Cintas (CTAS)
NASDAQIndustrialsSpecialty Business ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
$200.47-0.29%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQIndustrialsSpecialty Business ServicesSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · CTAS
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within industrials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks CTAS against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 3 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 51% of the time over the next year (vs 60% for the rest of the cohort, n=9249).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Met or beat guidance 50% of the last 4 guided quarters · -31.2% avg surprise
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Finalize the acquisition of UniFirst Corporation to create a leading company in the industry and deliver value to shareholders and customers.
Stated as a priority in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management has consistently emphasized the UniFirst acquisition since 2025-Q2, with a $5.2 billion all-cash proposal and expectation to close in second half of 2026. The transaction-related expenses of $15.1 million impacted fiscal 2026 operating income. The trajectory shows active pursuit and progress toward completion.
“CEO: 'We are excited about the substantial value we expect to create for shareholders and customers through the UniFirst transaction... we still expect the acquisition to close in the second half of…”
“CEO: 'On March 10, 2026, Cintas entered into an agreement to acquire UniFirst Corporation... we look forward to welcoming UniFirst Team Partners to Cintas once we complete the transaction.'”
“CEO: 'We remain unwavering in our conviction that combining Cintas and UniFirst would deliver considerable benefits for customers, employee-partners and shareholders.'”
“CEO: 'On March 10, 2026, Cintas entered into an agreement to acquire UniFirst Corporation... we look forward to welcoming UniFirst Team Partners to Cintas once we complete the transaction.'”
“CEO: 'We remain focused on delivering unmatched service to our customers... and we are excited about the UniFirst acquisition.'”
Raise full-year revenue guidance reflecting strong organic growth and acquisition impact.
Stated in 5 of last 5 quarters. Revenue grew from $10.34 billion in fiscal 2025 to $11.26 billion in fiscal 2026 (+8.9%). Management raised guidance multiple times, culminating in fiscal 2027 guidance of $12.10 to $12.25 billion (+7.4% to +8.7%). The trajectory is delivering consistent growth and upward guidance revisions.
Increase full-year adjusted diluted EPS guidance reflecting operational performance and acquisition impact.
Stated in 5 of last 5 quarters. Diluted EPS increased from $4.40 in fiscal 2025 to $4.91 in fiscal 2026 (+11.6%). Management raised EPS guidance multiple times, with fiscal 2027 guidance at $5.36 to $5.50 (+8.5% to +11.3%). The trajectory shows consistent EPS growth and upward guidance revisions.
Continue returning capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases while investing in growth.
Stated in 5 of last 5 quarters. Management consistently reports balanced capital allocation, returning $1.65 billion in fiscal 2026 via dividends and share repurchases. Dividend payments increased over time, and share repurchases continued actively. The trajectory is delivering sustained capital returns.
Establish a $2 billion revolving credit facility to support liquidity and financing needs.
Stated in 2 of last 5 quarters. Management disclosed entering a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility in 2026-Q1 to support liquidity. This credit agreement remains in place as of 2026-Q2. The priority is recent and ongoing, with no contrary indications.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.05x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 59% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=6654).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to real (inflation-adjusted) rates, the US dollar, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates (low R² over the window).
12 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by M&A activity. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=3431).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Raising annual revenue expectations to a range of $11.21 billion to $11.24 billion for fiscal 2026.”
“Raising annual revenue expectations from $11.06 billion to $11.18 billion to $11.15 billion to $11.22 billion.”
“Updating annual revenue expectations from $10.16 billion to $10.31 billion to $10.22 billion to $10.32 billion.”
“Raising annual revenue expectations to a range of $11.21 billion to $11.24 billion.”
“Increasing full fiscal year revenue guidance from $11.00 billion to $11.15 billion to $11.06 billion to $11.18 billion.”
“Raising adjusted diluted EPS guidance to a range of $4.86 to $4.90 for fiscal 2026.”
“Raising diluted EPS guidance from $4.74 to $4.86 to $4.81 to $4.88 for fiscal 2026.”
“Raising diluted EPS guidance from $4.06 to $4.19 to $4.17 to $4.25 for fiscal 2025.”
“Raising diluted EPS guidance from $4.28 to $4.34 to $4.36 to $4.40 for fiscal 2025.”
“Raising diluted EPS guidance from $4.17 to $4.25 to $4.28 to $4.34 for fiscal 2025.”
“During the first nine months of fiscal 2026, Cintas has returned $1.45 billion in capital to its shareholders in the form of share buybacks and dividends.”
“During the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and through September 23, 2025, Cintas purchased shares of Cintas common stock for a total purchase price of $347.4 million.”
“During fiscal 2025, Cintas paid cash dividends of $611.6 million and purchased 3.8 million shares for $679.3 million.”
“On March 13, 2026, Cintas paid an aggregate quarterly dividend of $180.0 million to shareholders.”
“On December 13, 2024, Cintas paid an aggregate quarterly dividend of $158.0 million to shareholders.”
“Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement: $2.0 billion revolving credit facility.”
“On March 27, 2026, Cintas entered into a $2.0 billion revolving credit facility with sub-facilities for letters of credit and swing line.”