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No one would doubt luck plays a role in success or failure. In 2010 my kids had quite a bit of money, but most of it was sitting in cash and some bond funds, some in SPY and a very few individual stocks. That year I added more of their money to SPY and a small amount to DIA (the sleepy Dow 30 index fund). At the last moment, I threw in some QQQ to add some "sizzle" to their portfolio and became a genius in the kids' eyes. Where I differed from most IHUBbers is I never traded any of those funds. QQQ did have a few sharp downturns, but I held.

No doubt the financial press loves Buffett and Munger, but luck played a gigantic role in their success in the form of just one stock... GEICO. WB first bought shares in 1951 when he was just 20 years old! GEICO had some painful downturns, but Buffett stuck with it. BRK owned 100% of GEICO by 1996. The success of GEICO also convinced Buffett to acquire other insurance operations.

I looked at several mid cap index funds and spotted slight differences among them, however selecting IJH was luck. If the stock market had collapsed, IJH may have turned out to be the worst of the lot.

Bar, Looks like this is how the IJH juices its returns (below). In contrast, the Vanguard offering (VO) looks like a plain vanilla index ETF. But looking closer at the long term performance, there hasn't been very much of a difference. Over 20 years, VO is up 5.6 fold and IJH is up 5.8 fold. In comparison, the SPY up 6.2 fold, and QQQ up 11.8 fold (approx figures). So I take back what I said about the IJH blowing away the QQQ over the long haul. The QQQ has been the mega standout, as your kids have seen from their sizable purchases decades ago :o) However --> CTAS has blown them all away -- up approx 14.6 fold over 20 years, yikes.


iShares Core S+P Mid Cap ETF (IJH) -

>>> The index measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by SPDJI. The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents. <<<

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/IJH?p=IJH&.tsrc=fin-srch


Compare to Vanguard's Mid Cap ETF (VO) -

>>> The fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, a broadly diversified index of stocks of mid-size U.S. companies. The advisor attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index. <<<

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/VO/profile?p=VO



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This Year to Date, VO and IHJ have almost identical performance, but both well below that of the S&P.

Bar, For mid cap ETF exposure I went with VO, and will probably also be adding some VB to get additional small cap exposure. As a group, the mid / small companies have lagged for a long time, and even after the recent bounce they still look undervalued.

Btw, I'm still limited to 1 post / day on the other board, so will respond over here. Maybe in the new year my past transgressions with the I-Hub mods will be forgiven.

IJH looks like a good choice, and I see they match Vanguard's 0.05% expense ratio. I looked at their top 10 holdings, but wasn't familiar with many of them, and Vanguard's VO's top ten list had six stocks from my own 'Best Long Term Stocks' list, so I went with VO. I'm not a big fam of Blackrock in general, so haven't owned many of their ETFs, but comparing their long term performance, IJH has blown away VO, and also the QQQ. Very impressive, so I'll have to check them out further.

Looks like Cintas continues on its steady skyward course. It would be tough to find a better long term stock. Who needs tech stocks when there is CTAS :o)




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CTAS new 52 week high

CTAS new 52 week high

>>> Cintas Corporation Announces Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results


Business Wire

September 26, 2023


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cintas-corporation-announces-fiscal-2024-123000301.html


CINCINNATI, September 26, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cintas Corporation (Nasdaq: CTAS) today reported results for its fiscal 2024 first quarter ended August 31, 2023. Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $2.34 billion compared to $2.17 billion in last year’s first quarter, an increase of 8.1%. The organic revenue growth rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, which adjusts for the impacts of acquisitions and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, was also 8.1%.

Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.14 billion compared to $1.03 billion in last year’s first quarter, an increase of 11.0%. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 48.7% for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 47.5% in last year's first quarter, an increase of 120 basis points. Energy expenses comprised of gasoline, natural gas and electricity were 50 basis points lower for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to last year's first quarter.

Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 13.7% to $500.6 million compared to $440.1 million in last year's first quarter. Operating income as a percentage of revenue was 21.4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to 20.3% in last year's first quarter.

Net income was $385.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to $351.7 million in last year's first quarter. The first quarter of fiscal 2024 effective tax rate was 19.2% compared to 14.8% in last year's first quarter. The tax rates in both quarters were impacted by certain discrete items, primarily the tax accounting impact for stock-based compensation. First quarter of fiscal 2024 diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $3.70 compared to $3.39 in last year's first quarter.

On September 15, 2023, Cintas paid an aggregate quarterly cash dividend of $138.3 million to shareholders, an increase of 17.8% from the amount paid last September.

Todd M. Schneider, Cintas' President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our first quarter fiscal 2024 financial results. Our operating segments continue to execute at a high level, leading to robust volume growth and a record high operating margin of 21.4%. These financial results are the product of the exceptional dedication of our employee-partners in helping businesses across North America stay focused on the work that matters most through innovative products and services. I look forward to another successful fiscal year."

Mr. Schneider concluded, "We are increasing our full fiscal year financial guidance. We are raising our annual revenue expectations from a range of $9.35 billion to $9.50 billion to a range of $9.40 billion to $9.52 billion and our diluted EPS from a range of $13.85 to $14.35 to a range of $14.00 to $14.45." Please note the following regarding guidance:

Fiscal year 2024 interest expense is expected to be approximately $98.0 million compared to $109.5 million in fiscal year 2023, predominately as a result of lower variable rate debt. This may change as a result of future share buybacks or acquisition activity.

Fiscal year 2024 effective tax rate is expected to be 21.3% compared to a rate of 20.4% in fiscal year 2023. The higher effective tax rate negatively impacts fiscal 2024 diluted EPS guidance by approximately $0.16 and diluted EPS growth by approximately 120 basis points.

Our diluted EPS guidance includes no future share buybacks.

Guidance includes the impact of having one more workday in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023.

Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, restroom supplies, first aid and safety products, fire extinguishers and testing, and safety training, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.

Cintas will host a live webcast to review the fiscal 2024 first quarter results today at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time. The webcast will be available to the public on Cintas' website at www.Cintas.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the live call and will remain available for two weeks.

<<<



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In recent years my stocks have often reacted perversely to earnings reports at least for the first few days. CTAS was near all-time high lately even with the broad market tumbling. It may well stabilize in a few days.

.

I have a couple of stock positions I may add too, especially mid cap index fund, IJH, and Deere Don't own enough of either. Just about all of my stocks are off today

Bar, I doubt many penny stock types will be following CTAS :o)

CTAS earnings out today, and seemed OK, but I guess with the stock's high valuation, it was deemed not good enough. So down almost 5% today.

The market is still worried from the Fed meeting, and now the upcoming 'govt shutdown', which seems increasingly likely. Main stock indices have reached near term oversold (RSI 30 area), and I've been gradually adding to some positions. I figure things could stay weak until this govt shutdown issue is resolved. I know you aren't into charts, but looks like the S+P 500 might test the 200 MA during this selloff. If the govt shutdown does happen, then next week could also be weak.

Fwiw, I'm trying to do what Buffett is likely doing right now, which is to add to long term positions. My stock allocation has creeped up to 22%, and I might bump it up toward 25% during this selloff. You're an old pro with buy / hold, but for me getting the allocation % right is still a 'work in progress'. 20-25% seems like the sweet spot, but time will tell..




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You say "$3" and the local penny idiots will think it traded at that price.

Bar, >> why "players" mess with transparent junk like that <<

Yes -- gambling and the lure of fast / easy riches. But inevitably it ends in disaster -


"First you will raise the island of the Sirens,
those creatures who spellbind any man alive,
whoever comes their way. Whoever draws too close,
off guard, and catches the Sirens’ voices in the air –
no sailing home for him.."



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"instead of crazy sectors like biotech." I haven't followed many small drug stocks but the few I've looked at mostly seem to be scams or "perpetual startups" where success is "just around corner"... and has been for years, sometimes decades.

Do you understand why "players" mess with transparent junk like that?

Bar, >> $3 stock <<

Looks like CTAS had 5 stock splits over the years (see below), so the $3 for 1990 would be a split adjusted figure. Sure wish I'd stuck with conservative growth stocks like CTAS over the years, instead of crazy sectors like biotech..


>>> Stock split history for Cintas (CTAS)

Cintas stock (symbol: CTAS) underwent a total of 5 stock splits.

The most recent stock split occured on March 8th, 2000.

One CTAS share bought prior to April 3rd, 1987 would equal to 18 CTAS shares today.

Stock split list

Date Split Multiple Cumulative multiple

2000-03-08 3:2 x1.5 x18

1997-11-19 2:1 x2 x12

1992-04-03 2:1 x2 x6

1991-04-03 3:2 x1.5 x3

1987-04-03 2:1 x2 x2

<<<


https://companiesmarketcap.com/cintas/stock-splits/


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Doubt CTAS was ever a $3 stock. It IPOd in 1983 at $17 and the shares and their dividends grew almost every year. I own a very large amount of CTAS.



http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/cintas-corporation-history/#:~:text=Richard%20Farmer%20finally%20took%20his,of%20the%20uniform%20rental%20industry.

Bar, >> return of over 77,000% <<

My charts only go back to 1990, when it was a $3 stock, but CTAS has sure been a monster. I guess it just goes to show that great stocks don't have to come from the tech sector. I remember Peter Lynch saying that his all time greatest performing stock was a company that owned a rock quarry, so he concluded that 'dull is good' :o)



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"Total return of over 77,000% since its initial public offering (IPO) in 1983?

>>> Cintas -- provides companies with uniforms, garments, first aid and safety products, and other ancillary business services. Despite its incredible 39-year run of dividend increases, Cintas has grown its dividend by 24% annually since 2018 and still has a slim payout ratio of 35%.


https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/09/07/4-top-dividend-payers-of-the-sp-500/?source=eptyholnk0000202&utm_source=yahoo-host&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=article


With 1 million of the 16 million North American businesses as clients, the company is a market leader with over 11,000 distribution routes in a highly fragmented industry. Capitalizing on its larger size amid this fragmented market, Cintas has been a masterful serial acquirer, leading to a total return of over 77,000% since its initial public offering (IPO) in 1983.

Over this time, the company has averaged an ROIC of 14%, steadily increasing to 21% over the last few years. This high and rising ROIC highlights Cintas' ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and generate outsize profits over the longer term.

The company's track record of growth in an industry less susceptible to behemoths like Amazon, along with its leadership position, make it a brilliant holding for investors looking for stability. However, the stock trades at a premium valuation of 39 times earnings, so investors may want to build a position on short-term dips using dollar-cost averaging (DCA).

<<<



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Another Big CTAS Div Increase

   Date	         Dividends 
 Aug 14, 2023	1.35 Dividend 
 May 12, 2023	1.15 Dividend 
 Feb 14, 2023	1.15 Dividend 
 Nov 14, 2022	1.15 Dividend 
 Aug 12, 2022	1.15 Dividend 
 May 13, 2022	0.95 Dividend 
 Feb 14, 2022	0.95 Dividend 
 Nov 12, 2021	0.95 Dividend 
 Aug 12, 2021	0.95 Dividend 
 May 13, 2021	0.75 Dividend 
 Feb 11, 2021	0.75 Dividend

CTAS IPOd in August 1983.

Read the full story: https://www.qualitycompounders.com.au/post/rags-to-riches-the-story-of-the-humble-uniforms-and-laundry-400-bagger

Understanding CTAS's soaring payout

   Date	          Dividends 
 May 12, 2023	1.15 Dividend 
 Feb 14, 2023	1.15 Dividend 
 Nov 14, 2022	1.15 Dividend 
 Aug 12, 2022	1.15 Dividend 
 May 13, 2022	0.95 Dividend 
  Aug 12, 2021	0.95 Dividend  
  May 13, 2021	0.75 Dividend  
  Feb 11, 2021	0.75 Dividend switched to quarterly  
  Nov 05, 2020	3.51 Dividend annual dividend 2020 and before  
  Nov 07, 2019	2.55 Dividend  
  Nov 08, 2018	2.05 Dividend  
  Nov 09, 2017	1.62 Dividend  
  Nov 02, 2016	1.33 Dividend  
  Nov 04, 2015	1.05 Dividend  
  Nov 05, 2014	1.70 Dividend included special div  
  Nov 06, 2013	0.77 Dividend  
  Nov 07, 2012	0.64 Dividend  
  Nov 08, 2011	0.54 Dividend  
  Nov 09, 2010	0.49 Dividend  
  Feb 08, 2010	0.48 Dividend  
  Feb 02, 2009	0.47 Dividend  
  Feb 04, 2008	0.46 Dividend  
  Feb 02, 2007	0.39 Dividend  
  Feb 03, 2006	0.35 Dividend  
  Feb 04, 2005	0.32 Dividend  
  Feb 06, 2004	0.29 Dividend  
  Feb 05, 2003	0.27 Dividend  
  Feb 13, 2002	0.25 Dividend  
  Jan 31, 2001	0.22 Dividend  
  Feb 02, 2000	0.186667 Dividend

"Cintas Gains On Q3 Earnings Beat, FY23 Guidance Boost"

"Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS) reported third-quarter FY23 sales growth of 11.7% year-on-year to $2.19 billion, beating the consensus of $2.15 billion.

Organic revenue growth rate was 11.8% for the quarter."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cintas-gains-q3-earnings-beat-164510301.html

"Cintas (CTAS) Beats on Q2 Earnings, Raises FY23 Guidance"

"Cintas Corporation CTAS reported second-quarter fiscal 2023 (ended Nov 30, 2022) earnings of $3.12 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.03. The bottom line increased 13% year over year despite high costs.

Total revenues of $2,174.9 million also outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,128 million. The top line climbed 14.2% year over year due to higher segmental revenues. Organic sales were up 13.1% year over year."

https://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=170462833

PLUS... Cintas sends dividend soaring, approves big share buyback. In a sign of continued financial strength, Fortune 500 member Cintas Corp. has raised its dividend by 21% and authorized $1 billion to buy back its own stock.

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/07/27/cintas-sends-dividend-soaring-approves-big-share.html

Took awhile, but CTAS is back above $400

Understanding CTAS's soaring payout

 Aug 12, 2021	0.95 Dividend 
 May 13, 2021	0.75 Dividend 
 Feb 11, 2021	0.75 Dividend switched to quarterly 
 Nov 05, 2020	3.51 Dividend annual dividend 2020 and before 
 Nov 07, 2019	2.55 Dividend 
 Nov 08, 2018	2.05 Dividend 
 Nov 09, 2017	1.62 Dividend 
 Nov 02, 2016	1.33 Dividend 
 Nov 04, 2015	1.05 Dividend 
 Nov 05, 2014	1.70 Dividend included special div 
 Nov 06, 2013	0.77 Dividend 
 Nov 07, 2012	0.64 Dividend 
 Nov 08, 2011	0.54 Dividend 
 Nov 09, 2010	0.49 Dividend 
 Feb 08, 2010	0.48 Dividend 
 Feb 02, 2009	0.47 Dividend 
 Feb 04, 2008	0.46 Dividend 
 Feb 02, 2007	0.39 Dividend 
 Feb 03, 2006	0.35 Dividend 
 Feb 04, 2005	0.32 Dividend 
 Feb 06, 2004	0.29 Dividend 
 Feb 05, 2003	0.27 Dividend 
 Feb 13, 2002	0.25 Dividend 
 Jan 31, 2001	0.22 Dividend 
 Feb 02, 2000	0.186667 Dividend

CTAS reaches $400.00

"Cintas announces $1.5B buyback; declares $0.95 dividend"

* "Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) Board of Directors authorized an additional share buyback program, allowing the company to buy up to $1.5B of its common stock at market prices.

* The company has also declared a $0.95/share quarterly dividend, representing 26.7% increase from prior dividend of $0.75."

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3720027-cintas-announces-15b-share-buyback-program-declares-095-dividend

$CTAS Cintas Corporation (CTAS)
Book Value Per Share (mrq) 35.44

$CTAS Cintas Corporation (CTAS)

Total Debt (mrq) 2.72B

"Cintas increases dividend by ~7% to $0.75 dividend"

"Cintas (NASDAQ:CTAS) declares $0.75/share quarterly dividend, 6.8% increase from prior dividend of $0.70.
Forward yield 0.93%"

https://seekingalpha.com/news/3652436-

Decade of Cintas Dividend Increases. CTAS only paid once a year although they just changed to quarterly.

 Nov 05, 2020	3.51 Dividend 
 Nov 07, 2019	2.55 Dividend 
 Nov 08, 2018	2.05 Dividend 
 Nov 09, 2017	1.62 Dividend 
 Nov 02, 2016	1.33 Dividend 
 Nov 04, 2015	1.05 Dividend 
 Nov 05, 2014	1.7 Dividend  Special 
 Nov 06, 2013	0.77 Dividend 
 Nov 07, 2012	0.64 Dividend 
 Nov 08, 2011	0.54 Dividend 
 Nov 09, 2010	0.49 Dividend 
 Feb 08, 2010	0.48 Dividend

"Cintas boosts dividend rate by 10%, changes payout policy to quarterly from annual"

"Cintas Corp. CTAS, -0.19% announced Tuesday a new annual dividend rate of $2.81 share, up 10.2% from its previous dividend rate, and said it is changing its payout policy to a quarterly dividend from one annual payout.
The uniform maker declared a 70-cent quarterly dividend, payable Dec. 4 to shareholders of record on Nov. 6. Based on Monday's stock closing price of $328.93, the new annual dividend rate implies a yield of 0.85%, compared with the implied dividend yield for the S&P 500 SPX, -0.16% of 1.70%. The stock, which was still inactive in premarket trading, has climbed 22.2% year to date, while the S&P 500 SPX, -0.16% has gained 5.3%."

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cintas-boosts-dividend-rate-by-10-changes-payout-policy-to-quarterly-from-annual-2020-10-27

Broke $350!

Yikes, $303, another record high!

$297, another record for Cintas

Another record high. $283!

CTAS Recent Div History. Remember Cintas only pays one div a year.

Date Dividends

 Nov 07, 2019	2.55 Dividend 
 Nov 08, 2018	2.05 Dividend 
 Nov 09, 2017	1.62 Dividend 
 Nov 02, 2016	1.33 Dividend 
 Nov 04, 2015	1.05 Dividend

"Cintas (CTAS) reported quarterly profit of $2.27 per share, beating the consensus estimate of $2.03, with the uniform maker's revenue also coming in above estimates. Results got a boost from organic revenue growth of 10.6% in the company's First Aid and Safety Services unit."

Been under some pressure due to a class action lawsuit. One of my few holdings not on the NYSE.

Yet another CTAS beat for sales and profits

May be another good short.

I don't care ........... bra

And it's still rising... bro

Bought and sold. I'm out bro, long ago.

To think, your best stock was one you never even bought. LOLOL

Record high for Cintas: $225