Analyst Consensus ?
ConsensusHold29 ratings
Bullish1137.9%
Neutral1655.2%
Bearish26.9%
Cintas Corporation · CTAS · FY2026 Q4 · Calendar Q3 2026
Cintas Closes FY26 With Record Margins and EPS, UniFirst Pending FTC
Cintas closed fiscal 2026 with fourth-quarter revenue of $2.91 billion (up 8.9% YoY), a record 23.3% operating margin (adjusted for UniFirst transaction costs), and 18% adjusted EPS growth, beating consensus on both the top and bottom lines. The market responded favorably: shares rose roughly 4.4% on the session versus a 0.4% benchmark move, with volume at 2.1x baseline, and continued to drift higher by ~12% in the weeks following the report. Management maintained FY27 guidance of $12.1-$12.25 billion in revenue and $5.36-$5.50 in adjusted EPS, signaling confidence despite quantifying a modest ~20 bps energy cost headwind. The pending UniFirst merger, now under a second FTC request with closing expected in H2 2026, remains the key strategic catalyst. With a bullish score of 78 (down from 85 in Q3), the picture is one of durable operational strength tempered by regulatory uncertainty…
Reported Before market openNASDAQIndustrials
$85.99B market cap
100quality score
Company context
Snapshot as of publicationCintas Corporation specializes in supplying professional uniforms and a range of essential business services primarily across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. The company's operations are divided into three main divisions: Uniform Rental and Facility Services, First Aid and Safety Services, and an 'All Other' segment. Within its Uniform Rental and Facility Services division, Cintas offers rental and maintenance for various workwear, including flame-resistant apparel, alongside floor mats, mops, and industrial towels.…
Earnings scorecard
Reported versus consensus
Reported EPS
$1.29
Consensus $1
EPS surprise
+4.0%
Reported versus consensus
Reported revenue
$2.91B
Consensus $2.87B
Revenue surprise
+1.1%
Reported versus consensus
Earnings History
Estimate
Beat
Miss
Match
Analyst 52W Price Targets
$214.9Previous close
$23.44Low
$177.77Average
$250High
Latest persisted target per named analyst; persisted previous close from FN2's market snapshot as of Jul 29, 2026. Not an FN2 forecast.
Firm-level rating actions
FMP grade actions identify the grading firm, not a named analyst.
| Firm | Rating | Prior rating | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Jul 16, 2026 |
| UBS | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 16, 2026 |
| RBC Capital | Sector Perform | Sector Perform | Maintain | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Baird | Outperform | Outperform | Maintain | Jul 16, 2026 |
| B of A Securities | Buy | Neutral | Upgrade | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Truist Securities | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jun 15, 2026 |
| Citigroup | Sell | Sell | Maintain | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Stifel | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Morgan Stanley | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Maintain | Dec 17, 2025 |
| JP Morgan | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Sep 25, 2025 |
| Goldman Sachs | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 2, 2025 |
| Barclays | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Sep 27, 2024 |
| Jefferies | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Sep 26, 2024 |
| CFRA | Sell | Strong Sell | Maintain | Sep 12, 2024 |
| Oppenheimer | Perform | Perform | Maintain | Apr 1, 2024 |
| Deutsche Bank | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Mar 28, 2024 |
| Argus Research | Buy | Buy | Maintain | Jul 14, 2023 |
| Credit Suisse | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Jul 16, 2021 |
| William Blair | Market Perform | Outperform | Downgrade | Apr 6, 2020 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Hold | Hold | Maintain | Sep 25, 2019 |
| Nomura | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Jul 22, 2019 |
| Bank of America | Buy | Neutral | Upgrade | Jan 3, 2019 |
| Nomura Instinet | Neutral | Buy | Downgrade | Jun 27, 2017 |
| Instinet | Neutral | Buy | Downgrade | Jun 27, 2017 |
| KeyBanc | Overweight | Overweight | Maintain | Oct 3, 2016 |
| Macquarie | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Aug 25, 2016 |
| Sterne Agee CRT | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Mar 22, 2016 |
| PiperJaffray | Neutral | Neutral | Maintain | Nov 18, 2013 |
| Barrington Research | Market Perform | Outperform | Downgrade | Jul 17, 2012 |
Named analyst price targets
Upside is calculated against the persisted previous close $214.9. FMP does not supply a rating on these named-analyst rows.
| Firm | Analyst | 52W target | Price when posted | Upside | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $230 | $203.66 | +7.0% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $214 | $192.37 | -0.4% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $250 | $192.37 | +16.3% | Jul 16, 2026 |
| Goldman Sachs | Analyst unavailable | $231 | $192.37 | +7.5% | Jul 15, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $228 | $168.85 | +6.1% | Mar 26, 2026 |
| Robert W. Baird | Andrew Wittmann | $250 | $198.34 | +16.3% | Mar 11, 2026 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $245 | $192.72 | +14.0% | Jan 14, 2026 |
| UBS | Analyst unavailable | $235 | $188.31 | +9.4% | Dec 19, 2025 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $225 | $189.89 | +4.7% | Dec 19, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $205 | $189.89 | -4.6% | Dec 19, 2025 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $210 | $188.45 | -2.3% | Dec 17, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Jason Haas | $185 | $182.16 | -13.9% | Nov 25, 2025 |
| Redburn Partners | Oliver Davies | $184 | $185.25 | -14.4% | Nov 11, 2025 |
| RBC Capital | Analyst unavailable | $206 | $202.05 | -4.1% | Sep 25, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Analyst unavailable | $218 | $202.05 | +1.4% | Sep 25, 2025 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $227 | $206.25 | +5.6% | Mar 27, 2025 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $230 | $204.71 | +7.0% | Mar 26, 2025 |
| Wells Fargo | Jason Haas | $184 | $183.03 | -14.4% | Dec 20, 2024 |
| Morgan Stanley | Toni Kaplan | $202 | $211.59 | -6.0% | Dec 12, 2024 |
| UBS | Joshua Chan | $240 | $210.39 | +11.7% | Sep 26, 2024 |
| Goldman Sachs | George Tong | $212 | $208.84 | -1.3% | Sep 25, 2024 |
| RBC Capital | Ashish Sabadra | $181 | $208.71 | -15.8% | Sep 25, 2024 |
| Wells Fargo | Jason Haas | $183.75 | $204.23 | -14.5% | Sep 24, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | Jasper Bibb | $225 | $203.77 | +4.7% | Sep 17, 2024 |
| CFRA | Caydee Blankenship | $170 | $203.8 | -20.9% | Sep 11, 2024 |
| Wells Fargo | Jason Haas | $183.75 | $189.91 | -14.5% | Aug 12, 2024 |
| Redburn Partners | Oliver Davies | $167.5 | $187.61 | -22.1% | Aug 9, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | Jasper Bibb | $212.5 | $189.64 | -1.1% | Jul 19, 2024 |
| Robert W. Baird | Andrew Wittmann | $193.75 | $190.73 | -9.8% | Jul 19, 2024 |
| RBC Capital | Ashish Sabadra | $181.25 | $171.76 | -15.7% | Mar 28, 2024 |
| Robert W. Baird | Andrew Wittmann | $197.5 | $171.16 | -8.1% | Mar 28, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | Jasper Bibb | $193.75 | $170.51 | -9.8% | Mar 28, 2024 |
| UBS | Joshua Chan | $197.5 | $171.41 | -8.1% | Mar 28, 2024 |
| Robert W. Baird | Andrew Wittmann | $187.5 | $171.41 | -12.8% | Mar 28, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | Analyst unavailable | $193.75 | $171.41 | -9.8% | Mar 27, 2024 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Shlomo Rosenbaum | $146.25 | $158.67 | -31.9% | Mar 26, 2024 |
| Truist Financial | Jasper Bibb | $156.25 | $133.98 | -27.3% | Nov 13, 2023 |
| Argus Research | John Eade | $135 | $126.38 | -37.2% | Sep 26, 2023 |
| Morgan Stanley | Toni Kaplan | $32.69 | $29.03 | -84.8% | Mar 30, 2023 |
| Goldman Sachs | George Tong | $33.13 | $29.03 | -84.6% | Dec 21, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $23.31 | $24.26 | -89.2% | Sep 29, 2022 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Shlomo Rosenbaum | $27.19 | $24.71 | -87.3% | Sep 28, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $22 | $24.3 | -89.8% | Sep 27, 2022 |
| Robert W. Baird | Analyst unavailable | $29.69 | $27.36 | -86.2% | Aug 17, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Toni Kaplan | $22.63 | $24.18 | -89.5% | Jul 15, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $22.63 | $24.39 | -89.5% | Jul 15, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Analyst unavailable | $29.06 | $23.05 | -86.5% | Jul 5, 2022 |
| Morgan Stanley | Analyst unavailable | $22.31 | $23.55 | -89.6% | May 26, 2022 |
| Deutsche Bank | Faiza Alwy | $129.25 | $105.97 | -39.9% | Apr 3, 2022 |
| Goldman Sachs | George Tong | $28.75 | $27.19 | -86.6% | Dec 23, 2021 |
| RBC Capital | Ashish Sabadra | $29.69 | $26.39 | -86.2% | Nov 30, 2021 |
| Stifel Nicolaus | Shlomo Rosenbaum | $23.63 | $24.09 | -89.0% | Oct 1, 2021 |
| Jefferies | Hamzah Mazari | $28 | $24.22 | -87.0% | Sep 29, 2021 |
| Credit Suisse | Kevin Mcveigh | $23.44 | $23.97 | -89.1% | Jul 16, 2021 |
Track every rating change on CTAS the moment it posts. Free to start.
Start freeMarket reaction
prior-close to event-session close
Stock move
+4.4%
Event window
SPY move
+0.4%
Same window
Abnormal move
+4.0%
Stock minus SPY
Volume
2.1×
Versus trailing sessions
Subsequent drift
+11.7%
Up to 20 sessions
CTASSPY benchmark
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Try FN2 freeTranscript intelligence
What changed
Compared to Q3 FY26, where guidance was raised and bullish sentiment scored 85, Q4 saw guidance maintained and the bullish score moderate to 78. New developments include: (1) the UniFirst merger received a second FTC request, though closing is still expected in H2 2026; (2) FY27 guidance was introduced at $12.1-$12.25B revenue and $5.36-$5.50 adjusted EPS; (3) route-based acquisitions totaled $61.9M in Q4, adding to the M&A pipeline; (4) energy costs were quantified as approximately 20 bps of FY27 headwind, with fuel representing ~100 bps of total energy exposure; and (5) FY26 full-year revenue came in at $11.26B, slightly above the raised guidance range of $11.21-$11.24B set in Q3.
Guidance delta
Prior quarter (Q3 FY26): raised full-year FY26 guidance to $11.21-$11.24B revenue and $4.86-$4.90 EPS. Current quarter (Q4 FY26): FY26 actual revenue came in at $11.26B, at the high end of the raised range. Management introduced and maintained FY27 guidance of $12.1-$12.25B revenue and $5.36-$5.50 adjusted EPS, reflecting one extra workday and modest energy cost headwinds. The shift from raising to maintaining signals a more measured outlook as UniFirst integration costs and energy inflation factor in.
Key takeaways
- Revenue and margin growth outpaced expectations: Q4 revenue rose 8.9% YoY to $2.91B, operating margin reached a record 23.3%, and adjusted EPS grew 18% YoY, beating consensus on both lines (EPS $1.29 vs $1.24 est; revenue $2.91B vs $2.87B est).
- FY27 guidance was maintained at $12.1-$12.25B revenue and $5.36-$5.50 adjusted EPS, including one extra workday and modest energy headwinds.
- The UniFirst merger received a second FTC request but remains on track to close in H2 2026; it is the primary strategic catalyst ahead.
- Capital allocation stayed balanced: ~3.5% of revenue to CapEx, $1.7B returned to shareholders, and $61.9M deployed in route-based acquisitions during the quarter.
- Automation and supply-chain initiatives (automatic sortation, garment sharing, SmartTruck routing) are driving ongoing efficiency and margin expansion.
Management priorities
- Complete the UniFirst merger in H2 2026 pending FTC and Canadian regulatory clearance.
- Implement SAP ERP in the Fire Protection segment to improve operational efficiency.
- Continue strategic acquisitions in route-based businesses.
- Invest further in automation, SmartTruck logistics, and garment-sharing technology.
- Expand penetration in high-growth verticals: healthcare, education, hospitality, and government.
Related earnings events
IndustrialsLMT · FY2026 Q2 · Calendar Q3 2026Lockheed Martin Q2 2026: Record $230B Backlog, Raised Guidance, Ultra Maritime AcquisitionUNP · FY2026 Q2 · Calendar Q3 2026UNP Q2 2026: Record EPS $3.41, Guidance Raised as Norfolk Southern Merger Clears Key HurdlesRTX · FY2026 Q2 · Calendar Q3 2026RTX Q2 2026: Record $289B Backlog, Raised Guidance as Defense and GTF Aftermarket Accelerate
Sources
- Earnings call transcript and parsed analysis · 2026-07-15T16:03:06.639069+00:00
- FN2 earnings calendar · 2026-07-29T01:23:15.868211+00:00
- Polygon adjusted daily market bars · 2026-07-29T07:11:17.354650+00:00
- Financial Modeling Prep analyst price-target consensus and quote snapshot · 2026-07-29T07:11:17.351854+00:00
Methodology
Reported and consensus figures come from FN2's earnings event records. Market reaction and volume are calculated from daily adjusted bars around the event; abnormal move subtracts the SPY move over the same window.
Analyst target low, average, and high values are derived at request time from each named analyst's latest persisted FMP target. The current-price marker comes from FN2's persisted market snapshot. They are sell-side estimates, not an FN2 valuation or recommendation.
Transcript intelligence is a structured synthesis of the current and prior earnings-call analyses. Missing values stay missing and are never estimated.
By FN2 Research · Updated . For educational purposes only; not investment advice.