Is UniFirst (UNF) Overvalued Amid Earnings Softness and Buyback-Fueled Momentum?

The debate over whether UniFirst (UNF) is overvalued hinges on a tension between its current earnings struggles and the market's optimism about its long-term trajectory. With the stock trading at $203.69 as of January 2026-well above its estimated intrinsic value of $165.50-investors are grappling with whether the company's fundamentals justify the premium or if the market is overestimating its potential.

Earnings Softness and Cost Pressures

UniFirst's Q1 2025 results underscored near-term challenges. Despite a 2.7% revenue increase to $621.3 million, operating income fell to $45.3 million, and net income dropped to $34.4 million ($1.89 per share), down from $43.1 million and $2.31 per share in the prior year according to earnings data. The company attributed these declines to planned investments in operational transformation, elevated healthcare claims, and rising legal costs as reported in earnings. These pressures have raised questions about the sustainability of its earnings guidance, which forecasts 2025 revenues of $2.475–$2.495 billion and diluted EPS of $6.58–$6.98 according to Q1 earnings call. While the guidance remains unchanged, the gap between expectations and current performance suggests a need for caution.

Buybacks and Shareholder Returns

Amid these challenges, UniFirst has doubled down on shareholder returns. In Q1 2025 alone, the company spent $31.7 million repurchasing shares, bringing full-year buybacks to $70.9 million for 402,415 shares as disclosed in earnings. Coupled with a raised dividend of $0.365 per share, these actions signal confidence in the company's balance sheet and long-term value. Buybacks can artificially inflate short-term momentum, but they also reduce the share count, potentially boosting future EPS. However, with the stock trading at a 22.1% premium to its estimated intrinsic value, critics argue that the buybacks may be propping up a price that outpaces fundamentals.

Valuation Metrics: Realism vs. Optimism

UniFirst's valuation metrics paint a mixed picture. Its price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 25.5x according to market data appears reasonable compared to the U.S. Commercial Services industry average of 26.4x as reported, but it lags behind the 38.8x peer average according to analysis. Meanwhile, its enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio of 11.3x as stated suggests a more conservative multiple, though this metric is less commonly used for service-oriented firms like UNF. Analysts have largely turned bearish, with a "Reduce" rating and a consensus price target of $174.75 according to market data, implying a 14% downside from current levels.

The company's price-to-book (P/B) ratio is less clear, as it is not explicitly stated in available data. However, the U.S. Commercial Services sector's P/B ratio of 5.30 according to industry data highlights that investors are paying a significant premium for intangible assets and growth potential in this industry. For UniFirst, whose value proposition includes recurring revenue from uniform and facility services, this premium may reflect optimism about its ability to navigate macroeconomic headwinds and scale its digital transformation initiatives.

Strategic Catalysts and Long-Term Potential

UniFirst's management has emphasized long-term growth drivers, including ERP implementation and digital transformation projects expected to yield margin expansion by 2027 as stated in earnings. These investments, while costly in the short term, could position the company to outperform peers in a sector grappling with rising healthcare costs and labor challenges. Additionally, the board's evaluation of an unsolicited acquisition offer from Cintas introduces a potential catalyst that could reshape the stock's valuation trajectory according to earnings call.

Conclusion: A Tug-of-War Between Realism and Optimism

UniFirst's valuation appears stretched relative to its current earnings and intrinsic value estimates, yet the market's optimism is rooted in its strategic investments and buyback discipline. For value-oriented investors, the 22.1% overvaluation and mixed earnings performance may justify a cautious stance. However, those who believe in the company's ability to execute its transformation and capitalize on industry tailwinds might view the current price as a premium worth paying for long-term growth.

In the end, the answer to whether UNF is overvalued depends on one's time horizon and risk tolerance. The market is betting on a future where UniFirst's operational upgrades and disciplined capital allocation translate into durable earnings power. Whether that future materializes will determine if today's premium is justified-or a mispricing waiting to correct.