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Cintas (CTAS) Remains Poised for Steady Top-Line Growth
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On Aug 24, we issued an updated research report on business services provider, Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) .
Cintas maintains a focused approach for steady top-line growth. Revenues have witnessed an increasing trend over the past few quarters. From 2010-2017, revenues of the company have witnessed a compounded annual growth rate of 5.2%. Cintas aims to continually achieve revenue build-up by increasing penetration levels at existing customers and broadening the customer base to include fresh business segments. Cintas also identifies additional product and service opportunities for its current and future customers to expand its portfolio.
The acquisition of G&K Services Inc. is further likely to expand Cintas’ customer profile and augment its revenues. The combined company is likely to cater to over one billion customers with an extended product portfolio and additional processing capacity. Customer service is also likely to improve with increased route density. The synergies from the combined operations are expected to yield $130 million to $140 million in cost savings from the fourth year of its operation. The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to Cintas’ future earnings.
In addition, Cintas has a strong balance sheet with adequate liquidity to meet its working capital requirements. Over the years, the company consistently returned significant cash to its shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Its investment strategy takes a holistic view of the rapidly evolving market and deploys a dynamic capital allocation approach to focus on the relative value of the various sectors within the broader industry. Cintas has outperformed the industry with an average year-to-date return of 16% compared with a gain of 11.8% for the latter.
However, Cintas procures raw materials from a wide variety of domestic and international suppliers, making it susceptible to market risks which are beyond its control. A continuous increase in raw material costs such as cotton also weighs on its margins. Cintas faces stiff competition from national, regional and local companies on various factors such as design, price, quality, service and convenience to the customers. Specifically, its first aid and fire protection services are decidedly commoditized markets and hence are subject to fierce competition. As such, the company has to continually invest in value drivers to fend off competition, which further weakens its profitability. Moreover, a persistent challenging macroeconomic environment has mostly driven customers to perform certain in-house services themselves instead of outsourcing them to Cintas. This resulted in some loss of businesses.
Barnes has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9%.
Graco has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10.5%. It topped estimates in each of the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 23.95%.
Superior Uniform Group has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 13.5%. It topped estimates in each of the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 18%.
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Cintas (CTAS) Remains Poised for Steady Top-Line Growth
On Aug 24, we issued an updated research report on business services provider, Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) .
Cintas maintains a focused approach for steady top-line growth. Revenues have witnessed an increasing trend over the past few quarters. From 2010-2017, revenues of the company have witnessed a compounded annual growth rate of 5.2%. Cintas aims to continually achieve revenue build-up by increasing penetration levels at existing customers and broadening the customer base to include fresh business segments. Cintas also identifies additional product and service opportunities for its current and future customers to expand its portfolio.
The acquisition of G&K Services Inc. is further likely to expand Cintas’ customer profile and augment its revenues. The combined company is likely to cater to over one billion customers with an extended product portfolio and additional processing capacity. Customer service is also likely to improve with increased route density. The synergies from the combined operations are expected to yield $130 million to $140 million in cost savings from the fourth year of its operation. The transaction is anticipated to be accretive to Cintas’ future earnings.
In addition, Cintas has a strong balance sheet with adequate liquidity to meet its working capital requirements. Over the years, the company consistently returned significant cash to its shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Its investment strategy takes a holistic view of the rapidly evolving market and deploys a dynamic capital allocation approach to focus on the relative value of the various sectors within the broader industry. Cintas has outperformed the industry with an average year-to-date return of 16% compared with a gain of 11.8% for the latter.
However, Cintas procures raw materials from a wide variety of domestic and international suppliers, making it susceptible to market risks which are beyond its control. A continuous increase in raw material costs such as cotton also weighs on its margins. Cintas faces stiff competition from national, regional and local companies on various factors such as design, price, quality, service and convenience to the customers. Specifically, its first aid and fire protection services are decidedly commoditized markets and hence are subject to fierce competition. As such, the company has to continually invest in value drivers to fend off competition, which further weakens its profitability. Moreover, a persistent challenging macroeconomic environment has mostly driven customers to perform certain in-house services themselves instead of outsourcing them to Cintas. This resulted in some loss of businesses.
Nevertheless, we remain impressed with the inherent growth potential of this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock. Other stocks in the industry worth considering include Barnes Group Inc. (B - Free Report) , Graco Inc. (GGG - Free Report) and Superior Uniform Group, Inc. (SGC - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Barnes has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 9%.
Graco has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 10.5%. It topped estimates in each of the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 23.95%.
Superior Uniform Group has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 13.5%. It topped estimates in each of the trailing four quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 18%.
One Simple Trading Idea
Since 1988, the Zacks system has more than doubled the S&P 500 with an average gain of +25% per year. With compounding, rebalancing, and exclusive of fees, it can turn thousands into millions of dollars.
This proven stock-picking system is grounded on a single big idea that can be fortune shaping and life changing. You can apply it to your portfolio starting today.
Learn more >>