Gartner (IT) 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 Gartner (IT) over the past year, gaining 57.8% versus a loss of 19.9%. Over five years, UNF leads with a +22.5% price change compared with -37.2% for IT. Gartner is the larger company by market cap ($12.34 billion vs $4.69 billion), about 2.6 times the size.
On valuation, Gartner trades at a lower forward P/E (11.9x vs 32.5x for Unifirst). Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Gartner does not currently pay one. Gartner converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.2% 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 | IT | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $195.41 | $259.60 |
| Market cap | $12.34B | $4.69B |
| 1-day change | +5.19% | +2.89% |
| YTD return | -22.54% | +34.58% |
| 1-year return | -19.91% | +57.78% |
| 5-year return | -37.22% | +22.46% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.67 | 41.01 |
| Forward P/E | 11.93 | 32.45 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.06 | $6.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.56% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.50B | $2.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +3.67% | +0.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $729.23M | $148.27M |
| Gross margin | 68.77% | 36.59% |
| Operating margin | 15.79% | 7.59% |
| Net margin | 11.22% | 6.10% |
| 52-week high | $261.10 | $306.67 |
| 52-week low | $124.25 | $147.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.16% | -15.35% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | -4.58% | +5.29% |
| Average volume | 1.25M | 247.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 63.15M | 14.53M |
| Employees | 19,285 | 16,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Industrials |
| Industry | Information Technology Services | Specialty Business 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
- Gartner is about 2.6 times larger than Unifirst by market value ($12.34B vs $4.69B).
- UNF has outperformed IT by 77.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Unifirst trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.0x vs 17.7x trailing P/E).
- Gartner is more profitable, keeping 11.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.1 cents for Unifirst.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Gartner in Technology and Unifirst in Industrials.
About Gartner
IT stock →Gartner, Inc. provides business and technology insights to support decision-making and performance on an organization's mission-critical priorities in the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and internationally.
Technology · Information Technology Services · 19,285 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.
Industrials · Specialty Business Services · 16,000 employees
IT vs UNF FAQ
Which is bigger, Gartner or Unifirst?
Gartner (IT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $12.34B compared with $4.69B for Unifirst (UNF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, IT or UNF?
UNF returned +57.78% over the past 12 months, compared with -19.91% for IT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, IT or UNF?
IT has the lower trailing P/E at 17.7, versus 41.0 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, Gartner or Unifirst?
Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.56%, while Gartner does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Gartner and Unifirst in the same industry?
No. Gartner is in the Technology sector, while Unifirst is in Industrials.