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                Republic Services Inc. (RSG $205.28)
    
        
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                Waste Management Inc. (WM $196.77)
    
        
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                Waste Connections Inc. (WCN $165.76)
    
        
 
While past performance is no guarantee, RSG has the best 20-year performance record of this group. It is doing a bit better than the other two this year, and solid earnings growth is expected. It does have some debt, but considering its business and stable cash flow we are comfortable with that and with its current valuation. It would be our choice of these three. But frankly we would be OK with any based on the notes in the question. It is very likely weak performance is coming partly from sector rotation: they are just not exciting enough for the current investor temperment. This will, of course, change, if market conditions deteriorate. WM has been particularly weak with its missed quarterly earnings, with slowdowns in recycling and health.