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.
CTAS
Cintas Corporation
$201.40IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 5, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
WM
Waste Management, Inc.
$224.31IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 5, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CTAS vs WM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCTAS +6610.4%WM +1522.5%CTAS compounded faster
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
| Metric | CTAS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 41.02 | 31.91 |
| Forward P/E | 41.14 | 27.74 |
| P/S ratio | 7.23 | 3.54 |
| P/B ratio | 15.84 | 9.15 |
| PEG ratio | 3.18 | 2.33 |
| EV / EBITDA | 26.88 | 14.63 |
| FCF yield | 2.31% | 3.93% |
Profitability
| Metric | CTAS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 50.67% | 35.04% |
| Operating margin | 23.14% | 18.54% |
| Net margin | 17.75% | 11.12% |
| ROE | 38.91% | 28.74% |
| ROIC | 23.39% | 8.88% |
Dividends
| Metric | CTAS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.89% | 1.57% |
| Payout ratio | 36.22% | 52.68% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CTAS | WM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cintas P/E ratioWaste Management P/E ratioCintas dividend yieldWaste Management dividend yieldCintas ROEWaste Management ROECintas operating marginWaste Management operating marginCintas revenue growthWaste Management revenue growthCintas free cash flowWaste Management free cash flow
Cintas & Waste Management 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 August 6, 2026.