Head-To-Head Comparison: Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) versus Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT)

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) and Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) are both mid-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, dividends, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Profitability

This table compares Central Garden & Pet and Central Garden & Pet’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Central Garden & Pet	5.39%	11.13%	4.93%
Central Garden & Pet	5.39%	11.13%	4.93%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Central Garden & Pet and Central Garden & Pet”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Central Garden & Pet	$3.13 billion	0.78	$162.84 million	$2.68	14.60
Central Garden & Pet	$3.13 billion	0.91	$162.84 million	$2.68	17.01

Central Garden & Pet is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Central Garden & Pet, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

50.8% of Central Garden & Pet shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 16.1% of Central Garden & Pet shares are owned by institutional investors. 20.3% of Central Garden & Pet shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 8.2% of Central Garden & Pet shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Central Garden & Pet and Central Garden & Pet, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Central Garden & Pet	1	1	3	1	2.67
Central Garden & Pet	0	2	1	1	2.75

Central Garden & Pet presently has a consensus target price of $46.67, suggesting a potential upside of 19.29%. Central Garden & Pet has a consensus target price of $54.00, suggesting a potential upside of 18.47%. Given Central Garden & Pet’s higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Central Garden & Pet is more favorable than Central Garden & Pet.

Risk & Volatility

Central Garden & Pet has a beta of 0.58, suggesting that its share price is 42% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Central Garden & Pet has a beta of 0.62, suggesting that its share price is 38% less volatile than the S&P 500.

About Central Garden & Pet

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. The Garden segment includes lawn and garden consumables such as grass, vegetable, flower and herb seed, wild bird feed, bird houses and other birding accessories, weed, grass, and other herbicides, insecticide and pesticide products, fertilizers, and live plants. The company was founded by William E. Brown in 1980 and is headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA.

About Central Garden & Pet

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. The Garden segment includes lawn and garden consumables such as grass, vegetable, flower and herb seed, wild bird feed, bird houses and other birding accessories, weed, grass, and other herbicides, insecticide and pesticide products, fertilizers, and live plants. The company was founded by William E. Brown in 1980 and is headquartered in Walnut Creek, CA.