Cintas CorporationNasdaq: CTAS
Industrials · Diversified Support Services
$169.91
-2.75%
Vol: 1.0M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Cintas announced $5.5B UniFirst acquisition with $375M synergies; Citi cut PT to $160 from $181.
Cintas announced $5.5B acquisition of UniFirst, expanding service capabilities with projected $375M in cost synergies within four years and accretion to earnings by year two. Q3 earnings $1.24 per share (in line) with revenue $2.84B (+8.9% YoY). Citi lowered PT to $160 from $181 (March 30). Dividend increased to $0.45 quarterly. Consensus among 10 analysts Hold with $215.8 PT (24% upside).
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30Cintas UniFirst acquisition of $5.5B approved; Q3 earnings beat with record revenue and raised FY guidance.Positive▶
Cintas announced a major $5.5B acquisition of competitor UniFirst, targeting $375M in cost synergies over four years and expected to be accretive by year two post-close. The company posted better-than-expected Q3 profit and raised full-year guidance, achieving record revenue and gross margins. The Board approved a $0.45/share quarterly dividend. Recent institutional activity shows strong investor interest with major positions held by Vanguard and Pictet Asset Management.
Apr 16Cintas to acquire UniFirst for $5.5B; Q1 revenue and EPS beat estimatesPositive▶
Cintas announced a definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst Corporation for $310 per share in cash and stock (enterprise value of $5.5 billion) on March 11, 2026, with $375 million in projected cost synergies within four years. Cintas reported Q1 FY2026 results with revenue of $2,841.4 million (up 8.9%) and diluted EPS of $1.24 (up 9.7%), both beating estimates. Board approved quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share payable June 15, 2026. Cintas has raised dividends annually for 42 consecutive years. Citigroup raised price target to $181 from $176 (April 15); Bernstein reiterated Market Perform rating with $200 target.
Apr 15Cintas raises FY2026 revenue guidance following strong Q3 results and announces $5.5B UniFirst acquisition.Positive▶
Cintas reported Q3 FY2026 results with record revenue of $2.84B (+8.9% YoY, 8.2% organic growth), expanded gross margin, and raised FY2026 revenue guidance to $11.21-11.24B. Management announced definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst for $310/share ($5.5B enterprise value). FY2026 EPS guidance 4.860-4.900. Quarterly dividend increased to $0.45/share.
Apr 14Cintas to acquire UniFirst for $5.5B to expand service capabilities; issues FY2026 EPS guidance of $4.86-4.90.Mixed▶
Cintas announced $5.5B acquisition of UniFirst (closing H2 2026) to expand service capabilities. Q3 2026 net income reached $502.5M vs $463.5M prior year. FY2026 EPS guidance $4.86-4.90, revenue guidance $11.2B. Declared $0.45 quarterly dividend. Stock down 7.4% over six months. Citi lowered target from $181 to $160.
Apr 13Cintas announces $5.5B acquisition of UniFirst for $310/share; deal accretive to earnings with $375M synergy target.Positive▶
Cintas announced a definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst Corporation for $310 per share in cash/stock, representing $5.5B enterprise value. Deal expected to close H2 2026 and achieve $375M operating cost synergies within four years. Transaction accretive to earnings by end of second year. Average Buy rating from 12 analysts with $222.75 price target.
Apr 10Cintas acquired UniFirst for $5.5 billion in all-cash deal; Q1 FY2026 revenue grew 8.9% to $2.84 billion.Positive▶
Cintas Corporation announced definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst Corporation for approximately $5.5 billion ($310 per share). Acquisition combines two major North American workwear and facility-services providers with projected $375 million cost synergies within four years. Q1 FY2026 results showed revenue up 8.9% to $2.841 billion and net income increased to $502.5 million with diluted EPS up 9.7% to $1.24.
Apr 9Cintas plans $5.5B UniFirst acquisition with $375M cost synergies expected within four years.Mixed▶
Cintas reported Q3 FY2026 revenue of $2.84B (+8.9% YoY) with EPS of $1.24 (+9.7%). The company announced a $5.5B acquisition of UniFirst, anticipated to be accretive to earnings by year two with $375M in projected synergies. Cintas returned $1.45B to shareholders in buybacks and dividends. UBS maintains buy rating at $98. Analyst sentiment remains mixed on the acquisition's integration risks.
Apr 8Cintas Completes Acquisition of UniFirst for $5.5 BillionPositive▶
Cintas announced it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst for $310.00 per share in cash and stock, representing an enterprise value of ~$5.5 billion. The combined company will serve approximately 1.5 million business customers across North America, with projected cost synergies of $375 million within four years.
Apr 7Cintas to acquire UniFirst for $5.5B with $375M four-year cost synergies driving accretion by year twoMixed▶
Cintas announced definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst for $310/share in cash and stock ($5.5B enterprise value) effective March 11. Deal projected accretive to earnings by end of year two with $375M cost synergies within four years. Company secured $2B credit facility while raising FY2026 revenue guidance to $11.21B-$11.24B. Stock trading at $174.34 with 13.5% 30-day decline and 14.2% YoY decline despite strong operational execution. Cintas named to FORTUNE's 2026 Most Admired Companies list (18th overall, 5th consecutive year). Citi lowered price target to $160 from $181. Concerns center on UniFirst integration complexity.
Apr 6Cintas raises FY26 guidance after Q3 beat but stock pulls back on acquisition costsMixed▶
Cintas reported strong fiscal Q3 2026 (Feb 28) with revenue $2.84B (+8.9% YoY), all-time high 51.0% gross margin, and 8.2% organic growth across route-based businesses. Announced definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst in $5.5B deal (March 2026), consolidating nearly 50% of North American uniform rental market. Raised FY26 revenue guidance to $11.21-11.24B with adjusted diluted EPS $4.86-4.90. However, stock down $8.44 (-4.77%) despite earnings beat, likely due to acquisition financing and integration costs. Secured $2B credit facility. Analyst consensus Buy with $222.75 target (+15.57% upside) despite recent weakness.
Apr 3Cintas announces $5.5B acquisition of UniFirst for $310/share; Q1 FY26 earnings beat expectations with raised guidance.Positive▶
Cintas announced March 11 a definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst Corporation for $310 per share (~$5.5B), with cost synergies projected at $375M within 4 years. Q1 FY26 results: revenue $2.80B (+9.3% YoY), diluted EPS $1.21 (+11.0% YoY). Goldman Sachs lowered target to $213, while Baird upgraded to Outperform.
Apr 2Cintas to acquire UniFirst for $5.5B with $375M in synergies; raises FY26 EPS guidance to $4.86-$4.90 and revenue to $11.21B-$11.24B.Positive▶
Cintas Corporation announced a major acquisition of UniFirst for $5.5 billion, expanding its service capabilities and enhancing operational efficiencies. The deal is anticipated to be accretive to earnings by the end of the second year with projected cost synergies of $375 million within four years. Cintas raised FY26 adjusted EPS view to $4.86-$4.90 and raised FY26 revenue view to $11.21B-$11.24B. The company reported fiscal 2026 second quarter revenue of $2.80B, up 9.3% year-over-year, with diluted EPS of $1.21, up 11.0% year-over-year. UBS lowered the price target on Cintas to $228 from $235 and maintains a Buy rating. Cintas was named to Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging & Community 2026. The company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share.
Apr 1Cintas reported Q3 2026 earnings beat and announced $5.5B UniFirst acquisition; raised full-year guidance.Positive▶
Cintas reported Q3 2026 revenue of $2.84 billion (beat estimate) and EPS of $1.24 with record 51.0% gross margin. The company raised FY 2026 guidance and announced a definitive agreement to acquire UniFirst for $5.5 billion enterprise value. Baird upgraded citing the UniFirst deal.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTASCINTAS | $169.91 | -2.75% | +1.8% | 32.2x | 1.01 | $69.9B |
| CPRTCOPART | $33.34 | +0.68% | +0.8% | 19.7x | 1.14 | $31.9B |
| LDOSLEIDOS | $149.41 | +0.13% | -6.4% | 11.3x | 0.66 | $18.9B |
| CATCATERPILLAR | $890.93 | +0.09% | +23.4% | 31.8x | 1.52 | $414.2B |
| GEGENERAL | $287.56 | -0.82% | +0.4% | 33.4x | 1.43 | $302.9B |
| GEVGE | $1,064.74 | -1.73% | +20.7% | 44.2x | 1.20 | $291.1B |
Key Fundamentals
RSI (14-Day)
52-Week Range
Moving Averages
Price below 200d MA — bearish structure.