Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS) Shares Sold by Gateway Investment Advisers LLC

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC reduced its position in shares of Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS - Free Report) by 16.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 7,359 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 1,472 shares during the period. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC's holdings in Cintas were worth $1,344,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its holdings in Cintas by 341.4% during the 3rd quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 128 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management increased its stake in shares of Cintas by 433.3% in the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 128 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Cintas by 495.7% in the third quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 137 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Cintas by 1,340.0% in the third quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 144 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC boosted its stake in Cintas by 321.1% during the 3rd quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 160 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. 63.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Cintas Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ CTAS traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $198.31. 1,673,318 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,374,499. Cintas Co. has a twelve month low of $146.63 and a twelve month high of $228.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The firm has a market cap of $80.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.81, a PEG ratio of 3.65 and a beta of 1.37. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $205.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $205.14.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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. The company had revenue of $2.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.56 billion. Cintas had a return on equity of 40.62% and a net margin of 17.23%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.61 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Cintas Co. will post 4.31 EPS for the current year.

Cintas Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 14th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.79%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 14th. Cintas's dividend payout ratio is currently 37.59%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CTAS has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Cintas from $240.00 to $218.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Cintas from $185.00 to $202.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Barclays boosted their price target on Cintas from $210.00 to $245.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 27th. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on Cintas from $730.00 to $200.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Cintas from $236.00 to $211.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, December 20th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Cintas presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $198.46.

Cintas Company 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.