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.

Compare

Total returnCWST vs UNF

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CWST +917.5% (+26.1%/yr)UNF +129.2% (+8.6%/yr)CWST compounded faster over this window
05001kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,018$229
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

MetricCWSTUNF
P/E ratio997.8545.07
Forward P/EN/A38.39
P/S ratio3.032.09
P/B ratio3.752.37
EV / EBITDA17.1817.75
FCF yield1.78%1.67%

Profitability

MetricCWSTUNF
Gross margin17.06%36.68%
Operating margin4.45%5.77%
Net margin0.29%4.65%
ROE0.36%5.27%
ROIC1.72%4.40%

Dividends

MetricCWSTUNF
Dividend yieldN/A0.51%
Payout ratioN/A17.35%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCWSTUNF
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.

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.