Baird downgrades Cintas stock citing record-high valuation concerns By Investing.com

On Friday, Baird shifted its stance on Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:) stock, downgrading from Outperform to Neutral, albeit with an increase in the price target to $775 from $750. The firm cited concerns over the company’s valuation metrics, which have reached record levels, as the primary reason for the downgrade.

Cintas, known for its corporate uniform programs, now trades at a record-high price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 45 times forward twelve months (FTM) earnings. Additionally, the stock’s PE ratio is 113% relative to the S&P 500, which Baird highlighted as a record. The firm also pointed out that Cintas’ EBITDA multiple has expanded to 30 times, and its price/earnings to growth (PEG) ratio has hit a record 4 times.

The analyst from Baird noted that while they have been strong supporters of Cintas since their initial upgrade in March 2011, the current valuation levels suggest a more balanced risk/reward scenario.

Despite the firm’s long-standing bullish stance, the analyst expressed that valuation still plays a crucial role in investment decisions and that even the most optimistic investors might find it challenging to justify the stock’s premium.

Moreover, the analyst mentioned that softening data from competitors and labor markets could negatively impact Cintas, although the company has historically been able to sell through macroeconomic softness. The firm expressed a willingness to reengage with Cintas if the stock’s PE ratio adjusted to the mid-$30s range.

The price target increase to $775, despite the downgrade, indicates a slight improvement in the firm’s expectations for Cintas’ stock performance. However, the cautious tone suggests that Baird is taking a step back to observe how the company’s financials and market position evolve in the near term.

In other recent news, Cintas Corporation has been the subject of several notable developments. The company reported higher-than-expected earnings per share for the fourth fiscal quarter, leading Truist Securities to increase its price target for Cintas to $850 and reaffirm its Buy rating.

Cintas also released its fiscal year 2025 guidance, which aligns closely with analysts’ predictions and suggests an estimated adjusted incremental margin of approximately 27%.

In addition to these earnings and revenue results, Cintas announced a four-for-one split of its common stock, marking the company’s first stock split since 2000. This move is expected to increase the number of outstanding common shares from approximately 101 million to around 404 million. The decision aims to make share ownership more accessible, particularly to its employee-partners.

However, not all analyst assessments of Cintas have been positive. RBC Capital Markets downgraded Cintas stock to Sector Perform from Outperform, citing concerns over potential moderation in revenue growth within the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segments.

The firm set a price target of $725.00 for the company’s shares. Similarly, Citi downgraded Cintas stock from Neutral to Sell, despite acknowledging the company’s strong performance in earnings quality and growth, and raised the price target to $570.

These are recent developments that investors might want to consider in their analysis of Cintas Corporation. As always, it is important to base investment decisions on a careful review of the facts and to consult with a trusted financial advisor.

InvestingPro Insights

Adding to the analysis by Baird, InvestingPro data reveals that Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) is indeed trading at a high valuation with a P/E ratio of 51.91 and a PEG ratio of 3.15, reflecting a premium compared to the market. The company’s Price / Book ratio stands at 18.15, which is significantly higher than the industry average, underscoring the concerns over its current valuation metrics.

However, the InvestingPro Tips highlight some of the strengths that may justify the company’s valuation to some investors. Cintas boasts an impressive gross profit margin of 48.46%, indicating strong operational efficiency. Additionally, the company has a robust track record of maintaining dividend payments for 32 consecutive years, which may appeal to long-term investors seeking stable income. With a solid return on assets of 17.24%, Cintas demonstrates effective management of its resources.

For investors intrigued by Cintas’ financial health and considering whether to take a position, there are 21 additional InvestingPro Tips available that could provide further insights into the company’s performance and potential. To explore these tips and make a more informed investment decision, use the exclusive coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription at InvestingPro.

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