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UNF

UniFirstC
NYSE / Commercial & Professional Services
Last Price
Quote time unavailable
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Current thesis
The post-earnings read improved modestly versus the April baseline because Q3 organic growth accelerated to 3.6%, retention improved, and the company still expects the Cintas transaction to close in the second half of 2026 despite FTC review [#SEC-8K-2026-07-01]. Delayed sell-side reaction also appears mildly constructive: UBS raised its target to $262 from $260 on July 6 while keeping Neutral.
Posture
Mixed
Lead driver
Sentiment
What changed
Sentiment remains the lead driver in the composite, 7D delta -1.7.
What can break
FTC Second Request could delay or complicate merger closing even after shareholder approval.
Momentum
39
Value
46
Sentiment
61
Setup hits (3d)
0 · Net Neutral
AI TargetsBase $282.00 · Bull $292.20 · Bear $220.00Analysis 2026-07-07; returns require an exact persisted reference.
Data freshness
Prices
Unavailable: Price unavailable
Fundamentals
As of 2026-08-17 • Vendor: Data Vendor v1
Scores
As of 2026-09-11 • Model: HYBRID_IC_RP
AI Memo
As of 2026-07-07 • Model: RankAlpha Sentiment Codex
Investment thesis
As of 2026-09-11

Grade is the composite factor band; factor scores use a 0–100 scale. Confidence describes evidence quality, not a probability of return. Score date: 2026-09-11. Definitions

Supporting evidence
What
Grade C · Mixed
Confidence Medium · Net Neutral
Target $270.00
Why
Momentum39 · Δ7d -0.9
Value46 · Δ7d -0.2
Sentiment61 · Δ7d -1.7
So what
Balanced signals (Net Neutral). Wait for confirmation before sizing up.

Confirming evidence

  • Sentiment remains the lead driver in the composite, 7D delta -1.7.

Contradictions & invalidation

  • FTC Second Request could delay or complicate merger closing even after shareholder approval.
  • Guidance suspension and the lack of quarterly conference calls reduce forward visibility while the deal is pending.
  • The cleaner operating details are partly obscured by merger and ERP costs, guidance remains suspended, and there was no quarterly call because of the pending transaction, which limits fresh diligence.

Catalyst clock

2026-08-29

Q3 release improved the operating narrative even as GAAP margins stayed messy

Lead driver: Sentiment · See AI snapshot
Momentum
39
9% active weight
Current posture
7d trendImproving
Δ7d
-0.9
Δ21d
-24.8
Value
46
28% active weight
Current posture
7d trendFlat
Δ7d
-0.2
Δ21d
-3.5
Sentiment
61
62% active weight
Current posture
7d trendSoftening
Δ7d
-1.7
Δ21d
+7.5
Why this grade

Composite grade C. Momentum 38.9 / Value 45.9 / Sentiment 61.3

Scenario snapshot

Scenario probability is memo-authored likelihood, not forecast certainty. Targets belong to the analysis dated 2026-07-07. Scenario method

B+
Bull case
30%
Probability
Target price
$292.20
Analysis reference price unavailable
Analysis 2026-07-07 · RankAlpha Sentiment Codex
Most likely
B
Base case
45%
Probability
Target price
$282.00
Analysis reference price unavailable
Analysis 2026-07-07 · RankAlpha Sentiment Codex
B-
Bear case
25%
Probability
Target price
$220.00
Analysis reference price unavailable
Analysis 2026-07-07 · RankAlpha Sentiment Codex
Fundamentals (TTM)
As of 2026-08-17
Market Cap
$4.98B
Beta
0.73
Shares Out
17.37M
P/E (TTM)
24.8
P/S (TTM)
1.47
P/FCF (TTM)
30.41
Rev YoY
+3.9%
EPS YoY
-48.7%
Gross Margin
+30.9%
Op Margin
+5.8%
Net Debt
-$136.73M
Current Ratio
3.04
As of 2026-09-11 • Updated nightlySource: Internal modelMethods & Data