Cintas (CTAS) Q1 2026 Report: Strong Revenue Growth and Shareholder Returns

Cintas Corp (CTAS), a major provider of corporate identity uniforms and a wide range of business services, recently filed its quarterly report for the period ending August 31, 2025. For anyone interested in the health of the B2B services sector, this filing offers a valuable look under the hood. Let's break down the key numbers and what they tell us about the company's performance.

You can find the full financial details in the 10-Q filing on the SEC's website.

Strong Top-Line Growth Across the Board

Cintas reported total revenue of $2.72 billion for the quarter, an impressive 8.7% increase from the $2.50 billion it brought in during the same period last year. According to the company's management discussion, this growth wasn't just from acquisitions; organic growth, which strips out the impact of acquisitions and currency fluctuations, stood at a healthy 7.8%.

The company's revenue comes from several streams. Here is a visual breakdown of how that revenue flows through costs and expenses to the bottom line.

The primary engine of the company, the Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment, grew by 8.1% to $2.09 billion. This division, which provides everything from work uniforms to restroom supplies and cleaning services, remains the bedrock of Cintas's business.

However, the standout performer was the First Aid and Safety Services segment. This division, which stocks first aid cabinets and provides safety products and training, saw revenue jump by 14.4% to $334.7 million. This faster growth rate highlights a successful diversification strategy and strong demand for workplace safety solutions.

Profitability and Shareholder Returns

Strong revenue growth is great, but it's only part of the story. Cintas also demonstrated its ability to translate that sales growth into profit. Operating income climbed 10.1% to $617.9 million, up from $561.0 million a year ago. This resulted in an operating margin of 22.7%, a slight improvement from 22.4% in the prior year, indicating efficient cost management even as the company expands.

Ultimately, this led to a net income of $491.1 million, or $1.20 per diluted share. This is a solid increase from last year's $452.0 million, or $1.10 per share.

Cintas continues to prioritize returning capital to its shareholders. The company:

• Repurchased $266.1 million of its common stock during the quarter.
• Declared a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share, a significant increase from the $0.39 declared in the same quarter last year.

A Look at the Balance Sheet

While the income statement paints a rosy picture, it's worth noting the company's cash position. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $138.1 million at the end of the quarter, down from $264.0 million three months prior. The statement of cash flows reveals this decrease was primarily driven by cash used in financing activities, including the aforementioned stock buybacks and dividend payments.

In conclusion, Cintas's latest quarterly report showcases a company firing on all cylinders. It is successfully growing its core business while also seeing accelerated growth in its ancillary services. With stable margins and a clear commitment to shareholder returns, Cintas continues to demonstrate the strength and resilience of its business model.