Abstract
Cintas will release its fiscal Q2 2026 results on December 18, 2025 Pre-Market. This preview consolidates last quarter’s performance, current-quarter forecasts, and analyst views to frame expectations ahead of the report on December 18, 2025.
Market Forecast
Consensus expectations point to fiscal Q2 2026 revenue of USD 2,765.60 million with forecast year-over-year growth of 07.88%, EBIT of USD 644.50 million with year-over-year forecast growth of 15.05%, and EPS of USD 1.20 with year-over-year forecast growth of 18.17%. The company’s gross profit margin and net profit margin for the quarter are not guided in the forecast dataset; highlights center on steady organic growth across Uniform Rental and Facility Services, and contributions from First Aid, Safety and Fire Protection Services.
The most promising segment is Uniform Rental and Facility Services, which remains the largest revenue driver; last quarter, it generated USD 2,091.07 million. While current-quarter segment revenue and year-over-year data are not forecasted in the dataset, the segment’s scale and mix optimization underpin the company’s near-term growth prospects.
Last Quarter Review
Cintas reported fiscal Q1 2026 revenue of USD 2,718.12 million, a gross profit margin of 50.28%, GAAP net profit attributable to the parent company of USD 491.00 million, a net profit margin of 18.07%, and adjusted EPS of USD 1.20, with year-over-year growth of 09.09%. Quarter-on-quarter growth in net profit attributable to the parent company was 09.57%.
A notable highlight was disciplined pricing and productivity initiatives that supported margin expansion despite cost pressures. Main business performance was led by Uniform Rental and Facility Services at USD 2,091.07 million, with First Aid, Safety and Fire Protection Services contributing USD 334.66 million and Other businesses accounting for USD 292.40 million.
Current Quarter Outlook (with major analytical insights)
Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Uniform Rental and Facility Services is the company’s primary earnings engine, representing about three-quarters of last quarter’s revenue at USD 2,091.07 million. The forecast for total company revenue suggests continued healthy demand and price discipline, implying sustained mid-to-high single-digit year-over-year growth in this segment. Operational execution—route efficiency, laundering productivity, and inventory management—has historically supported strong gross margins, evidenced by last quarter’s 50.28% gross profit margin. Heading into fiscal Q2 2026, a stable employment backdrop in customer end-markets and incremental penetration of facility services bundles should support both revenue and margin resilience. While short-term labor cost fluctuations and input prices can affect margins, the segment’s scale and recurring-service model typically buffer volatility. If topline growth tracks the company’s overall forecast, the segment should continue to contribute the majority of incremental EBIT this quarter.
First Aid, Safety and Fire Protection Services
First Aid, Safety and Fire Protection Services delivered USD 334.66 million last quarter and remains the company’s most promising adjacency in terms of cross-sell potential and margin accretion. The business benefits from regulatory-driven demand, compliance cycles, and service refresh needs, which tend to be less cyclical than uniform rental. As customers expand facility services, safety products and fire protection services often increase in tandem, boosting average revenue per account and deepening retention. This quarter, a focus on service quality, on-site replenishment efficiency, and integration of safety offerings across routes can lift throughput and profitability. Year-over-year momentum is likely underpinned by pricing actions and density gains; relative outperformance may occur when customers prioritize workplace health and compliance. Over the medium term, investments in technician productivity and scheduling technology can further improve margins, and high-attachment sales into existing uniform accounts remain a key catalyst.
Key Stock Price Drivers This Quarter
Stock performance around fiscal Q2 2026 will likely hinge on revenue growth versus forecast, margin trajectory, and EPS delivery. The forecast implies revenue of USD 2,765.60 million and EPS of USD 1.20; any variance driven by pricing, mix, or route productivity will directly influence investor expectations. Gross margin sustainability near the 50.00% level is a focal point, reflecting operational execution and input costs; deviations can affect valuation quickly given the company’s premium multiple. Management commentary on demand trends across small and mid-sized customers, cross-sell into facility and safety services, and calendar-year budget activity across clients should guide views on the second half of the fiscal year. Finally, clarity on cost management, labor efficiencies, and incremental technology deployments to support service density will be watched for indications of EBIT leverage relative to the forecast of USD 644.50 million.
Analyst Opinions
Recent institutional views within the last six months present a neutral-to-positive tilt, with a mix of Buy, Hold, and Sell stances, and Hold/Buy ratings forming the majority. Notable commentary includes Truist Financial maintaining a Buy rating, underscoring confidence in Cintas’s execution and ability to gain share through service quality and infrastructure. Oppenheimer and RBC Capital have maintained Hold ratings, reflecting balanced expectations around valuation and growth sustainability, while Citi has maintained a Sell rating, highlighting concerns tied to multiple and potential macro sensitivity. Taken together, the prevailing view leans neutral-to-positive: most cited drivers are recurring revenue resilience, share gains in uniform rental and facilities, and margin discipline, offset by watch points around labor costs and cyclical exposure in customer bases.Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.
Comments