Central Garden & Pet (CENT) Stock Overview
Produces and distributes various products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies markets in the United States. More details
| Snowflake Score | |
|---|---|
| Valuation | 5/6 |
| Future Growth | 1/6 |
| Past Performance | 4/6 |
| Financial Health | 6/6 |
| Dividends | 0/6 |
Rewards
Risk Analysis
No risks detected for CENT from our risk checks.
CENT Community Fair Values
Create NarrativeSee what others think this stock is worth. Follow their fair value or set your own to get alerts.
Analyst Price Targets
Central Garden & Pet Company Competitors
Price History & Performance
| Historical stock prices | |
|---|---|
| Current Share Price | US$38.53 |
| 52 Week High | US$41.53 |
| 52 Week Low | US$28.77 |
| Beta | 0.54 |
| 1 Month Change | 6.11% |
| 3 Month Change | 1.42% |
| 1 Year Change | 11.39% |
| 3 Year Change | 2.80% |
| 5 Year Change | -32.79% |
| Change since IPO | 1,301.09% |
Recent News & Updates
Seeking Alpha • May 07
Central Garden & Pet Company's Becoming A Good Boy (Rating Upgrade)
Summary Central Garden & Pet Company is upgraded from 'hold' to a soft 'buy' as financial performance and segment stability improve. Both Pet and Garden segments posted revenue and profit growth, with Pet segment strength driven by consumables and market share gains. CENT trades at attractive valuation multiples, ranking as the cheapest among peers on an EV/EBITDA basis. Management guides for at least $2.70 adjusted EPS in 2026, with M&A activity positioned as a key value lever. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
Narrative Update • May 03
CENT: Pet Distribution Venture And Expanded Buybacks Will Support Future Upside
Analysts are maintaining their $42.00 price target for Central Garden & Pet, noting that slightly higher assumed revenue growth and profit margins are offset by a modestly lower future P/E multiple in their updated model. What's in the News Central Garden & Pet agreed to form a pet distribution joint venture with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, combining their distribution platforms into a nationwide network that will operate under the Phillips brand (company announcement).
Narrative Update • Apr 19
CENT: Pet Distribution Venture And Buybacks Will Support Future Upside
Analysts kept their price target for Central Garden & Pet steady at $46.50, citing relatively unchanged fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions in their latest update. What's in the News Central Garden & Pet agreed to form a pet distribution joint venture with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, combining their distribution platforms into a single nationwide network that will operate under the Phillips brand (Key Developments) Under the joint venture terms, Central will receive cash proceeds and keep a 20% ownership stake, while Phillips and investors led by Axar Capital Management LP will hold 80% in an independent distribution entity (Key Developments) Central plans for its current Pet Distribution employees to move to the new joint venture.Recent updates
Seeking Alpha • May 07
Central Garden & Pet Company's Becoming A Good Boy (Rating Upgrade)
Summary Central Garden & Pet Company is upgraded from 'hold' to a soft 'buy' as financial performance and segment stability improve. Both Pet and Garden segments posted revenue and profit growth, with Pet segment strength driven by consumables and market share gains. CENT trades at attractive valuation multiples, ranking as the cheapest among peers on an EV/EBITDA basis. Management guides for at least $2.70 adjusted EPS in 2026, with M&A activity positioned as a key value lever. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaNarrative Update • May 03
CENT: Pet Distribution Venture And Expanded Buybacks Will Support Future Upside
Analysts are maintaining their $42.00 price target for Central Garden & Pet, noting that slightly higher assumed revenue growth and profit margins are offset by a modestly lower future P/E multiple in their updated model. What's in the News Central Garden & Pet agreed to form a pet distribution joint venture with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, combining their distribution platforms into a nationwide network that will operate under the Phillips brand (company announcement).Narrative Update • Apr 19
CENT: Pet Distribution Venture And Buybacks Will Support Future Upside
Analysts kept their price target for Central Garden & Pet steady at $46.50, citing relatively unchanged fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E assumptions in their latest update. What's in the News Central Garden & Pet agreed to form a pet distribution joint venture with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, combining their distribution platforms into a single nationwide network that will operate under the Phillips brand (Key Developments) Under the joint venture terms, Central will receive cash proceeds and keep a 20% ownership stake, while Phillips and investors led by Axar Capital Management LP will hold 80% in an independent distribution entity (Key Developments) Central plans for its current Pet Distribution employees to move to the new joint venture.Narrative Update • Apr 05
CENT: Expanded Buybacks Will Support Future Upside Under Steady Assumptions
Analysts have slightly raised their price target for Central Garden & Pet to $46.50, citing small adjustments to revenue growth, profit margin expectations, and future P/E assumptions, while keeping their fair value estimate unchanged at $46.50. What's in the News Central Garden & Pet increased its equity buyback authorization by $100 million on February 17, 2026, bringing the total authorization to $300 million (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Mar 21
CENT: Expanded Buybacks Will Support A More Attractive Future Upside
Analysts have kept their price target for Central Garden & Pet steady at $42.00, reflecting only modest tweaks to assumptions on revenue growth, profit margin and future P/E while maintaining the same estimated fair value. What's in the News On February 17, 2026, Central Garden & Pet expanded its equity buyback authorization by an additional $100 million, bringing the total authorization to $300 million (Key Developments).Narrative Update • Mar 07
CENT: Expanded Buybacks And Steady Assumptions Will Support Future Upside
Analysts have maintained their price target for Central Garden & Pet at $46.50. This reflects slightly adjusted expectations for revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E that, in their updated models, offset one another.Narrative Update • Feb 20
CENT: Buybacks And M&A Plans Will Shape A Balanced Outlook
Analysts now see higher upside for Central Garden & Pet, lifting their price target from $35.00 to $42.00 as they update their view on fair value, discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E assumptions. What's in the News On February 17, 2026, Central Garden & Pet increased its equity buyback authorization by an additional $100 million, bringing the total authorization under the plan to $300 million (company announcement).Narrative Update • Feb 06
CENT: Accretive M&A Pipeline And Completed Buybacks Will Support Future Upside
Analysts have nudged their price target for Central Garden & Pet slightly higher to about $46.50 from roughly $46, reflecting updated assumptions around revenue growth, profit margins, the discount rate, and a modestly lower future P/E multiple. What's in the News Management reiterated that mergers and acquisitions remain a key lever, with a focus on margin accretive consumable businesses that fit the existing portfolio and expand exposure to attractive categories, although deal flow in core areas is currently described as limited.Narrative Update • Jan 23
CENT: New Fulfillment Hub And M&A Focus Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have modestly adjusted their price target on Central Garden & Pet to US$46.00. This reflects slightly lower revenue growth and profit margin assumptions, alongside a marginally higher forward P/E multiple in their updated models.Narrative Update • Jan 08
CENT: Future Acquisitions And New Fulfillment Hub Will Support Upside Potential
Analysts have adjusted their price target on Central Garden & Pet from $42.33 to $46.00, citing updated assumptions for the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margins, and future P/E expectations. What's in the News Central Garden & Pet is actively looking for acquisitions, with management highlighting a focus on margin-accretive consumable businesses that fit its existing portfolio and category priorities (Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2025 Earnings Call).Analysis Article • Aug 10
Central Garden & Pet Company Just Recorded A 11% EPS Beat: Here's What Analysts Are Forecasting Next
It's been a sad week for Central Garden & Pet Company ( NASDAQ:CENT ), who've watched their investment drop 12% to...Analysis Article • Jul 16
Market Cool On Central Garden & Pet Company's (NASDAQ:CENT) Earnings
With a median price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of close to 18x in the United States, you could be forgiven for...Analysis Article • May 16
Investors Can Find Comfort In Central Garden & Pet's (NASDAQ:CENT) Earnings Quality
Central Garden & Pet Company's ( NASDAQ:CENT ) recent soft profit numbers didn't appear to worry shareholders, as the...Analysis Article • Apr 03
Here's Why Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Can Manage Its Debt Responsibly
Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it seems the smart money knows that...Analysis Article • Mar 07
Central Garden & Pet Company's (NASDAQ:CENT) Earnings Haven't Escaped The Attention Of Investors
With a price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of 19.9x Central Garden & Pet Company ( NASDAQ:CENT ) may be sending bearish...Seeking Alpha • Feb 22
Central Garden & Pet: Strong Start To FY 2025 (Rating Upgrade)
Summary CENT delivered strong Q1 FY25 results with moderate net sales growth and a significant improvement in EPS. Management reaffirmed full-year EPS guidance of $2.20+ but remains cautious about Q2 normalization due to shipment timing and promotional activities. Potential margin pressure from proposed tariffs on imports, but CENT's Cost & Simplicity Program continues to drive operational efficiencies, offsetting external headwinds. Despite macroeconomic uncertainties, CENT's proactive cost management and operational improvements position it well for long-term growth, upgrading rating from Hold to Buy. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Nov 02
Some Confidence Is Lacking In Central Garden & Pet Company's (NASDAQ:CENT) P/E
It's not a stretch to say that Central Garden & Pet Company's ( NASDAQ:CENT ) price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of...Seeking Alpha • Oct 11
Central Garden & Pet Company: Generating Consistent And Sustainable FCF Across Different Economic Cycles
Summary Central Garden & Pet Company reported a 3% YoY sales decline in 3Q24, with gross margins improving but operating and net incomes declining. The company's revenue outlook remains weak due to poor consumer sentiment, unfavorable weather, softer pet adoptions, and macroeconomic pressures. The Cost & Simplicity program has yet to significantly improve financials, with operating costs remaining elevated despite some margin improvements. Historically, the company has proved to be able to weather through different economic cycles and generate sustainable free cash flows. Despite short-term headwinds, if the Cost & Simplicity program succeeds, my valuation analysis suggests a potential upside of more than 25%. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Oct 06
These 4 Measures Indicate That Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Is Using Debt Reasonably Well
Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it might be obvious that you need to...
New Narrative • Sep 10
Embracing E-Commerce And Efficiency Boosts Pet And Garden Giant's Growth Prospects
Shifting focus to online sales through e-commerce growth in pet and garden categories suggests an adaptive strategy towards consumer trends, enhancing revenue.Analysis Article • Jul 17
Unpleasant Surprises Could Be In Store For Central Garden & Pet Company's (NASDAQ:CENT) Shares
It's not a stretch to say that Central Garden & Pet Company's ( NASDAQ:CENT ) price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of...Analysis Article • Jun 24
We Think Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Can Stay On Top Of Its Debt
Legendary fund manager Li Lu (who Charlie Munger backed) once said, 'The biggest investment risk is not the volatility...Analysis Article • Apr 15
Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) Investors Are Less Pessimistic Than Expected
When close to half the companies in the United States have price-to-earnings ratios (or "P/E's") below 16x, you may...Analysis Article • Mar 22
Is Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) A Risky Investment?
David Iben put it well when he said, 'Volatility is not a risk we care about. What we care about is avoiding the...Seeking Alpha • Mar 19
Central Garden & Pet: Share Price Has A Low Margin Of Safety
Summary CENT is a leading provider of pet and garden supplies. CENT's historical financial results have demonstrated a volatile revenue growth trend. However, its margins remained robust. In 1Q24, revenue growth was modest. However, on a brighter note, its margins expanded year-over-year. For the rest of 2024, management is expecting slight macroeconomic challenges, dampening the 2024 outlook. CENT's e-commerce channel is growing rapidly, providing a good opportunity to grow its top line. In addition, the pet industry is expected to continue growing until 2030. However, due to a lack of margin of safety in its share price, I am recommending a hold rating. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Dec 29
Central Garden & Pet Company's (NASDAQ:CENT) 26% Share Price Surge Not Quite Adding Up
Central Garden & Pet Company ( NASDAQ:CENT ) shares have had a really impressive month, gaining 26% after a shaky...Analysis Article • Dec 13
These 4 Measures Indicate That Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Is Using Debt Extensively
Some say volatility, rather than debt, is the best way to think about risk as an investor, but Warren Buffett famously...Analysis Article • Sep 07
We Think Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Is Taking Some Risk With Its Debt
The external fund manager backed by Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger, Li Lu, makes no bones about it when he says...Analysis Article • Jun 02
Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Takes On Some Risk With Its Use Of Debt
Legendary fund manager Li Lu (who Charlie Munger backed) once said, 'The biggest investment risk is not the volatility...Analysis Article • Feb 28
Here's Why Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Has A Meaningful Debt Burden
The external fund manager backed by Berkshire Hathaway's Charlie Munger, Li Lu, makes no bones about it when he says...Shareholder Returns
| CENT | US Household Products | US Market | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7D | 4.1% | -0.5% | 2.1% |
| 1Y | 11.4% | -8.3% | 30.6% |
Return vs Industry: CENT exceeded the US Household Products industry which returned -8.2% over the past year.
Return vs Market: CENT underperformed the US Market which returned 31% over the past year.
Price Volatility
| CENT volatility | |
|---|---|
| CENT Average Weekly Movement | 3.5% |
| Household Products Industry Average Movement | 3.5% |
| Market Average Movement | 7.2% |
| 10% most volatile stocks in US Market | 16.1% |
| 10% least volatile stocks in US Market | 3.2% |
Stable Share Price: CENT has not had significant price volatility in the past 3 months compared to the US market.
Volatility Over Time: CENT's weekly volatility (4%) has been stable over the past year.
About the Company
| Founded | Employees | CEO | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 6,000 | Niko Lahanas | www.central.com |
Central Garden & Pet Company produces and distributes various products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies markets in the United States. It operates through two segments: Pet and Garden. The Pet segment provides dog and cat supplies, such as dog treats and chews, toys, pet beds and containment, grooming items, waste management, and training pads; supplies for aquatics, small animals, reptiles, and pet birds, including toys, enclosures, habitats, bedding, and food and supplements; products for equine and livestock; animal and household health and insect control products; aquariums and terrariums, including fixtures and stands, water conditioners and supplements, water pumps and filters, and lighting systems and accessories; and live fish and small animals, as well as outdoor cushions.
Central Garden & Pet Company Fundamentals Summary
| CENT fundamental statistics | |
|---|---|
| Market cap | US$2.14b |
| Earnings (TTM) | US$171.46m |
| Revenue (TTM) | US$3.16b |
14.0x
P/E Ratio0.8x
P/S RatioIs CENT overvalued?
See Fair Value and valuation analysisEarnings & Revenue
| CENT income statement (TTM) | |
|---|---|
| Revenue | US$3.16b |
| Cost of Revenue | US$2.14b |
| Gross Profit | US$1.02b |
| Other Expenses | US$847.92m |
| Earnings | US$171.46m |
Last Reported Earnings
Mar 28, 2026
Next Earnings Date
n/a
| Earnings per share (EPS) | 2.74 |
| Gross Margin | 32.23% |
| Net Profit Margin | 5.42% |
| Debt/Equity Ratio | 72.2% |
How did CENT perform over the long term?
See historical performance and comparisonCompany Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/05/07 17:37 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/05/07 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/28 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/09/27 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Central Garden & Pet Company is covered by 15 analysts. 4 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| John Staszak | Argus Research Company |
| Shannon Coyne | BMO Capital Markets Equity Research |
| Christopher Carey | BofA Global Research |