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UniFirst (UNF)
NYSE:UNF
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UniFirst (UNF) AI Stock Analysis

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UNF

UniFirst

(NYSE:UNF)

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Outperform 74 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
$192.00
▲(14.80% Upside)
UniFirst's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and a solid earnings call, balanced by bearish technical indicators and a fair valuation. The company's robust financial health and strategic initiatives are significant strengths, while technical weaknesses and a challenging pricing environment pose risks.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth, even modest, indicates a stable demand for UniFirst's services, supporting long-term business sustainability.
Cash Flow Generation
Strong free cash flow growth enhances UniFirst's ability to invest in growth opportunities and maintain financial flexibility.
Balance Sheet Health
A strong balance sheet with no long-term debt provides UniFirst with stability and resilience against economic fluctuations.
Negative Factors
Operating Income Decline
A decline in operating income suggests potential challenges in cost management or pricing power, affecting profitability.
Challenging Pricing Environment
A challenging pricing environment may pressure margins and limit revenue growth, impacting long-term financial performance.
Specialty Garments Margin Decline
Declining margins in the Specialty Garments segment could signal competitive pressures or inefficiencies, affecting segment profitability.

UniFirst (UNF) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

UniFirst Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionUniFirst Corporation provides workplace uniforms and protective work wear clothing in the United States, Europe, and Canada. The company operates through U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing, Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning, and First Aid segments. It designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers, and sells a range of uniforms and protective clothing, including shirts, pants, jackets, coveralls, lab coats, smocks, and aprons; and specialized protective wear, such as flame resistant and high visibility garments. The company also rents and sells industrial wiping products, floor mats, facility service products, and dry and wet mops; restroom and cleaning supplies comprising air fresheners, paper products, gloves, masks, sanitizers, and hand soaps; and other textile products. In addition, it provides first aid cabinet services and other safety supplies; decontaminates and cleans work clothes, and other items that is exposed to radioactive materials; and services special cleanroom protective wear and facilities. Further, it offers a range of garment service options, including full-service rental programs in which garments are cleaned and serviced; lease programs in which garments are cleaned and maintained by individual employees; and purchase programs to buy garments and related items directly. The company serves automobile service centers and dealers, delivery services, food and general merchandise retailers, food processors and service operations, light manufacturers, maintenance facilities, restaurants, service companies, soft and durable goods wholesalers, transportation companies, healthcare providers, government agencies, research and development laboratories, high technology companies, and utilities operating nuclear reactors, as well as others who require employee clothing for image, identification, protection, or utility purposes. UniFirst Corporation was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts.
How the Company Makes MoneyUniFirst generates revenue primarily through its rental and leasing model, where customers pay for the use of uniforms and related products on a recurring basis. This model ensures a steady stream of income as clients typically have ongoing uniform needs. Key revenue streams include uniform rental services, sales of work apparel, and facility services. Additionally, the company benefits from long-term contracts with clients, which provide stability and predictability in revenue. Partnerships with various industries allow UniFirst to expand its customer base and enhance service offerings, contributing to its overall earnings.

UniFirst Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 02, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presents a mixed picture, with modest revenue growth and increases in net income and EBITDA, but also challenges in operating income and core laundry revenue growth. The company is facing a challenging pricing environment and incurred significant advisory and legal costs. However, strong performance in the First Aid segment and a solid balance sheet provide positive notes.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue Increase
Third quarter consolidated revenues were $610.8 million, an increase of 1.2% from the previous fiscal year.
Net Income Growth
Net income for the quarter increased to $39.7 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, from $38.1 million or $2.03 per diluted share in the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA Growth
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased to $85.8 million from $84.8 million in the prior year, or 1.2%.
First Aid Segment Growth
First Aid segment's revenues increased to $29.8 million, from $27.3 million in the prior year, a 9% increase.
Solid Balance Sheet
No long-term debt and cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaling $211.9 million.
Free Cash Flow Increase
Free cash flow increased 22% to $86.7 million.
Negative Updates
Operating Income Decrease
Consolidated operating income decreased to $48.2 million from $48.5 million, a decline of 0.6%.
Core Laundry Revenue Growth Slows
Core Laundry Operations revenues for the quarter were $533.2 million, an increase of only 0.9%.
Challenging Pricing Environment
Pricing environment continues to be challenging with some incremental softness in customer wearer levels.
Specialty Garments Margin Decline
Specialty Garments segment's operating margin for the quarter was 22.8%, down from 23.9% in the prior year.
Advisory and Legal Costs
Incurred approximately $5.7 million in expenses related to advisory costs for a strategic matter and legal costs related to an employee matter.
Company Guidance
During the Q3 2025 earnings call, UniFirst provided various metrics and insights regarding their financial performance and strategic initiatives. The company reported consolidated revenues of $610.8 million, marking a 1.2% increase from the previous year, with a slight decrease in operating income to $48.2 million from $48.5 million. Net income rose to $39.7 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, from $38.1 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, in the prior year. The effective tax rate increased to 25.7% from 22.9%. The Core Laundry Operations segment saw revenues of $533.2 million, a 0.9% rise, while the Specialty Garments segment and First Aid segment reported revenues of $47.8 million and $29.8 million, respectively. The company highlighted the impact of $5.7 million in expenses related to strategic advisory and legal costs. UniFirst maintained its annual revenue guidance between $2.422 billion and $2.432 billion, while increasing its diluted earnings per share guidance to a range of $7.60 to $8. The company also emphasized ongoing investments in technology and infrastructure, such as their ERP system, to drive growth and efficiency, while managing challenges related to tariffs and a cautious customer environment.

UniFirst Financial Statement Overview

Summary
UniFirst showcases a robust financial performance with sustained revenue and profit growth, strong margins, and a stable balance sheet. Low leverage and efficient cash flow management further strengthen its financial health. The company is well-positioned in the Specialty Business Services industry, with opportunities for further growth and profitability improvement.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
The income statement reflects strong growth with a consistent increase in revenue and net income over the years. The TTM data shows a gross profit margin of 34.6% and a net profit margin of 6.2%, indicating solid profitability. The revenue growth rate from the previous annual report is 1.25%, while the EBIT margin stands at 7.7% and the EBITDA margin at 13.8%. These figures highlight a robust financial position with stable profitability trends.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
UniFirst maintains a healthy balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.034 and a strong equity ratio of 78.8%, indicating low leverage and high stability. Return on equity is 7.0%, reflecting efficient use of equity to generate profits. The company's financial position is strong, though slightly lower ROE suggests room for improvement in asset utilization.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
The cash flow statement reveals positive trends with a strong operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.97, indicating efficient cash generation from operations. Free cash flow has grown significantly, demonstrating a 36.42% growth from the previous period. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.21, which underscores the company's ability to generate cash above its net income, supporting growth and stability.
BreakdownSep 2024Sep 2023Sep 2022Sep 2021Sep 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.43B2.23B2.00B1.83B1.80B
Gross Profit847.60M751.75M694.37M684.94M639.23M
EBITDA325.01M262.03M244.10M302.76M278.36M
Net Income145.47M103.67M103.40M151.11M135.77M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets2.70B2.57B2.43B2.38B2.20B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments175.08M89.60M376.40M512.87M474.84M
Total Debt68.81M64.76M51.67M43.17M41.83M
Total Liabilities587.90M566.01M512.10M508.11M457.90M
Stockholders Equity2.11B2.00B1.92B1.87B1.74B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow134.85M43.77M-21.67M78.66M169.97M
Operating Cash Flow295.27M215.76M122.65M212.30M286.68M
Investing Cash Flow-162.24M-487.65M-186.51M-141.47M-157.62M
Financing Cash Flow-50.36M-25.84M-69.44M-34.26M-41.10M

UniFirst Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price167.25
Price Trends
50DMA
172.54
Negative
100DMA
177.56
Negative
200DMA
186.20
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.10
Positive
RSI
43.19
Neutral
STOCH
30.02
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For UNF, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 167.25 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 170.11, below the 50-day MA of 172.54, and below the 200-day MA of 186.20, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.10 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 43.19 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 30.02 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for UNF.

UniFirst Risk Analysis

UniFirst disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. UniFirst reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

UniFirst Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$2.98B20.437.15%0.84%4.18%18.93%
74
Outperform
$82.06B45.2138.93%0.80%8.21%13.66%
70
Outperform
$2.87B25.426.33%2.30%4.27%-24.06%
68
Neutral
$10.08B28.3511.73%1.09%-0.06%3.83%
65
Neutral
$2.98B31.635.77%46.49%-25.62%
59
Neutral
$1.30B407.164.21%-2.99%-72.13%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
UNF
UniFirst
167.25
-28.06
-14.37%
ABM
ABM Industries
46.79
-3.69
-7.31%
CBZ
CBIZ
54.85
-10.52
-16.09%
CTAS
Cintas
202.91
-0.46
-0.23%
ARMK
ARAMARK Holdings
38.51
1.09
2.91%
BV
BrightView Holdings
13.64
-2.39
-14.91%

UniFirst Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
UniFirst Secures $300M Credit Facility Agreement
Positive
Aug 14, 2025

On August 12, 2025, UniFirst Corporation entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Bank of America and other financial institutions, providing a $300 million unsecured revolving credit facility, with the possibility to increase commitments up to $400 million. This agreement, maturing in 2030, outlines financial covenants and default conditions, impacting UniFirst’s financial flexibility and operational stability by securing significant credit resources.

The most recent analyst rating on (UNF) stock is a Sell with a $175.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on UniFirst stock, see the UNF Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Sep 13, 2025