Credit Industriel ET Commercial Acquires Shares of 145,770 Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Credit Industriel ET Commercial bought a new position in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 145,770 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,818,000. Central Garden & Pet comprises 0.7% of Credit Industriel ET Commercial's portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Credit Industriel ET Commercial owned 0.22% of Central Garden & Pet at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CENTA. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in Central Garden & Pet by 6.8% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 117,478 shares of the company's stock worth $3,884,000 after buying an additional 7,526 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC increased its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 7.7% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 31,912 shares of the company's stock worth $1,055,000 after acquiring an additional 2,289 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 37.8% during the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 127,886 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,227,000 after acquiring an additional 35,059 shares in the last quarter. Farringdon Capital Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $416,000. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in Central Garden & Pet by 69.2% in the fourth quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 76,524 shares of the company's stock worth $2,529,000 after purchasing an additional 31,302 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 50.82% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on CENTA shares. StockNews.com raised Central Garden & Pet from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. Argus lowered shares of Central Garden & Pet from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $34.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $41.00.

Central Garden & Pet Stock Up 0.4 %

CENTA traded up $0.14 on Tuesday, hitting $30.53. The company had a trading volume of 71,388 shares, compared to its average volume of 308,900. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.74 and a beta of 0.75. 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 stock has a fifty day moving average price of $31.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.92. Central Garden & Pet has a 12-month low of $27.70 and a 12-month high of $41.03.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.03) by $0.24. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 10.08%. Analysts predict that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other Central Garden & Pet news, insider John D. Walker III sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total transaction of $328,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 67,111 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,205,267.46. The trade was a 12.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 20.28% 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.