Stride (LRN) 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 Stride (LRN) over the past year, gaining 53.2% versus a loss of 43.1%. Over five years, LRN leads with a +132.2% price change compared with +19.0% for UNF. Unifirst is the larger company by market cap ($4.59 billion vs $3.33 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while Stride is growing revenue faster (+4.7% vs +0.2%).
On valuation, Stride trades at a lower forward P/E (8.6x vs 31.8x for Unifirst). Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.57%, while Stride does not currently pay one. Stride converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.4% 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 | LRN | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $80.18 | $254.04 |
| Market cap | $3.33B | $4.59B |
| 1-day change | +0.70% | +0.68% |
| YTD return | +22.62% | +30.80% |
| 1-year return | -43.13% | +53.21% |
| 5-year return | +132.20% | +19.02% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.23 | 40.13 |
| Forward P/E | 8.64 | 31.76 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.14 | $6.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.57% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.52B | $2.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.69% | +0.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $338.19M | $148.27M |
| Gross margin | 37.75% | 36.59% |
| Operating margin | 17.90% | 7.59% |
| Net margin | 13.43% | 6.10% |
| 52-week high | $155.06 | $306.67 |
| 52-week low | $60.61 | $147.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -48.29% | -17.16% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +34.07% | +7.60% |
| Average volume | 841.43K | 247.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 41.56M | 14.53M |
| Employees | 9,200 | 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 LRN by 96.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Unifirst trades at a higher earnings multiple (40.1x vs 11.2x trailing P/E).
- Stride is more profitable, keeping 13.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.1 cents for Unifirst.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Stride in Real Estate and Unifirst in Consumer Discretionary.
About Stride
LRN stock →Stride, Inc., a technology company, provides an educational platform to deliver proprietary and third-party curriculum, software systems, and educational services in the United States. The company offers online coursework and content in software engineering, healthcare, and medical fields, as well as state customized versions of those courses, electives, and instructional supports; end-to-end platform includes single sign-on capability for content management, learning management, student information, data reporting and analytics, and various support systems that provides an educational experience for students; and stand-alone products and services which can provide curriculum and content hosting on customers' learning management systems, or integration with customers' student information systems.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 9,200 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
LRN vs UNF FAQ
Which is bigger, Stride or Unifirst?
Unifirst (UNF) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.59B compared with $3.33B for Stride (LRN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, LRN or UNF?
UNF returned +53.21% over the past 12 months, compared with -43.13% for LRN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, LRN or UNF?
LRN has the lower trailing P/E at 11.2, versus 40.1 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, Stride or Unifirst?
Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.57%, while Stride does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Stride and Unifirst in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Real Estate sector.