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CTAS vs EXPO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs. Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CTAS reported strong Q3 FY2026 results with 8.9% revenue growth to $2.84 billion and raised full-year guidance, supported by a proposed UniFirst acquisition for market expansion.
- EXPO delivered Q4 FY2025 revenue beat at $147.4 million (up 19.1% YoY) and EPS of $0.49, alongside a 3.3% dividend increase, reflecting steady consulting demand.
- Both stocks have faced recent pressure, with CTAS down about 7% YTD and EXPO down 5.5% YTD, amid broader market concerns.
- CTAS offers larger scale with recurring route-based services, while EXPO provides specialized engineering consulting with high margins.
- Analyst targets suggest upside for both: average $212 for CTAS and around $90 for EXPO.
- Tickeron’s AI tools highlight relative performance differences in industrials and consulting sectors.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines CTAS and EXPO, two established players in business services with exposure to industrials and professional consulting. CTAS, a leader in uniform rental and facility services, contrasts with EXPO, a science and engineering consulting firm. Traders seeking momentum in recurring revenue models and investors eyeing stable, high-margin consulting may find value in analyzing their recent market positioning, growth drivers, and relative performance amid economic uncertainties. This overview draws on verifiable data to highlight key differences for informed decision-making in today's volatile environment.
CTAS Overview and Recent Performance
Cintas Corporation (CTAS) provides uniforms, facility services like mats and restroom supplies, and first aid/safety products through a route-based rental model serving over one million North American businesses. This high-density delivery system drives recurring revenue and operational efficiency.
In recent market activity, CTAS shares have traded around $175, down roughly 7% YTD from macroeconomic pressures and competition, with a 52-week range of $166–$229. The stock underperformed broader indices over one year (13% vs. S&P 500's 29%), but fundamentals remain robust. Q3 FY2026 revenue rose 8.9% to $2.84 billion (organic 8.2%), gross margin hit a record 51%, and EPS increased 9.7% to $1.24, prompting raised FY2026 guidance to $11.21–$11.24 billion. A proposed UniFirst acquisition enhances scale, while a new $2 billion credit facility bolsters liquidity. Sentiment reflects caution on labor market softness but optimism for margin expansion and M&A (mergers and acquisitions).
EXPO Overview and Recent Performance
Exponent, Inc. (EXPO) is a science and engineering consulting firm offering multidisciplinary analysis in biomechanics, materials, environmental health, and more, serving industries like energy, tech, and manufacturing across two segments: Engineering/Scientific and Environmental/Health.
Recent weeks saw EXPO shares near $66, down 5.5% YTD and testing 52-week lows around $63 amid market pressures, with a one-year return of 15%. Trading volume averages 477,000 shares. Q4 FY2025 revenue surged 19.1% to $147.4 million (beating estimates by 15%), EPS hit $0.49 (above $0.47 consensus), though EBITDA slightly missed. FY2025 revenue reached $582 million (up 4.2%). Leadership elevated John Pye to President and Eric Anderson to CFO, signaling continuity, while a quarterly dividend rose 3.3% to $0.31 (yield ~1.8%). Performance reflects resilient demand for expert consulting despite broader downturns, with analysts noting undervaluation potential.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CTAS and EXPO operate in complementary business services niches: CTAS’s scalable, asset-light rental model yields recurring revenue (77% from uniforms/facilities) with growth via route density and acquisitions, contrasting EXPO’s project-based consulting (low capex, ~20% margins) reliant on expert billings.
Recent momentum favors neither decisively, with both lagging S&P 500 amid macro headwinds—CTAS hit harder by labor softness but buoyed by 8–9% organic growth; EXPO shows steadier beats but slower top-line expansion. Risk profiles differ: CTAS (beta 0.85, $70B cap) offers stability in fragmented markets; EXPO ($3.3B cap) exposes to litigation/project cycles. Sector-wise, both tie to industrials, but CTAS gains from safety services, EXPO from tech/regulation. Sentiment leans positive for CTAS catalysts like UniFirst, while EXPO trades at a relative discount (P/E 32 vs. 42).
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward CTAS due to superior trend consistency from raised guidance, record margins, and acquisition catalysts positioning it for sustained growth in a fragmented market. EXPO’s stability and beats offer appeal, but CTAS shows stronger relative momentum and scale advantages, suggesting higher probability of outperformance in the near term based on observable data patterns.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CTAS is a Hold and EXPO is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CTAS’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileEXPO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CTAS’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- EXPO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CTAS’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while EXPO’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CTAS’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- EXPO’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CTAS (@Office Equipment/Supplies) experienced а -5.96% price change this week, while EXPO (@Engineering & Construction) price change was +2.96% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Office Equipment/Supplies industry was -1.74%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.30%, and the average quarterly price growth was +0.98%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Engineering & Construction industry was +1.33%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.52%, and the average quarterly price growth was +30.09%.
Reported Earning Dates
CTAS is expected to report earnings on Jul 09, 2026.
EXPO is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Office Equipment/Supplies (-1.74% weekly)The industry produces equipment regularly used in offices by businesses and other organizations, and could range from items like Blank sheet paper, calendars, Label and adhesive paper, paper clips, janitorial supplies, to larger /higher cost products like computers, printers, photocopiers, office furniture and so on. Many businesses in the office supply industry have been expanding into related markets like business cards, plus printing and binding of high quality, high volume business and engineering documents. Some companies in this industry also offer shipping services, including packaging and bulk mailing. Herman Miller, Inc., Steelcase Inc. and HNI Corporation.
@Engineering & Construction (+1.33% weekly)Engineering & Construction includes companies that engage in non-residential construction and contract services, including ventilation, heating and air conditioning (HVAC) services. The level/value of construction & engineering activity is one of the potentially relevant indicators of the health of businesses, and hence of the overall economy. Some of the large-cap U.S. companies in this industry include Jacobs Engineering Group Inc,, AECOM and Quanta Services, Inc.
| CTAS | EXPO | CTAS / EXPO | |
| Capitalization | 68.4B | 2.76B | 2,478% |
| EBITDA | 3.05B | 127M | 2,398% |
| Gain YTD | -9.346 | -17.148 | 55% |
| P/E Ratio | 36.04 | 26.58 | 136% |
| Revenue | 11B | 603M | 1,824% |
| Total Cash | 183M | 119M | 154% |
| Total Debt | 2.92B | 81M | 3,602% |
CTAS | EXPO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 22 | 7 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 67 Overvalued | 29 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 32 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 23 | 35 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 72 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 80 | 79 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 38 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
EXPO's Valuation (29) in the Engineering And Construction industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CTAS (67) in the Other Consumer Services industry. This means that EXPO’s stock grew somewhat faster than CTAS’s over the last 12 months.
CTAS's Profit vs Risk Rating (32) in the Other Consumer Services industry is significantly better than the same rating for EXPO (100) in the Engineering And Construction industry. This means that CTAS’s stock grew significantly faster than EXPO’s over the last 12 months.
CTAS's SMR Rating (23) in the Other Consumer Services industry is in the same range as EXPO (35) in the Engineering And Construction industry. This means that CTAS’s stock grew similarly to EXPO’s over the last 12 months.
CTAS's Price Growth Rating (61) in the Other Consumer Services industry is in the same range as EXPO (72) in the Engineering And Construction industry. This means that CTAS’s stock grew similarly to EXPO’s over the last 12 months.
EXPO's P/E Growth Rating (79) in the Engineering And Construction industry is in the same range as CTAS (80) in the Other Consumer Services industry. This means that EXPO’s stock grew similarly to CTAS’s over the last 12 months.
| CTAS | EXPO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 62% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 47% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 34% | 2 days ago 63% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 55% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 57% | 4 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 41% | 2 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 39% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 57% |
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CTAS and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CTAS has been loosely correlated with EXPO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 62% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CTAS jumps, then EXPO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CTAS | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTAS | 100% | -4.00% | ||
| EXPO - CTAS | 62% Loosely correlated | -0.58% | ||
| UNF - CTAS | 54% Loosely correlated | -2.32% | ||
| VRSK - CTAS | 51% Loosely correlated | -2.37% | ||
| ARLO - CTAS | 47% Loosely correlated | -4.23% | ||
| EFX - CTAS | 46% Loosely correlated | -7.35% | ||
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