Principal Financial Group Inc. Lowers Holdings in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its stake in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA - Free Report) by 6.4% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 259,442 shares of the company's stock after selling 17,762 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.40% of Central Garden & Pet worth $8,146,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Quarry LP boosted its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 503.2% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 754 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. purchased a new stake in Central Garden & Pet in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Quest Partners LLC bought a new position in Central Garden & Pet during the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Central Garden & Pet during the second quarter worth approximately $61,000. Finally, CWM LLC raised its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 72.6% during the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,957 shares of the company's stock worth $61,000 after acquiring an additional 823 shares in the last quarter. 50.82% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CENTA has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. StockNews.com cut Central Garden & Pet from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Central Garden & Pet from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Central Garden & Pet presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $41.33.

Central Garden & Pet Stock Up 0.5 %

Central Garden & Pet stock traded up $0.15 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $33.05. 169,170 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 285,172. Central Garden & Pet has a one year low of $27.70 and a one year high of $41.03. The company has a market cap of $2.17 billion, a PE ratio of 20.43 and a beta of 0.78. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $32.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.62. The company has a current ratio of 3.66, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76.

Central Garden & Pet Company Profile

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.