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Algert Global LLC decreased its position in shares of Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS – Free Report) by 6.6% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 35,500 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 2,514 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC’s holdings in Cintas were worth $6,038,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Investor s Fiduciary Advisor Network LLC bought a new stake in Cintas in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $229,000. Cibc World Market Inc. bought a new stake in Cintas in the second quarter worth about $8,715,000. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp bought a new position in Cintas in the 2nd quarter valued at $3,621,000. Osmosis Investment Management UK Ltd bought a new stake in Cintas during the 2nd quarter valued at about $306,000. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cintas during the second quarter valued at approximately $11,315,000. 63.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $230.00 price target (up from $228.00) on shares of Cintas in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Wells Fargo & Company reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $250.00 target price (up from $245.00) on shares of Cintas in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Argus upgraded Cintas to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Cintas from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Cintas from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $200.00 to $230.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Cintas currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $212.31.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Cintas Cintas Trading Up 0.5% CTAS stock opened at $205.78 on Thursday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $193.10 and its 200 day moving average is $185.32. Cintas Corporation has a 12-month low of $161.16 and a 12-month high of $219.16. The stock has a market cap of $82.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.02, a PEG ratio of 3.31 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The business services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.87 billion. Cintas had a net margin of 17.75% and a return on equity of 42.05%. Cintas’s quarterly revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.09 earnings per share. Cintas has set its FY 2027 guidance at 5.360-5.500 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Cintas Corporation will post 5.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Cintas Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This is a positive change from Cintas’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Cintas’s payout ratio is 55.61%.

Cintas Profile (Free Report)

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) is a provider of business services and products focused on workplace appearance, safety and facility maintenance. The company is best known for its uniform rental and corporate apparel programs, which include rental, leasing and direct-purchase options, laundering and garment repair. Cintas markets its services to a wide range of end-users, including manufacturing, food service, healthcare, hospitality, retail and government customers.

Beyond uniforms, Cintas offers a suite of facility services and products designed to help organizations maintain clean, safe and compliant workplaces.

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Investors with an interest in Textile - Apparel stocks have likely encountered both Superior Group (SGC) and Cintas (CTAS). But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now?

The Consumer Discretionary group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Discretionary sector should help us answer this question.

Cintas is a member of our Consumer Discretionary group, which includes 260 different companies and currently sits at #9 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups.

The Zacks Rank is a successful stock-picking model that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions. The system highlights a number of different stocks that could be poised to outperform the broader market over the next one to three months. Cintas is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).

Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CTAS' full-year earnings has moved 1.3% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend.

According to our latest data, CTAS has moved about 6.1% on a year-to-date basis. In comparison, Consumer Discretionary companies have returned an average of -7.3%. This means that Cintas is performing better than its sector in terms of year-to-date returns.

Another Consumer Discretionary stock, which has outperformed the sector so far this year, is American Outdoor Brands, Inc. (AOUT - Free Report) . The stock has returned 49.2% year-to-date.

In American Outdoor Brands, Inc.'s case, the consensus EPS estimate for the current year increased 46.9% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

To break things down more, Cintas belongs to the Textile - Apparel industry, a group that includes 22 individual companies and currently sits at #146 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has lost an average of 4.1% so far this year, so CTAS is performing better in this area.

American Outdoor Brands, Inc., however, belongs to the Leisure and Recreation Products industry. Currently, this 24-stock industry is ranked #78. The industry has moved -11% so far this year.

Investors interested in the Consumer Discretionary sector may want to keep a close eye on Cintas and American Outdoor Brands, Inc. as they attempt to continue their solid performance.

AMG National Trust Bank bought a new position in shares of Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) during the undefined quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 11,600 shares of the business services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,973,000. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors

David Brock Denton, EVP and general counsel of Cintas Corporation (CTAS -0.33%), disposed of 3,479 shares on August 10, according to an SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value$705,000Shares sold (directly held)3,479Post-transaction shares29,069Post-transaction shares (directly held)28,096Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)973Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($202.71); post-transaction value based on the August 10 market close ($202.71).

Key questionsWhat was the catalyst for this specific disposition?
The transaction was a non-discretionary transfer to satisfy tax withholding requirements triggered by the vesting of 5,718 restricted shares previously granted under the Cintas Corporation Equity Compensation Plan.What is the extent of the executive's remaining direct and indirect exposure?
Denton retains direct ownership of 28,096 shares and indirect ownership of 973 shares through a 401(k) plan, representing a total ownership stake of less than 0.01% in the company.Are there additional equity incentives that could impact future ownership levels?
The reporting owner holds additional direct derivative securities, representing options outstanding, including vested and unvested awards, which vest in annual one-third increments starting on the third anniversary of the grant date.Does this transaction reflect a change in management's outlook on the stock?
Because this disposition was non-discretionary and used to cover automatic tax obligations related to equity compensation, it does not reflect the insider's independent view on the stock's valuation or current performance.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-11)$205.28Market Capitalization$82.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$11.3 billionNet Income (TTM)$2.0 billionCompany SnapshotCintas Corporation provides professional uniform rental and maintenance services, first aid and safety solutions, and facility services, generating revenue primarily through recurring service contracts across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.The company operates a subscription-based business model where customers pay recurring fees for uniform rental, cleaning, and maintenance services, supplemented by sales of first aid and safety products and facility services.Cintas serves a diverse customer base, including manufacturing facilities, healthcare institutions, hospitality businesses, and other commercial enterprises requiring professional workwear and safety solutions.Cintas Corporation is a leading specialty business services provider with a market capitalization of $82.1 billion and TTM revenues of $11.3 billion, demonstrating substantial scale and market presence. The company's diversified service portfolio and recurring revenue model provide stable cash flows and competitive advantages through high customer switching costs and operational efficiency. With 48,100 employees and established operations across North America and Latin America, Cintas maintains a strong market position in the professional services sector.

What this transaction means for investorsThe insider pattern with Cintas this week was clear. At least five executives had stock vest and gave a piece of it back for taxes on the same day, with Denton in this case keeping about 28,000 shares. When the CEO, chairman, CFO, operating chief, and top lawyer all file the same routine withholding at once, it basically just says the company granted equity on a common schedule; in other words, it certainly doesn't signal anything about their view of the firm.

The business under all those filings, meanwhile, is in good shape. Cintas grew revenue nearly 9% last fiscal year and reached a record 51% gross margin, extending a steady growth record. The item on Denton's desk that matters most to shareholders is the pending acquisition of UniFirst, a deal his legal team is shepherding through an FTC second request, the regulator's signal that it wants a harder look before letting the industry leader buy a sizable rival. Whether that deal clears is an open question, and that's what an investor worried about Cintas should actually be looking at.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cintas. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Jim Rozakis, the company's president and COO, disposed of 4,041 shares of Cintas Corporation (CTAS -0.33%) on August 10, as disclosed in a recent SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueTransaction value~$819,000Shares sold (Directly held)4,041Post-transaction shares (Total)285,219Post-transaction shares (Directly held)282,322Post-transaction shares (Indirectly held)2,897Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($202.71); post-transaction value based on the August 10 market close ($202.71).

Key questionsWhat was the primary driver for this stock disposition?
The transaction was non-discretionary and occurred automatically to cover tax liabilities arising from the lapse of restrictions on equity awards previously granted to the executive under the Cintas equity compensation plan.How is the executive's remaining equity structured?
The executive maintains a direct position of 282,322 shares of common stock and an indirect position of 2,897 shares held through a 401(k) plan.What is the executive's current ownership stake in the company?
Following this disposition, Rozakis holds an estimated 0.07% of the company's outstanding common stock.Does the executive hold any other forms of equity compensation?
While this filing specifically addressed common stock holdings, the executive also holds derivative securities that represent further potential interest in the company's equity.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-12)$203.51Market Capitalization$81.4 billionRevenue (TTM)$11.3 billionNet Income (TTM)$2.0 billionCompany SnapshotCintas Corporation provides professional uniform rental and maintenance services, first aid and safety equipment, and facility services, generating the majority of its revenue from the Uniform Rental and Facility Services division, which includes flame-resistant apparel and related offerings.The company operates a recurring revenue business model in which it rents, maintains, and services workwear and business essentials for enterprise and mid-market customers, creating predictable cash flows and long-term customer relationships.Cintas primarily serves industrial, manufacturing, healthcare, and commercial enterprises across the United States, Canada, and Latin America, with a focus on mission-critical business services that enhance workplace safety and professional appearance.Cintas Corporation is a leading provider of specialized business services with a market capitalization of $81.4 billion and TTM revenues of $11.3 billion, positioning it as a dominant player in the professional services sector. The company's diversified service portfolio and geographic footprint across North America and Latin America provide substantial scale and recurring revenue stability. Cintas maintains competitive advantages through its extensive distribution network, integrated service delivery model, and strong customer retention driven by the essential nature of its uniform rental and facility services offerings.

What this transaction means for investorsThis filing only details tax withheld on vested stock, and the transaction itself leaves Rozakis with more than 280,000 shares. He is also one of several senior leaders whose equity vested on the same date and triggered the same routine withholding, which makes this seem all the more routine rather than discretionary.

Meanwhile, Cintas has been doing well operationally. The company pushed its gross margin to a record 51% last fiscal year while lifting revenue nearly 9%, the payoff from squeezing more efficiency out of its routes, its plants, and its technology as it services uniforms and facilities for hundreds of thousands of businesses. Management guided to further margin gains in the year ahead. That steady operational improvement is what has compounded Cintas into a $70 billion company from an unglamorous trade. That said, one thing to watch on the operations side is the pending purchase of rival UniFirst; folding in a competitor of that size is a major integration test, and how smoothly Rozakis and his team absorb it will shape whether the deal adds to margins or strains them. The transaction is expected to close later this year.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cintas. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Executive Chairman Scott D. Farmer disposed of 15,923 shares of Cintas Corporation (CTAS -0.33%) at $202.71 per share on August 10, according to a recent SEC Form 4 filing.

Transaction summaryMetricValueShares sold (direct)15,923Transaction value$3.2 millionPost-transaction shares (directly held)87,899Post-transaction shares (indirectly held)56.0 millionTransaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average sale price ($202.71); post-transaction value based on the August 10 market close ($202.71).

Key questionsWhat was the specific nature of this share disposition?
The sale was non-discretionary, executed to cover tax obligations associated with the lapse of restrictions on equity awards, and does not reflect the executive's view on the company stock.How is the executive's remaining equity position structured?
Scott D. Farmer maintains a primary interest through indirect holdings, including 33.5 million shares held by a limited liability limited partnership and 22.1 million shares held through various limited liability companies.Which other entities contribute to the indirect ownership total?
The reporting person also holds shares through a limited partnership, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, a spouse, and trusts established for the benefit of himself and his family.What is the company's current market valuation context?
The transaction occurred with shares priced at $202.71, as the stock has generated a return of -10% over the one-year period ending on the August 10 transaction date.Company OverviewMetricValueShare Price (as of market close 2026-08-11)$205.28Market Capitalization$82.1 billionRevenue (TTM)$11.3 billionNet Income (TTM)$2.0 billionCompany SnapshotCintas Corporation provides professional uniform rental and maintenance services, first aid and safety solutions, and facility services, generating revenue primarily through recurring service contracts across the United States, Canada, and Latin America.The company operates a subscription-based business model in which customers pay recurring fees for uniform rental, cleaning, and maintenance services, supplemented by sales of first-aid and safety products and facility services.Cintas serves a diverse customer base, including manufacturing facilities, healthcare institutions, hospitality businesses, and other commercial enterprises requiring professional workwear and safety solutions.Cintas Corporation is a leading specialty business services provider with a market capitalization of $82.1 billion and TTM revenues of $11.3 billion, demonstrating substantial scale and market presence. The company's diversified service portfolio and recurring revenue model provide stable cash flows and competitive advantages through high customer switching costs and operational efficiency. With 48,100 employees and established operations across North America and Latin America, Cintas maintains a strong market position in the professional services sector.

What this transaction means for investorsFarmer's stake runs to tens of millions of shares spread across partnerships, family LLCs, trusts, and the employee plan, forming a fortune worth well over $11 billion, so the shares withheld to cover taxes here are almost invisible against it. Ultimately, this is the founding family's chairman meeting a tax bill on vested stock, and his holdings anchor him to Cintas far more tightly than any single filing could loosen.

Meanwhile, Cintas grew fiscal fourth-quarter revenue 8.9% to $2.9 billion and posted a record 51% gross margin, closing a year of double-digit earnings growth. Despite that growth, the shares have slipped about 10% over the past year, a disconnect that suggests the market had priced Cintas for near-perfection, with even excellent results being measured against an especially high bar. For anyone weighing the stock, the question is not the Farmer family's commitment, which is enormous and unchanged, but whether a premium valuation can hold while growth stays steady rather than accelerating.

Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Cintas. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

Income investors have a narrow window to capture a wave of dividend payments locking in this month. Three large-cap names, led by Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX | SBUX Price Prediction), are going ex-dividend today, August 14, 2026, and two more are queued for the following two weeks. Starbucks alone will send roughly $707 million out the door on the coming pay date, a figure that reflects the size of the coffee giant’s shareholder base rather than a headline yield.

Quick mechanics: to receive an upcoming dividend, you must own the shares before the ex-dividend date. Once the ex-date arrives, buyers no longer capture that specific payment, though the stock typically opens lower by roughly the dividend amount.

Starbucks (SBUX) Starbucks yields 2.29% on an annualized rate of $2.48. The upcoming quarterly payment of $0.62 per share hits accounts on August 28, 2026, and the ex-dividend date is today, August 14. That makes yesterday’s session the last chance to buy and still qualify for this distribution.

The coverage read is tighter than the yield suggests. Trailing GAAP EPS sits at $1.72, below the annualized dividend of $2.48, though management raised the FY26 non-GAAP EPS guide to $2.55 to $2.65, which puts the payout ratio in the mid-90% range on adjusted earnings. The stock trades at a rich 63 trailing PE and is up 30.51% year to date, so the yield is compressed. CEO Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan is delivering comp momentum, but the dividend needs FY26 guidance to hold.

Honeywell (HON) Honeywell (NYSE:HON) is going ex-dividend today, August 14, 2026, with a payment of $0.70 per share on September 4. The yield reads 3.99% on an annualized $9.40 per share basis, though investors should note the current quarterly payment was reset lower from $1.19 after the June 29, 2026 Aerospace spin-off. That is a mechanical adjustment tied to the separation.

Coverage looks solid on the remaining business. Trailing EPS of $26.01 comfortably supports the reset quarterly rate, with the trailing PE at 9 and return on equity at 46.6%. Shares are up 15.56% year to date. For income accounts, the reduced payout still leaves ample cushion against reported earnings power.

Cintas (CTAS) Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) is also ex-dividend today, August 14, 2026. The new quarterly payment of $0.52 per share, up from the prior $0.45 rate, will be paid September 15. Headline yield is a modest 0.88%, but the growth cadence is the story: base quarterly dividends have stepped up from roughly $0.39 in early 2025 to $0.52 today.

Trailing EPS of $4.90 against an annualized rate of $1.80 keeps the payout ratio well under half of earnings, with operating margin at 23.7% and return on equity at 40.7%. This is a low-yield, high-growth compounder rather than a high current-income play, and the valuation reflects it at 41 trailing earnings.

CDW Corp (CDW) CDW (NASDAQ:CDW) is not ex-dividend today, but the deadline is close. Ex-date is August 25, 2026 for the $0.63 quarterly payment payable September 10, meaning buyers must own the stock before August 25 to qualify. The yield sits at 1.84%, backed by a 12-year streak of annual increases.

Coverage is not a concern. Trailing EPS of $8.65 against annualized dividends of $2.515 leaves the payout ratio near the high 20% range, and the forward PE of 11 looks reasonable given 10.0% revenue growth last quarter.

T-Mobile US (TMUS) T-Mobile (NASDAQ:TMUS) is the last of the group, with an ex-date of August 28, 2026 for a $1.02 per share payment on September 10. Yield stands at 2.30% on an annualized $4.08 basis, and the quarterly rate has climbed from $0.65 in 2024 to $1.02 today.

Coverage is comfortable. Trailing EPS of $9.90 puts the payout ratio near 40%, and the balance sheet backs a large capital return program alongside 25.2% operating margins. Shares have lagged, down 25.53% over the past year, which is why the yield now screens higher than it has historically.

The Bottom Line Chasing a single quarterly payment rarely works as a standalone strategy, since the price adjustment on the ex-date typically offsets the dividend in the short run. What matters for a retirement portfolio is whether the underlying payout is durable, and by that measure, Cintas, CDW, and T-Mobile screen with the cleanest coverage math, while Honeywell’s reset needs another quarter of clarity. If the goal is to capture the Starbucks, Honeywell, or Cintas distribution, the buy-by deadline has already passed at today’s open. For CDW and T-Mobile, the clock is still running.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) announced that the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.52 per share of common stock payable on September 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 14, 2026. Cintas has a strong record of returning capital to its shareholders and has consistently raised its dividend each year since Cintas' initial public offering 43 years ago in 1983. Any future dividend declarations, inc.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 23rd, 2026

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS – Free Report) by 17.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,896,919 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 277,798 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 0.47% of Cintas worth $320,843,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Nemes Rush Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cintas during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. First United Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Cintas during the first quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Cintas by 1,712.5% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 145 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 137 shares in the last quarter. Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new stake in Cintas during the fourth quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Camelot Portfolios LLC acquired a new stake in Cintas in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. 63.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup lowered their price target on Cintas from $181.00 to $160.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $231.00 price objective on shares of Cintas in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $250.00 target price (up from $245.00) on shares of Cintas in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $230.00 target price (up from $228.00) on shares of Cintas in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Truist Financial dropped their price target on shares of Cintas from $255.00 to $225.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, June 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have assigned a Buy rating, six have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Cintas has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $212.31.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Cintas

Cintas Trading Up 0.5% Shares of NASDAQ CTAS opened at $201.36 on Thursday. Cintas Corporation has a one year low of $161.16 and a one year high of $226.75. The firm has a market capitalization of $80.56 billion, a PE ratio of 53.84, a PEG ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $177.80 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $183.06.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 15th. The business services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $2.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.87 billion. Cintas had a return on equity of 42.05% and a net margin of 17.75%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.09 EPS. Cintas has set its FY 2027 guidance at 5.360-5.500 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Cintas Corporation will post 5.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Cintas (Free Report)

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) is a provider of business services and products focused on workplace appearance, safety and facility maintenance. The company is best known for its uniform rental and corporate apparel programs, which include rental, leasing and direct-purchase options, laundering and garment repair. Cintas markets its services to a wide range of end-users, including manufacturing, food service, healthcare, hospitality, retail and government customers.

Beyond uniforms, Cintas offers a suite of facility services and products designed to help organizations maintain clean, safe and compliant workplaces.

See Also Five stocks we like better than Cintas Could Truth API Become Trump Media’s First Meaningful Revenue Driver? Small Caps Are Crushing the S&P 500—3 Stocks Still Worth Buying Moog Is More Than a Missile Maker, and Wall Street Is Noticing A Boring Dividend Growth Strategy Becomes a Solid Defensive Play Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CTAS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS – Free Report).

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Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.

We know earnings results are vital, but how a company performs compared to bottom line expectations can be even more important when it comes to stock prices, especially in the near-term. This means that investors might want to take advantage of these earnings surprises.

Hunting for 'earnings whispers' or companies poised to beat their quarterly earnings estimates is a somewhat common practice. But that doesn't make it easy. One way that has been proven to work is by using the Zacks Earnings ESP tool.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information.

The core of the ESP model is comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, where the resulting percentage difference between the two equals the Expected Surprise Prediction. The Zacks Rank is also factored into the ESP metric to better help find companies that appear poised to top their next bottom-line consensus estimate, which will hopefully help lift the stock price.

When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Most stocks, about 60%, fall into the #3 (Hold) category, and they are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with a #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) rating, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market, with Strong Buy stocks outperforming more than any other rank.

Should You Consider Royal Caribbean?The last thing we will do today, now that we have a grasp on the ESP and how powerful of a tool it can be, is to quickly look at a qualifying stock. Royal Caribbean (RCL - Free Report) holds a #3 (Hold) at the moment and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $4.01 a share 11 days away from its upcoming earnings release on July 28, 2026.

Royal Caribbean's Earnings ESP sits at +1.41%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $4.01 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.95. RCL is also part of a large group of stocks that boast a positive ESP. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

RCL is just one of a large group of Consumer Discretionary stocks with a positive ESP figure. Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Slated to report earnings on September 23, 2026, Cintas holds a #2 (Buy) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and its Most Accurate Estimate is $1.35 a share 68 days from its next quarterly update.

Cintas' Earnings ESP figure currently stands at +1.03% after taking the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33.

RCL and CTAS' positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) was upgraded to ‘Buy’ from Neutral by Bank of America, which also raised its price objective to $230 from $200 after the company's better-than-expected fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results and fiscal 2027 guidance came in above Wall Street expectations.

The analysts wrote that they are "incrementally more constructive on the setup for earnings over the next several quarters" as Cintas benefits from improving labor market conditions in key industries, continued growth in adjacent product categories, and margin expansion driven by supply chain and distribution initiatives.

Bank of America expects Cintas to deliver another year of high-single-digit revenue growth alongside stronger margins. The firm highlighted technology investments, including SmartTruck, automated sorting, garment sharing and robotics, noting these initiatives have contributed more than 400 basis points of margin expansion over the past five years.

The analysts also pointed to improving employment trends in Cintas' core customer markets, which they believe should support customer additions and stronger revenue growth.

They added that the company's First Aid and Fire Safety businesses continue to benefit from cross-selling opportunities through its recurring route-based model.

Bank of America also identified Cintas' proposed acquisition of UniFirst as a potential catalyst. While the transaction remains under a second request from the US Federal Trade Commission, the analysts wrote they remain constructive on the deal's strategic rationale and believe the estimated $375 million in synergies "could be conservative."

The firm raised its valuation multiple to 39 times earnings from 37 times, reflecting greater confidence in potential earnings upside. While this represents a premium to business services peers, Bank of America wrote the valuation is supported by Cintas' consistent high-single-digit growth profile, cross-selling momentum and technology-driven productivity improvements.

Shares of Cintas traded higher on the upgrade, up 7% at $206.

Cintas NASDAQ: CTAS share price isn’t low, trading at 37x current-year earnings, approximately 65% more expensive than the average S&P 500 company, but this is about as cheap as it's going to get.

Cintas Today

$204.44 +12.07 (+6.28%)

As of 09:39 AM Eastern

This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.

52-Week Range$161.16▼

$226.75Dividend Yield0.88%

P/E Ratio57.52

Price Target$212.69

While valid concerns have weighed on the share price, fears about the Unifirst NYSE: UNF acquisition, regulatory scrutiny, and energy cost headwinds have failed to derail the business. Cintas is the leading player in uniform services, outperforming in fiscal year 2026 and on track to sustain strength in 2027.

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Unifirst could be both a hurdle and a catalyst this year. UNF shareholders have approved the merger, but the Federal Trade Commission has not.

On the one hand, the merger would enable numerous proven synergies that Cintas has unlocked through past acquisitions, while expanding its footprint and cross-selling opportunities—good for growth and margin. On the other hand, a blocked deal would mean Cintas can continue chugging along as it is, outpacing competitors, gobbling up market share, driving cash flow, and returning capital to its investors—good for its share price.

Cintas Advances After Beat-and-Raise QuarterCintas reported another fantastic quarter on July 15, with revenue and earnings outperforming expectations despite the impact of acquisition-related expenses. Revenue grew by 9% to $2.91 billion, outpacing the consensus by approximately 140 basis points. Strength was underpinned by the core Uniform Services segment, which grew by 8.2%, and driven by the Other segment, which grew by more than 11%. The Other segment includes safety, fire, and first aid, all high-margin cross-sells and upsells.

Margin news was also good. The company widened its gross and operating margins, increasing gross margin by 11.6% and operating margin by 12.7%, leaving earnings up at more than double the pace of revenue growth. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) increased by 18.3%, outperforming by 5 cents, including the 3-cent impact from acquisition expenses. More importantly, full-year cash flow came in at $2.28 billion, more than 5% year-over-year (YOY) and sufficient to cover capital expenditure and acquisition costs while paying the dividend.

Cintas' fiscal year-end balance sheet highlights reflected the strength of its model and position. Current and total assets were up on cash, receivables, and inventory, while long-term debt and liabilities declined, dividends were paid, and shares were bought back. The net result was a 9.7% increase in equity and a 1% YOY reduction in share count, with a dividend yield of about 1%. The takeaway is that CTAS shares paid 1%, while investors gained 1% in share-count leverage and nearly 10% in equity, metrics that underpin share-price increases over time.

Analysts and Institutions Show Confidence in CTAS's Long-Term PotentialCintas’ Q4 results and guidance update may not inspire a robust round of analyst revisions, but it should be enough to end the downtrend in price targets. The downtrend aided the fall in share prices and masked an otherwise favorable market.

The current analyst consensus is Hold, not surprising given the execution risks involved with the Unifirst merger, and price targets suggest modest upside from recent lows. The opportunity is that analyst sentiment will unstick in the upcoming quarters, triggering more bullish activity in the market.

Institutions, on the other hand, are more actively bullish than the analyst trends suggest. The group owns a considerable 63% of the stock and has been buying aggressively over the trailing 12 months. Activity was subdued ahead of the release but reflected a robustly bullish market, with them accumulating at a $4-to-$1 pace. The likely outcome is that, given the low price and technical setup, institutions will continue to accumulate CTAS shares and limit downside risk.

The charts suggest that CTAS hit a bottom over the past year and is in a rebound mode as of mid-2026. Price action moved above critical support ahead of the release and then accelerated in its wake, showing support at a cluster of exponential moving averages (EMAs), including both long- and short-term indicators. Market forces are bullishly aligned, with the price positioned to sustain a rally over the coming quarters. In this scenario, CTAS is on track to retest the existing all-time high within the next 12 months and potentially continue higher afterward.

Fundamentally, Cintas is perfectly positioned to benefit from economic tailwinds. This year’s labor market data isn’t robust but reveals growth and stability, including improvements in total jobless claims that point to uniform and services demand. With labor markets underpinned by business investment, deregulation, and favorable tax policies (as recently indicated by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon), Cintas’ business will remain healthy in upcoming quarters and may even accelerate.

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Cintas Corporation: The Deep Value Opportunity in Plain SightCintas NASDAQ: CTAS said it ended fiscal 2026 with strong fourth-quarter revenue growth, record profitability metrics and a fiscal 2027 outlook that calls for continued gains in sales and adjusted earnings.

President and Chief Executive Officer Todd Schneider said fourth-quarter revenue rose 8.9% to $2.91 billion, while organic revenue growth, excluding acquisitions and foreign currency effects, was 8.4%. Gross margin was 51%, matching the company’s third-quarter level, which Schneider described as an all-time high, and up about 130 basis points from the prior year.

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MarketBeat Week in Review – 03/09 - 03/13Operating income increased 12.7% to $673 million, or 23.2% of revenue. Excluding transaction expenses related to the company’s pending acquisition of UniFirst, adjusted operating margin was 23.6%, up about 120 basis points year over year. Diluted earnings per share rose 15.6% to $1.26, while adjusted diluted EPS increased 18.3% to $1.29.

For the full fiscal year, Cintas reported revenue of about $11.26 billion, up 8.9% from fiscal 2025. Organic revenue growth was 8.3%. Schneider said the results marked the 55th year out of the past 57 in which Cintas grew both its top and bottom lines.

Building a Juggernaut: The Cintas-UniFirst Merger“Our strong top-line performance highlights the durability of our business model in all macro environments,” Schneider said. He added that the company continues to see a “massive” total addressable market across customers of all sizes and industries.

Full-year gross margin was 50.7%, up 70 basis points from the prior year. Schneider said Cintas has expanded gross margin by 450 basis points over the past four years. Fiscal 2026 operating margin was 23.1%, or 23.3% on an adjusted basis excluding UniFirst-related transaction expenses, which Schneider said was an all-time high for the company. Adjusted diluted EPS for the year was $4.94, above the company’s March guidance range of $4.86 to $4.90, which also excluded UniFirst transaction costs.

Segment Growth Led by First Aid, Fire Protection Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jim Rozakis said Cintas saw “strong results across all of our business segments” in the fourth quarter. Organic growth in Uniform Rental and Facility Services was 7.9%, while First Aid and Safety Services grew 13.2% and Fire Protection Services grew 10.7%. Uniform Direct Sales declined 4%.

Within the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment, Rozakis said fourth-quarter revenue mix included 47% from uniform rental, 20% from dust control, 16% from hygiene services, 11% from linen, 3% from shop towels and 3% from catalog sales.

Gross margin by business was 50.2% for Uniform Rental and Facility Services, 57.9% for First Aid and Safety Services, 50.8% for Fire Protection Services and 42% for Uniform Direct Sales. Rozakis said Fire Protection’s gross margin was an all-time high, though he cautioned that margins in that business can vary by quarter due to revenue mix and ongoing acquisition integration.

Rozakis said Cintas continues to win new customers, with about two-thirds of new customers transitioning to a managed program after previously handling related services on their own. He said retention rates remained “very attractive,” while pricing was close to historical levels.

Fiscal 2027 Outlook Calls for Continued Growth Cintas guided for fiscal 2027 revenue of $12.1 billion to $12.25 billion, implying total growth of 7.4% to 8.7%. The company expects adjusted diluted EPS of $5.36 to $5.50, representing growth of 8.5% to 11.3%.

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Scott Garula said fiscal 2027 will include one more workday than fiscal 2026, which should add about 40 basis points to total revenue growth. The guidance assumes constant foreign exchange rates, no additional acquisitions, net interest expense of about $105 million and an effective tax rate similar to fiscal 2026’s 20.2% rate. The outlook excludes future share repurchases, significant economic disruptions or downturns, and non-recurring transaction costs tied to UniFirst.

In response to analyst questions, Garula said the fiscal 2027 guidance implies adjusted incremental margins in the 30% to 32% range, within Cintas’ stated long-term range of 25% to 35%. He also said the outlook implies operating margin expansion of 10 to 60 basis points across the guidance range.

Garula noted that higher energy costs affected fourth-quarter results by about 20 basis points year over year and sequentially. He said the company’s fiscal 2027 guidance assumes an uptick in energy expenses roughly on par with the fourth-quarter impact.

Capital Allocation and UniFirst Update Garula said Cintas generated $709.1 million in operating cash flow in the fourth quarter, its strongest cash flow quarter of the year. During the quarter, the company made $96 million in capital expenditures, completed $61.9 million of acquisitions and paid $180.6 million in dividends.

For fiscal 2026, Cintas invested $395.1 million in capital expenditures, equal to 3.5% of revenue, and deployed $164.5 million toward acquisitions in route-based businesses. The company returned $1.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, which Garula said was its second-largest annual return of capital.

Schneider also provided a brief update on Cintas’ pending acquisition of UniFirst. He said UniFirst shareholders approved the merger in June, while regulatory review remains ongoing in the U.S. and Canada. Cintas received a second request from the Federal Trade Commission, which Schneider said was expected and similar to the process the company experienced with its G&K Services acquisition. He said Cintas remains optimistic the deal will close during the second half of calendar 2026, but added that the company would not provide further commentary to avoid speculation.

Management Cites Large Market Opportunity Despite Macro Uncertainty Analysts asked management about the macroeconomic environment, customer budgets and hiring trends. Schneider said Cintas has operated amid uncertainty for several years and remains focused on factors it can control, including investments in employees, technology and products.

Rozakis said customers remained responsive to Cintas’ value proposition and that all four of the company’s growth levers are performing well: new business, retention, pricing and penetration of current customers through cross-selling and upselling. He said retention rates are at all-time highs and pricing is “right at historical levels,” possibly slightly above historical levels but immaterial in nature.

Management pointed to healthcare, hospitality, education and state and local government as strategic vertical markets that continue to contribute to growth. Rozakis said these verticals are performing above overall company growth, reflecting how Cintas organizes not only sales but also products and service models around those markets.

Schneider said Cintas is not dependent on employment growth, though it benefits from strong GDP and hiring trends. He said the company has a little over 1 million business customers compared with an estimated 16 million to 20 million businesses in North America. Garula added that there are roughly 180 million people going to work in North America, while Cintas serves about 5 million wearers.

“We remain encouraged by the momentum in our business,” Schneider said in closing. “Our results demonstrate the power of our strategy and the critical value we provide in addressing customers’ image, safety, cleanliness, and compliance needs.”

About Cintas NASDAQ: CTASCintas Corporation NASDAQ: CTAS is a provider of business services and products focused on workplace appearance, safety and facility maintenance. The company is best known for its uniform rental and corporate apparel programs, which include rental, leasing and direct-purchase options, laundering and garment repair. Cintas markets its services to a wide range of end-users, including manufacturing, food service, healthcare, hospitality, retail and government customers.

Beyond uniforms, Cintas offers a suite of facility services and products designed to help organizations maintain clean, safe and compliant workplaces.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].

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Key Takeaways Cintas posted Q4 earnings of $1.29 per share on $2.91 billion in revenues, beating estimates.CTAS delivered a record 51% gross margin, driven by 8.4% organic revenue growth and solid demand.Cintas forecasts fiscal 2027 revenues of $12.10-$12.25 billion and EPS of $5.36-$5.50. Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings of $1.29 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.24 by 4%. The bottom line increased 18.3% from the year-ago quarter figure. Revenues of $2.91 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.88 billion by 1% and rose 8.9% year over year.

The top line was driven by 8.4% organic revenue growth, reflecting solid demand across its route-based businesses. Record gross margins also stood out as a key highlight in the quarter.

Cintas’ Segmental ResultsThe company has two reportable segments, Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services. Other businesses, like Uniform Direct Sale and Fire Protection Services, are included in All Other. Quarterly sales data are briefly discussed below.

Cintas’ Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment generated revenues of $2.20 billion, up 8.2% year over year from $2.03 billion. Segment operating income rose to $529.5 million from $465.1 million, reflecting steady demand and operating leverage.

The First Aid and Safety Services segment delivered revenues of $368.1 million, increasing 13.5% from $324.4 million in the prior-year quarter. Operating income climbed to $98.6 million from $76.7 million, supported by strong demand for safety and compliance solutions.

Revenues from the All Other segment totaled $339.4 million, up 8.6% from $312.6 million a year ago. Segment operating income increased to $59 million from $55.7 million.

Margin ProfileCintas’ cost of sales (comprising costs related to uniform rental and facility services and others) increased 6.2% year over year to $1.42 billion. Cintas reported gross profit of $1.48 billion, up 11.6% year over year. Gross margin improved 130 basis points to 51%, marking a record high.

Selling and administrative expenses totaled $793.2 million, up 8.9% from the year-ago quarter figure. Despite this increase, operating income rose 12.7% to $673 million.

Operating margin was 23.2%, up from 22.4% in the prior-year quarter, helped by higher sales. Net income increased 14% to $511 million, with a tax rate of 21.2%.

Cintas’ Balance Sheet & Cash FlowExiting fiscal 2026, Cintas had cash and cash equivalents of $289 million compared with $264 million at the end of fiscal 2025. Long-term debt was about $1.43 billion compared with $2.42 billion at the end of fiscal 2025.

In fiscal 2026, it generated net cash of $2.28 billion from operating activities, up 5.1% from the year-ago period. Capital expenditures in the same period totaled $395.1 million, down 3.4% year over year.

The company repurchased shares worth $952.1 million compared with $934.8 million in the previous fiscal year. Dividend payments totaled $701.5 million, up 14.7% year over year.

Fiscal 2027 OutlookFor fiscal 2027, the company expects revenues to be in the range of $12.10-$12.25 billion. Adjusted earnings per share are projected in the range of $5.36-$5.50. The guidance excludes any expected impacts associated with the pending UniFirst acquisition.

Management expects net interest expense of approximately $105 million and an effective tax rate of 20.2% for the year. The outlook assumes stable foreign exchange rates and excludes contributions from acquisitions.

Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksThe company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).  Some other top-ranked stocks from the same space are discussed below:

Duluth Holdings (DLTH - Free Report) presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Duluth’s earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 107.5%.  In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for DLTH’s fiscal 2027 bottom line has increased 45.8%.

Columbia Sportswear (COLM - Free Report) presently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Columbia Sportswear’s earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 44.1%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for COLM’s 2026 earnings has increased 3.8%.

Vince Holding (VNCE - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Vince Holding’s earnings topped the consensus estimate thrice and missed once in the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 635.7%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for VNCE’s fiscal 2027 earnings has increased 59.5%.

Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) reported $2.91 billion in revenue for the quarter ended May 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 8.9%. EPS of $1.29 for the same period compares to $1.09 a year ago.

The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.02% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.88 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $1.24, the EPS surprise was +4.03%.

While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Cintas performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

Revenue- Other: $707.5 million compared to the $693.89 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +11.1% year over year.Revenue- All Other: $339.37 million compared to the $335.69 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +8.6% year over year.Revenue- Uniform Rental and Facility Services: $2.2 billion compared to the $2.18 billion average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +8.2% year over year.Revenue- First Aid and Safety Services: $368.13 million compared to the $358.21 million average estimate based on four analysts. The reported number represents a change of +13.5% year over year.Operating income- Uniform Rental and Facility Services: $529.47 million compared to the $511.58 million average estimate based on four analysts.Operating income- First Aid and Safety Services: $98.59 million versus $83.95 million estimated by four analysts on average.Operating income- All Other: $59 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $57.37 million.View all Key Company Metrics for Cintas here>>>

Shares of Cintas have returned +4.3% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways Cintas is expected to report fiscal Q4 revenues of $2.88 billion, up 7.8% year over year. CTAS may benefit from customer retention, AED Rentals demand and gains from recent acquisitions. Cintas faces margin pressure from higher SG&A costs and potential foreign exchange headwinds. Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) is scheduled to release fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 (ended May 2026) results on July 15, before market open.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CTAS’ fiscal fourth-quarter revenues is pegged at $2.88 billion, indicating growth of 7.8% from the prior-year quarter’s figure. The consensus mark for earnings is pinned at $1.24 per share, which has been stable in the past 60 days. The figure indicates growth of 13.8% from the year-ago quarter's figure.

The company has a stellar earnings surprise history, having outperformed the consensus estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average beat being 1.3%. In the last reported quarter, its earnings of $1.24 per share beat the consensus estimate of $1.23 by 0.8%.

Let’s see how things have shaped up before Cintas’ fiscal fourth-quarter earnings release.

Factors to Note Ahead of CTAS’ ResultsStrong customer retention and penetration of additional products and services into existing customers are expected to have driven the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment’s performance in the fiscal fourth quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $2.17 billion, indicating a 7% jump from the year-ago reported number.

Solid demand for the company’s AED Rentals is likely to have supported the performance of the First Aid and Safety Services segment. Also, strong customer retention levels and an improved sales mix are likely to have boded well for the segment. The consensus mark for the segment’s revenues is pegged at $358 million, which implies a 10.5% increase from the year-ago reported figure.

Also, synergistic gains from the acquisitions of Paris Uniform Services (March 2024) and SITEX (February 2024) are expected to have boosted Cintas’ top line in the to-be-reported quarter. While the Paris Uniform Services buyout has strengthened CTAS’ market presence in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and West Virginia, the SITEX acquisition has enhanced its footprint in the U.S. central Midwest region.

However, the escalating selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses pose a threat to CTAS’ bottom line. Increase in employee-partner related expensesare expected to have pushed up the SG&A expenses, which are likely to have impacted the company’s margins in the fiscal fourth quarter.

Given Cintas’ extensive geographic presence, its operations are subject to global political risks and foreign exchange headwinds. A stronger U.S. dollar is likely to have hurt CTAS’ overseas business in the quarter.

Earnings WhispersOur proven model predicts an earnings beat for CTAS this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here, as elaborated below.

Earnings ESP: CTAS has an Earnings ESP of +0.58% as the Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at $1.25 per share, higher than the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.24. You can uncover the best stocks before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.

Zacks Rank: CTAS currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Other Stocks to ConsiderHere are some other companies, which according to our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in this reporting cycle.

Ingersoll Rand Inc. (IR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.61% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 30.

Ingersoll Rand’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters while matching the mark in two, the average surprise being 2.4%.

Crane Company (CR - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +4.73% and a Zacks Rank of 2 at present. The company is scheduled to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 28.

Crane’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the preceding four quarters, the average surprise being 11.3%.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +0.31% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. The company is slated to release second-quarter 2026 results on July 28.

Illinois Tool’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 2.8%.

Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended May 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.

The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 15, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.

While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.

Zacks Consensus EstimateThis uniform rental company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $1.24 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +13.8%.

Revenues are expected to be $2.88 billion, up 7.8% from the year-ago quarter.

Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.

Investors should keep in mind that an aggregate change may not always reflect the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts.

Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.

A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.

Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).

How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Cintas?For Cintas, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.58%.

On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.

So, this combination indicates that Cintas will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.

Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.

For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Cintas would post earnings of $1.23 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.24, delivering a surprise of +0.81%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.

Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.

That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Cintas appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.

Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.

Cintas has increased its dividend for 43 consecutive years. That easily qualifies it for its status as an esteemed Dividend Aristocrat. Cintas grew its revenue from $4.8 billion in FY 2016 to $10.3 billion in FY 2025. That's a compound annual growth rate of 8.9%. Cintas has a great financial position. Its long-term debt/equity ratio is 0.5, while the interest coverage ratio is over 20.

Earnings are arguably the most important single number on a company's quarterly financial report. Wall Street clearly dives into all of the other metrics and management's input, but the EPS figure helps cut through all the noise.

The earnings figure itself is key, of course, but a beat or miss on the bottom line can sometimes be just as, if not more, important. Therefore, investors should consider paying close attention to these earnings surprises, as a big beat can help a stock climb and vice versa.

Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, ExplainedThe Zacks Earnings ESP, or Expected Surprise Prediction, aims to find earnings surprises by focusing on the most recent analyst revisions. The basic premise is that if an analyst reevaluates their earnings estimate ahead of an earnings release, it means they likely have new information that could possibly be more accurate.

Now that we understand the basic idea, let's look at how the Expected Surprise Prediction works. The ESP is calculated by comparing the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate, with the percentage difference between the two giving us the Zacks ESP figure.

When we join a positive earnings ESP with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or stronger, stocks posted a positive bottom-line surprise 70% of the time. Plus, this system saw investors produce roughly 28% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Stocks with a ranking of #3 (Hold), or 60% of all stocks covered by the Zacks Rank, are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with rankings of #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy), or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market; Strong Buy stocks should outperform more than any other rank.

Should You Consider Cintas?Now that we understand what the ESP is and how beneficial it can be, let's dive into a stock that currently fits the bill. Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) earns a #3 (Hold) right now and its Most Accurate Estimate sits at $1.25 a share, just 15 days from its upcoming earnings release on July 16, 2026.

CTAS has an Earnings ESP figure of +0.58%, which, as explained above, is calculated by taking the percentage difference between the $1.25 Most Accurate Estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.24. Cintas is one of a large database of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

CTAS is just one of a large group of Consumer Discretionary stocks with a positive ESP figure. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Warner Bros. Discovery, which is readying to report earnings on August 6, 2026, sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) right now. Its Most Accurate Estimate is currently -$0.11 a share, and WBD is 36 days out from its next earnings report.

For Warner Bros. Discovery, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of -$0.12 is +6.10%.

CTAS and WBD's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're ReportedUse the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>

Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Textile - Apparel industry.

This uniform rental company has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 1.25%.

For the last reported quarter, Cintas came out with earnings of $1.24 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 per share, representing a surprise of 0.81%. For the previous quarter, the company was expected to post earnings of $1.19 per share and it actually produced earnings of $1.21 per share, delivering a surprise of 1.68%.

Price and EPS Surprise

Thanks in part to this history, there has been a favorable change in earnings estimates for Cintas lately. In fact, the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) for the stock is positive, which is a great indicator of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with its solid Zacks Rank.

Our research shows that stocks with the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time. In other words, if you have 10 stocks with this combination, the number of stocks that beat the consensus estimate could be as high as seven.

The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a version of the Zacks Consensus whose definition is related to change. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.

Cintas has an Earnings ESP of +0.15% at the moment, suggesting that analysts have grown bullish on its near-term earnings potential. When you combine this positive Earnings ESP with the stock's Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), it shows that another beat is possibly around the corner.

With the Earnings ESP metric, it's important to note that a negative value reduces its predictive power; however, a negative Earnings ESP does not indicate an earnings miss.

Many companies end up beating the consensus EPS estimate, though this is not the only reason why their shares gain. Additionally, some stocks may remain stable even if they end up missing the consensus estimate.

Because of this, it's really important to check a company's Earnings ESP ahead of its quarterly release to increase the odds of success. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

Investors looking for stocks in the Textile - Apparel sector might want to consider either Superior Group (SGC - Free Report) or Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.

Right now, Superior Group is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Cintas has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). This system places an emphasis on companies that have seen positive earnings estimate revisions, so investors should feel comfortable knowing that SGC is likely seeing its earnings outlook improve to a greater extent. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors analyze a variety of traditional, tried-and-true metrics to help find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

The Style Score Value grade factors in a variety of key fundamental metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a number of other key stats that are commonly used by value investors.

SGC currently has a forward P/E ratio of 23.66, while CTAS has a forward P/E of 32.55. We also note that SGC has a PEG ratio of 2.37. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. CTAS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.80.

Another notable valuation metric for SGC is its P/B ratio of 1.13. The P/B ratio pits a stock's market value against its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, CTAS has a P/B of 14.72.

These are just a few of the metrics contributing to SGC's Value grade of B and CTAS's Value grade of F.

SGC stands above CTAS thanks to its solid earnings outlook, and based on these valuation figures, we also feel that SGC is the superior value option right now.

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) . Shares have added about 5.2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Cintas due for a pullback? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important drivers.

Cintas' Q3 Earnings Surpass Estimates, Revenues Increase Y/YCintas reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings of $1.24 per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23 by 0.8%. The bottom line increased 8.8% from $1.13 in the year-ago quarter. Revenues of $2.84 billion surpassed the consensus estimate of $2.82 billion by 0.7% and rose 8.9% year over year.

The top line was driven by 8.2% organic revenue growth, reflecting solid demand across its route-based businesses. Record gross margins also stood out as a key highlight in the quarter.

Cintas’ Segmental ResultsThe company has two reportable segments, Uniform Rental and Facility Services and First Aid and Safety Services. Other businesses like Uniform Direct Sale and Fire Protection Services are included in All Other. Quarterly sales data is briefly discussed below.

Cintas’ Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment generated revenues of $2.18 billion, up 7.7% year over year from $2.02 billion. Segment operating income rose to $521.0 million from $489.5 million, reflecting steady demand and operating leverage.

The First Aid and Safety Services segment delivered revenues of $346.8 million, increasing 14.9% from $301.8 million in the prior-year quarter. Operating income climbed to $87.3 million from $71.5 million, supported by strong demand for safety and compliance solutions.

Revenues from the All Other segment totaled $317.2 million, up 10.8% from $286.3 million a year ago. Segment operating income increased to $51.5 million from $48.8 million.

Margin ProfileCintas’ cost of sales (comprising costs related to uniform rental and facility services and others) increased 8% year over year to $1.39 billion. Cintas reported gross profit of $1.45 billion, up 9.8% year over year. Gross margin improved 40 basis points to 51.0%, marking a record high.

Selling and administrative expenses totaled $788.6 million, up from $709.5 million a year ago, reflecting continued investments in the business. Despite this increase, operating income rose 8.2% to $659.9 million.

Operating margin was 23.2%, slightly down from 23.4% in the prior-year quarter due to a $15 million gain recorded last year from asset sales. Net income increased 8.4% to $502.5 million, with a tax rate of 20.6%.

Cintas’ Balance Sheet & Cash FlowExiting the first nine months of fiscal 2026, Cintas had cash and cash equivalents of $183.2 million compared with $264 million at the end of fiscal 2025. Long-term debt was about $2.43 billion compared with $2.42 billion at the end of fiscal 2025.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2026, it generated net cash of $1.57 billion from operating activities, up 2.7% from the year-ago period. Capital expenditures in the same period totaled $299.1 million, up 1.6% year over year.

The company repurchased shares worth $933.2 million compared with $678.1 million in the year-ago period. Dividend payments totaled $520.9 million, up 14.8% year over year.

Cintas Raises FY26 OutlookFollowing a strong third-quarter performance, Cintas raised its fiscal 2026 guidance. The company now expects revenues between $11.21 billion and $11.24 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share are projected in the range of $4.86-$4.90. The guidance excludes non-recurring costs associated with the pending UniFirst acquisition.

Management expects net interest expense of approximately $101 million and an effective tax rate of 20.0% for the year. The outlook assumes stable foreign exchange rates and excludes contributions from acquisitions.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?In the past month, investors have witnessed a upward trend in estimates review.

VGM ScoresCurrently, Cintas has a average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum Score is doing a lot better with an A. However, the stock was allocated a score of F on the value side, putting it in the bottom 20% quintile for this investment strategy.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Notably, Cintas has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Performance of an Industry PlayerCintas belongs to the Zacks Textile - Apparel industry. Another stock from the same industry, G-III Apparel Group (GIII - Free Report) , has gained 17.1% over the past month. More than a month has passed since the company reported results for the quarter ended January 2026.

G-III Apparel reported revenues of $771.49 million in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -8.1%. EPS of $0.30 for the same period compares with $1.27 a year ago.

For the current quarter, G-III Apparel is expected to post a loss of $0.30 per share, indicating a change of -257.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

The overall direction and magnitude of estimate revisions translate into a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for G-III Apparel. Also, the stock has a VGM Score of A.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Apr 29th, 2026

Comerica Bank lessened its holdings in shares of Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS – Free Report) by 7.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 73,287 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 5,873 shares during the period. Comerica Bank’s holdings in Cintas were worth $13,783,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cintas by 56.3% during the fourth quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,954 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $555,000 after purchasing an additional 1,064 shares during the last quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Cintas by 7.1% during the fourth quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,496 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $292,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Camelot Portfolios LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cintas during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Retirement Solution LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cintas during the fourth quarter worth $308,000. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA grew its holdings in shares of Cintas by 10.0% during the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 2,002,205 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $376,647,000 after purchasing an additional 181,952 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.46% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other Cintas news, Director Ronald W. Tysoe sold 4,666 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.87, for a total value of $834,607.42. Following the transaction, the director owned 22,448 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,015,273.76. This represents a 17.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 14.90% of the company’s stock.

Cintas Trading Up 0.1% NASDAQ:CTAS opened at $174.22 on Wednesday. Cintas Corporation has a 1-year low of $165.60 and a 1-year high of $229.24. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $184.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $187.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.98, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $69.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.21, a PEG ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 1.01.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, March 25th. The business services provider reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.24. Cintas had a return on equity of 41.47% and a net margin of 17.57%.The firm had revenue of $2.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.82 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.13 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Cintas Corporation will post 4.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Cintas Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. Cintas’s dividend payout ratio is presently 50.85%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Argus upgraded Cintas to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Weiss Ratings cut Cintas from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Cintas in a report on Thursday, March 12th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on Cintas from $222.00 to $190.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Cintas from a “cautious” rating to an “overweight” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $205.00 to $245.00 in a report on Wednesday, January 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $215.17.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Cintas

Cintas Profile (Free Report)

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) is a provider of business services and products focused on workplace appearance, safety and facility maintenance. The company is best known for its uniform rental and corporate apparel programs, which include rental, leasing and direct-purchase options, laundering and garment repair. Cintas markets its services to a wide range of end-users, including manufacturing, food service, healthcare, hospitality, retail and government customers.

Beyond uniforms, Cintas offers a suite of facility services and products designed to help organizations maintain clean, safe and compliant workplaces.

Read More Five stocks we like better than Cintas Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CTAS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS – Free Report).

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Investors interested in Textile - Apparel stocks are likely familiar with V.F. (VFC - Free Report) and Cintas (CTAS - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.

Currently, V.F. has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), while Cintas has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that VFC likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than CTAS has recently. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors are also interested in a number of tried-and-true valuation metrics that help show when a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

Our Value category highlights undervalued companies by looking at a variety of key metrics, including the popular P/E ratio, as well as the P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that have been used by value investors for years.

VFC currently has a forward P/E ratio of 15.40, while CTAS has a forward P/E of 33.83. We also note that VFC has a PEG ratio of 0.88. This figure is similar to the commonly-used P/E ratio, with the PEG ratio also factoring in a company's expected earnings growth rate. CTAS currently has a PEG ratio of 2.91.

Another notable valuation metric for VFC is its P/B ratio of 3.86. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, CTAS has a P/B of 13.81.

Based on these metrics and many more, VFC holds a Value grade of B, while CTAS has a Value grade of F.

VFC is currently sporting an improving earnings outlook, which makes it stick out in our Zacks Rank model. And, based on the above valuation metrics, we feel that VFC is likely the superior value option right now.