Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs Waste Management, Inc. (WM)

A side-by-side comparison of Cintas Corporation and Waste Management, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCTAS vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
CTAS +6610.4%WM +1522.5%CTAS compounded faster
02k4k6kStart $100200120062011201620212026$6,710$1,623
CTAS WM

CTAS vs WM: by the numbers

  • WM is the larger company ($89.66B vs $80.59B market cap).
  • WM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.91 vs 41.02 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CTAS converts more revenue to profit (17.75% vs 11.12% net margin).
  • CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.62% vs 9.22% CAGR).
  • WM pays the higher dividend yield (1.57% vs 0.89%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCTASWM
P/E ratio41.0231.91
Forward P/E41.1427.74
P/S ratio7.233.54
P/B ratio15.849.15
PEG ratio3.182.33
EV / EBITDA26.8814.63
FCF yield2.31%3.93%

Profitability

MetricCTASWM
Gross margin50.67%35.04%
Operating margin23.14%18.54%
Net margin17.75%11.12%
ROE38.91%28.74%
ROIC23.39%8.88%

Dividends

MetricCTASWM
Dividend yield0.89%1.57%
Payout ratio36.22%52.68%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCTASWM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.62%9.22%
EPS CAGR (5Y)13.58%13.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.10%7.05%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.57%10.34%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CTAS or WM?
WM has the lower trailing P/E: CTAS trades at 41.02 and WM at 31.91. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CTAS or WM?
Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.62% CAGR versus WM at 9.22%.
Does CTAS or WM pay a bigger dividend?
CTAS yields 0.89% and WM yields 1.57% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CTAS or WM more profitable?
CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.75% versus WM at 11.12%.
How have CTAS and WM total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CTAS delivered 23.69% and WM delivered 15.16% 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 6, 2026.