TAL Education Group (TAL) 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 TAL Education Group (TAL) over the past year, gaining 57.8% versus a gain of 11.2%. Over five years, TAL leads with a +157.0% price change compared with +22.5% for UNF. TAL Education Group is the larger company by market cap ($7.17 billion vs $4.73 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, TAL Education Group trades at a lower forward P/E (11.0x vs 32.4x for Unifirst). Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.55%, 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 6.1%.
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 | TAL | UNF |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.93 | $261.80 |
| Market cap | $7.17B | $4.73B |
| 1-day change | +3.52% | +0.85% |
| YTD return | +14.48% | +34.58% |
| 1-year return | +11.22% | +57.78% |
| 5-year return | +157.00% | +22.46% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.08 | 41.36 |
| Forward P/E | 11.03 | 32.37 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.60 | $6.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.55% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $1.45 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.01B | $2.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +33.72% | +0.20% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $530.75M | $148.27M |
| Gross margin | 55.35% | 36.59% |
| Operating margin | 9.17% | 7.59% |
| Net margin | 17.64% | 6.10% |
| 52-week high | $13.37 | $306.67 |
| 52-week low | $8.88 | $147.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -3.29% | -14.63% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +24.52% | +4.40% |
| Average volume | 4.57M | 249.78K |
| Shares outstanding | 407.23M | 14.53M |
| Employees | 26,100 | 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 TAL by 46.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Unifirst trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.4x vs 8.1x trailing P/E).
- TAL Education Group is more profitable, keeping 17.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.1 cents for Unifirst.
- TAL Education Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+33.72% vs +0.20%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: TAL Education Group in Real Estate and Unifirst in Consumer Discretionary.
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
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
TAL vs UNF FAQ
Which is bigger, TAL Education Group or Unifirst?
TAL Education Group (TAL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.17B compared with $4.73B for Unifirst (UNF).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, TAL or UNF?
UNF returned +57.78% over the past 12 months, compared with +11.22% for TAL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, TAL or UNF?
TAL has the lower trailing P/E at 8.1, versus 41.4 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, TAL Education Group or Unifirst?
Unifirst pays a dividend yielding 0.55%, while TAL Education Group does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are TAL Education Group and Unifirst in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Other Consumer Services industry within the Real Estate sector.