Citi Raises Cintas Price Target to $181 While Maintaining Sell Rating
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 22 2025
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Should l Buy CTAS?
Citi raised the firm's price target on Cintas to $181 from $176 and keeps a Sell rating on the shares.
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Analyst Views on CTAS
Wall Street analysts forecast CTAS stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
8 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 196.100
Low
181.00
Averages
214.82
High
245.00
Current: 196.100
Low
181.00
Averages
214.82
High
245.00
About CTAS
Cintas Corporation develops uniform programs using fabric. The Company helps businesses of all types and sizes, primarily in the United States, as well as Canada and Latin America. The Company operates through two segments: Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment and the First Aid and Safety Services segment. The Uniform Rental and Facility Services segment consists of the rental and servicing of uniforms and other garments, including flame resistant clothing, mats, mops and shop towels and other ancillary items. This segment also includes restroom cleaning services and supplies and the sale of items from its catalogs to its customers. The First Aid and Safety Services segment consists of first aid and safety products and services. The remainder of its segments, which consists of the Fire Protection Services segment and the Uniform Direct Sale segment, is included in All Other. It provides its products and services to small service and manufacturing companies and to corporations.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Employment Cost Index Decline: The Q4 employment cost index rose by 0.7% quarter-over-quarter, below the expected 0.8%, marking the smallest increase in 4.5 years, suggesting easing labor cost pressures that may influence Federal Reserve monetary policy decisions.
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- Technical Analysis: The stock is currently trading above key moving averages, with the 20-day, 50-day, and 100-day SMAs showing increases of 15.6%, 22.8%, and 33.8% respectively, indicating a strong upward trend despite some short-term bearish pressure.
- Market Sentiment Shift: While the RSI indicates neutral momentum, investors should monitor the key support level at $209.50, as approaching this level could signal potential trend reversal risks, necessitating cautious trading strategies.
See More
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- Economic Data Impact: December retail sales were unchanged, falling short of the expected 0.4%, while the Q4 employment cost index rose by 0.7% quarter-over-quarter, below the anticipated 0.8%, which could lead to a downward revision of Q4 GDP, reflecting potential economic slowdown.
- Earnings Season: More than half of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 79% of the 297 companies exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected at 8.4%, indicating strong corporate performance that may support the stock market.
- Rate Expectations: The market is pricing in a 22% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut at the Fed's March policy meeting, reflecting cautious optimism among investors regarding future monetary policy, especially in light of the current weak economic data.
See More
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- Employment Cost Index Decline: The US Q4 employment cost index rose by 0.7% quarter-over-quarter, below the expected 0.8%, marking the smallest increase in 4.5 years, which may prompt the Fed to reconsider its interest rate policy, further supporting the stock market.
- Optimistic Earnings Outlook: More than half of S&P 500 companies have reported earnings, with 79% exceeding expectations, and Q4 earnings growth is projected to reach +8.4%, providing support for the market despite the poor overall economic data.
- Market Focus on Upcoming Data: This week, the market will focus on upcoming economic data and corporate earnings, including an expected increase of 69,000 in January nonfarm payrolls and an unemployment rate holding steady at 4.4%, which will significantly influence market sentiment.
See More
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- Cultural Recognition: Cintas has been recognized by Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for 2026, highlighting the company's commitment to respect and support for its employee-partners, thereby reinforcing its leadership position in the industry.
- Employee Value Emphasis: CEO Todd Schneider emphasizes that the strong culture built around nearly 50,000 employee-partners is crucial, and creating an environment where employees feel valued is key to the company's ongoing success.
- Diversity Evaluation Metrics: The recognition evaluated companies with over 1,000 employees based on several metrics relevant to women, minorities, and diverse demographic groups, showcasing Cintas' efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion.
- Comprehensive Service Offerings: Cintas serves over one million businesses with a wide range of services including uniforms, cleaning supplies, and safety training, helping clients maintain their facilities and employees in top condition during workdays, which further enhances its market competitiveness.
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