Cintas Corporation Announces Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results

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CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today reported results for its fiscal 2026 second quarter ended November 30, 2025. Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was $2.80 billion compared to $2.56 billion in last year’s second quarter, an increase of 9.3%. Revenue growth in the quarter was positively impacted by 0.7% due to acquisitions. The organic revenue growth rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, which adjusts for the impacts of acquisitions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, was 8.6%.

Gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was $1.41 billion compared to $1.28 billion in last year’s second quarter, an increase of 10.6%. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 50.4% for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to 49.8% in last year's second quarter, an increase of 60 basis points.

Operating income for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 increased 10.9% to $655.7 million compared to $591.4 million in last year's second quarter. Operating income as a percentage of revenue was 23.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to 23.1% in last year's second quarter.

Net income was $495.3 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to $448.5 million in last year's second quarter, an increase of 10.4%. The second quarter of fiscal 2026 effective tax rate was 21.2% compared to 20.7% in last year's second quarter. The tax rates in both quarters were impacted by certain discrete items, primarily the tax accounting impact for stock-based compensation. Second quarter of fiscal 2026 diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $1.21 compared to $1.09 in last year's second quarter, an increase of 11.0%.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and through December 17, 2025, Cintas purchased shares of Cintas common stock under our share buyback programs, for a total purchase price of $622.5 million. On December 15, 2025, Cintas paid an aggregate quarterly dividend of $180.7 million to shareholders. During the first six months of fiscal 2026, Cintas has returned $1.24 billion in capital to its shareholders in the form of share buybacks and dividends.

Todd M. Schneider, Cintas’ President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We delivered another strong quarter, with record revenue driven by attractive growth across all our business segments, an all-time high operating margin and robust cash generation. These results reflect the disciplined execution of our strategy, the benefits of our on-going technology investments and the exceptional commitment of our employee-partners to serving our customers."

Mr. Schneider concluded, "As we look ahead to the rest of fiscal 2026, we are raising our full fiscal year financial guidance. We are raising our annual revenue expectations from a range of $11.06 billion to $11.18 billion to a range of $11.15 billion to $11.22 billion and raising our diluted EPS guidance from a range of $4.74 to $4.86 to a range of $4.81 to $4.88. We remain focused on operational excellence and executing our balanced capital allocation strategy. With our differentiated culture, industry-leading products and services, and world-class team, Cintas is well-positioned to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value creation for our shareholders, customers and all stakeholders."

Please note the following regarding the annual revenue guidance:

• Both fiscal year 2026 and fiscal year 2025 have the same number of workdays for the year and by quarter.
• Guidance does not assume any future acquisitions.
• Guidance assumes a constant foreign currency exchange rate.

Please note the following regarding the diluted EPS guidance:

• Fiscal year 2026 interest, net is expected to be approximately $104.0 million compared to $95.5 million in fiscal year 2025, primarily as a result of refinancing senior notes at a higher interest rate in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, as well as higher variable rate interest expense from commercial paper as a result of buyback activity during fiscal 2026. Expected interest, net may change as a result of debt activity or issuance of commercial paper related to future share buybacks or acquisition activity.
• Fiscal year 2026 effective tax rate is expected to be 20.0%, which is the same as fiscal year 2025.
• Our diluted EPS guidance does not include the impact of future share buybacks or significant economic disruptions or downturn.

Please note the following regarding the third quarter of fiscal 2026:

• Cintas recognized a $15 million gain on the sale of land in the third quarter of fiscal 2025. That will not repeat in the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and will be a headwind when comparing the third quarter results year over year.

Cintas

Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready^™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday^®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.

Cintas will host a live webcast to review the fiscal 2026 second quarter results today at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. The webcast will be available to the public on Cintas' website at www.Cintas.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the live call and will remain available for two weeks.

CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our future business plans and expectations, and including the company's fiscal 2026 full-year guidance. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor from civil litigation for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “target,” “forecast,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “should,” “may” and “will” or the negative versions thereof and similar words, terms and expressions and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of Cintas and speak only as of the date made. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. These statements are subject to various risks, uncertainties, potentially inaccurate assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in or implied by this Press Release. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the possibility of greater than anticipated operating costs including energy and fuel costs; lower sales volumes; loss of customers due to outsourcing trends; the performance and costs of integration of acquisitions; supply chain constraints and macroeconomic conditions, including inflationary pressures and higher interest rates; changes in global trade policies, tariffs, and other measures that could restrict international trade; fluctuations in costs of materials and labor, including increased medical costs; costs and possible effects of union organizing activities; failure to comply with government regulations concerning employment discrimination, employee pay and benefits and employee health and safety; the effect on operations of exchange rate fluctuations, and other political, economic and regulatory risks; uncertainties regarding any existing or newly-discovered expenses and liabilities related to environmental compliance and remediation; our ability to meet our aspirations relating to sustainability opportunities, improvements and efficiencies; the cost, results and ongoing assessment of internal controls over financial reporting; the effect of new accounting pronouncements; risks associated with cybersecurity threats, including disruptions caused by the inaccessibility of computer systems data and cybersecurity risk management; the initiation or outcome of litigation, investigations or other proceedings; higher assumed sourcing or distribution costs of products; the disruption of operations from catastrophic or extraordinary events including global health pandemics; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common stock, if any; changes in global tax and labor laws; and the reactions of competitors in terms of price and service. Cintas undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements or to otherwise update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information or to reflect events, circumstances or any other unanticipated developments arising after the date on which such statements are made, except otherwise as required by law. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2025 and in our reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. The risks and uncertainties described herein are not the only ones we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties presently not known to us, or that we currently believe to be immaterial, may also harm our business.

Cintas Corporation Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited) (In thousands except per share data)
	Three Months Ended
	November 30, 2025				November 30, 2024				% Change
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services	$	2,155,400			$	1,990,410			8.3%
Other		644,592				571,373			12.8%
Total revenue		2,799,992				2,561,783			9.3%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of uniform rental and facility services		1,081,218				1,014,052			6.6%
Cost of other		306,289				271,028			13.0%
Selling and administrative expenses		756,771				685,313			10.4%
Operating income		655,714				591,390			10.9%
Interest income		(866	)			(962	)		(10.0)%
Interest expense		28,076				26,665			5.3%
Income before income taxes		628,504				565,687			11.1%
Income taxes		133,161				117,192			13.6%
Net income	$	495,343			$	448,495			10.4%
Basic earnings per share	$	1.23			$	1.11			10.8%
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.21			$	1.09			11.0%
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		401,484				403,581
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		406,433				410,667

Cintas Corporation Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited) (In thousands except per share data)
	Six Months Ended
	November 30, 2025				November 30, 2024				% Change
Revenue:
Uniform rental and facility services	$	4,246,466			$	3,924,249			8.2%
Other		1,271,648				1,139,121			11.6%
Total revenue		5,518,114				5,063,370			9.0%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of uniform rental and facility services		2,133,771				1,995,215			6.9%
Cost of other		605,297				539,321			12.2%
Selling and administrative expenses		1,505,473				1,376,413			9.4%
Operating income		1,273,573				1,152,421			10.5%
Interest income		(3,075	)			(2,212	)		39.0%
Interest expense		52,237				52,284			(0.1)%
Income before income taxes		1,224,411				1,102,349			11.1%
Income taxes		237,928				201,821			17.9%
Net income	$	986,483			$	900,528			9.5%
Basic earnings per share	$	2.44			$	2.22			9.9%
Diluted earnings per share	$	2.41			$	2.19			10.0%
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		402,391				403,489
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		407,874				410,613

CINTAS CORPORATION SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Gross Margin and Net Income Margin Results
	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	November 30, 2025		November 30, 2024		November 30, 2025		November 30, 2024
Uniform rental and facility services gross margin	49.8%		49.1%		49.8%		49.2%
Other gross margin	52.5%		52.6%		52.4%		52.7%
Total gross margin	50.4%		49.8%		50.4%		49.9%
Net income margin	17.7%		17.5%		17.9%		17.8%

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The press release contains non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of the rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. To supplement its consolidated condensed financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company provides this additional non-GAAP financial measure of free cash flow. The Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is appropriate to enhance understanding of its past performance as well as prospects for future performance. A reconciliation of the difference between this non-GAAP financial measure with the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is shown in the table below.

Computation of Free Cash Flow
	Six Months Ended
(In thousands)	November 30, 2025				November 30, 2024
Net cash provided by operations	$	945,704			$	905,091
Capital expenditures		(208,209	)			(194,337	)
Free cash flow	$	737,495			$	710,754

Management uses free cash flow to assess the financial performance of the Company. Management believes that free cash flow is useful to investors because it relates the operating cash flow of the Company to the capital that is spent to continue, improve and grow business operations.

SUPPLEMENTAL SEGMENT DATA

(In thousands)	Uniform Rental and Facility Services			First Aid and Safety Services			All Other			Total
For the three months ended November 30, 2025
Revenue	$	2,155,400		$	342,240		$	302,352		$	2,799,992
Cost of sales		1,081,218			144,638			161,651			1,387,507
Gross margin		1,074,182			197,602			140,701			1,412,485
Selling and administrative expenses		548,451			110,598			97,722			756,771
Operating income	$	525,731		$	87,004		$	42,979		$	655,714
For the three months ended November 30, 2024
Revenue	$	1,990,410		$	299,367		$	272,006		$	2,561,783
Cost of sales		1,014,052			127,882			143,146			1,285,080
Gross margin		976,358			171,485			128,860			1,276,703
Selling and administrative expenses		503,999			96,262			85,052			685,313
Operating income	$	472,359		$	75,223		$	43,808		$	591,390
For the six months ended November 30, 2025
Revenue	$	4,246,466		$	676,897		$	594,751		$	5,518,114
Cost of sales		2,133,771			289,127			316,170			2,739,068
Gross margin		2,112,695			387,770			278,581			2,779,046
Selling and administrative expenses		1,087,027			220,439			198,007			1,505,473
Operating income	$	1,025,668		$	167,331		$	80,574		$	1,273,573
For the six months ended November 30, 2024
Revenue	$	3,924,249		$	591,934		$	547,187		$	5,063,370
Cost of sales		1,995,215			251,646			287,675			2,534,536
Gross margin		1,929,034			340,288			259,512			2,528,834
Selling and administrative expenses		1,010,237			193,777			172,399			1,376,413
Operating income	$	918,797		$	146,511		$	87,113		$	1,152,421

Cintas Corporation Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (In thousands)
	November 30, 2025				May 31, 2025
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	200,842			$	263,973
Accounts receivable, net		1,484,328				1,417,381
Inventories, net		447,611				447,408
Uniforms and other rental items in service		1,213,499				1,137,361
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		193,808				170,046
Total current assets		3,540,088				3,436,169
Property and equipment, net		1,702,887				1,652,474
Investments		386,281				339,518
Goodwill		3,483,504				3,400,227
Service contracts, net		297,729				309,828
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net		254,064				224,383
Other assets, net		468,328				462,642
	$	10,132,881			$	9,825,241
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	503,273			$	485,109
Accrued compensation and related liabilities		167,872				229,538
Accrued liabilities		797,710				875,077
Income taxes, current		3,654				4,034
Operating lease liabilities, current		52,726				50,744
Debt due within one year		550,750				—
Total current liabilities		2,075,985				1,644,502
Long-term liabilities:
Debt due after one year		2,426,529				2,424,999
Deferred income taxes		495,341				471,740
Operating lease liabilities		207,060				178,738
Accrued liabilities		472,619				420,781
Total long-term liabilities		3,601,549				3,496,258
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, no par value:		—				—
100 shares authorized, none outstanding
Common stock, no par value, and paid-in capital:		2,743,927				2,593,479
1,700,000 shares authorized
FY 2026: 778,785 issued and 399,855 outstanding
FY 2025: 776,936 issued and 402,948 outstanding
Retained earnings		12,421,850				11,798,451
Treasury stock:		(10,778,156	)			(9,791,838	)
FY 2026: 378,930 shares
FY 2025: 373,988 shares
Accumulated other comprehensive income		67,726				84,389
Total shareholders’ equity		4,455,347				4,684,481
	$	10,132,881			$	9,825,241

Cintas Corporation Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands)
	Six Months Ended
	November 30, 2025				November 30, 2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	986,483			$	900,528
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation		156,885				149,340
Amortization of intangible assets and capitalized contract costs		96,553				92,862
Stock-based compensation		62,701				65,784
Gain on sale of property and equipment		—				(4,295	)
Deferred income taxes		25,645				3,753
Change in current assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of businesses:
Accounts receivable, net		(68,339	)			(129,053	)
Inventories, net		(719	)			18,751
Uniforms and other rental items in service		(76,801	)			(53,665	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets and capitalized contract costs		(103,702	)			(110,105	)
Accounts payable		19,360				80,292
Accrued compensation and related liabilities		(61,346	)			(53,759	)
Accrued liabilities and other		(90,428	)			(25,770	)
Income taxes, current		(588	)			(29,572	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		945,704				905,091
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(208,209	)			(194,337	)
Purchases of investments		(6,506	)			(7,092	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		—				5,908
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		(93,236	)			(154,884	)
Other, net		(1,130	)			1,402
Net cash used in investing activities		(309,081	)			(349,003	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of commercial paper, net		550,750				181,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock-based compensation awards		3,096				575
Dividends paid		(340,109	)			(295,564	)
Repurchase of common stock		(901,667	)			(651,518	)
Other, net		(11,082	)			(8,393	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(699,012	)			(773,900	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(742	)			(1,808	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(63,131	)			(219,620	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		263,973				342,015
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	200,842			$	122,395

 

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For additional information, contact:

Scott A. Garula, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - 513-972-3867

Jared S. Mattingley, Vice President, Treasurer & Investor Relations - 513-972-4195

Source: Cintas Corporation