Rentokil Initial (RTO) vs TAL Education Group (TAL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
TAL Education Group (TAL) has outperformed Rentokil Initial (RTO) over the past year, gaining 15.6% versus a loss of 28.1%. Over five years, TAL leads with a +162.6% price change compared with -52.7% for RTO. Rentokil Initial is the larger company by market cap ($10.19 billion vs $6.93 billion), about 1.5 times the size, while TAL Education Group is growing revenue faster (+33.7% vs +4.4%).
On valuation, TAL Education Group trades at a lower forward P/E (10.7x vs 13.3x for Rentokil Initial). Rentokil Initial pays a dividend yielding 0.63%, while TAL Education Group does not currently pay one. TAL Education Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.6% 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 | RTO | TAL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $20.25 | $12.49 |
| Market cap | $10.19B | $6.93B |
| 1-day change | +2.02% | -2.12% |
| YTD return | -32.62% | +16.96% |
| 1-year return | -28.05% | +15.58% |
| 5-year return | -52.69% | +162.55% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.64 | 7.81 |
| Forward P/E | 13.29 | 10.65 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.64 | $1.60 |
| Dividend yield | 0.63% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.127 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $6.91B | $3.01B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.40% | +33.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $470.00M | $530.75M |
| Gross margin | — | 55.35% |
| Operating margin | 8.45% | 9.17% |
| Net margin | 6.80% | 17.64% |
| 52-week high | $34.67 | $13.37 |
| 52-week low | $19.50 | $8.88 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -41.59% | -6.58% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +57.19% | +28.90% |
| Average volume | 1.68M | 4.58M |
| Shares outstanding | 503.25M | 407.23M |
| Employees | 63,388 | 26,100 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Real Estate |
| 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
- TAL has outperformed RTO by 43.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Rentokil Initial trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.6x vs 7.8x trailing P/E).
- TAL Education Group is more profitable, keeping 17.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.8 cents for Rentokil Initial.
- TAL Education Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+33.72% vs +4.40%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Rentokil Initial in Consumer Discretionary and TAL Education Group in Real Estate.
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
About TAL Education Group
TAL stock →TAL Education Group provides smart learning solutions in the People's Republic of China. It offers learning services through Xueersi Peiyou small classes, personalized premium services, and online course offerings.
Real Estate · Other Consumer Services · 26,100 employees
RTO vs TAL FAQ
Which is bigger, Rentokil Initial or TAL Education Group?
Rentokil Initial (RTO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.19B compared with $6.93B for TAL Education Group (TAL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RTO or TAL?
TAL returned +15.58% 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, RTO or TAL?
TAL has the lower trailing P/E at 7.8, 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, Rentokil Initial or TAL Education Group?
Rentokil Initial pays a dividend yielding 0.63%, while TAL Education Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Rentokil Initial and TAL Education Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.