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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCTAS vs WM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CTAS +662.7% (+22.5%/yr)WM +308.8% (+15.1%/yr)CTAS compounded faster over this window
200400600800Start $10020182020202220242026$763$409
CTAS WM

CTAS vs WM: by the numbers

  • WM is the larger company ($84.38B vs $79.09B market cap).
  • WM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.90 vs 40.25 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 (1.64% vs 0.89%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCTASWM
P/E ratio40.2529.90
Forward P/E35.9226.03
P/S ratio7.023.29
P/B ratio15.398.50
EV / EBITDA26.1313.80
FCF yield2.38%4.23%

Profitability

MetricCTASWM
Gross margin50.67%35.04%
Operating margin23.14%18.54%
Net margin17.75%11.12%
ROE38.91%28.74%
ROIC23.53%9.01%

Dividends

MetricCTASWM
Dividend yield0.89%1.64%
Payout ratio36.66%50.14%

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)15.89%8.67%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CTAS or WM?
WM has the lower trailing P/E: CTAS trades at 40.25 and WM at 29.90. 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 1.64% 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 22.94% and WM delivered 15.17% 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 September 13, 2026.