Wells Fargo Upgrades Cintas (CTAS) and Names it a Top Pick for 2026

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) is included among the 13 Best February Dividend Stocks to Buy.

On January 14, Wells Fargo upgraded Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) to Overweight from Equal Weight and lifted its price target to $245 from $205. The firm also named the stock a top pick in business and information services for 2026. While the shares saw valuation multiples compress in 2025, the analyst said Cintas’ underlying fundamentals remain solid and should stand out next year, supported by the company’s ability to push through pricing.

Separately, a December 22 report from The Wall Street Journal said Cintas had submitted a renewed takeover proposal for UniFirst, valuing the target at about $3.96 billion in equity. The move marks another attempt by Cintas to consolidate the uniform rental space by acquiring a long-time rival.

The latest proposal offers $275 per share in cash, roughly nine months after Cintas said it could not engage UniFirst in meaningful talks following an earlier bid at the same price in January. According to Cintas, the offer implies a total transaction value of around $5.2 billion, representing a 62% premium to UniFirst’s last closing price after the stock slid when the prior bid was rejected in March.

This is not Cintas’ first run at a deal. The company has made several attempts over the years, including an approach in 2022 and another earlier this year that was turned down before being withdrawn. Although the offer price remains unchanged from January, Cintas said it has since completed significant regulatory groundwork and believes approvals are achievable. The proposal also includes a $350 million reverse termination fee if the deal fails to clear regulators.

Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ:CTAS) develops and manages uniform programs built around fabric-based products. The company serves businesses of all sizes across the US, with additional operations in Canada and Latin America.

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