Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs 3M Company (MMM)

CTAS leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though MMM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Cintas Corporation and 3M Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CTAS vs MMM

growth of $100 · last 30y
CTAS +3669.8%MMM +464.7%CTAS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,770$565
CTAS MMM

CTAS vs MMM: by the numbers

  • MMM is the larger company ($84.43B vs $67.88B market cap).
  • MMM trades at the lower earnings multiple (31.14 vs 35.79 P/E).
  • CTAS converts more revenue to profit (17.57% vs 11.14% net margin).
  • CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs -5.36% CAGR).
  • MMM pays the higher dividend yield (1.87% vs 1.06%).

Which is better, CTAS or MMM?

Metric tally: CTAS 10 · MMM 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueMMM(lower P/E)
GrowthCTAS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMMM(higher dividend yield)
QualityCTAS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCTASMMM
P/E ratio35.7931.14
Forward P/E31.2017.02
P/S ratio6.263.44
P/B ratio14.4126.39
PEG ratio3.08
EV / EBITDA23.6016.43
FCF yield2.59%2.39%

Profitability

MetricCTASMMM
Gross margin50.36%39.51%
Operating margin22.95%19.60%
Net margin17.57%11.14%
ROE40.46%85.41%
ROIC22.95%11.53%

Dividends

MetricCTASMMM
Dividend yield1.06%1.87%
Payout ratio40.18%50.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCTASMMM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.83%-5.36%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.48%-8.53%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.81%-21.95%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.47%3.42%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CTAS or MMM?
It depends on your goal. value: MMM (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MMM (higher dividend yield); quality: CTAS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CTAS leads 10 to 6.
Is CTAS or MMM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, MMM is cheaper: CTAS trades at a 35.79 P/E and MMM at 31.14.
Which has grown faster, CTAS or MMM?
Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.83% CAGR versus MMM at -5.36%.
Does CTAS or MMM pay a bigger dividend?
CTAS yields 1.06% and MMM yields 1.87% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CTAS or MMM more profitable?
CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.57% versus MMM at 11.14%.
Which has been the better investment, CTAS or MMM?
Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CTAS at 23.15% versus MMM at 4.71%. 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 June 17, 2026.