UniFirst (UNF)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $179.21 | Market Cap: $3.3 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Diversified Support Services
UniFirst (UNF)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $179.21Market Cap: $3.3 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Diversified Support Services
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.6% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -45%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -78% | Weak revenue growthRev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -4.0% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12% | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 38% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Circular Economy. Themes include Commercial Textile Reuse & Management. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.6% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is 12% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 38% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Circular Economy. Themes include Commercial Textile Reuse & Management. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -45%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -78% |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -4.0% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
UNF Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Over the approximate period from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025, UniFirst (UNF) experienced a net stock movement of -0.2%. This marginal decline was influenced by a combination of factors, including its recent financial performance, activist investor interest, analyst sentiment, and significant institutional trading activity.
1. Disappointing Fiscal 2026 Guidance Offset Strong Q4 2025 Earnings. UniFirst reported its fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2025 results on October 22, 2025. While the company surpassed analyst expectations for both EPS ($2.28 actual vs. $2.15 consensus) and revenue ($614.45 million actual vs. $607.02 million consensus) for Q4, the stock experienced a significant drop, declining over 11% in pre-market trading. This negative market reaction was primarily due to the company's cautious fiscal year 2026 revenue guidance, which projected between $2.475 billion and $2.495 billion, falling below the analyst consensus of $2.537 billion. Additionally, quarterly net income decreased to $41.0 million ($2.23 per diluted share) from $44.6 million ($2.39 per diluted share) in the prior year.
2. Activist Investor Engine Capital Pushed for a Potential Sale and Board Changes. In late November 2025, activist investor Engine Capital, holding approximately 3.2% of UniFirst's common stock, publicly urged the company's board to explore a sale. The investor criticized the board for declining private discussions and highlighted the company's stagnant share price compared to its competitor, Cintas Corporation. Engine Capital also revealed that UniFirst had rejected a "cash-rich premium offer" from Cintas. This news led to a 3.6% increase in UniFirst's stock on November 25, 2025.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| UNF Return | 5% | -0% | -8% | -5% | -6% | 4% | -9% |
| Peers Return | 5% | 28% | 8% | 17% | 24% | -8% | 91% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| UNF Win Rate | 58% | 50% | 42% | 58% | 42% | 60% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 52% | 62% | 52% | 58% | 58% | 44% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| UNF Max Drawdown | -37% | -9% | -26% | -21% | -17% | -12% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -41% | -11% | -18% | -8% | -4% | -13% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: CTAS, ARMK, LOPE, PBH, TRI. See UNF Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | UNF | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -41.2% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 70.2% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | Not Fully Recovered days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -40.9% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 69.3% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 294 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -30.2% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 43.3% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 214 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -59.2% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 144.9% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 303 days | 1480 days |
Compare to CTAS, ARMK, LOPE, PBH, TRI
In The Past
UniFirst's stock fell -41.2% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 3/10/2021. A -41.2% loss requires a 70.2% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to UNF. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 9.5% | 9.5% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.2% | 3.2% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.5% | 7.5% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 2.8% | 2.8% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 03312020 | UNF | UniFirst | Dip Buy | DB | Growth | FCF YieldDip Buy with Growth and High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with growth, and significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) | 26.6% | 48.8% | -8.7% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 9.5% | 9.5% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.2% | 3.2% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.5% | 7.5% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 2.8% | 2.8% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 03312020 | UNF | UniFirst | Dip Buy | DB | Growth | FCF YieldDip Buy with Growth and High Free Cash Flow YieldBuying dips for companies with growth, and significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) | 26.6% | 48.8% | -8.7% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for UniFirst
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 144.01 |
| Mkt Cap | 7.1 |
| Rev LTM | 4,904 |
| Op Inc LTM | 569 |
| FCF LTM | 268 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 232 |
| CFO LTM | 532 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 400 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 3.5% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 6.2% |
| Rev Chg Q | 4.5% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.1% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 25.1% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 24.2% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.1% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 21.9% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 21.3% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 19.1% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 18.9% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 7.1 |
| P/S | 4.2 |
| P/EBIT | 17.9 |
| P/E | 29.6 |
| P/CFO | 18.1 |
| Total Yield | 4.1% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.6% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 3.0% |
| D/E | 0.0 |
| Net D/E | 0.0 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | -0.2% |
| 3M Rtn | -9.9% |
| 6M Rtn | -19.8% |
| 12M Rtn | -13.4% |
| 3Y Rtn | 23.1% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | -0.2% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -15.4% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -34.5% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -27.2% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -46.5% |
Comparison Analyses
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniform & Facility Service Solution | 2,224 | ||||
| First Aid & Safety Solutio | 106 | 95 | 77 | 65 | 69 |
| Other | 97 | ||||
| Corporate | 53 | 37 | 35 | 49 | |
| Manufacturing (MFG) | 298 | 281 | 264 | 215 | |
| Net intercompany Manufacturing (MFG) Elimination | -298 | -281 | -264 | -215 | |
| Specialty Garments | 177 | 153 | 145 | 133 | |
| US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning | 1,908 | 1,733 | 1,581 | 1,552 | |
| Total | 2,427 | 2,233 | 2,001 | 1,826 | 1,804 |
| $ Mil | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uniform & Facility Service Solution | 169 | ||||
| Other | 16 | ||||
| First Aid & Safety Solutio | -2 | -3 | -0 | -1 | 5 |
| Corporate | -266 | -243 | -192 | -172 | |
| Manufacturing (MFG) | 88 | 65 | 74 | 64 | |
| Net intercompany Manufacturing (MFG) Elimination | -17 | 0 | -0 | 10 | |
| Specialty Garments | 37 | 24 | 25 | 18 | |
| US and Canadian Rental and Cleaning | 293 | 289 | 291 | 247 | |
| Total | 184 | 134 | 134 | 196 | 173 |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 8312025 | 10292025 | 10-K 8/30/2025 |
| 5312025 | 7092025 | 10-Q 5/31/2025 |
| 2282025 | 4102025 | 10-Q 3/1/2025 |
| 11302024 | 1102025 | 10-Q 11/30/2024 |
| 8312024 | 11142024 | 10-K 8/31/2024 |
| 5312024 | 7032024 | 10-Q 5/25/2024 |
| 2292024 | 4042024 | 10-Q 2/24/2024 |
| 11302023 | 1042024 | 10-Q 11/25/2023 |
| 8312023 | 10262023 | 10-K 8/26/2023 |
| 5312023 | 7062023 | 10-Q 5/27/2023 |
| 2282023 | 4062023 | 10-Q 2/25/2023 |
| 11302022 | 1052023 | 10-Q 11/26/2022 |
| 8312022 | 10262022 | 10-K 8/27/2022 |
| 5312022 | 7072022 | 10-Q 5/28/2022 |
| 2282022 | 4072022 | 10-Q 2/26/2022 |
| 11302021 | 1062022 | 10-Q 11/27/2021 |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |