Central Garden & Pet Company (Class A) (CENTA)
NASDAQConsumer StaplesPackaged FoodsSnapshot 2026-11-05
$41.08-1.01%
Close 2026-11-05 · 1-day change
NASDAQConsumer StaplesPackaged FoodsSnapshot 2026-11-05
QuarterlyIQ Insights · CENTA
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within consumer staples on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-11-05.
The screen ranks CENTA against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 3 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 3 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Consumer Staples names rated strong grew net income 64% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=2099).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Fiscal 2026 Guidance Central maintains its outlook for fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.70 or better, reflecting continued margin discipline, ongoing investment in growth initiatives, and portf…
Stated in 2 of 2 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Fiscal 2026 Guidance Central maintains its outlook for fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.70 or better, reflecting continued margin discipline, ongoing investment in growth initiatives, and portfolio optimization.” “Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.28, compared with $0.98.” Diluted EPS was $1.28 in 2026-Q2.
“Fiscal 2026 Guidance Central maintains its outlook for fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.70 or better, reflecting continued margin discipline, ongoing investment in growth initiatives, and portf…”
“Fiscal 2026 Guidance Central continues to expect fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.70 or better, reflecting continued margin discipline, cost efficiency initiatives, and portfolio optimization.”
This outlook excludes any potential impacts from further acquisitions, divestitures, or restructuring activities that may occur during the remainder of fiscal 2026, including projects under Central's…
Stated in 2 of 2 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Cost and Simplicity Agenda Central made further progress in its multi-year Cost and Simplicity agenda, a broad-based effort spanning sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, portfolio optimization, and overhead efficiency.” “During the quarter, non-GAAP adjustments totaled $8 million, primarily related to facility closures in the Garden segment, with costs largely associated with lease exit and severance expenses.”
The acquisition aligns with the Central to Home strategy of strengthening Central’s portfolio of pet and garden brands and represents a major step in expanding the Company’s presence in Europe.
Stated in a supplied disclosure. Management reported: “The acquisition aligns with the Central to Home strategy of strengthening Central’s portfolio of pet and garden brands and represents a major step in expanding the Company’s presence in Europe.” “The transaction is expected to close in the first half of Central’s fiscal 2027, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.”
Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $50 million to $60 million, focused on maintenance, productivity initiatives, and targeted growth investments across both segments.
Stated in 2 of 2 supplied quarters. Management reported: “Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $50 million to $60 million, focused on maintenance, productivity initiatives, and targeted growth investments across both segments.” “Central repurchased 110 thousand shares for $3.4 million during the quarter.”
Implement share repurchase program authorized up to $127 million to return capital to shareholders.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.11x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Consumer Staples names rated neutral grew net income 50% of the time over the next year (vs 58% for the rest of the cohort, n=2069).
Not enough signal yet.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, the broad stock market, long-term interest rates, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, Fed net liquidity (low R² over the window).
4 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Consumer Staples names rated stable grew net income 54% of the time over the next year (vs 57% for the rest of the cohort, n=1938).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-11-05.
“This outlook excludes any potential impacts from further acquisitions, divestitures, or restructuring activities that may occur during the remainder of fiscal 2026, including projects under Central's…”
“Cost and Simplicity Agenda Central made further progress in its multi-year Cost and Simplicity agenda, a broad-based effort spanning sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, portfolio optimization, and…”
“Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $50 million to $60 million, focused on maintenance, productivity initiatives, and targeted growth investments across both segments.”
“Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $50 million to $60 million, focused on maintenance, productivity initiatives, and targeted growth investments across both segments.”