Service International (SCI) vs Unifirst (UNF)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Unifirst (UNF) has outperformed Service International (SCI) over the past year, gaining 57.8% versus a loss of 6.5%. Over five years, SCI leads with a +23.4% price change compared with +22.5% for UNF. Service International is the larger company by market cap ($10.46 billion vs $4.69 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Service International trades at a lower forward P/E (16.7x vs 32.1x for Unifirst). Service International offers the higher dividend yield (1.77% vs 0.56%). Service International converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.6% 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 | SCI | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $76.77 | $259.60 |
| Market cap | $10.46B | $4.69B |
| 1-day change | -0.12% | +2.89% |
| YTD return | -1.54% | +34.58% |
| 1-year return | -6.50% | +57.78% |
| 5-year return | +23.44% | +22.46% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.10 | 39.88 |
| Forward P/E | 16.70 | 32.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.82 | $6.51 |
| Dividend yield | 1.77% | 0.56% |
| Annual dividend | $1.36 | $1.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.31B | $2.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.93% | +0.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $542.61M | $148.27M |
| Gross margin | 26.46% | 36.59% |
| Operating margin | 22.70% | 7.59% |
| Net margin | 12.59% | 6.10% |
| 52-week high | $90.99 | $306.67 |
| 52-week low | $68.41 | $147.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.63% | -15.35% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.69% | +5.29% |
| Average volume | 1.00M | 247.31K |
| Shares outstanding | 136.29M | 14.53M |
| Employees | 25,000 | 16,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
| Industry | Personal 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
- Service International is about 2.2 times larger than Unifirst by market value ($10.46B vs $4.69B).
- UNF has outperformed SCI by 64.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Unifirst trades at a higher earnings multiple (39.9x vs 20.1x trailing P/E).
- Service International offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.77% vs 0.56%).
- Service International is more profitable, keeping 12.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.1 cents for Unifirst.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Service International in Consumer Cyclical and Unifirst in Industrials.
About Service International
SCI stock →Service Corporation International provides deathcare products and services in the United States and Canada. Its funeral service and cemetery operations comprise funeral service locations, cemeteries, funeral service/cemetery combination locations, crematoria, and other businesses.
Consumer Cyclical · Personal Services · 25,000 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
SCI vs UNF FAQ
Which is bigger, Service International or Unifirst?
Service International (SCI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $10.46B compared with $4.69B for Unifirst (UNF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SCI or UNF?
UNF returned +57.78% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.50% for SCI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SCI or UNF?
SCI has the lower trailing P/E at 20.1, versus 39.9 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, Service International or Unifirst?
Service International has the higher yield at 1.77%, compared with 0.56% for Unifirst.
Are Service International and Unifirst in the same industry?
No. Service International is in the Consumer Cyclical sector, while Unifirst is in Industrials.