Analyzing UniFirst (NYSE:UNF) and Séché Environnement (OTCMKTS:SECVY)

UniFirst (NYSE:UNF) and Séché Environnement (OTCMKTS:SECVY) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership and valuation.

Profitability

This table compares UniFirst and Séché Environnement’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
UniFirst	4.65%	6.44%	5.03%
Séché Environnement	N/A	N/A	N/A

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for UniFirst and Séché Environnement, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
UniFirst	0	4	0	0	2.00
Séché Environnement	0	0	0	0	0.00

UniFirst currently has a consensus price target of $246.67, indicating a potential downside of 15.07%. Given UniFirst’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe UniFirst is more favorable than Séché Environnement.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

78.2% of UniFirst shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.0% of Séché Environnement shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of UniFirst shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares UniFirst and Séché Environnement”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
UniFirst	$2.43 billion	2.16	$148.27 million	$6.34	45.81
Séché Environnement	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

UniFirst has higher revenue and earnings than Séché Environnement.

Summary

UniFirst beats Séché Environnement on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About UniFirst

UniFirst Corporation provides workplace uniforms and protective work wear clothing in the United States, Europe, and Canada. The company operates through U.S. and Canadian Rental and Cleaning, Manufacturing, Specialty Garments Rental and Cleaning, and First Aid segments. It designs, manufactures, personalizes, rents, cleans, delivers, and sells a range of uniforms and protective clothing, including shirts, pants, jackets, coveralls, lab coats, smocks, and aprons; and specialized protective wear, such as flame resistant and high visibility garments. The company also rents and sells industrial wiping products, floor mats, facility service products, and dry and wet mops; restroom and cleaning supplies comprising air fresheners, paper products, gloves, masks, sanitizers, and hand soaps; and other textile products. In addition, it provides first aid cabinet services and other safety supplies; decontaminates and cleans work clothes, and other items that is exposed to radioactive materials; and services special cleanroom protective wear and facilities. Further, it offers a range of garment service options, including full-service rental programs in which garments are cleaned and serviced; lease programs in which garments are cleaned and maintained by individual employees; and purchase programs to buy garments and related items directly. The company serves automobile service centers and dealers, delivery services, food and general merchandise retailers, food processors and service operations, light manufacturers, maintenance facilities, restaurants, service companies, soft and durable goods wholesalers, transportation companies, healthcare providers, government agencies, research and development laboratories, high technology companies, and utilities operating nuclear reactors, as well as others who require employee clothing for image, identification, protection, or utility purposes. UniFirst Corporation was founded in 1936 and is headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts.

About Séché Environnement

Séché Environnement SA engages in the management, recovery, and treatment of waste products for industrial and corporate customers, and local authorities in France and internationally. The company provides industrial waste management for hazardous and non-hazardous wastes; household waste management; medical waste treatment solutions; total waste management; rehabilitation of polluted sites and soil; regeneration, purification, and chemical synthesis; and industrial water treatment solutions. It also offers sanitation services; chemical cleaning to decontaminate, maintain, and clean industrial facilities; environment interventions and safeguarding, and industrial accident assistance; solid recovered fuels; and biodiversity solutions. Séché Environnement SA was incorporated in 1976 and is headquartered in Changé, France. Séché Environnement SA is a subsidiary of Séché Group SAS.