Key Points
Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH) rallied strongly today, closing at $239.56 versus a prior close of $228.54, gaining 4.82% and advancing $11.02 on the session. The surge unfolded on above-average volume and reflected a decisive bid as investors leaned into the day’s strength. With the stock now within reach of its recent peak, momentum improved notably and helped reinforce a constructive near-term trend.
The move leaves CLH trading just 8% below its 52-week high of $260.66 set on Dec. 2, 2024, a sign that buyers are reasserting control after recent consolidation. Price action was steady throughout the day, with dips being met by demand and a persistent upward bias from the open through the close. That steady pattern is consistent with accumulation rather than speculative spikes.
From a technical standpoint, today’s advance adds to a pattern of higher lows, improving the stock’s posture heading into year-end. The strong tape should boost confidence among investors who value disciplined execution and reliable contract flow. While short-term swings are always possible, the combination of a healthy up-day, robust participation, and proximity to the prior high underscores favorable momentum. Overall, today’s performance positions CLH well for follow-through if broader market conditions remain constructive.
Why Clean Harbors, Inc. Price is Moving Higher
Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH) advanced to $239.56 on a powerful upside move, supported by compelling metrics and a clear catalyst. The stock’s market capitalization now stands at $12.21 billion, with trailing EPS of $7.21 providing a solid earnings base. Trading volume hit 1,307,719 shares versus a 90-day average of 510,965, a meaningful surge that confirms strong investor participation. With shares still 8% below the 52-week high of $260.66, buyers saw attractive risk/reward and stepped in decisively.
The immediate driver was Clean Harbors' announcement of new contracts for PFAS water filtration services at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam worth $110 million. The Dec. 2, 2025 announcement sparked the rally by highlighting a tangible growth avenue in a mission-critical niche. PFAS remediation remains a top priority for defense and environmental authorities, and Clean Harbors’ capabilities in advanced water treatment solutions make it a natural partner for large-scale, long-duration programs. The wins are expected to bolster revenue and margins, reflecting the company’s ability to secure high-quality work with runway for follow-on opportunities.
Notably, the move is event-driven rather than tied to an earnings surprise or analyst upgrade. Management’s last quarterly results were in line with expectations, and guidance was steady. Investors recognized the strategic significance of landing sizable, complex environmental remediation projects, reinforcing confidence in execution and backlog durability. With elevated volume, a favorable fundamental catalyst, and improving sentiment, CLH is benefiting from bullish momentum and a strengthening outlook around its specialized environmental services platform.
What is the Clean Harbors, Inc. Rating - Should I Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns CLH a C rating. Current recommendation is Hold.
The rating is built on the following indices: the Fair Growth Index reflects measured expansion in revenue and earnings. The Good Efficiency Index underscores solid capital stewardship and operating discipline, while the Excellent Solvency Index points to a strong balance sheet and liquidity. Offsetting these, the Weak Total Return Index and the Fair Volatility Index temper risk-adjusted appeal.
Company metrics help explain this mix. Revenue growth of 1.30% and a 6.51% profit margin are consistent with the Fair Growth Index, indicating progress but not breakout acceleration. A 14.64% ROE supports the Good Efficiency Index, showing effective use of shareholder capital. Meanwhile, a 31.71 P/E ratio suggests investors already ascribe a premium for consistency and execution, which, coupled with a Weak Total Return Index, helps justify a balanced, Hold-level stance.
Relative to peers, CLH’s Hold contrasts with B-rated names such as GE, CAT, and RTX. Those companies carry stronger overall risk-adjusted track records at present, while CLH offers a differentiated, environmental services exposure within Industrials. The comparison highlights why CLH’s long-term appeal may rely on sustained execution and improved total return metrics.
Overall, the C rating balances strengths in efficiency and solvency against middling growth, fair volatility, and weaker total return history. For investors, it signals an average risk/reward profile: constructive fundamentals and a sturdy balance sheet, but with performance that must improve to lift the rating meaningfully.
About Clean Harbors, Inc.
Clean Harbors, Inc. is a leading provider of environmental and industrial services within the Industrials sector, operating in the Commercial and Professional Services industry. The company specializes in hazardous and non-hazardous waste management, remediation, and technical services that help customers maintain compliance, reduce risk, and protect the environment. Its vertically integrated network supports collection, transportation, treatment, recycling, energy recovery, and final disposal across North America.
Core offerings include hazardous waste collection and processing, with capabilities spanning incineration, wastewater treatment, and secure landfill disposal. Clean Harbors also provides emergency spill response, site remediation, and decontamination services for industrial, governmental, and commercial customers. These services are designed to manage complex waste streams and meet stringent regulatory requirements, giving clients a turnkey partner for environmental risk management.
Through its Safety-Kleen brand, the company operates one of the largest used oil collection and re-refining platforms in North America. Safety-Kleen recycles used motor oil into high-quality base oils and blended lubricants, while also offering parts washers, solvents, and related consumables that support automotive, manufacturing, and maintenance operations. This closed-loop model enhances sustainability outcomes and can reduce total lifecycle costs for customers.
Clean Harbors’ competitive advantages include a broad footprint of service centers and treatment facilities, deep regulatory expertise, and the ability to execute at scale for complex, multi-year projects. Its integrated operations, specialized assets, and compliance track record position the company as a trusted provider to energy, industrial, commercial, and public-sector clients seeking reliable environmental solutions.
Investor Outlook
CLH’s momentum, highlighted by new contract wins and active trading interest, supports a favorable near-term outlook. The C (Hold) rating reflects balanced risk and reward, with solid fundamentals and room for performance improvement as project execution converts into revenue and cash flow. See full rankings of all C-rated Industrials stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.