Howland Capital Management LLC Makes New $1.68 Million Investment in Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS)

Howland Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 9,220 shares of the business services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,684,000.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Financial Management Professionals Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 99 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of Cintas by 433.3% during the 3rd 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 period. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new stake in shares of Cintas during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Cintas by 495.7% during the 3rd 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 period. Finally, Grove Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of Cintas by 1,340.0% during the 3rd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 144 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the period. 63.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on CTAS shares. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of Cintas from $240.00 to $218.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Cintas from $191.00 to $184.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Cintas from $209.00 to $200.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on shares of Cintas from $236.00 to $211.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, December 20th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a “sector perform” rating and issued a $215.00 price target on shares of Cintas in a report on Friday, December 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Cintas has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $198.46.

Cintas Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ CTAS opened at $202.06 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $81.54 billion, a PE ratio of 48.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.95 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Cintas Co. has a 1 year low of $150.70 and a 1 year high of $228.12. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $198.88 and its 200-day moving average is $207.00.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $2.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.56 billion. Cintas had a net margin of 17.23% and a return on equity of 40.62%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.61 EPS. 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, March 14th. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.39 per share. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. Cintas’s dividend payout ratio is currently 37.61%.

Cintas 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.