UNF
UniFirst Corporation · Industrials · Specialty Business Services
Last
$263.46
+$3.64 (+1.40%) 2:44 PM ET
Prev close $259.81
Open $263.69
Day high $265.47
Day low $262.21
Volume 118,118
Avg vol 448,838
Mkt cap
$4.65B
P/E ratio
35.75
FY Revenue
$2.47B
EPS
7.37
Gross Margin
36.66%
Sector
Industrials
AI report sections
UNF
UniFirst Corporation
UniFirst Corp currently exhibits strong upward price momentum near its 52-week high alongside overbought technical readings that point to a potentially stretched short-term condition. Fundamentally, the company combines solid margins, a debt-free balance sheet, and ample liquidity with muted revenue growth and declining earnings and cash flow trends. Valuation multiples appear elevated relative to modest growth and low free cash flow yield, while short interest is moderate but recent short volume has been high, indicating a more active two-sided market.
AI summarized at 6:11 PM ET, 2026-02-18
AI summary scores
INTRADAY: 63 SWING: 78 LONG: 55
Volume vs average
Intraday (cumulative)
−18% (Below avg)
Vol/Avg: 0.82×
RSI
56.48 (Neutral)
Neutral (40–60)
MACD momentum
Intraday
+0.04 (Strong)
MACD: -0.00 Signal: -0.05
Short-Term
-0.64 (Weak)
MACD: 2.53 Signal: 3.17
Long-Term
-1.00 (Weak)
MACD: 9.78 Signal: 10.78
Intraday trend score 57.70

Latest news

UNF 12 articles Positive: 7 Neutral: 3 Negative: 2
Positive Benzinga • Na
UniFirst Declares Regular Cash Dividends

UniFirst Corporation declared regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.365 per share on Common Stock and $0.292 per share on Class B Common Stock, payable on June 26, 2026 to shareholders of record on June 5, 2026.

UNF dividend declaration quarterly cash dividend shareholder returns uniform and workwear services
Sentiment note

The company's declaration of regular quarterly cash dividends demonstrates financial stability and commitment to returning value to shareholders. Consistent dividend payments are typically viewed positively by investors as they indicate strong cash flow and management confidence in the company's financial health.

Positive Benzinga • Lekha Gupta
Cintas Delivers Record Margins, Raises Outlook

Cintas reported Q3 earnings per share of $1.24, beating consensus estimates, with quarterly sales of $2.84 billion up 8.9% year-over-year. The company achieved record gross margins of 51% and raised its FY2026 sales outlook. Following its $5.5 billion acquisition of UniFirst, Cintas expects $375 million in operating cost synergies within four years. Despite strong results, CTAS shares declined 0.71% on the day.

CTAS UNF earnings record margins guidance raise acquisition UniFirst workwear
Sentiment note

Acquired by Cintas for $5.5 billion, positioning the combined entity as a dominant workwear and facility services provider with expected substantial operating synergies.

Positive Investing.com • Jeffrey Neal Johnson
Building a Juggernaut: The Cintas-UniFirst Merger

Cintas Corporation has made a $5.2 billion all-cash offer to acquire rival UniFirst Corporation at $275 per share, representing a 64% premium. The merger would combine the industry's #1 and #3 players, creating a dominant force controlling nearly half the market. The deal is supported by activist investor pressure and includes a $350 million reverse termination fee to address antitrust concerns. The combination promises significant operational efficiencies and value creation through improved route density and cost optimization.

CTAS UNF merger acquisition uniform rental industry market consolidation operational efficiency antitrust
Sentiment note

UniFirst shareholders receive a compelling 64% premium at $275 per share in an all-cash deal, eliminating financing risk. The reverse termination fee removes antitrust risk, and activist investor pressure supports deal acceptance, presenting a clear merger arbitrage opportunity.

Positive Benzinga • Globe Newswire
UniFirst Declares Regular Cash Dividends

UniFirst Corporation's Board of Directors declared regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.365 per share on Common Stock and $0.292 per share on Class B Common Stock, payable on March 27, 2026 to shareholders of record on March 6, 2026.

UNF dividend declaration quarterly cash dividend shareholder returns uniform and workwear services facility services
Sentiment note

The company's declaration of regular quarterly cash dividends demonstrates financial stability and confidence in its business performance. Consistent dividend payments are a positive signal to investors, indicating the company generates sufficient cash flow to return capital to shareholders while maintaining operations.

Negative The Motley Fool • Eric Volkman
Why UniFirst Stock Tumbled by 3% Today

UniFirst's stock fell 3% following its Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings report. While the company beat revenue expectations at $621 million (nearly 3% YoY growth), it missed on earnings with $1.89 per share versus analyst estimates of $2.10. Net income declined 20% due to investment activities. The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance but forecasted a notable decline in annual earnings compared to 2025, which failed to inspire investor confidence.

UNF earnings miss revenue beat profitability decline investment spending guidance reaffirmed workplace uniforms protective equipment
Sentiment note

Stock declined 3% following earnings report. While revenue beat analyst expectations, the company significantly missed on earnings per share ($1.89 vs. $2.10 expected). Net income fell 20% YoY due to investment activities. Full-year earnings guidance forecasts a notable decline compared to prior year, indicating weakening profitability outlook despite revenue growth.

Positive Investing.com • Jeffrey Neal Johnson
Cintas Bets Big on Route Density as the UniFirst Deal Rewrites Industry Economics

Cintas Corporation has proposed acquiring UniFirst Corporation for $275 per share in an all-cash deal valued at approximately $5.2 billion, representing a 64% premium. The acquisition aims to consolidate the #1 and #3 players in North American uniform rental, enabling significant route optimization and projected $375 million in annual cost savings. While the deal faces hurdles including UniFirst's controlling Croatti family (71% voting power) and FTC antitrust review, Cintas's $350 million reverse termination fee signals confidence in closing.

CTAS UNF ABM merger and acquisition route density uniform rental operational efficiency cost synergies
Sentiment note

UniFirst shareholders receive a 64% premium ($275/share) in an all-cash deal, providing immediate value realization. Despite solid fundamentals and strong financial results, the company's stock had underperformed relative to Cintas, making this offer attractive for shareholders seeking liquidity at a significant markup.

Neutral Benzinga • Globe Newswire
UniFirst Confirms Receipt of Unsolicited, Non-Binding Proposal from Cintas Corporation

UniFirst Corporation announced it received an unsolicited, non-binding acquisition proposal from Cintas Corporation on December 12, 2025, offering $275.00 per share in cash for all outstanding UniFirst common and Class B shares. The UniFirst Board of Directors has engaged financial and legal advisors to carefully review the proposal and determine the best course of action for shareholders and stakeholders.

CTAS UNF acquisition proposal merger and acquisition unsolicited bid cash offer board review uniform and workwear services
Sentiment note

UniFirst received an unsolicited acquisition proposal at $275 per share. While this represents a potential premium valuation opportunity for shareholders, the outcome remains uncertain as the board is still reviewing the proposal. The non-binding nature and lack of certainty warrant a neutral stance.

Positive Benzinga • Lekha Gupta
UniFirst Stock Jumps After Cintas Tables $275-A-Share Buyout Offer

Cintas Corporation has made a $275 per share all-cash acquisition proposal for UniFirst Corporation, valuing the company at approximately $5.2 billion and representing a 64% premium to its 90-day average closing price. The deal would combine the two companies to serve over 1 million business customers across the U.S. and Canada. UniFirst shares surged 33.40% in premarket trading, while Cintas shares declined slightly. The transaction has a 10-month deadline with possible extensions, and Cintas has committed to a $350 million reverse termination fee if the deal is blocked on antitrust grounds.

UNF CTAS acquisition merger cash offer regulatory approval antitrust stock surge
Sentiment note

UniFirst received a substantial acquisition offer at a 64% premium to its recent average price, resulting in a 33.40% stock price increase in premarket trading. The deal provides shareholders with significant value and potential synergies with Cintas.

Neutral GlobeNewswire Inc. • Unifirst Corporation
UniFirst Announces Annual Meeting of Shareholders Voting Results for Election of Directors

UniFirst Corporation announced the preliminary re-election of Steven S. Sintros and Joseph M. Nowicki to its Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, expressing openness to shareholder dialogue and commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

UNF annual meeting board of directors shareholders proxy vote
Sentiment note

The company reported routine board re-election with a balanced statement indicating willingness to engage with shareholders and focus on value creation, without expressing strong positive or negative emotions

Positive Benzinga • Globe Newswire
UniFirst Declares Increased Cash Dividends

UniFirst Corporation announced increased quarterly cash dividends of $0.365 per share for Common Stock and $0.292 per share for Class B Common Stock, payable on January 2, 2026 to shareholders of record on December 5, 2025.

UNF dividends uniform workwear manufacturing
Sentiment note

Company declared increased cash dividends, indicating financial strength and commitment to shareholder value

Negative The Motley Fool • Eric Volkman
Why Investors Bailed From UniFirst Stock Today

UniFirst reported Q4 2025 financial results with revenue of $614 million and net income of $41 million, slightly beating analyst expectations. However, the company's weak fiscal year 2026 guidance caused investors to sell off the stock, resulting in a nearly 5% price drop.

UNF UniFirst workwear earnings stock performance financial guidance
Sentiment note

Despite beating analyst estimates, the company's weak forward guidance for fiscal year 2026 with lower projected revenue and earnings per share caused investor confidence to decline, leading to a stock price drop

Neutral GlobeNewswire Inc. • Unifirst Corporation
UniFirst Announces Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year of Fiscal 2025

UniFirst reported Q4 2025 revenues of $614.4 million, slightly down from the previous year. The company saw modest organic growth, continued investments in technology and digital transformation, and provided fiscal 2026 guidance with expected revenues between $2.475-$2.495 billion.

UNF financial results uniform services technology investment earnings report
Sentiment note

Revenues slightly declined, but the company showed organic growth, continued strategic investments, and maintained a positive outlook for fiscal 2026. The balanced performance and forward-looking guidance suggest a neutral sentiment.

News and sentiment labels describe article tone and are provided for research purposes only. They are not trading recommendations or forecasts.
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