Cintas (CTAS) vs Kontoor Brands (KTB)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cintas (CTAS) has outperformed Kontoor Brands (KTB) over the past year, losing 1.0% versus a loss of 18.6%. Over five years, CTAS leads with a +89.6% price change compared with +31.6% for KTB. Cintas is the larger company by market cap ($79.19 billion vs $3.55 billion), about 22.3 times the size, while Kontoor Brands is growing revenue faster (+20.9% vs +8.9%).
On valuation, Kontoor Brands trades at a lower forward P/E (9.9x vs 32.2x for Cintas). Kontoor Brands offers the higher dividend yield (3.25% vs 0.94%). Cintas converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.8% versus 7.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CTAS | KTB |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $198.21 | $64.96 |
| Market cap | $79.19B | $3.55B |
| 1-day change | +0.52% | -0.06% |
| YTD return | +4.85% | +6.40% |
| 1-year return | -0.99% | -18.60% |
| 5-year return | +89.59% | +31.63% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 39.09 | 15.88 |
| Forward P/E | 32.17 | 9.87 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.07 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 0.94% | 3.25% |
| Annual dividend | $1.87 | $2.11 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $11.26B | $3.15B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.94% | +20.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $2.00B | $227.45M |
| Gross margin | 50.67% | 45.15% |
| Operating margin | 23.14% | 10.68% |
| Net margin | 17.75% | 7.22% |
| 52-week high | $219.17 | $88.96 |
| 52-week low | $161.16 | $56.19 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.56% | -26.98% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +10.14% | +50.09% |
| Average volume | 2.12M | 723.93K |
| Shares outstanding | 399.52M | 54.65M |
| Employees | 48,100 | 10,600 |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Garments and Clothing | Garments and Clothing |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Cintas is about 22.3 times larger than Kontoor Brands by market value ($79.19B vs $3.55B).
- CTAS has outperformed KTB by 17.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Cintas trades at a higher earnings multiple (39.1x vs 15.9x trailing P/E).
- Kontoor Brands offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.25% vs 0.94%).
- Cintas is more profitable, keeping 17.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.2 cents for Kontoor Brands.
- Kontoor Brands grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+20.90% vs +8.94%).
About Cintas
CTAS stock →Cintas Corporation provides corporate identity uniforms and other garments 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.
Industrials · Garments and Clothing · 48,100 employees
About Kontoor Brands
KTB stock →Kontoor Brands, Inc., a lifestyle apparel company, designs, manufactures, procures, sells, and licenses apparel, footwear, and accessories, primarily under the Wrangler, Lee, and Helly Hansen brands. The company operates through two segments: Wrangler and Lee.
Industrials · Garments and Clothing · 10,600 employees
CTAS vs KTB FAQ
Which is bigger, Cintas or Kontoor Brands?
Cintas (CTAS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $79.19B compared with $3.55B for Kontoor Brands (KTB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CTAS or KTB?
CTAS returned -0.99% over the past 12 months, compared with -18.60% for KTB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CTAS or KTB?
KTB has the lower trailing P/E at 15.9, versus 39.1 for CTAS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Cintas or Kontoor Brands?
Kontoor Brands has the higher yield at 3.25%, compared with 0.94% for Cintas.
Are Cintas and Kontoor Brands in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Garments and Clothing industry within the Industrials sector.