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 Overview
CTAS’s market capitalization of 88.57 billion USD is significantly greater than AN’s 8.01 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.99 for AN and 1.06 for CTAS, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AutoNation, Inc. | Cintas Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Industrials |
| Industry | Auto - Dealerships | Specialty Business Services |
| CEO | Michael M. Manley | Todd M. Schneider |
| Price | 212.5 USD | 219.36 USD |
| Market Cap | 8.01 billion USD | 88.57 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.06 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | May 11, 1990 | August 19, 1983 |
| ADR | No | No |
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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AN
28.79%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 28.79%
- Q3
- 15.58%
- Median
- 9.02%
- Q1
- -10.07%
- Min
- -35.39%
In the upper quartile for the Auto - Dealerships industry, AN’s Return on Equity of 28.79% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
CTAS
41.30%
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 30.24%
- Q3
- 17.20%
- Median
- 7.32%
- Q1
- 4.37%
- Min
- -13.44%
CTAS’s Return on Equity of 41.30% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Specialty Business Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Return on Invested Capital
AN
8.25%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 14.67%
- Q3
- 8.34%
- Median
- 6.56%
- Q1
- 0.65%
- Min
- -4.67%
AN’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.25% is in line with the norm for the Auto - Dealerships industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
CTAS
22.69%
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 22.69%
- Q3
- 10.02%
- Median
- 5.30%
- Q1
- 1.55%
- Min
- -1.58%
In the upper quartile for the Specialty Business Services industry, CTAS’s Return on Invested Capital of 22.69% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
AN
2.51%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 7.00%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.18%
- Q1
- -0.32%
- Min
- -0.47%
AN’s Net Profit Margin of 2.51% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Auto - Dealerships industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
CTAS
17.53%
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 17.53%
- Q3
- 11.60%
- Median
- 5.65%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -5.21%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.53% places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Specialty Business Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
AN
4.82%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 8.99%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 4.28%
- Q1
- -1.91%
- Min
- -11.10%
AN’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.82% is around the midpoint for the Auto - Dealerships industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
CTAS
22.77%
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 29.40%
- Q3
- 16.52%
- Median
- 5.78%
- Q1
- 1.54%
- Min
- -5.17%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.77% places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Specialty Business Services 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) | 28.79% | 41.30% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.08% | 18.50% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 8.25% | 22.69% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 2.51% | 17.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 4.82% | 22.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.82% | 49.51% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AN
0.77
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 1.65
- Q3
- 1.54
- Median
- 1.33
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.77
AN’s Current Ratio of 0.77 falls into the lower quartile for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
CTAS
1.72
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 2.21
- Q3
- 1.84
- Median
- 1.52
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.26
CTAS’s Current Ratio of 1.72 aligns with the median group of the Specialty Business Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AN
3.76
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.44
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.01
AN’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Auto - Dealerships industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 3.76. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
CTAS
0.59
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 1.02
- Q3
- 0.93
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- 0.03
CTAS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 is typical for the Specialty Business Services 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
AN
3.78
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 6.71
- Q3
- 3.13
- Median
- 1.99
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- -1.62
AN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.78 is in the upper quartile for the Auto - Dealerships industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
CTAS
22.84
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 15.61
- Q3
- 6.91
- Median
- 3.29
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- -8.58
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.84, CTAS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Specialty Business Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.77 | 1.72 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.22 | 1.50 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 3.76 | 0.59 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.68 | 0.28 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 5.64 | 0.86 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.78 | 22.84 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AN and CTAS. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AN
0.00%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 2.73%
- Q3
- 0.59%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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
0.98%
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 4.40%
- Q3
- 1.37%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTAS’s Dividend Yield of 0.98% is consistent with its peers in the Specialty Business Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AN
0.00%
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 34.61%
- Q3
- 9.34%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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
33.25%
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 79.38%
- Q3
- 51.62%
- Median
- 23.75%
- Q1
- 1.08%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTAS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 33.25% is within the typical range for the Specialty Business Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.98% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 33.25% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AN
12.23
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 31.48
- Q3
- 20.01
- Median
- 14.07
- Q1
- 11.52
- Min
- 10.40
AN’s P/E Ratio of 12.23 is within the middle range for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
CTAS
49.81
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 52.23
- Q3
- 42.83
- Median
- 32.04
- Q1
- 16.00
- Min
- 2.24
A P/E Ratio of 49.81 places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Specialty Business Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AN
0.76
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 3.22
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.63
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.46
AN’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.76 is within the middle range of its peers in the Auto - Dealerships industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
CTAS
4.88
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 4.93
- Q3
- 3.34
- Median
- 2.19
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.06
A Forward PEG Ratio of 4.88 places CTAS in the upper quartile for the Specialty Business Services industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AN
0.30
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 3.42
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.28
- Min
- 0.19
AN’s P/S Ratio of 0.30 aligns with the market consensus for the Auto - Dealerships industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
CTAS
8.65
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 6.26
- Q3
- 3.60
- Median
- 1.90
- Q1
- 0.73
- Min
- 0.34
With a P/S Ratio of 8.65, CTAS trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Specialty Business Services industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AN
3.45
Auto - Dealerships Industry
- Max
- 6.16
- Q3
- 3.70
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.56
- Min
- 0.81
AN’s P/B Ratio of 3.45 is within the conventional range for the Auto - Dealerships 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
19.29
Specialty Business Services Industry
- Max
- 3.69
- Q3
- 3.69
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 1.55
- Min
- 0.59
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Specialty Business Services industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AN | CTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 12.23 | 49.81 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 0.76 | 4.88 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 0.30 | 8.65 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 3.45 | 19.29 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -23.40 | 48.05 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 10.68 | 31.82 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 0.63 | 8.90 |