Reading UNF? Track it free: the weekly brief, plus an alert if the thesis breaks. No credit card.
Track UNF free→Reading UNF? Track it free: the weekly brief, plus an alert if the thesis breaks. No credit card.
Track UNF free→NYSEIndustrialsSpecialty Business ServicesSnapshot 2026-06-16
Recent financial performance is holding in the top half of its industry — the reason to own it looks intact.
Recent financial performance is strong, and management's recent track record has been steady, with a capital-friendly approach. Earnings quality is neutral, and risk is moderate, while the sector backdrop is a headwind. Peer multiples imply a price about 60% below where it trades (it looks expensive on this basis); the read is rich, as it trades above peer multiples, and the longer horizon does not make that back through growth. Key factors to watch include guidance changes and sector trends, particularly how bellwethers perform. This assessment is provisional.
Daily closes. Earnings/event dots are placed inline.
A consensus fair price across 7 valuation methods, at three horizons. Current price $266.02. Estimates are diagnostics, not price targets. Short-horizon estimates are close to coin-flips, so confidence is a method-agreement read, not a prediction.
No-growth: today's peer multiple on trailing earnings. The headline read.
Embeds projected growth. Leans optimistic by design. Upside context.
We take the 12-month fair value above and grade our own number — how the market prices this name versus what we'd justify, and where the two diverge.
At $264 UNF trades at 35× p/e — 1.6× the 21× p/e peer median, and above its own 26× history. The market is re-rating it beyond its own range; our $166 fair value is medium-confidence here. Not investment advice.
One valuation read at a 12-month horizon, plus how price compares to peers and the company's own history.
The market is pricing in roughly 59% near-term growth, well above our forecast of about 2%. This describes what's priced in, not a forecast of the move.
Only expensive valuation — not the full expensive x weak x turbulent stack.
For similar setups historically (n=20,154): about 33% saw a 20%+ drawdown, and roughly 76% of those did not recover within the year. These are historical base rates for the cohort, not a forecast of this stock.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Industrials names rated strong grew net income 69% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=3696).
Over the trailing year it converted 2.00x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 57% of the time over the next year (vs 60% for the rest of the cohort, n=4440).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the broad stock market, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity, long-term interest rates, the US dollar.
2 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by M&A activity. Historically, Industrials names rated stable grew net income 60% of the time over the next year (vs 59% for the rest of the cohort, n=792).
The next print and the backdrop around it (sector regime and the AI cycle). Context for the path, not a forecast of returns.
EPS estimate $1.95 → $1.95 (+0.1% / 30d). 2 raised, 1 cut, 4 covering analysts.
0 upgrades, 0 downgrades / 30d. 0% of analysts rate Buy.
1 positive, 0 negative / 30d. See F4 management tile for the event list.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
What a normal day, a bad day, and the worst of the last year would mean for a $10,000 position.
On a typical day, $10k can swing ±$78.
How much price usually moves either way.
On a bad day, this stock has moved -$245.
A rough but not unusual down day (about the 95th percentile).
In the worst 12 months, $10k could have lost $2,106.
Deepest peak-to-trough drop in the last year.
Past results, not a forecast. Not investment advice.
The most important moves since the prior daily snapshot.
No material changes since the prior snapshot.
as of 2026-06-16
Specific, dated things to watch for, each with what would confirm it and what would prove it wrong.
Why it matters: These reports can change how much people want UniFirst's services and the sector's health.
Confirms one read:Unemployment claims drop a lot, showing a stronger job market.
Confirms the other:Unemployment claims go up, suggesting a weaker job market.
Recent news graded against this company's own objectives — whether it reinforces or challenges the thesis, and how confirmed it is.
Advances: Complete merger with Cintas Corporation
Shareholder approval is crucial for merger completion.
Conditional scenarios: if X happens, the view would shift in this direction. These are not predictions.
Recent SEC 8-K filings ranked by likely impact, confidence, and recency.
Other Events. As previously disclosed, on March 10, 2026, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with (i) Cintas, (ii) Merger Sub, Inc., and (iii) Merger Sub LLC. The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth therein, including the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), (i) Merger Sub Inc. will be mer…
Whether the overall read has been drifting up or down lately, and how it's changed since last week.
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
Long-thesis check; widest uncertainty.
Looks more expensive than peers.
Richer than its own typical valuation.
Trailing four: 2025-Q1, 2025-Q2, 2025-Q3, 2026-Q2
A side-by-side read on sector standing, valuation, and risk versus Diversified Support Services.
| Stock | Sector standing | Valuation | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
UNF UniFirst Corporation | Typical Show detailsSector percentile: 47 of 100 | expensive | moderate |
CTAS Cintas | Above typical Show detailsSector percentile: 83 of 100 | expensive | moderate |
CPRT Copart | Above typical Show detailsSector percentile: 87 of 100 | fair | elevated |
RBA RB Global | Above typical Show detailsSector percentile: 71 of 100 | full | moderate |
ULS UL Solutions | Above typical Show detailsSector percentile: 80 of 100 | expensive | moderate |
Not investment advice. As of 2026-06-16.
via XLI
Tailwind = sector leading the S&P 500; headwind = trailing. Both can be constructive. Historically, headwind regimes have averaged stronger forward returns than tailwind.
Context label only: describes the market state (e.g. real bear vs narrative panic, healthy uptrend vs late-stage froth). It is not a per-ticker buy/sell signal and does not predict factor performance.
Not investment advice. As of 2026-06-16.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Finalize the merger with Cintas Corporation to enhance service capabilities and shareholder value.
Continue investments in growth and digital transformation to drive operational efficiencies.
Focus on improving growth and profitability in the First Aid & Safety Solutions segment.
Why it matters: CPI affects inflation and consumer spending. Changes can impact UniFirst's pricing power and costs.
Confirms one read:CPI increases more than 0.5% month over month.
Confirms the other:CPI increases less than 0.1% month over month.
Why it matters: The merger is key for UniFirst's growth and shareholder value. It is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Confirms:The merger closes on time. There are no delays from regulators or shareholders.
Disproves:The merger has big delays. It may be blocked by regulators.
Why it matters: If revenue growth picks up, it could signal a shift from maturity to expansion. This would be positive for UniFirst's outlook.
Confirms:Three-year revenue growth in the industrial sector rises above 8%.
Disproves:Three-year revenue growth stays below 6%.
Why it matters: Regulatory approval is crucial for the merger to proceed. Delays could impact the timeline.
Confirms:Regulators approve the merger with no big conditions.
Disproves:Regulators add rules. These rules delay or make the merger harder.
Why it matters: The FOMC's decision on interest rates can change borrowing costs. This impacts UniFirst's growth.
Confirms one read:FOMC raises rates by 25 basis points.
Confirms the other:FOMC keeps rates unchanged.
Why it matters: If revenue growth picks up, it could signal a positive shift in the sector's maturity phase.
Confirms:Q3 revenue growth speeds up again, going over 8% from last year.
Disproves:Q3 revenue growth stays below 8% from last year, showing it is slowing down.
Why it matters: These results will provide insight into the company's performance before the merger. They are due on April 1, 2026.
Confirms one read:Q2 revenue shows growth compared to the previous year.
Confirms the other:Q2 revenue goes down or does not meet expectations.
Why it matters: This segment's growth shows UniFirst's investment plans and market strength. It shows business health.
Confirms:Revenue in the First Aid & Safety Solutions segment increases year over year.
Disproves:Revenue in the First Aid & Safety Solutions segment goes down or stays the same.
Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On April 1, 2026, UniFirst Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release (“Press Release”) announcing financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, which ended on February 28, 2026. A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The information in this Item 2.02, including the exhibit attached hereto, is furnished pursuant to
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. Merger Agreement On March 10, 2026, UniFirst Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation (the “ Company ” or “ UniFirst ”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) with (i) Cintas Corporation, a Washington corporation (“ Parent ” or “ Cintas ”), (ii) Bruin Merger Sub I, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Cintas (“ Merger Sub Inc. ”), and (iii) Bruin Merger Sub II, LLC, a Delaware limited liabil…
Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On October 22, 2025, UniFirst Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release (“Press Release”) announcing financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2025, which ended on August 30, 2025. A copy of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference. The information in this Item 2.02, including the exhibit attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for a…
Results of Operations and Financial Condition. On October 17, 2025, UniFirst Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release (“Press Release”) announcing changes to its reportable segments. Beginning with the fourth quarter and year ended August 30, 2025, the Company will report results under three reportable segments: (1) Uniform & Facility Service Solutions; (2) First Aid & Safety Solutions; and (3) Other. The Company revised its reportable segments to align with how the Company’s Chief…