Covista (CVSA) vs Unifirst (UNF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Unifirst (UNF) has outperformed Covista (CVSA) over the past year, gaining 53.2% versus a loss of 12.0%. Over five years, CVSA leads with a +249.6% price change compared with +19.0% for UNF. Unifirst is the larger company by market cap ($4.65 billion vs $4.38 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Covista is growing revenue faster (+9.3% vs +0.2%).
On valuation, Covista trades at a lower forward P/E (12.9x vs 32.2x for Unifirst). Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Covista does not currently pay one. Covista converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.9% versus 6.1%.
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 | CVSA | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $129.46 | $257.34 |
| Market cap | $4.38B | $4.65B |
| 1-day change | +1.70% | +1.99% |
| YTD return | +23.03% | +30.80% |
| 1-year return | -11.96% | +53.21% |
| 5-year return | +249.63% | +19.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.28 | 40.65 |
| Forward P/E | 12.94 | 32.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.49 | $6.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.95B | $2.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.27% | +0.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $251.57M | $148.27M |
| Gross margin | 57.34% | 36.59% |
| Operating margin | 19.62% | 7.59% |
| Net margin | 12.87% | 6.10% |
| 52-week high | $156.26 | $306.67 |
| 52-week low | $86.97 | $147.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.15% | -16.09% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.62% | +6.21% |
| Average volume | 356.40K | 247.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 33.86M | 14.53M |
| Employees | 4,736 | 16,000 |
| Sector | Real Estate | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Other Consumer Services | Other Consumer Services |
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
- UNF has outperformed CVSA by 65.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Unifirst trades at a higher earnings multiple (40.7x vs 17.3x trailing P/E).
- Covista is more profitable, keeping 12.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.1 cents for Unifirst.
- Covista grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.27% vs +0.20%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Covista in Real Estate and Unifirst in Consumer Discretionary.
About Covista
CVSA stock →Covista Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides healthcare education in the United States, Barbados, St. Kitts, and St.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 4,736 employees
About Unifirst
UNF stock →UniFirst Corporation provides workplace uniforms and protective work wear clothing in the United States, Europe, and Canada. It operates in three segments: Uniform & Facility Service Solutions; First Aid & Safety Solutions; and Other.
Consumer Discretionary · Other Consumer Services · 16,000 employees
CVSA vs UNF FAQ
Which is bigger, Covista or Unifirst?
Unifirst (UNF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.65B compared with $4.38B for Covista (CVSA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CVSA or UNF?
UNF returned +53.21% over the past 12 months, compared with -11.96% for CVSA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CVSA or UNF?
CVSA has the lower trailing P/E at 17.3, versus 40.7 for UNF. 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, Covista or Unifirst?
Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Covista does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Covista and Unifirst in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Real Estate sector.