Research Analysts Set Expectations for CENTA Q3 Earnings

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Free Report) - Zacks Research reduced their Q3 2025 earnings per share estimates for Central Garden & Pet in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, May 21st. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will earn $1.15 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.34. 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 Q2 2026 earnings at $1.11 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.20 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.53 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.27 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.13 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.60 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on CENTA. Truist Financial restated a "hold" rating and issued a $35.00 price target (down previously from $40.00) on shares of Central Garden & Pet in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $34.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Central Garden & Pet from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Central Garden & Pet currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $33.00.

Central Garden & Pet Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CENTA traded down $0.29 during trading on Friday, reaching $32.09. 67,678 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 318,671. The company's 50 day moving average is $31.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $32.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.10 billion, a PE ratio of 17.63 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 1.97, a current ratio of 3.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. Central Garden & Pet has a 52 week low of $27.70 and a 52 week high of $39.97.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.94 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $833.54 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $876.36 million. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 10.08%.

Insider Transactions at Central Garden & Pet

In related news, Chairman William E. Brown sold 40,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.42, for a total value of $1,296,800.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now owns 1,030,365 shares of the company's stock, valued at $33,404,433.30. This represents a 3.74% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 20.28% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Central Garden & Pet

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 14.3% during the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 50,547 shares of the company's stock worth $1,654,000 after purchasing an additional 6,326 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in Central Garden & Pet by 435.0% during the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 141,880 shares of the company's stock worth $4,644,000 after purchasing an additional 115,359 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 113,003 shares of the company's stock worth $3,699,000 after buying an additional 1,836 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 258,897 shares of the company's stock worth $8,474,000 after buying an additional 3,784 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 263,518 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,625,000 after buying an additional 12,749 shares during the last quarter. 50.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.