Zacks Research Issues Negative Forecast for CENTA Earnings

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) – Zacks Research reduced their Q2 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Central Garden & Pet in a research note issued on Wednesday, February 19th. Zacks Research analyst S. Singh now anticipates that the company will earn $0.95 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.03. The consensus estimate for Central Garden & Pet’s current full-year earnings is $2.38 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Central Garden & Pet’s Q3 2025 earnings at $1.34 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.00 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.37 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.48 EPS.

Other research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Argus lowered shares of Central Garden & Pet from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Central Garden & Pet from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $41.00.

Central Garden & Pet Price Performance

Shares of CENTA opened at $32.02 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $32.33 and its 200-day moving average is $32.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a current ratio of 3.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.59 and a beta of 0.76. Central Garden & Pet has a one year low of $27.70 and a one year high of $41.03.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.24. Central Garden & Pet had a return on equity of 10.08% and a net margin of 3.77%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Central Garden & Pet

In related news, insider John D. Walker III sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total transaction of $328,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 67,111 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,205,267.46. This represents a 12.97 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 20.28% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Central Garden & Pet

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 72.6% during the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,957 shares of the company’s stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 823 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 39.2% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 12,650 shares of the company’s stock valued at $397,000 after purchasing an additional 3,560 shares during the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 91,775 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,882,000 after acquiring an additional 2,352 shares during the last quarter. James Investment Research Inc. boosted its position in Central Garden & Pet by 23.2% during the third quarter. James Investment Research Inc. now owns 30,302 shares of the company’s stock valued at $951,000 after buying an additional 5,712 shares during the period. Finally, CWA Asset Management Group LLC bought a new position in Central Garden & Pet during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $413,000. Institutional investors own 50.82% of the company’s stock.

Central Garden & Pet Company Profile

Central Garden & Pet Co engages in the production and distribution of branded and private label products for the lawn, garden, and pet supplies markets. It operates through the Pet and Garden segments. The Pet segment focuses on dog and cat supplies such as dog treats and chews, toys, pet beds and containment, grooming products, waste management and training pads, supplies for aquatics, small animals, reptiles and pet birds including toys, cages and habitats, bedding, food and supplements, products for equine and livestock, animal and household health and insect control products, live fish and small animals as well as outdoor cushions.