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

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 August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCTAS vs UPS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 27y
CTAS +2733.8%UPS +228.3%CTAS compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020042009201420192024$2,834$328
CTAS UPS

CTAS vs UPS: by the numbers

  • UPS is the larger company ($88.54B vs $81.89B market cap).
  • UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.11 vs 41.68 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CTAS converts more revenue to profit (17.75% vs 5.08% net margin).
  • CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.62% vs 0.98% CAGR).
  • UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.29% vs 0.88%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCTASUPS
P/E ratio41.6816.11
Forward P/E41.8014.51
P/S ratio7.340.99
P/B ratio16.105.89
PEG ratio3.180.48
EV / EBITDA28.4912.89
FCF yield2.27%6.15%

Profitability

MetricCTASUPS
Gross margin50.67%18.08%
Operating margin23.14%7.31%
Net margin17.75%5.08%
ROE38.91%30.33%
ROIC23.39%10.40%

Dividends

MetricCTASUPS
Dividend yield0.88%6.29%
Payout ratio36.22%100.00%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCTASUPS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.62%0.98%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.58%33.45%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.10%-7.25%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.80%-7.36%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CTAS or UPS?
UPS has the lower trailing P/E: CTAS trades at 41.68 and UPS at 16.11. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CTAS or UPS?
Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.62% CAGR versus UPS at 0.98%.
Does CTAS or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
CTAS yields 0.88% and UPS yields 6.29% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CTAS or UPS more profitable?
CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.75% versus UPS at 5.08%.
How have CTAS and UPS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CTAS delivered 23.83% and UPS delivered 3.50% 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 August 1, 2026.