AAON, Inc. (AAON) vs UniFirst Corporation (UNF)

A side-by-side comparison of AAON, Inc. and UniFirst Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnAAON vs UNF

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
AAON +332.1% (+15.8%/yr)UNF +129.2% (+8.6%/yr)AAON compounded faster over this window
200400600800Start $10020182020202220242026$432$229
AAON UNF

AAON vs UNF: by the numbers

  • AAON is the larger company ($6.40B vs $5.19B market cap).
  • AAON trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (40.92 vs 45.07 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • AAON converts more revenue to profit (8.24% vs 4.65% net margin).
  • AAON grew revenue faster over the past five years (30.47% vs 6.85% CAGR).
  • UNF pays the higher dividend yield (0.51% vs 0.51%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricAAONUNF
P/E ratio40.9245.07
Forward P/E33.0938.39
P/S ratio3.392.09
P/B ratio6.482.37
EV / EBITDA21.9217.75
FCF yieldN/A1.67%

Profitability

MetricAAONUNF
Gross margin25.57%36.68%
Operating margin11.05%5.77%
Net margin8.24%4.65%
ROE15.76%5.27%
ROIC11.51%4.40%

Dividends

MetricAAONUNF
Dividend yield0.51%0.51%
Payout ratio30.30%17.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAAONUNF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)30.47%6.85%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.50%2.23%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-57.58%2.17%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.82%5.26%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, AAON or UNF?
AAON has the lower trailing P/E: AAON trades at 40.92 and UNF at 45.07. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, AAON or UNF?
Over the past five years, AAON grew revenue faster — AAON at a 30.47% CAGR versus UNF at 6.85%.
Does AAON or UNF pay a bigger dividend?
AAON yields 0.51% and UNF yields 0.51% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AAON or UNF more profitable?
AAON runs the higher net margin — AAON at 8.24% versus UNF at 4.65%.
How have AAON and UNF total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, AAON delivered 16.23% and UNF delivered 8.92% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 28, 2026.