Companies /Industrials

Cintas Corporation

NASDAQ: CTAS Specialty Business Services
$204.15
▼ $1.63 (−0.79%) today
Markets closed · 5:14am ET

Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported Sep 24, 2025, 8:34am ET · SEC source
$1.20
Beat +0.31%
EPS · est. $1.20
$2.7B
Beat +0.70%
Revenue · est. $2.7B
−7.0%
Trailing market
CTAS vs S&P since report
6 quarters
Consecutive EPS beats

Market Reaction

% change · around the report
−2%0+2%Sep 24Sep 25report 8:34am ETearnings−1.0%+2.9%
−2%0+2%Sep 24Sep 25earnings−1.0%+2.9%
CTAS +2.9%S&P 500 −1.0%
−2%0+2%Sep 24Sep 25report 8:34am ETearnings−1.1%+2.9%
−2%0+2%Sep 24Sep 25earnings−1.1%+2.9%
CTAS +2.9%NASDAQ −1.1%
0+2%+4%+6%Sep 23Oct 2report 8:34am ETearnings+0.8%+4.1%
0+2%+4%+6%Sep 23Oct 2earnings+0.8%+4.1%
CTAS +4.1%S&P 500 +0.8%
0+3%+6%Sep 23Oct 2report 8:34am ETearnings+0.9%+4.1%
0+3%+6%Sep 23Oct 2earnings+0.9%+4.1%
CTAS +4.1%NASDAQ +0.9%
−0.27%
Day of report
+1.00%
Next session
+1.80%
One week
−4.60%
30 days

S&P 500 over the same 30 days: +2.44%.

Did CTAS Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

Cintas delivered a clean beat to open fiscal 2026, with the uniform services giant posting first-quarter revenue of $2.72 billion, up 8.7% year-over-year and edging past the $2.70 billion consensus by 0.70%, while diluted EPS of $1.20 topped the $1.20 estimate by 0.31%. The results reflected broad-based momentum across segments, with the core Uniform Rental and Facility Services business generating $2.09 billion in revenue and First Aid and Safety Services leading growth at 14.4% to $334.66 million. Margin discipline added to the story, as operating margin expanded to 22.7% from 22.4% a year earlier and gross margin improved 20 basis points to 50.3%, helping drive a 10.1% gain in operating income to $617.86 million. Encouraged by the momentum, management raised its full-year fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to $11.06 billion to $11.18 billion and lifted diluted EPS guidance to $4.74 to $4.86, signaling continued confidence in execution despite an expected effective tax rate of 20.0% for the year.

Key Takeaways
  • 8.7% total revenue growth with 7.8% organic revenue growth rate
  • Acquisitions contributed 0.9% to revenue growth
  • Gross margin expanded 20 basis points to 50.3%
  • Operating margin improved to 22.7% from 22.4%
  • Disciplined execution and ongoing investment in technology and talent
  • First Aid and Safety Services segment grew revenue 14.4% year-over-year

“In the first quarter, we achieved strong revenue growth, along with healthy margin expansion, reflecting our disciplined execution, ongoing investment in technology and talent, and the unwavering commitment of our employee-partners. Our results reflect the strength of our value proposition and demonstrate the value we deliver to customers across all segments.”

Cintas CEO, on the earnings call

Forward Guidance & Outlook

Cintas raised its full fiscal year 2026 guidance. Annual revenue expectations were increased from a range of $11.00 billion–$11.15 billion to $11.06 billion–$11.18 billion. Diluted EPS guidance was raised from $4.71–$4.85 to $4.74–$4.86. Fiscal 2026 and 2025 have the same number of workdays. Guidance assumes no future acquisitions, constant foreign currency exchange rates, no future share buybacks, and no significant economic disruptions. Fiscal year 2026 net interest expense is expected to be approximately $97.0 million (vs. $95.0 million in FY2025), primarily due to refinancing senior notes at a higher rate, partially offset by lower variable rate interest. The effective tax rate is expected to be 20.0%, unchanged from FY2025.

CTAS YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025 · SEC filings Q1 2025 Q1 2026
$0$800.0M$1.6B$2.4B$2.5B$2.7BRevenue$1.3B$1.4BGross Profit$561.0M$617.9MOperating Income$452.0M$491.1MNet Income
$0$800.0M$1.6B$2.4BRevenueGross ProfitOperating IncomeNet Income

CTAS Revenue by Segment

Uniform Rental and Facility Services$2.1B+8.1%
First Aid and Safety Services$334.7M+14.4%
All Other$292.4M+6.3%

Figures from SEC filings and company reports. Not investment advice.