17,576 Shares in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Purchased by Proficio Capital Partners LLC

Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 17,576 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $682,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CENT. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 693.6% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,246 shares of the company's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 1,089 shares in the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 23.2% during the third quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 2,101 shares of the company's stock worth $77,000 after buying an additional 395 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 29.0% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,521 shares of the company's stock valued at $157,000 after acquiring an additional 1,016 shares during the last quarter. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Central Garden & Pet in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $258,000. Finally, GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new position in shares of Central Garden & Pet in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $272,000. 16.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insiders Place Their Bets

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 sale, the insider now owns 67,111 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,205,267.46. This trade represents a 12.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 8.19% of the company's stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on CENT shares. Argus downgraded Central Garden & Pet from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group cut their price target on Central Garden & Pet from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Central Garden & Pet presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $45.00.

Central Garden & Pet Price Performance

Shares of Central Garden & Pet stock traded down $0.23 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $36.00. The company had a trading volume of 208,125 shares, compared to its average volume of 117,230. The company has a current ratio of 3.47, a quick ratio of 1.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $36.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $37.32. Central Garden & Pet has a 1-year low of $32.17 and a 1-year high of $47.48. The company has a market capitalization of $2.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.78 and a beta of 0.73.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.24. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 10.08%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.38 earnings per share for the current year.

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.