UniFirst Corp's stock surged by 15.19%, reaching a 20-day high, amid positive market conditions with the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 both up.
The significant price increase is attributed to Cintas' proposal to acquire UniFirst for $275 per share, which represents a 64% premium over its 90-day average closing price. This acquisition proposal has generated considerable interest among investors, enhancing confidence in UniFirst's future prospects. The deal, valued at approximately $5.2 billion, is expected to bolster Cintas's market position by expanding its customer base and service offerings.
This acquisition proposal not only reflects Cintas's confidence in UniFirst's growth potential but also indicates a strategic move to enhance market competitiveness. Investors are likely to remain optimistic as the acquisition progresses through the necessary regulatory approvals.
Wall Street analysts forecast UNF stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UNF is 177.25 USD with a low forecast of 145.00 USD and a high forecast of 206.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
5 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast UNF stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for UNF is 177.25 USD with a low forecast of 145.00 USD and a high forecast of 206.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
0 Buy
3 Hold
2 Sell
Moderate Sell
Current: 209.550
Low
145.00
Averages
177.25
High
206.00
Current: 209.550
Low
145.00
Averages
177.25
High
206.00
UBS
Neutral
maintain
$182 -> $206
2026-01-08
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$182 -> $206
AI Analysis
2026-01-08
maintain
Neutral
Reason
UBS raised the firm's price target on UniFirst to $206 from $182 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares.
Baird
Baird
Neutral
maintain
$175 -> $198
2026-01-08
Reason
Baird
Baird
Price Target
$175 -> $198
2026-01-08
maintain
Neutral
Reason
Baird raised the firm's price target on UniFirst to $198 from $175 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares.
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UBS
Neutral
downgrade
$190 -> $182
2025-10-23
Reason
UBS
Price Target
$190 -> $182
2025-10-23
downgrade
Neutral
Reason
UBS lowered the firm's price target on UniFirst to $182 from $190 and keeps a Neutral rating on the shares following the fiscal Q4 report. While the firm sees some uniform momentum, it also cautions on "another year" of margin decline in FY26.
Barclays
Manav Patnaik
Underweight
downgrade
$152 -> $145
2025-10-23
Reason
Barclays
Manav Patnaik
Price Target
$152 -> $145
2025-10-23
downgrade
Underweight
Reason
Barclays analyst Manav Patnaik lowered the firm's price target on UniFirst to $145 from $152 and keeps an Underweight rating on the shares. The company's better than expected fiscal Q4 report with some momentum in customer acquisition and attrition was overshadowed by an "underwhelming" fiscal 2026 outlook, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
About UNF
UniFirst Corporation is engaged in supplying and servicing uniform and workwear programs and facility service products. Its segments include United States (U.S.) and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing (MFG), Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning (Specialty Garments), First Aid and Corporate. The U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning segment purchases, rents, cleans, delivers and sells, uniforms and protective clothing and non-garment items in the United States and Canada. The MFG segment designs and manufactures uniforms and non-garment items primarily for the purpose of providing these goods to the U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning reporting segment. Specialty Garments segment purchases, rents, cleans, delivers and sells specialty garments and non-garment items primarily for nuclear and cleanroom applications and provides cleanroom cleaning services at limited customer locations. First Aid segment sells first aid cabinet products and services and other safety supplies.
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.
