Central Garden & Pet Company CENT
- Market cap
- $2.2B
- P/E
- 14.6×
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Target Price Range
Analyst price targets
Free account| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.14 | 22.77 | 23.34 | 17.54 | 18.65 | 30.03 | 27.89 | 27.88 | 32.17 | 28.77 |
Analyst estimates 2026–2028 Powerpack |
Low Price
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| 27.01 | 33.12 | 35.25 | 31.79 | 35.08 | 49.26 | 41.82 | 40.13 | 47.48 | 41.25 |
High Price
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| 3,600 | 4,100 | 5,400 | 5,800 | 6,300 | 7,000 | 7,000 | 6,700 | 6,450 | 6,000 |
Employees
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| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Revenue/Emp
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| 1,829 | 2,054 | 2,215 | 2,383 | 2,696 | 3,304 | 3,339 | 3,310 | 3,200 | 3,129 |
Revenue
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| 30.24% | 30.80% | 30.49% | 29.54% | 29.55% | 29.39% | 29.72% | 28.60% | 29.49% | 31.87% |
Gross Margin
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| 70 | 126 | 127 | 119 | 154 | 195 | 199 | 162 | 142 | 217 |
EBT
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| 3.81% | 6.15% | 5.75% | 5.00% | 5.70% | 5.90% | 5.96% | 4.91% | 4.45% | 6.93% |
EBT Margin
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| 46 | 80 | 124 | 93 | 122 | 153 | 153 | 126 | 109 | 164 |
Net Income
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| 42 | 44 | 49 | 53 | 57 | 77 | 84 | 90 | 106 | 89 |
Depreciation
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| 29.88 | 32.72 | 34.27 | 33.58 | 39.93 | 49.02 | 50.19 | 50.54 | 48.71 | 49.59 |
Revenue/Sh
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| 0.73 | 1.26 | 1.91 | 1.30 | 1.78 | 2.25 | 2.29 | 1.92 | 1.64 | 2.58 |
Earnings/Sh
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| 2.47 | 1.82 | 1.77 | 2.89 | 3.91 | 3.72 | (0.51) | 5.83 | 6.01 | 5.27 |
Cash Flow/Sh
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| (0.39) | (0.58) | (0.59) | (0.44) | (0.64) | (1.19) | (1.73) | (0.82) | (0.66) | (0.66) |
Capex/Sh
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| 2.09 | 1.25 | 1.18 | 2.44 | 3.28 | 2.53 | (2.24) | 5.00 | 5.35 | 4.61 |
Free CF/Sh
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| 9.06 | 10.15 | 14.74 | 14.04 | 15.96 | 18.16 | 20.06 | 22.18 | 23.70 | 25.12 |
Book Value/Sh
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| 61 | 63 | 65 | 71 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 65 | 66 | 63 |
Shares
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| 27.97 | 24.43 | 14.56 | 17.66 | 17.37 | 16.78 | 12.38 | 17.91 | 22.27 | 12.66 |
PE Ratio
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| 0.68 | 0.93 | 0.82 | 0.68 | 0.78 | 0.77 | 0.56 | 0.68 | 0.75 | 0.66 |
PS Ratio
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| 2.25 | 3.00 | 1.91 | 1.63 | 1.96 | 2.07 | 1.41 | 1.54 | 1.54 | 1.30 |
PB Ratio
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| 0.84 | 1.10 | 0.91 | 0.76 | 0.79 | 0.99 | 0.86 | 0.88 | 0.88 | 0.75 |
EV/Sales
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| 12.04 | 28.97 | 26.50 | 10.42 | 9.67 | 19.23 | (19.24) | 8.94 | 8.01 | 8.08 |
EV/FCF
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| 151 | 114 | 114 | 205 | 264 | 251 | (34) | 382 | 395 | 333 |
Op' Cash Flow
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| (24) | (36) | (38) | (32) | (43) | (80) | (115) | (54) | (43) | (41) |
Capex
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| 128 | 78 | 76 | 173 | 221 | 171 | (149) | 328 | 352 | 291 |
FCF
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| 481 | 463 | 1,004 | 1,029 | 1,085 | 1,021 | 1,088 | 1,249 | 1,371 | 1,437 |
Working Cap'
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| 395 | 396 | 692 | 693 | 694 | 1,186 | 1,187 | 1,188 | 1,190 | 1,192 |
Total Debt
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| 291 | 351 | 199 | 182 | 28 | 746 | 994 | 685 | 422 | 293 |
Net Debt
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| 555 | 637 | 953 | 996 | 1,078 | 1,224 | 1,335 | 1,453 | 1,558 | 1,585 |
Sh' Equity
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| 3.85% | 6.34% | 7.69% | 4.72% | 5.53% | 5.56% | 4.76% | 3.77% | 3.12% | 4.54% |
ROA
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| 9.56% | 9.88% | 9.08% | 8.06% | 11.19% | 8.08% | 6.98% | 6.16% | 5.85% | 8.32% |
ROIC
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| 8.39% | 13.23% | 15.55% | 9.52% | 11.64% | 13.19% | 11.89% | 9.01% | 7.17% | 10.36% |
ROE
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Central Garden & Pet Company peers in Packaged Foods
| Company | Market cap | P/E | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| CENTA Central Garden & Pet Company | $2.2B | 12.6× | Compare |
| UTZ Utz Brands, Inc. | $2.1B | 0.0× | Compare |
| MZTI The Marzetti Company | $2.8B | 14.4× | Compare |
| FRPT Freshpet, Inc. | $2.8B | 13.9× | Compare |
| Company | Market cap | P/E | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOMD Nomad Foods Limited | $1.5B | 10.4× | Compare |
| POST Post Holdings, Inc. | $3.3B | 12.3× | Compare |
| JJSF J & J Snack Foods Corp. | $1.4B | 29.6× | Compare |
| HLF Herbalife Ltd | $1.3B | 7.8× | Compare |
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) key facts
- Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) is a Packaged Foods company in the Consumer Defensive sector, listed on Nasdaq.
- Central Garden & Pet Company’s revenue for fiscal 2025 (year ended September 2025) was $3.1 billion, down 2.23% from fiscal 2024.
- Net income was $164.0 million, or $2.58 per share (basic), a net margin of 5.20%.
- As of September 25, 2026, CENT traded at $39.51, a market capitalization of $2.2 billion.
- At that price the stock trades at 14.6× trailing-twelve-month earnings and 0.8× sales.
- Return on equity was 10.4% and debt-to-equity 0.68.
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) Latest News
23 Sep
Nylabone, part of Central Garden & Pet, unveils its first chew toys made with real meats—including chicken, bison, venison, bacon, and beef—to satisfy dogs' cravings and enhance chewing sessions. Actress Ashley Tisdale partners with the brand to promote the new line, covering adult-dog shapes like Original Bone, Textured Ring, Femur Bone, and the Comfort-Hold Wishbone, plus softer varieties for teething puppies. The launch emphasizes flavors, durability, and dental benefits, claiming chewing supports mood, calmer behavior, mental engagement, and oral health. Puppy versions include Groove Bone and Groove Bone & Femur Bone. Toys are available now on Amazon and Chewy, with puppy versions on Amazon and Walmart. Nylabone highlights its heritage of healthy chewing, and Central Garden & Pet notes the product aligns with its broad pet-brand portfolio. Adds a notable real-meat chew line and influencer collaboration, offering moderate uplift to brand appeal without reshaping CENT's overall trajectory.
21 Sep
Central Garden & Pet announced a leadership transition in its Garden segment. J.D. Walker will retire as President, Garden Consumer Products, effective Sept. 26, 2026, with Jason Barnes, EVP, Garden Consumer Products, succeeding him and overseeing sales, marketing and service across the Garden segment plus Branded Controls, Grass Seed, Live Plants, Packet Seeds and Vendor Partner businesses. Walker will remain with Central in a consulting role. Barnes, who has led Bell Nursery and DoMyOwn and joined Central in 2006, has served as EVP since Oct. 2025. CEO Niko Lahanas lauded Barnes’s industry knowledge and execution; Walker was credited with growth, acquisitions and cost-simplicity initiatives that strengthened the garden portfolio. Central is based in Walnut Creek, CA, with 2025 net sales of $3.1B and a portfolio of brands including Arden, Pennington, Sevin and Kaytee. Internal succession maintains continuity and could moderately boost execution in the Garden segment.
4 Sep
Central Garden & Pet raised its profit outlook amid sharpening valuation debates. Profit outlook increase signals improved near-term financial expectations for the company.
3 Sep
Central Garden & Pet raised its financial guidance despite a decline in sales. Raising guidance despite sales decline points to stronger expected profitability and directly influences investor views on the company's trajectory.
26 Aug
Central Garden & Pet reported Q2 earnings, placed in context against other household products stocks. Q2 earnings review against peers indicates moderate influence on financial perception and positioning.
12 Aug
Central Garden & Pet targets record profits and European expansion through TRIXIE acquisition deal. TRIXIE deal drives Central Garden & Pet European market entry and profit growth.
9 Aug
Central Garden & Pet completes a majority interest acquisition and signals plans for additional deals to drive expansion. Majority stake purchase plus signaled follow-on acquisitions represent a growth move likely to affect revenue and positioning in a moderate way.
6 Aug
Central Garden & Pet (CENT) beat Q3 earnings expectations and raised its FY26 EPS outlook. Earnings beat plus raised FY26 guidance signals stronger profitability and positive investor sentiment ahead.
Central Garden & Pet Co Q3 2026 earnings call highlighted organic growth initiatives and related performance metrics. Q3 earnings highlights on organic growth may moderately affect financial performance and market positioning.
5 Aug
Central Garden & Pet exceeded Q2 CY2026 expectations. Quarterly earnings beat signals stronger financial results that can lift stock performance and investor outlook.
Central Garden & Pet Company announced its Q3 fiscal 2026 financial results. Quarterly earnings releases typically drive notable stock price movements and investor reassessments.
Central Garden & Pet Q3 earnings call covered financial results, segment performance, and management outlook for the pet and garden businesses. Q3 earnings details can move near-term sentiment and guidance but rarely shift long-term company trajectory.
29 Jul
Central Garden & Pet acquires majority stake in Trixie, a German pet treats company. Acquisition adds European pet treats operations to Central Garden & Pet's portfolio.
28 Jul
Central Garden & Pet Company acquires TRIXIE to expand its European pet business. TRIXIE acquisition represents major strategic expansion into European markets with potential to alter growth trajectory.
27 Jul
Central Garden & Pet strikes TRIXIE deal to achieve leadership in European pet supplies. TRIXIE deal represents major strategic expansion into European market.
Central Garden & Pet Company acquires majority interest in TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG, Europe's leading pet supplies and pet snacks company. Majority stake purchase in Europe's top pet supplies firm expands operations and market reach substantially.
13 Jul
Central Garden & Pet evaluates whether its Cost & Simplicity Program can sustain margin expansion via continued cost cuts and operational streamlining. Cost reduction initiatives directly affect margins and operational efficiency.
6 Jul
Central Garden & Pet explores whether pet segment innovations can drive its next phase of growth. Pet innovation focus may moderately affect financial performance and competitive positioning.
26 Jun
Central Garden & Pet (CENT) reported Q1 earnings, triggering analysis of whether the stock warrants a buy, sell, or hold decision. Q1 earnings results and associated stock recommendation analysis can moderately sway near-term investor sentiment and trading activity for CENT.
24 Jun
Comparison of Chewy and Central Garden & Pet evaluates which pet-care stock holds performance edge amid sector competition. Direct stock matchup analysis can shift moderate investor sentiment toward Central Garden & Pet positioning.
16 May
Central Garden & Pet held its Q1 earnings call, drawing analyst questions on results, margins, and growth outlook. Q1 earnings discussion provides updates likely to influence short-term sentiment without major strategic shifts.
7 May
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) Q2 earnings beat estimates, driven by strong sales in pet and garden segments. Q2 earnings beat on core pet and garden sales significantly boosts short-term market sentiment and financial trajectory.
6 May
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) Q2 2026 earnings call transcript covers quarterly financial results, management discussion, and forward-looking guidance. Q2 2026 earnings transcript discloses financial performance and strategic outlook with potential to significantly sway investor sentiment and stock trajectory.
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) released Q2 earnings call highlights covering financial results, strategic updates, and outlook. Q2 earnings highlights detail financial performance and guidance, significantly impacting CENT's trajectory and investor sentiment.
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) beat Q2 earnings and revenue estimates. Beating Q2 earnings and revenue estimates signals robust financial performance, likely driving positive stock movement and investor confidence.
Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) beat Q1 CY2026 sales expectations. Beating Q1 sales expectations boosts financial performance and investor sentiment significantly.
Central Garden & Pet Company announced record Q2 fiscal 2026 financial results. Record Q2 results demonstrate strong financial performance likely to enhance investor confidence and future market trajectory.
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) released Q2 2026 earnings call summary, detailing quarterly financial results, sales performance in pet and garden segments, operational updates, and forward guidance. Quarterly earnings summaries directly impact assessments of financial health, revenue growth, and guidance, moderately influencing stock performance and investor sentiment.
4 May
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) Q2 earnings release approaches, highlighting key insights for investors on financial performance and outlook. Pre-earnings previews like this build anticipation that can moderately influence stock volatility and sentiment ahead of results.
14 Apr
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) launches a joint venture with Phillips to expand operations. Joint venture launch signals major strategic expansion altering competitive positioning and market trajectory.