- Chart
- Upturn Summary
- Highlights
- Revenue
- Valuation
Upturn AI Summary - About
Central Garden & Pet Company A(CENTA)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for CENTA
11/06/2026: CENTA (2-star) has a low Upturn Star Rating. Not recommended to BUY.
Central Garden & Pet Company is a consumer-staples manufacturer and distributor with a diverse portfolio of brands spanning the pet and lawn/garden markets. The company’s primary strength lies in its ability to manage a wide array of brands through a centralized, national distribution platform. Its investment story centers on growth through strategic acquisitions and market consolidation. However, the company faces risks from intense competition with private-label products and cyclical sensitivity to discretionary consumer spending. It may best suit growth investors looking for long-term consolidation plays, though the lack of a dividend limits its appeal to income-focused portfolios. Investors should closely monitor retail partnership strength and acquisition integration success.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | The company's proven track record of growing through strategic acquisitions aligns with growth-oriented investment strategies. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum fit is conditional on a positive upturn signal in share price relative to sector peers. |
| Value investor | Strong fit while signal remains positive | The stock may present value opportunities if trading at a discount relative to its historical P/E ratio and growth potential. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | The company does not pay a cash dividend, making it unsuitable for income-focused portfolios. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | The company's reliance on consumer discretionary spending introduces cyclical risk that may exceed the tolerance of low-risk investors. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | The stock is susceptible to fluctuations based on consumer sentiment and broader economic news. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | Overpaying for acquisitions or premium brand expectations can compress future returns. |
| Competition risk (retail/private label) | High | Significant pressure from large retailers pushing private label brands threatens margins. |
| Business quality | Medium / high | The company maintains a strong portfolio of recognized brands with defensible market positions. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Investors should not expect income generation from this holding. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successful integration of diverse businesses is critical to maintaining long-term profitability. |
Price Behavior

Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.

Smooth
The stock has moved along a generally orderly path with only modest fluctuations.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -15.6% | Avg. Invested days 38 | Today’s Advisory Consider higher Upturn Star rating |
Upturn Advisory Rating ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance | Stock Returns Performance |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals 
Financial Health Rating 
Growth Momentum Score 
Ownership 
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue) 
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile 
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Mid-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 2.55B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 15.11 | 1Y Target Price 46.25 |
Price to earnings Ratio 15.11 | 1Y Target Price 46.25 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 353.1K shares | Beta 0.53 | 52 Weeks Range 27.41 - 42.44 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 27.41 - 42.44 | Updated Date 11/08/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 2.7 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Segment | Dog/cat supplies, small animal health, and bird products. | The company sells everyday essential supplies for pet owners, providing stable demand. |
| Garden Segment | Fertilizers, grass seed, and pest control (e.g., Amdro). | This segment is seasonal and tied to residential home improvement and gardening trends. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 15.11 | Forward PE 12.61 | Enterprise Value 3.05B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.83 |
Enterprise Value 3.05B | Price to Sales(TTM) 0.83 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 0.99 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 8.5 | Shares Outstanding 51.34M | Shares Floating 57.48M |
Shares Outstanding 51.34M | Shares Floating 57.48M | ||
Percent Insiders 3.55 | Percent Institutions 96.12 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

Note: This website is maintained by Upturn Corporation, which is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Such registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Investing in securities has risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. No assurance is provided as to any particular investment return, and you may lose money using our services. You are strongly advised to consult appropriate counsel before making any investments in companies you learn about through our services. You should obtain appropriate legal, tax, investment, accounting, and other advice that takes into account your investment portfolio and overall financial situation. You are solely responsible for conducting due diligence on a potential investment. We do not affect trades for you. You will select your own broker through which to transact. Investments are not FDIC insured, they are not guaranteed, and they may lose value. Please see the Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Disclosure for more information.
All company names, trademarks, logos, and brands are the property of their respective owners and are used for identification and informational purposes only. Use of these names, trademarks, and logos does not imply endorsement by their respective owners.

