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).
Total return — CTAS vs MMM
growth of $100 · last 30yCTAS +3669.8%MMM +464.7%CTAS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 6It 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
| Metric | CTAS | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 35.79 | 31.14● |
| Forward P/E | 31.20 | 17.02● |
| P/S ratio | 6.26 | 3.44● |
| P/B ratio | 14.41● | 26.39 |
| PEG ratio | 3.08 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.60 | 16.43● |
| FCF yield | 2.59%● | 2.39% |
Profitability
| Metric | CTAS | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.36%● | 39.51% |
| Operating margin | 22.95%● | 19.60% |
| Net margin | 17.57%● | 11.14% |
| ROE | 40.46% | 85.41%● |
| ROIC | 22.95%● | 11.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | CTAS | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.06% | 1.87%● |
| Payout ratio | 40.18% | 50.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CTAS | MMM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cintas P/E ratio3M P/E ratioCintas dividend yield3M dividend yieldCintas ROE3M ROECintas operating margin3M operating marginCintas revenue growth3M revenue growthCintas free cash flow3M free cash flow
Cintas & 3M appear in these rankings
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.