Is CSX or CTAS cheaper?

On trailing earnings, CSX is cheaper: CSX trades at a 27.96 P/E and CTAS at 35.79.

Which has grown faster, CSX or CTAS?

Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CSX at a 6.07% CAGR versus CTAS at 9.83%.

Does CSX or CTAS pay a bigger dividend?

CSX yields 1.18% and CTAS yields 1.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CSX or CTAS more profitable?

CSX runs the higher net margin — CSX at 21.55% versus CTAS at 17.57%.

Which has been the better investment, CSX or CTAS?

Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CSX at 19.38% versus CTAS at 23.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

CSX Corporation (CSX) vs Cintas Corporation (CTAS)

CSX leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of CSX Corporation and Cintas Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CSX vs CTAS

growth of $100 · last 30y

CSX +1600.7%CTAS +3623.5%CTAS compounded faster

CSX CTAS

CSX vs CTAS: by the numbers

•CSX is the larger company ($84.79B vs $68.52B market cap).
•CSX trades at the lower earnings multiple (27.96 vs 35.79 P/E).
•CSX converts more revenue to profit (21.55% vs 17.57% net margin).
•CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs 6.07% CAGR).
•CSX pays the higher dividend yield (1.18% vs 1.06%).

Which is better, CSX or CTAS?

Metric tally: CSX 9 · CTAS 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCSX(lower P/E)

GrowthCTAS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeCSX(higher dividend yield)

QualityCTAS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	CSX	CTAS
P/E ratio	27.96●	35.79
Forward P/E	21.00●	31.20
P/S ratio	6.00●	6.26
P/B ratio	6.25●	14.41
PEG ratio	5.46	3.08●
EV / EBITDA	15.90●	23.60
FCF yield	4.87%●	2.59%

Profitability

Metric	CSX	CTAS
Gross margin	37.54%	50.36%●
Operating margin	33.45%●	22.95%
Net margin	21.55%●	17.57%
ROE	22.47%	40.46%●
ROIC	8.40%	22.95%●

Dividends

Metric	CSX	CTAS
Dividend yield	1.18%●	1.06%
Payout ratio	35.06%	40.18%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CSX	CTAS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	6.07%	9.83%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	5.12%	16.48%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	8.34%	9.81%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	9.08%	15.12%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, CSX or CTAS?: It depends on your goal. value: CSX (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CSX (higher dividend yield); quality: CTAS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CSX leads 9 to 8.
Is CSX or CTAS cheaper?: On trailing earnings, CSX is cheaper: CSX trades at a 27.96 P/E and CTAS at 35.79.
Which has grown faster, CSX or CTAS?: Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CSX at a 6.07% CAGR versus CTAS at 9.83%.
Does CSX or CTAS pay a bigger dividend?: CSX yields 1.18% and CTAS yields 1.06% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSX or CTAS more profitable?: CSX runs the higher net margin — CSX at 21.55% versus CTAS at 17.57%.
Which has been the better investment, CSX or CTAS?: Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CSX at 19.38% versus CTAS at 23.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CSX analysis Full CTAS analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

CSX P/E ratio Cintas P/E ratio CSX dividend yield Cintas dividend yield CSX ROE Cintas ROE CSX operating margin Cintas operating margin CSX revenue growth Cintas revenue growth CSX free cash flow Cintas free cash flow

CSX & Cintas appear in these rankings

Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Highest Operating Margin Stocks

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 June 18, 2026.