CTAS vs. CDW
CTAS (Cintas Corporation) and CDW (CDW Corporation) are both stocks. CTAS operates in Specialty Business Services (Industrials), while CDW operates in Information Technology Services (Technology). Over the past 10 years, CTAS returned 23.61%/yr vs 13.42%/yr for CDW. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
CTAS vs. CDW - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CTAS achieves a -5.80% return, which is significantly lower than CDW's -1.88% return. Over the past 10 years, CTAS has outperformed CDW with an annualized return of 23.61%, while CDW has yielded a comparatively lower 13.42% annualized return.
CTAS
- 1D
- -3.08%
- 1M
- 6.51%
- YTD
- -5.80%
- 6M
- -5.53%
- 1Y
- -19.83%
- 3Y*
- 14.43%
- 5Y*
- 15.92%
- 10Y*
- 23.61%
CDW
- 1D
- 2.37%
- 1M
- 30.16%
- YTD
- -1.88%
- 6M
- -7.79%
- 1Y
- -20.93%
- 3Y*
- -7.68%
- 5Y*
- -3.49%
- 10Y*
- 13.42%
CTAS vs. CDW - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CTAS Cintas Corporation | -5.80% | 3.78% | 22.24% | 34.82% | 2.97% | 26.51% | 32.74% | 61.73% | 9.04% | 36.32% |
CDW CDW Corporation | -1.88% | -20.56% | -22.57% | 28.84% | -11.75% | 56.87% | -6.55% | 78.22% | 17.98% | 34.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between CTAS and CDW is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.47 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 27, 2013 | 0.48 |
Over the past year, the correlation between CTAS and CDW has dropped to 0.26 - well below their long-term average of 0.48, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
CTAS:
$71.72B
CDW:
$17.12B
CTAS:
$4.75
CDW:
$8.22
CTAS:
37.08
CDW:
16.09
CTAS:
2.60
CDW:
4.57
CTAS:
6.51
CDW:
0.76
CTAS:
14.98
CDW:
6.70
CTAS:
$11.03B
CDW:
$22.90B
CTAS:
$1.33B
CDW:
$4.94B
CTAS:
$2.66B
CDW:
$1.89B
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Return for Risk
CTAS vs. CDW — Risk / Return Rank
CTAS
CDW
CTAS vs. CDW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cintas Corporation (CTAS) and CDW Corporation (CDW). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| CTAS | CDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.43 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.84 | 0.92 | -0.07 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.75 | -0.51 | -0.24 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.31 | -0.99 | -0.32 |
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Drawdowns
CTAS vs. CDW - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CTAS drawdown since its inception was -65.32%, which is greater than CDW's maximum drawdown of -60.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CTAS and CDW.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CTAS | CDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -65.32% | -60.37% | -4.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -27.23% | -44.97% | +17.74% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.68% | -60.37% | +32.69% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -27.68% | -60.37% | +32.69% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.38% | -60.37% | +11.99% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.83% | -46.93% | +25.10% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.04% | -10.99% | -4.05% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 15.61% | 23.22% | -7.61% |
Volatility
CTAS vs. CDW - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Cintas Corporation (CTAS) is 8.54%, while CDW Corporation (CDW) has a volatility of 16.66%. This indicates that CTAS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CDW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CTAS | CDW | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 8.54% | 16.66% | -8.12% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 15.74% | 35.93% | -20.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 20.40% | 40.26% | -19.86% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.60% | 30.99% | -8.39% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 26.70% | 30.95% | -4.25% |
Dividends
CTAS vs. CDW - Dividend Comparison
CTAS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.02%, less than CDW's 1.90% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CDW CDW Corporation | 1.90% | 1.84% | 1.43% | 1.05% | 1.17% | 0.83% | 1.17% | 0.89% | 1.14% | 0.99% | 0.93% | 0.74% |
CTAS Cintas Corporation | 1.02% | 0.89% | 0.80% | 0.83% | 0.93% | 0.77% | 0.99% | 0.95% | 1.22% | 1.04% | 1.15% | 1.15% |
Financials
CTAS vs. CDW - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Cintas Corporation and CDW Corporation. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
CTAS vs. CDW - Profitability Comparison
CTAS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cintas Corporation reported a gross profit of -2.78B and revenue of 2.84B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -97.8%.
CDW - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CDW Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.19B and revenue of 5.68B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 21.0%.
CTAS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cintas Corporation reported an operating income of 659.90M and revenue of 2.84B, resulting in an operating margin of 23.2%.
CDW - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CDW Corporation reported an operating income of 376.00M and revenue of 5.68B, resulting in an operating margin of 6.6%.
CTAS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Cintas Corporation reported a net income of 502.50M and revenue of 2.84B, resulting in a net margin of 17.7%.
CDW - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, CDW Corporation reported a net income of 235.40M and revenue of 5.68B, resulting in a net margin of 4.1%.
Frequently Asked Questions
CTAS and CDW have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
CDW has higher volatility (16.66%) compared to CTAS (8.54%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CTAS dropped -65.32% vs CDW's -60.37%.
CDW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.57 vs -1.00), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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