an increase of 2.17% from 0.46 to 0.47

Job losses, at their highest level since 1945, led to a 13% drop in fiscal second-quarter (ended Nov. 30) net at Cintas, the No. 1 name in corporate-identity uniforms. Nonetheless, the company boosted its annual dividend -- as it has every year since going public in 1983 -- to 47 cents a share from 46 cents, payable March 11 to investors on the books Feb. 4. Cintas, which boasts 39 consecutive years of sales and profit growth, credited its strong cash flow and healthy balance sheet. The Nasdaq-listed stock, recently around 24, goes ex-dividend Feb. 2. Yield: 1.99%.

18%

Cintas (CTAS) was upgraded from Neutral to Outperform, Robert Baird said. $42 price target. Company has reached a cyclical inflection point, and the stock is likely to regain its premium earnings multiple.

Softness in U.S. employment has hurt uniform companies' shares. But the pessimism is overstated. Look for the stocks to rise 15% or so over the next 12 to 18 months.

Price, price, price. Industry leader is too cheap at current levels.

The death of an employee earlier this year at one of its laundry plants could be expensive for Cintas Corp. (CTAS) The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed a fine of $2.8 million for violations at the laundry, in Tulsa, Okla., according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Labor. (bizjournals.com)

Morningstar rating;large cap/services; under value

ROE 16%

Undervalued, sales force reorganization and strategy of acquiring anciallary businesses will enable them to continue to grow.