Cintas

Cintas rents and cleans work uniforms and supplies mats, towels, mops, restroom supplies and workplace water to businesses. It also sells first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers, sprinklers and alarm services, and safety training. It serves more than one million businesses of all sizes.

Its main segment, Uniform Rental and Facility Services, had revenue of $2.29 billion in the quarter that ended August 31, 2026, of total revenue of $3.01 billion. First Aid and Safety Services had revenue of $389 million. Its fiscal year ends on May 31, and its head office is in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Todd M. Schneider is its chief executive officer. In March 2026, Cintas agreed to buy UniFirst, a competitor in uniform rental.

Cintas trades at a premium because investors pay for steady growth and rising margins in a business with many small customers and dense delivery routes. Organic revenue grew 8.9% in Q1 fiscal 2027, and the operating margin reached a record 23.6%. Investors also expect the purchase of UniFirst to add cost savings. For the premium to be earned, three things must be true.

Organic growth must stay near 8% or more, as it was in fiscal 2026 and Q1 fiscal 2027. Margins must keep rising, and adjusted EPS must reach the fiscal 2027 guidance of $5.45 to $5.54. The UniFirst purchase must close, and the integration must give the expected savings. The premium can shrink if the Federal Trade Commission sues to block the UniFirst deal, as a press report on October 27, 2026 said it may.

It can also shrink if job losses at customers slow growth. The timing agreement with the FTC lets the deal close no earlier than December 11, 2026, unless the FTC ends its review. The Q2 fiscal 2027 report, expected in mid-December 2026, is the next test.

1. Sep 23, 2026Passed

   Q1 fiscal 2027 results: organic growth and marginOrganic growth near 8% or more with a higher operating margin passes; slower growth or a lower margin fails.Outcome: Organic growth was 8.9%, the operating margin reached a record 23.6% and Cintas raised its fiscal 2027 guidance.
2. Dec 17, 2026 · est.Pending

   Q2 fiscal 2027 resultsOrganic growth near 8%, a higher operating margin and confirmed or raised fiscal 2027 guidance pass; slower growth or lower guidance fail.
3. Dec 2026 · est.Pending

   FTC decision on the UniFirst purchaseAn end of the FTC review, or a settlement that lets the deal close, passes; an FTC lawsuit to block the deal fails.

Every passed and failed checkpoint across all picks

• October 27, 2026A press report said that the FTC told Cintas that it will sue to block the UniFirst purchase. The FTC did not confirm this, and it had not voted. Cintas shares fell 5% that day.
• October 6, 2026Cintas said that it and UniFirst certified on October 2, 2026, that they substantially complied with the FTC second request. They agreed with the FTC not to close the deal before December 11, 2026, unless the FTC closes its review before that date. The Canadian Competition Bureau also received complete answers on September 29, 2026. Cintas still expected the deal to close before the end of 2026.
• September 23, 2026Cintas reported Q1 fiscal 2027 results. Revenue rose 10.9% to $3.01 billion, and organic growth was 8.9%. The operating margin rose to a record 23.6%, and diluted EPS rose 13.3% to $1.36, or $1.39 without UniFirst deal costs. Free cash flow was $464.8 million. Cintas raised its fiscal 2027 guidance to revenue of $12.15 billion to $12.27 billion and adjusted EPS of $5.45 to $5.54.

Last earnings

September 23, 2026 (8-K on sec.gov)

Next earnings

Expected about December 17, 2026. The company has not confirmed the date.

• 8-KShareholder vote resultsFiled October 30, 2026 · ctas-20261027
• 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Aug 31, 2026Filed October 7, 2026 · ctas-20260831
• 8-KOther company newsFiled October 6, 2026 · Read it on sec.gov
• 8-KEarnings releaseFiled September 23, 2026 · ctas-20260923
• 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled August 27, 2026 · Read it on sec.gov
• 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled August 3, 2026 · Read it on sec.gov
• 10-KAnnual report for the period ended May 31, 2026Filed July 29, 2026 · ctas-20260531
• 8-KEarnings releaseFiled July 15, 2026 · ctas-20260715
• 8-KOther company newsFiled June 12, 2026 · Read it on sec.gov
• 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Feb 28, 2026Filed April 7, 2026 · ctas-20260228

Every filing on SEC EDGAR (CIK 723254)

• The FTC may sue to block the UniFirst purchase, according to a press report of October 27, 2026. A lawsuit can delay the deal for many months or stop it. If the deal ends in some cases, Cintas must pay UniFirst $350 million, and the expected cost savings do not come.
• Cintas revenue depends on the number of workers at its customers. If the economy weakens and employers cut jobs, uniform rentals and new contracts can fall.
• If the UniFirst deal closes, Cintas takes on new debt and issues new shares. A slow integration or lost customers can lower the return on the deal.
• Energy, fuel, labor and medical costs can rise faster than prices. This can stop the rise in margins.

Cintas has $2.44 billion of senior notes. The 3.70% notes of $1.0 billion are due in 2027, and the other notes are due in 2028, 2032 and 2037. Read more

Dividend yield

0.8% (last 12 months, at today’s price of $223.16)

Paid per share

$1.87 in the last 12 months (4 payments)

Current annual rate

$2.08 ($0.52 × 4 a year)

Payout ratio

37% of the last fiscal year’s earnings (the year that ended May 31, 2026)

Latest ex-dividend date

August 14, 2026, $0.52 per share

Dividends per share by year

Source: company filings and market data, read on November 9, 2026. The ex-dividend date is the first day a buyer no longer gets the next payment.