SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ------------------------------------ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 8, 1998 Waste Management, Inc. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 1-12154 73-1309529 (State or other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) incorporation) 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 4000 Houston, Texas 77002 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 512-62002 Item 5. Other Events. On October 8, 1998, Waste Management, Inc. issued a press release reaffirming its earnings outlook for the second half of 1998 and for 1999. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits. (a) Financial statements of businesses acquired. None. (b) Pro forma financial information. None. (c) Exhibits. 99.1. Press Release issued by Waste Management, Inc. on October 8, 1998 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description - ------- ----------- 99.1 Press Release issued by Waste Management, Inc. on October 8, 1998 4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC. /s/ Bryan J. Blankfield Date: October 8, 1998 ----------------------------------- Name: Bryan J. Blankfield Title: Vice President and Assistant Secretary
[WASTE MANAGEMENT LETTERHEAD] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For Further Information: Waste Management, Inc. Cherie Rice (713) 512-6548 WMI #98-14 WASTE MANAGEMENT REAFFIRMS EARNINGS OUTLOOK HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 8, 1998) - Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WMI) today reaffirmed its earnings outlook for the second half of 1998 and for 1999. The Company's earnings expectations for the second half of 1998 continue to be $1.05 to $1.10 per diluted share and $3.00 to $3.05 per diluted share for the year ending December 31, 1999. John E. Drury, Chief Executive Officer of Waste Management, Inc. stated, "Our stock traded down sharply yesterday. We therefore felt it necessary to clarify to investors that we have not seen deterioration to the fundamentals of our business." He further added, "In fact, our domestic volumes continue to be very strong. While approximately 13% of our revenues are generated from our international operations, a recently completed hands-on review of these operations has given us confidence that our international business will meet our 1999 earnings expectations." It was also noted that the integration of the former USA Waste Services and the former Waste Management has been progressing very smoothly, and that the Company continues to expect to realize $800 million in annual synergies from the transaction in 1999 and $200 million in the fourth quarter of this year. Waste Management, Inc., based in Houston, is the global leader in providing waste management services. In North America the Company operates throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico serving municipal, commercial, industrial and residential customers. Certain statements provided in this release constitute forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results and are described in detail in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings which have been made by Waste Management. # # #