Republic Services Inc. saw revenue increase slightly during the first quarter as profits dipped for the nation’s second-largest solid waste management company.

The Phoenix-based firm earned $124.6 million, or 34 cents per diluted share, on revenue of $2 billion. That compares to earnings of $142.9 million, or 38 cents per diluted share, on revenue of $1.98 billion for the first quarter of 2012.

Excluding charges, expenses and benefits, net income would have been $167.4 million, or 46 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of this year, and $140.9 million, or 38 cents per diluted share for the first quarter of last year, the company reported.

Stock analysts predicted revenue of $2 billion and earnings of 40 cents per share, on average, according to Yahoo Finance.

CEO Donald W. Slager, in a statement, said the company’s first quarter performance “reflects an overall improvement in business conditions. We saw sequential increases in core pricing, volume and margins, which drove our strong Q1 results. We continue to profitably grow our core business as evidenced by year-over-year increases in revenue, earnings and free cash flow.”

Shares of Republic Services were up 86 cents to $34.11 in trading at one point this morning, according to Yahoo Finance.

From https://www.wasterecyclingnews.com/headlines2.html?id=1328890869

Republic Services Inc. saw profit increase for both the fourth quarter and the entire year in 2011.

The Phoenix-based solid waste management company earned $589.2 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, on revenue of $8.19 billion, in 2011. That compares with net income of $506.5 million, or $1.32 per share, on revenue of $8.11 billion in 2010.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $191 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, on revenue of $2.025 billion. That compares with earnings of $147.6 million, or 38 cents per diluted share, on revenue of $2.021 billion for the last quarter of 2010.

“Our strong operational focus allowed the company to achieve a record level of free cash flow. We continue to have a disciplined approach in the utilization of cash flow, which includes re-investing in our business, acquisitions and returning cash through share repurchases and dividends. During 2011, Republic returned approximately $770 million to its owners through repurchases and dividends, CEO Donald W. Slager said in a statement.

Republic beat analysts’ earnings estimates for the quarter. Analysts estimated Republic’s fourth quarter earnings per share at 45 cents before one-time items, according to Yahoo Finance.

Republic Services shares were trading at $30.02 per share, down 7 cents, in early trading this morning.