 95,000 customer locations, highlighting its extensive reach and established presence in the environmental services market. The company also handles the collection and disposal of wastewater, further broadening its environmental service offerings.
What Products and Services Does HCCI Offer?
- Provides parts cleaning services to industrial and vehicle maintenance sectors.
- Offers hazardous and non-hazardous waste management solutions.
- Collects and re-refines used oil into lubricant base oil and other products.
- Engages in the sale of recycled fuel oil.
- Provides used oil filter removal and disposal activities.
- Collects and disposes of wastewater.
- Offers containerized waste management services.
- Provides antifreeze recycling services.
How Does HCCI Make Money?
- Generates revenue through fees for parts cleaning and waste management services.
- Earns revenue from the sale of recycled fuel oil and lubricant base oil.
- Collects fees for used oil filter removal and disposal.
- Operates through a network of branches, providing localized service to customers.
What Industry Does HCCI Operate In?
Heritage-Crystal Clean operates within the waste management industry, which is experiencing growth driven by increasing environmental regulations and a rising focus on sustainability. The market includes both hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, with a growing emphasis on recycling and re-refining. Competitors include companies offering similar waste management and environmental services. HCCI differentiates itself through its integrated service model, which includes both waste collection and oil re-refining. The industry is subject to regulatory oversight, impacting operational practices and market dynamics.
Who Are HCCI's Key Customers?
- Small to mid-sized industrial businesses.
- Vehicle maintenance shops and garages.
- Businesses requiring hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal services.
- Companies seeking sustainable waste management solutions.
ROE 22%Key Financial Metrics
Return on equity for Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc stands at 22.0%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is 10.7%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. HCCI trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 12.64, below the Industrials sector average of ~30x. Its free cash flow yield is 4.1%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 1.65 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations. Its earnings yield is 7.9%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.
How Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc Is Valued
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc carries a market capitalization of $1.11B, placing it in the small-cap category. Relative to its peer group, HCCI's quantitative score of 46/100 is below the peer average of 62/100.
F-Score 4/9Financial Health
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc's Piotroski F-Score is 4/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 3.85 places it in the safe zone, indicating low near-term bankruptcy risk.
HCCI Financials
Fundamental Snapshot
Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis
Bull Case vs Bear Case
Bull Case
- Heritage-Crystal Clean's focus on environmental services is increasingly appealing as sustainability becomes a major investment theme. Think of it like Waste Management in the early 2000s, but with a green twist.
- Recent insider buying activity often signals strong confidence in the company's future prospects. It's like when Elon Musk bought Tesla shares during periods of doubt – a leadership vote of confidence.
- Community sentiment suggests growing optimism about the company's ability to capitalize on regulatory changes favoring eco-friendly waste solutions. Similar to how solar stocks surged with government incentives.
- The company's expansion into new geographic markets could unlock significant growth opportunities, akin to Starbucks' early expansion across the US.
Bear Case
- Slowing industrial production could reduce demand for Heritage-Crystal Clean's services, echoing the impact of the 2008 recession on manufacturing-dependent businesses.
- Increased competition from larger waste management companies might erode market share and pricing power. Think of how Amazon's entry into new markets challenges existing players.
- Negative community chatter about potential regulatory hurdles could dampen investor enthusiasm. It's similar to how concerns over drug pricing affected pharmaceutical stocks.
- Dependence on specific industries makes Heritage-Crystal Clean vulnerable to sector-specific downturns. Like how oilfield service companies suffered during the oil price crash.
AI-generated arguments based on insider flow, news sentiment and technicals — not financial advice · March 2026
HCCI Latest News
No recent news available for HCCI.
HCCI Analyst Consensus
Consensus Rating
Aggregated Buy/Hold/Sell recommendations from Benzinga, Yahoo Finance, and Finnhub for HCCI.
Price Targets
Wall Street price target analysis for HCCI.
HCCI MoonshotScore
What does this score mean?
The MoonshotScore rates HCCI's growth potential on a scale of 0-100 across multiple factors including innovation, market disruption, financial health, and momentum.
Classification
Industry Waste ManagementLeadership: Brian J. Recatto
CEO
Brian J. Recatto serves as the CEO of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. His career spans several leadership roles within the environmental services and waste management industries. Before joining Heritage-Crystal Clean, Recatto held key positions at various environmental services firms, focusing on strategic growth and operational efficiency. His expertise includes waste management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable business practices. He brings a wealth of experience in leading and scaling environmental service organizations.
Track Record: Under Brian J. Recatto's leadership, Heritage-Crystal Clean has focused on expanding its service offerings and strengthening its market position. Key achievements include the expansion of the branch network and the implementation of sustainable business practices. Recatto has overseen the company's efforts to enhance its oil re-refining capabilities and promote environmentally responsible waste management solutions. His strategic decisions have contributed to the company's growth and profitability.
What Investors Ask About Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc (HCCI) — Industrials
What does Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc do?
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides environmental services to small and mid-sized customers in the industrial and vehicle maintenance sectors. The company operates through two segments: Environmental Services and Oil Business. The Environmental Services segment offers parts cleaning, containerized waste management, wastewater vacuum, antifreeze recycling, and field services. The Oil Business segment focuses on the collection of used oil, the sale of recycled fuel oil, and the re-refining of used oil into lubricant base oil. The company aims to provide sustainable waste management solutions.
What do analysts say about HCCI stock?
Analyst consensus on HCCI stock reflects a generally positive outlook, driven by the company's solid market position and growth potential. Key valuation metrics, such as the P/E ratio and profit margin, are closely monitored. Growth considerations include the company's ability to expand its branch network and increase its market penetration. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consider their individual risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
What are the main risks for HCCI?
The main risks for HCCI include fluctuations in oil prices, which can impact the profitability of its Oil Business segment. Changes in environmental regulations could increase compliance costs. An economic downturn could reduce industrial production and waste generation, impacting revenue. Competition from larger waste management companies with greater resources also poses a risk. Investors should carefully consider these factors when evaluating HCCI.
How does Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc compare to competitors in its industry?
Heritage-Crystal Clean differentiates itself through its integrated service model, offering both waste collection and oil re-refining. While competitors like Waste Management and Republic Services have a larger scale and broader service portfolios, HCCI focuses on small to mid-sized customers, providing specialized solutions. This targeted approach allows HCCI to build strong relationships and offer tailored services. The company's commitment to sustainability and its expertise in navigating environmental regulations also set it apart.
What are the key financial metrics investors watch for HCCI?
Investors closely monitor HCCI's revenue growth, profit margin, and gross margin to assess its financial performance. The P/E ratio is used to evaluate the company's valuation relative to its earnings. Cash flow from operations is also a key metric, indicating the company's ability to generate cash from its core business activities. Additionally, investors track the company's debt levels and its ability to manage its financial obligations. These metrics provide insights into HCCI's financial health and growth potential.
What are the key factors to evaluate for HCCI?
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc (HCCI) holds an AI score of 46/100 (low). P/E: 12.6x vs the S&P 500's ~20-25x. Not financial advice.
How frequently does HCCI data refresh on this page?
HCCI prices update in real time during U.S. market hours. Fundamentals refresh after quarterly filings; analyst ratings and AI insights update daily; news is aggregated continuously.
What has driven HCCI's recent stock price performance?
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc (HCCI) moves on earnings results, analyst revisions, sector rotation, and market sentiment. Notable catalyst: Established presence in the environmental services market. See the News tab for the latest drivers. Past performance does not predict future results.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.
Official Resources
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- Information is based on available data and may be subject to change.
- This is not investment advice. Conduct your own due diligence.