ExodusPoint Capital Management LP Takes Position in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

ExodusPoint Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 107,061 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,538,000. ExodusPoint Capital Management LP owned approximately 0.16% of Central Garden & Pet at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 668.6% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 930 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 809 shares in the last quarter. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Central Garden & Pet in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $102,000. KBC Group NV raised its position in Central Garden & Pet by 50.1% during the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,606 shares of the company's stock valued at $119,000 after purchasing an additional 1,204 shares in the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd lifted its stake in Central Garden & Pet by 32.0% during the third quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd now owns 6,154 shares of the company's stock worth $193,000 after purchasing an additional 1,492 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Summit Financial Strategies Inc. bought a new stake in Central Garden & Pet during the fourth quarter worth $237,000. 50.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

Central Garden & Pet Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CENTA traded up $0.37 during trading on Friday, hitting $31.72. 272,572 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 304,375. Central Garden & Pet has a 1-year low of $27.70 and a 1-year high of $41.03. The company has a market capitalization of $2.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.43 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 3.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The business's 50 day moving average is $32.03 and its 200-day moving average is $31.81.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 return on equity of 10.08% and a net margin of 3.77%. Equities analysts forecast that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Central Garden & Pet

In related news, insider John D. Walker III sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total transaction of $328,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 67,111 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,205,267.46. This trade represents a 12.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 20.28% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

About Central Garden & Pet

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.