Oxford Asset Management LLP Grows Position in Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS)

Oxford Asset Management LLP raised its position in shares of Cintas Co. (NASDAQ:CTAS - Free Report) by 61.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,470 shares of the business services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 6,657 shares during the period. Cintas accounts for about 1.7% of Oxford Asset Management LLP's investment portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. Oxford Asset Management LLP's holdings in Cintas were worth $3,192,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CTAS. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Cintas in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Cyrus J. Lawrence LLC bought a new position in Cintas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Endeavor Private Wealth Inc. bought a new position in Cintas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $31,000. IAG Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in Cintas by 136.8% in the 4th quarter. IAG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 180 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the period. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in Cintas in the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. 63.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on CTAS shares. Robert W. Baird lifted their price objective on Cintas from $200.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, March 27th. Argus raised Cintas to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. Bank of America started coverage on Cintas in a research note on Thursday, April 10th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $250.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on Cintas in a research note on Monday, February 24th. They issued a "sell" rating and a $161.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on Cintas from $218.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 27th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cintas currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $213.88.

Insider Buying and Selling at Cintas

In other news, Director Ronald W. Tysoe sold 8,521 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $208.96, for a total value of $1,780,548.16. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 27,029 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,647,979.84. This represents a 23.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Jim Rozakis sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $190.37, for a total transaction of $380,740.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 256,528 shares in the company, valued at $48,835,235.36. The trade was a 0.77 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 15.00% of the company's stock.

Cintas Stock Down 0.8 %

CTAS traded down $1.66 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $210.03. 674,544 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,696,165. Cintas Co. has a 1-year low of $162.16 and a 1-year high of $228.12. The stock's 50-day moving average is $201.82 and its two-hundred day moving average is $204.41. The stock has a market cap of $84.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.59, a PEG ratio of 3.98 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a quick ratio of 1.38, a current ratio of 1.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, March 26th. The business services provider reported $1.13 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.08. Cintas had a net margin of 17.23% and a return on equity of 40.62%. The business had revenue of $2.61 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.60 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.84 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that Cintas Co. will post 4.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Cintas Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 15th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 15th. Cintas's dividend payout ratio is currently 36.11%.

Cintas Company 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.