Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) kept its earnings streak alive by delivering better-than-expected results for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 (ended Aug 31, 2018). It recorded earnings beat of 8.4% and sales beat of 0.7% in the quarter under review.
The company’s adjusted earnings in the reported quarter were $1.93 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.78. On a year-over-year basis, the bottom line increased 30.4% from the year-ago tally of $1.48 on the back of healthy segmental business and lower tax expenses.
It’s worth noting here that adjusted earnings per share of $1.93 exclude adverse impacts of 4 cents of expenses related to the G&K buyout, completed in March 2017.
Organic Sales Growth Drives Top Line
In the quarter under review, Cintas’ net sales were $1,698 million, reflecting growth of 5.4% from the year-ago quarter. The improvement was driven primarily by organic sales growth of 5.2%.
Further, the top line marginally exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,687 million.
The company has two reportable segments — Uniform Rental and Facility Services, and First Aid and Safety Services. Other businesses, including Uniform Direct Sale and Fire Protection Services, are included in All Other. Quarterly sales data is briefly discussed below:
Revenues from Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment (representing 81% of the reported quarter’s net sales) were $1,374.9 million, increasing 4.8% year over year. Organic sales were recorded at 4.9%.
Revenues from First Aid and Safety Services segment (representing 9% of the reported quarter’s net sales) totaled $153.4 million, increasing 9.1% year over year. Organic sales in the quarter increased 9%.
Revenues from All Other business (representing 10% of the reported quarter’s net sales) were $169.6 million, increasing 6.6% year over year.
Gross Margin Weak on Higher Costs
In the quarter under review, Cintas’ cost of sales (comprising costs related to uniform rental and facility services as well as others) increased 5.9% year over year to $923.3 million. It represented 54.4% of net sales compared with 54.1% in the year-ago quarter. Gross profit in the quarter increased 4.8% year over year while gross margin was down 30 basis points (bps) to 45.6%.
Selling and administrative expenses totaled $504.6 million, reflecting 3.8% increase over the year-ago tally. It represented 29.7% of net sales. Effective tax rate in the reported quarter was 12%, way below 26.5% in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting the first quarter of fiscal 2019, Cintas’ cash and cash equivalents were $118.4 million, roughly 14.7% below $138.7 million at the end of the last-reported quarter. Long-term debt roughly remained stable, sequentially, at $2,535.9 million.
In the reported quarter, the company generated net cash of $163 million from its operating activities, decreasing 35.9% from the year-ago tally. Capital expenditure totaled $64.5 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 3.2%. Fall in operating cash flow and rise in capital expenditure led to roughly 48.7% decline in free cash to $98.5 million.
During the quarter under review, the company used repurchased shares worth $139.5 million.
Outlook
Cintas remains focused on increasing the number of businesses it serves, effectively integrating G&K assets and execution of its enterprise resource planning system.
Driven by first-quarter performance, the company has increased projections for fiscal 2019. Revenues are now anticipated to be $6.80-$6.855 billion, above previously stated $6.75-$6.82 billion. The revised guidance reflects year-over-year growth of 5-5.8%. Organic sales for the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment are estimated to grow in the quarters left in fiscal 2019.
Earnings are predicted to be $7.19-$7.29 per share versus $7.00-$7.15 stated earlier. On a year-over-year basis, earnings per share represent growth of 21-22.7% from the previous fiscal. Moreover, the revised projection excludes impact of G&K integration expenses of $15-$20 million.
Cintas Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
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Cintas Corporation (CTAS - Free Report) kept its earnings streak alive by delivering better-than-expected results for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 (ended Aug 31, 2018). It recorded earnings beat of 8.4% and sales beat of 0.7% in the quarter under review.
The company’s adjusted earnings in the reported quarter were $1.93 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.78. On a year-over-year basis, the bottom line increased 30.4% from the year-ago tally of $1.48 on the back of healthy segmental business and lower tax expenses.
It’s worth noting here that adjusted earnings per share of $1.93 exclude adverse impacts of 4 cents of expenses related to the G&K buyout, completed in March 2017.
Organic Sales Growth Drives Top Line
In the quarter under review, Cintas’ net sales were $1,698 million, reflecting growth of 5.4% from the year-ago quarter. The improvement was driven primarily by organic sales growth of 5.2%.
Further, the top line marginally exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,687 million.
The company has two reportable segments — Uniform Rental and Facility Services, and First Aid and Safety Services. Other businesses, including Uniform Direct Sale and Fire Protection Services, are included in All Other. Quarterly sales data is briefly discussed below:
Revenues from Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment (representing 81% of the reported quarter’s net sales) were $1,374.9 million, increasing 4.8% year over year. Organic sales were recorded at 4.9%.
Revenues from First Aid and Safety Services segment (representing 9% of the reported quarter’s net sales) totaled $153.4 million, increasing 9.1% year over year. Organic sales in the quarter increased 9%.
Revenues from All Other business (representing 10% of the reported quarter’s net sales) were $169.6 million, increasing 6.6% year over year.
Gross Margin Weak on Higher Costs
In the quarter under review, Cintas’ cost of sales (comprising costs related to uniform rental and facility services as well as others) increased 5.9% year over year to $923.3 million. It represented 54.4% of net sales compared with 54.1% in the year-ago quarter. Gross profit in the quarter increased 4.8% year over year while gross margin was down 30 basis points (bps) to 45.6%.
Selling and administrative expenses totaled $504.6 million, reflecting 3.8% increase over the year-ago tally. It represented 29.7% of net sales. Effective tax rate in the reported quarter was 12%, way below 26.5% in the year-ago quarter.
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
Exiting the first quarter of fiscal 2019, Cintas’ cash and cash equivalents were $118.4 million, roughly 14.7% below $138.7 million at the end of the last-reported quarter. Long-term debt roughly remained stable, sequentially, at $2,535.9 million.
In the reported quarter, the company generated net cash of $163 million from its operating activities, decreasing 35.9% from the year-ago tally. Capital expenditure totaled $64.5 million, reflecting year-over-year growth of 3.2%. Fall in operating cash flow and rise in capital expenditure led to roughly 48.7% decline in free cash to $98.5 million.
During the quarter under review, the company used repurchased shares worth $139.5 million.
Outlook
Cintas remains focused on increasing the number of businesses it serves, effectively integrating G&K assets and execution of its enterprise resource planning system.
Driven by first-quarter performance, the company has increased projections for fiscal 2019. Revenues are now anticipated to be $6.80-$6.855 billion, above previously stated $6.75-$6.82 billion. The revised guidance reflects year-over-year growth of 5-5.8%. Organic sales for the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment are estimated to grow in the quarters left in fiscal 2019.
Earnings are predicted to be $7.19-$7.29 per share versus $7.00-$7.15 stated earlier. On a year-over-year basis, earnings per share represent growth of 21-22.7% from the previous fiscal. Moreover, the revised projection excludes impact of G&K integration expenses of $15-$20 million.
Cintas Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>
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