Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) Given Average Rating of "Buy" by Analysts

Shares of Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT - Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of "Buy" by the five analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $46.75.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on CENT shares. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $50.00 to $40.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price objective on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 26th. Finally, Argus cut shares of Central Garden & Pet from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th.

Central Garden & Pet Stock Performance

Shares of CENT stock traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $37.07. 80,307 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 87,318. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $38.38 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $37.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.91 and a beta of 0.79. Central Garden & Pet has a 12-month low of $32.17 and a 12-month high of $47.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a current ratio of 3.66.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.03) by $0.24. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 3.37% and a return on equity of 9.31%. On average, analysts forecast that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.22 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Central Garden & Pet

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in Central Garden & Pet in the third quarter valued at $1,681,000. Quest Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $797,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in Central Garden & Pet by 73.8% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 35,228 shares of the company's stock worth $1,285,000 after buying an additional 14,964 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its position in Central Garden & Pet by 51.4% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 34,944 shares of the company's stock worth $1,275,000 after buying an additional 11,865 shares during the period. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Central Garden & Pet during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $111,000. Institutional investors own 16.13% of the company's stock.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company produces and distributes various products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies markets in the United States. It operates through two segments: Pet and Garden. The Pet segment provides 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, and food and supplements; products for equine and livestock; animal and household health and insect control products; aquariums and terrariums, including fixtures and stands, water conditioners and supplements, water pumps and filters, and lighting systems and accessories; and live fish and small animals, as well as outdoor cushions.