CECO Environmental Corp. (CECO) vs UniFirst Corporation (UNF)

A side-by-side comparison of CECO Environmental Corp. and UniFirst Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCECO vs UNF

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CECO +1010.1% (+27.2%/yr)UNF +121.8% (+8.3%/yr)CECO compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,110$222
CECO UNF

CECO vs UNF: by the numbers

  • UNF is the larger company ($5.03B vs $4.16B market cap).
  • UNF is profitable (4.65% net margin) while CECO runs a net loss (-2.98%).
  • CECO grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.02% vs 6.85% CAGR).
  • UNF pays a dividend (0.52% yield), while CECO is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCECOUNF
P/E ratioN/A43.63
Forward P/E31.9637.17
P/S ratio3.382.02
P/B ratio1.492.29
EV / EBITDA90.6317.17
FCF yield0.16%1.73%

Profitability

MetricCECOUNF
Gross margin32.66%36.68%
Operating margin1.14%5.77%
Net margin-2.98%4.65%
ROE-1.31%5.27%
ROIC0.34%4.40%

Dividends

MetricCECOUNF
Dividend yieldN/A0.52%
Payout ratioN/A17.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCECOUNF
Revenue CAGR (5Y)24.02%6.85%
EPS CAGR (5Y)43.92%2.23%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A2.17%
Total return CAGR (5Y)56.65%4.56%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, CECO or UNF?
Over the past five years, CECO grew revenue faster — CECO at a 24.02% CAGR versus UNF at 6.85%.
Does CECO or UNF pay a bigger dividend?
UNF pays a dividend (0.52% yield), while CECO is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is CECO or UNF more profitable?
UNF runs the higher net margin — CECO at -2.98% versus UNF at 4.65%.
How have CECO and UNF total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CECO delivered 27.49% and UNF delivered 8.51% 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 September 1, 2026.