Laureate Education (LAUR) vs Rentokil Initial (RTO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Laureate Education (LAUR) has outperformed Rentokil Initial (RTO) over the past year, gaining 33.3% versus a loss of 28.1%. Over five years, LAUR leads with a +126.6% price change compared with -52.7% for RTO. Rentokil Initial is the larger company by market cap ($10.19 billion vs $5.40 billion), about 1.9 times the size, while Laureate Education is growing revenue faster (+8.6% vs +4.4%).
On valuation, Rentokil Initial trades at a lower forward P/E (13.3x vs 16.1x for Laureate Education). Rentokil Initial pays a dividend yielding 0.63%, while Laureate Education does not currently pay one. Laureate Education converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 16.5% versus 6.8%.
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 | LAUR | RTO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $39.20 | $20.25 |
| Market cap | $5.40B | $10.19B |
| 1-day change | +1.66% | +2.02% |
| YTD return | +16.42% | -32.62% |
| 1-year return | +33.33% | -28.05% |
| 5-year return | +126.59% | -52.69% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 17.82 | 31.64 |
| Forward P/E | 16.13 | 13.29 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.20 | $0.64 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.63% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.127 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.70B | $6.91B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.64% | +4.40% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $281.63M | $470.00M |
| Gross margin | 28.33% | — |
| Operating margin | 25.33% | 8.45% |
| Net margin | 16.55% | 6.80% |
| 52-week high | $40.93 | $34.67 |
| 52-week low | $24.98 | $19.50 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.22% | -41.59% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +5.13% | +57.19% |
| Average volume | 1.03M | 1.70M |
| Shares outstanding | 137.75M | 503.25M |
| Employees | 33,900 | 63,388 |
| 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
- LAUR has outperformed RTO by 61.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Rentokil Initial trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.6x vs 17.8x trailing P/E).
- Laureate Education is more profitable, keeping 16.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.8 cents for Rentokil Initial.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Laureate Education in Real Estate and Rentokil Initial in Consumer Discretionary.
About Laureate Education
LAUR stock →Laureate Education, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, offers higher education programs and services to students through a portfolio of higher education institutions in Mexico, Peru, and the United States. The company offers a range of undergraduate, graduate, and specialized degree programs in the areas of medicine and health sciences, engineering and information technology, and business and management through campus-based, online, and hybrid programs.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 33,900 employees
About Rentokil Initial
RTO stock →Rentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Turkey, and Pacific. The company offers a range of pest control services for rodents, and flying and crawling insects, as well as other forms of wildlife management.
Consumer Discretionary · Other Consumer Services · 63,388 employees
LAUR vs RTO FAQ
Which is bigger, Laureate Education or Rentokil Initial?
Rentokil Initial (RTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.19B compared with $5.40B for Laureate Education (LAUR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LAUR or RTO?
LAUR returned +33.33% over the past 12 months, compared with -28.05% for RTO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LAUR or RTO?
LAUR has the lower trailing P/E at 17.8, versus 31.6 for RTO. 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, Laureate Education or Rentokil Initial?
Rentokil Initial pays a dividend yielding 0.63%, while Laureate Education does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Laureate Education and Rentokil Initial in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Real Estate sector.