AN vs. CTAS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AN and CTAS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AutoNation, Inc. | Cintas Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Specialty Retail | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 8.26 billion USD | 85.37 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | May 11, 1990 | August 19, 1983 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AN and CTAS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.85% | -2.11% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 21.33% | -4.42% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 15.38% | 1.79% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 26.33% | 8.00% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 13.74% | -4.80% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.01% | 15.96% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.35M | 1.69M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.45M | 1.48M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 26.46% | 17.61% |
| Beta | 0.88 | 1.02 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AN
26.13%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 61.19%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 18.81%
- Q1
- 8.92%
- Min
- -13.03%
AN’s Return on Equity of 26.13% is on par with the norm for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
CTAS
41.21%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.93%
- Q3
- 18.03%
- Median
- 9.43%
- Q1
- 6.44%
- Min
- -9.69%
CTAS’s Return on Equity of 41.21% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AN
2.31%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 21.28%
- Q3
- 10.68%
- Median
- 6.08%
- Q1
- 2.43%
- Min
- -4.54%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, AN’s Net Profit Margin of 2.31% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
CTAS
17.53%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 9.01%
- Median
- 5.20%
- Q1
- 2.75%
- Min
- -2.31%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.53% places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AN
4.53%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 33.35%
- Q3
- 15.84%
- Median
- 9.34%
- Q1
- 3.83%
- Min
- -8.97%
AN’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.53% is around the midpoint for the Specialty Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CTAS
22.82%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.43%
- Q3
- 12.19%
- Median
- 8.10%
- Q1
- 3.18%
- Min
- -6.03%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.82% places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.13% | 41.21% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.80% | 19.14% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.31% | 17.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.53% | 22.82% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.91% | 50.04% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AN
0.81
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 2.83
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.64
AN’s Current Ratio of 0.81 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
CTAS
2.09
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.94
- Q3
- 1.89
- Median
- 1.38
- Q1
- 0.87
- Min
- 0.53
CTAS’s Current Ratio of 2.09 is in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AN
2.12
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 0.64
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.00
AN’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Specialty Retail industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.12. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
CTAS
0.52
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.08
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
CTAS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.52 is typical for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AN
3.25
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.12
- Q3
- 35.95
- Median
- 14.13
- Q1
- 3.61
- Min
- -36.00
In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, AN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.25 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
CTAS
24.70
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 12.37
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- -10.97
CTAS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 24.70 is in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.81 | 2.09 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.21 | 1.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.12 | 0.52 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.25 | 24.70 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AN
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.53%
- Q3
- 2.69%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
CTAS
0.70%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.44%
- Q3
- 2.30%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.63%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTAS’s Dividend Yield of 0.70% is consistent with its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AN
0.00%
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 165.81%
- Q3
- 80.94%
- Median
- 31.61%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AN has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
CTAS
33.75%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 40.45%
- Q1
- 23.31%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTAS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.75% is within the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.70% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 33.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AN
12.42
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 48.56
- Q3
- 29.15
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 15.46
- Min
- 7.95
In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, AN’s P/E Ratio of 12.42 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
CTAS
48.29
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.20
- Q3
- 37.10
- Median
- 22.38
- Q1
- 16.35
- Min
- 0.00
A P/E Ratio of 48.29 places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AN
0.29
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 5.08
- Q3
- 2.69
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.09
In the lower quartile for the Specialty Retail industry, AN’s P/S Ratio of 0.29 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
CTAS
8.46
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.64
- Q3
- 2.28
- Median
- 0.97
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.00
With a P/S Ratio of 8.46, CTAS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AN
3.03
Specialty Retail Industry
- Max
- 16.93
- Q3
- 7.98
- Median
- 3.69
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- 0.21
AN’s P/B Ratio of 3.03 is within the conventional range for the Specialty Retail industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
CTAS
19.50
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 4.38
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.43
At 19.50, CTAS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.42 | 48.29 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 8.46 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 3.03 | 19.50 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 27.69 | 49.80 |