CTAS vs. WCN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CTAS and WCN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CTAS | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Cintas Corporation | Waste Connections, Inc. |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Commercial Services & Supplies | Commercial Services & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 74.69 billion USD | 43.60 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 19, 1983 | May 22, 1998 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CTAS and WCN 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 | CTAS | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.79% | 1.84% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.78% | -7.19% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.29% | -9.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -16.50% | -8.34% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.88% | 0.71% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 2.20% | -3.94% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.38M | 0.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.95M | 0.33M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.57% | 15.47% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 0.40 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CTAS
40.41%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.86%
- Q3
- 17.95%
- Median
- 10.20%
- Q1
- 6.64%
- Min
- -9.69%
CTAS’s Return on Equity of 40.41% 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.
WCN
7.70%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.86%
- Q3
- 17.95%
- Median
- 10.20%
- Q1
- 6.64%
- Min
- -9.69%
WCN’s Return on Equity of 7.70% is on par with the norm for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CTAS
17.54%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.54%
- Q3
- 10.35%
- Median
- 5.85%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -2.31%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.54% 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.
WCN
6.65%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 17.54%
- Q3
- 10.35%
- Median
- 5.85%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -2.31%
WCN’s Net Profit Margin of 6.65% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CTAS
22.89%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.57%
- Q3
- 15.63%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 4.76%
- Min
- -7.48%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.89% 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.
WCN
11.65%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.57%
- Q3
- 15.63%
- Median
- 8.06%
- Q1
- 4.76%
- Min
- -7.48%
WCN’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.65% is around the midpoint for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CTAS | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 40.41% | 7.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 19.17% | 3.05% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.54% | 6.65% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.89% | 11.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 50.10% | 42.10% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CTAS
2.24
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.94
- Q3
- 2.24
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.58
CTAS’s Current Ratio of 2.24 aligns with the median group of the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WCN
0.67
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 3.94
- Q3
- 2.24
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.58
WCN’s Current Ratio of 0.67 falls into the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CTAS
0.51
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
CTAS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.51 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.
WCN
1.07
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 2.24
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.73
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
WCN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07 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)
CTAS
24.70
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 24.47
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 3.74
- 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.
WCN
3.42
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.70
- Q3
- 24.47
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 3.74
- Min
- -10.97
In the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, WCN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.42 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CTAS | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.24 | 0.67 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.88 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.51 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 24.70 | 3.42 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CTAS
0.85%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.89%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTAS’s Dividend Yield of 0.85% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
WCN
0.76%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.46%
- Q3
- 2.38%
- Median
- 1.70%
- Q1
- 0.89%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Yield of 0.76% is in the lower quartile for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CTAS
34.09%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 50.54%
- Q1
- 29.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
CTAS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.09% is within the typical range for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WCN
29.82%
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 137.88%
- Q3
- 72.93%
- Median
- 50.54%
- Q1
- 29.39%
- Min
- 0.00%
WCN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.82% 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 | CTAS | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.85% | 0.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 34.09% | 29.82% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CTAS
40.29
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.06
- Q3
- 35.30
- Median
- 21.86
- Q1
- 16.24
- Min
- 6.18
A P/E Ratio of 40.29 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.
WCN
68.50
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 57.06
- Q3
- 35.30
- Median
- 21.86
- Q1
- 16.24
- Min
- 6.18
At 68.50, WCN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CTAS
7.07
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.55
- Q3
- 3.15
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.06
With a P/S Ratio of 7.07, 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.
WCN
4.56
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.55
- Q3
- 3.15
- Median
- 1.07
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.06
WCN’s P/S Ratio of 4.56 is in the upper echelon for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CTAS
17.80
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.18
- Q3
- 4.19
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.40
At 17.80, 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.
WCN
5.55
Commercial Services & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.18
- Q3
- 4.19
- Median
- 2.44
- Q1
- 1.61
- Min
- 0.40
WCN’s P/B Ratio of 5.55 is in the upper tier for the Commercial Services & Supplies industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CTAS | WCN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 40.29 | 68.50 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.07 | 4.56 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 17.80 | 5.55 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 43.98 | 34.51 |