MML Investors Services LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS)

MML Investors Services LLC increased its position in shares of Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS - Free Report) by 12.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 55,737 shares of the business services provider's stock after buying an additional 6,024 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Cintas were worth $10,183,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC acquired a new position in Cintas during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Cintas during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Cintas during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in Cintas by 136.8% in the 4th quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 180 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 104 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Cintas in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 63.46% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on CTAS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on Cintas from $211.00 to $233.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on Cintas from $200.00 to $227.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Cintas from $195.00 to $213.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Royal Bank of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and issued a $215.00 price target on shares of Cintas in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Finally, Citigroup initiated coverage on shares of Cintas in a research note on Monday, February 24th. They set a "sell" rating and a $161.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $213.62.

Cintas Price Performance

NASDAQ:CTAS opened at $205.84 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $83.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.63, a P/E/G ratio of 3.98 and a beta of 1.20. 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 52 week low of $162.16 and a 52 week high of $228.12. The stock's fifty day moving average is $201.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $204.30.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, March 26th. The business services provider reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.08. Cintas had a net margin of 17.23% and a return on equity of 40.62%. The company had revenue of $2.61 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.84 earnings per share. Cintas's revenue for the quarter was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Cintas Co. will post 4.31 EPS for the current year.

Cintas Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.76%. Cintas's payout ratio is presently 36.11%.

Insider Activity at Cintas

In related news, COO Jim Rozakis sold 2,000 shares of Cintas stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.37, for a total value of $380,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 256,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $48,835,235.36. The trade was a 0.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Ronald W. Tysoe sold 8,521 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.96, for a total transaction of $1,780,548.16. Following the sale, the director now owns 27,029 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,647,979.84. This trade represents a 23.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 15.00% of the company's stock.

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.

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