Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)

UPS leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cintas Corporation and United Parcel Service, Inc. 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 UPS

growth of $100 · last 27y
CTAS +1762.1%UPS +61.3%CTAS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020042009201420192024$1,862$161
CTAS UPS

CTAS vs UPS: by the numbers

  • UPS is the larger company ($92.91B vs $67.88B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.80 vs 35.79 P/E).
  • CTAS converts more revenue to profit (17.57% vs 5.94% net margin).
  • CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs -0.23% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (5.96% vs 1.06%).

Which is better, CTAS or UPS?

Metric tally: CTAS 8 · UPS 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCTASUPS
P/E ratio35.7917.80
Forward P/E31.2013.87
P/S ratio6.261.06
P/B ratio14.415.93
PEG ratio3.080.53
EV / EBITDA23.609.99
FCF yield2.59%4.83%

Profitability

MetricCTASUPS
Gross margin50.36%17.79%
Operating margin22.95%8.46%
Net margin17.57%5.94%
ROE40.46%33.30%
ROIC22.95%10.40%

Dividends

MetricCTASUPS
Dividend yield1.06%5.96%
Payout ratio40.18%100.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCTASUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.83%-0.23%
EPS CAGR (5Y)16.48%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.81%-8.72%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.47%-7.02%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CTAS or UPS?
It depends on your goal. value: UPS (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UPS (higher dividend yield); quality: CTAS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UPS leads 9 to 8.
Is CTAS or UPS cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UPS is cheaper: CTAS trades at a 35.79 P/E and UPS at 17.80.
Which has grown faster, CTAS or UPS?
Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.83% CAGR versus UPS at -0.23%.
Does CTAS or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
CTAS yields 1.06% and UPS yields 5.96% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CTAS or UPS more profitable?
CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.57% versus UPS at 5.94%.
Which has been the better investment, CTAS or UPS?
Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CTAS at 23.15% versus UPS at 4.35%. 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.