Argus Investors Counsel Inc. Lowers Holdings in Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS)

Argus Investors Counsel Inc. lowered its holdings in shares of Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS) by 4.5% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 3,377 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 159 shares during the period. Argus Investors Counsel Inc.’s holdings in Cintas were worth $617,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its position in shares of Cintas by 341.4% during the third quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 128 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management grew its stake in Cintas by 433.3% during the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 128 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new stake in Cintas in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Cintas by 495.7% in the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 137 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Cintas by 1,340.0% during the 3rd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 144 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.46% of the company’s stock.

Cintas Stock Up 0.5 %

NASDAQ:CTAS opened at $201.60 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $81.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 1.38. Cintas Co. has a twelve month low of $150.70 and a twelve month high of $228.12. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $199.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $206.95.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.01 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.56 billion. Cintas had a net margin of 17.23% and a return on equity of 40.62%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.61 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Cintas Co. will post 4.31 EPS for the current year.

Cintas Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.77%. Cintas’s payout ratio is currently 37.61%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CTAS has been the subject of several research analyst reports. UBS Group cut their price target on Cintas from $240.00 to $218.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $215.00 target price on shares of Cintas in a report on Friday, December 20th. Robert W. Baird decreased their price target on shares of Cintas from $209.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Cintas from $185.00 to $202.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Cintas from $191.00 to $184.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 20th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $198.46.

Cintas Profile

Cintas Corporation engages in the provision of corporate identity uniforms and related business services primarily in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Uniform Rental and Facility Services, First Aid and Safety Services, and All Other segments. The company rents and services uniforms and other garments, including flame resistant clothing, mats, mops and shop towels, and other ancillary items; and provides restroom cleaning services and supplies, as well as sells uniforms.