Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (CWST) vs UniFirst Corporation (UNF)
A side-by-side comparison of Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and UniFirst Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CWST
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
$93.00IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
UNF
UniFirst Corporation
$285.75IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CWST vs UNF
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCWST +917.5% (+26.1%/yr)UNF +129.2% (+8.6%/yr)CWST compounded faster over this window
CWST UNF
CWST vs UNF: by the numbers
- •CWST is the larger company ($5.82B vs $5.19B market cap).
- •UNF trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (45.07 vs 997.85 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •UNF converts more revenue to profit (4.65% vs 0.29% net margin).
- •CWST grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.33% vs 6.85% CAGR).
- •UNF pays a dividend (0.51% yield), while CWST has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CWST | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 997.85 | 45.07 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 38.39 |
| P/S ratio | 3.03 | 2.09 |
| P/B ratio | 3.75 | 2.37 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.18 | 17.75 |
| FCF yield | 1.78% | 1.67% |
Profitability
| Metric | CWST | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 17.06% | 36.68% |
| Operating margin | 4.45% | 5.77% |
| Net margin | 0.29% | 4.65% |
| ROE | 0.36% | 5.27% |
| ROIC | 1.72% | 4.40% |
Dividends
| Metric | CWST | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 0.51% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 17.35% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CWST | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 19.33% | 6.85% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -42.27% | 2.23% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 19.24% | 2.17% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 4.87% | 5.26% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CWST or UNF?
- UNF has the lower trailing P/E: CWST trades at 997.85 and UNF at 45.07. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CWST or UNF?
- Over the past five years, CWST grew revenue faster — CWST at a 19.33% CAGR versus UNF at 6.85%.
- Does CWST or UNF pay a bigger dividend?
- UNF pays a dividend (0.51% yield), while CWST has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CWST or UNF more profitable?
- UNF runs the higher net margin — CWST at 0.29% versus UNF at 4.65%.
- How have CWST and UNF total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CWST delivered 26.01% and UNF delivered 8.92% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Casella Waste Systems P/E ratioUniFirst P/E ratioUniFirst dividend yieldCasella Waste Systems ROEUniFirst ROECasella Waste Systems operating marginUniFirst operating marginCasella Waste Systems revenue growthUniFirst revenue growthCasella Waste Systems free cash flowUniFirst free cash flow
Casella Waste Systems & UniFirst 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 28, 2026.