If you run a business, you probably need uniforms, first aid kits, or cleaning services. And if you're Cintas Corp. (CTAS), that's a very good thing. The company reported fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 results on Wednesday that topped Wall Street estimates, sending shares higher. Revenue rose 8.9% year over year to $2.91 billion, beating the analyst consensus of $2.87 billion. Organic revenue grew 8.4%.

The numbers were strong across the board. GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 15.6% to $1.26, topping the $1.23 estimate. Adjusted diluted EPS, which excludes 3 cents per share in expenses related to the proposed acquisition of UniFirst Corp. (UNF), rose 18.3% to $1.29. Net income climbed 14% to $511 million. Gross profit rose 11.6% to $1.48 billion, and gross margin expanded 130 basis points to a record 51%.

Operating income increased 12.7% to $673 million, with operating margin improving to 23.2% from 22.4% a year earlier. Those results included $14 million in UniFirst transaction-related expenses, so the underlying operational performance was even stronger.

Rental and First Aid Businesses Fuel Growth

Cintas's core Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment saw revenue rise 8.2% to $2.20 billion, with operating income increasing to $529.5 million from $465.1 million. The First Aid and Safety Services segment grew even faster: revenue jumped 13.5% to $368.1 million, and operating income climbed to $98.6 million from $76.7 million. The All Other segment, which includes things like document management and fire protection, posted revenue of $339.4 million, up 8.6%, with operating income rising to $59 million.

For the full fiscal year 2026, revenue increased 8.9% to $11.26 billion, with organic growth of 8.3%. GAAP diluted EPS rose 11.6% to $4.91, while adjusted diluted EPS increased 12.3% to $4.94. Operating cash flow improved to $2.28 billion, and free cash flow rose to $1.88 billion. Cintas invested $395.1 million in capital expenditures and returned $1.65 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The company ended the year with $289 million in cash and about $2.43 billion in total debt.

UniFirst Deal Progresses

The proposed acquisition of UniFirst is moving forward. Cintas said UniFirst shareholders approved the deal on June 11. The companies also received a second request for information from the Federal Trade Commission, which is standard for larger transactions. Cintas still expects the deal to close in the second half of calendar 2026.

Fiscal 2027 Outlook: Above Consensus

Looking ahead, Cintas forecast fiscal 2027 revenue of $12.10 billion to $12.25 billion, above the analyst consensus estimate of $12.08 billion. That implies annual growth of 7.4% to 8.7%. The company expects adjusted diluted EPS of $5.36 to $5.50, compared with the $5.43 estimate, representing projected growth of 8.5% to 11.3%.

The outlook excludes the proposed UniFirst acquisition, future acquisitions, nonrecurring transaction costs, future share repurchases, and significant economic disruptions. It assumes constant foreign exchange rates and includes one additional workday. Cintas expects fiscal 2027 net interest expense of about $105 million, up from $101.2 million in fiscal 2026, primarily due to amortization of bridge-loan financing costs related to the UniFirst acquisition. The company expects an effective tax rate of 20.2%.

During the earnings call, management stressed that Cintas still sees significant room for expansion despite an uncertain economic backdrop. CEO Todd Schneider said the company's total addressable market remains "massive," allowing it to grow across different economic cycles. "But because of the opportunity out there and because of how we help customers run a better business, the opportunities are virtually endless for us," he said.

Cintas shares were up 4.03% at $191.75 at the time of publication on Wednesday.