Cintas Corporation (CTAS) reported earnings of 57 cents per share for fiscal second quarter 2012 ending November 30. Results comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 48 cents and were 50% higher than the 38 cents earned in the year-ago quarter.

Strong performance at all the segments except Document Management Services helped in the better-than-forecast results. However, the Document Management Services segment was affected by a steep drop in recycled paper prices and poor results at its European business due to the difficult economic environment.

Operational Update

Total revenue in the quarter under review increased 9% to a record $1.02 billion, striding ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1 billion. Organic growth in the quarter was 7.0%.

Cost of rental uniforms and ancillary products increased 9% year over year to $410 million and cost of services rose 6% to $179 million during the quarter. Selling general and administrative expenses flared 3% on a year-over-year basis to $297 million.