Carnegie Investment Counsel Buys 3,180 Shares of Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS)

Carnegie Investment Counsel increased its position in Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS - Free Report) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 77,620 shares of the business services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 3,180 shares during the period. Carnegie Investment Counsel's holdings in Cintas were worth $14,181,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its stake in Cintas by 6.9% during the second quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 757 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $530,000 after acquiring an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. boosted its position in shares of Cintas by 74.1% in the 2nd quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 2,463 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,725,000 after purchasing an additional 1,048 shares in the last quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Cintas by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,905 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $2,034,000 after buying an additional 14 shares during the last quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Cintas by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. E Fund Management Co. Ltd. now owns 997 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $698,000 after buying an additional 19 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Argent Trust Co raised its stake in Cintas by 45.8% during the second quarter. Argent Trust Co now owns 2,543 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,781,000 after buying an additional 799 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.46% of the company's stock.

Cintas Stock Performance

NASDAQ:CTAS traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $198.31. 1,673,318 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,121,474. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $205.75 and its 200-day moving average price is $204.76. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Cintas Co. has a one year low of $146.63 and a one year high of $228.12. The firm has a market cap of $80.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.65 and a beta of 1.37.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.08. Cintas had a net margin of 17.23% and a return on equity of 40.62%. The company had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.56 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.61 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Cintas Co. will post 4.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cintas Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. Cintas's dividend payout ratio is currently 37.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on CTAS shares. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Cintas from $191.00 to $184.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of Cintas from $730.00 to $200.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, September 26th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Cintas from $185.00 to $202.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on shares of Cintas from $236.00 to $211.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Cintas in a report on Friday, December 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Cintas has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $198.46.

Cintas Profile

Cintas Corporation engages in the provision of corporate identity uniforms and related business services primarily in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. It operates through Uniform Rental and Facility Services, First Aid and Safety Services, and All Other segments. The company rents and services uniforms and other garments, including flame resistant clothing, mats, mops and shop towels, and other ancillary items; and provides restroom cleaning services and supplies, as well as sells uniforms.