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CENTACENTAConsumer Defensive · Packaged Foods

CENTA Stock Forecast: Central Garden & Pet Co. Price Predictions for 2026-2027

Last close, 14 Aug 2026
$38
−1.87% on the day

The 5 Wall Street analysts covering Central Garden & Pet Co. hold a median 12-month price target of $48 — +26.8% from the last close. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model, run across ~4,600 US stocks, ranks it 94 of 100 as at 15 Aug 2026 — among the strongest tenth. Here, the model and the Street point the same way.

Market cap
$2.4B
Ticker Nerd rank
94 / 100
Median analyst target
$48
Analysts covering
5
Total return, dividends reinvested
1W
−3.1%
1M
+2.0%
YTD
+29.7%
1Y
+15.4%
From 52W high
−6.8%
From 52W low
+44.1%
$26
$41
52-week range, adjusted closes · the dot is the last close
Ticker Nerd rank

CENTA stock analysis: one number for the whole business

Consensus tells you what everyone already believes. The model scores Central Garden & Pet Co. on its factor families — the same systematic rank behind the Ticker Nerd portfolio.

Where the model ranks itAs at 15 Aug 2026
94 / 100

Percentile across ~4,600 US stocks on Ticker Nerd’s systematic factor model. Higher is better. How the model is built and tested

Volatility
95
Value
88
Accruals
83
Quality
81
Issuance
75
Revisions
70
Momentum
63
Growth
59
Size
34

Volatility (95): The share price has been relatively steady.

Growth (59): Sales and profits are flat, shrinking, or growing more slowly than they were.

Size (34): Larger than most of the companies we track — more scrutinised, less often mispriced.

Built and run by Aslam Ghouse, an ex-Goldman Sachs quant trader with fourteen years in markets.

Wall Street

CENTA stock forecast 2026-2027: analyst price targets & predictions

The bullish and bearish analyst opinions on CENTA, reported as data — targets and ratings, the market's view beside the model's.

Share price and the analyst range, 12 monthsAdjusted close, US dollars
$25$30$35$40$45$50Oct 25Jan 26Apr 26Jul 26CENTAHigh $50Median $48Low $39

Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.

What Wall Street says5 analysts
4 Buy0 Hold1 Sell
Low $39Median $48High $50

The green dot is the last close — the median target sits +26.8% from it.

Recent analyst actionsNewest first

Of the 20 most recent actions, 1 moved their price target up and 4 moved it down.

DateFirmActionRatingTarget
16 July 2026JP MorganMaintainsUnderweight$32 → $37
17 June 2026Canaccord GenuityMaintainsBuy—
17 June 2026Canaccord GenuityMaintainsBuy$54 → $53
17 Apr 2026JP MorganMaintainsUnderweight—
16 Jan 2026JP MorganDowngradeUnderweight—
25 Nov 2025JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
23 Oct 2025JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
7 Aug 2025Canaccord GenuityMaintainsBuy—
30 Apr 2025Truist SecuritiesDowngradeHold—
11 Apr 2025JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
16 Jan 2025JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
7 Jan 2025Argus ResearchDowngradeHold—
26 Nov 2024Canaccord GenuityMaintainsBuy$48 → $45
16 Oct 2024Truist SecuritiesMaintainsBuy$50 → $40
11 Oct 2024JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
30 Sept 2024Canaccord GenuityMaintainsBuy$48
8 Aug 2024JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
22 July 2024JP MorganMaintainsNeutral—
1 July 2024Canaccord GenuityMaintainsBuy$52 → $49
28 May 2024Argus ResearchUpgradeBuy$50

Price targets and ratings are third-party analyst estimates, reported here as data. They are not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.

Market Radar

This page is one stock. Monday covers all of them.

Computed off the Friday close and sent before the US open.

Market Radar reports the week’s largest rank changes across roughly 4,600 US stocks, the factor behind each one, and where the market went. CENTA appears on the weeks it earns a place.

Free, every Monday. Unsubscribe any time.

Estimates

CENTA analyst estimate revisions

Not the forecast itself — the direction analysts are revising it. Revision direction is one of the model's factor families.

Which way the estimates are movingNext fiscal year
EPS revision, 90 days
+1.4%
Analysts raising
1
Analysts cutting
1
Fundamentals

Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENTA) financial data

A margin means little on its own. Each bar marks where the figure sits across the whole US universe we score.

Valuation
Trailing P/E
14.4×

Cheaper than 48% of US stocks

Price / sales
0.8×

Cheaper than 75% of US stocks

Price / book
1.4×

Cheaper than 60% of US stocks

EV / EBITDA
8.4×

Cheaper than 44% of US stocks

Growth & margins
Revenue growth (YoY)
−8.2%

Higher than 17% of US stocks

Earnings growth (YoY)
−5.4%

Higher than 29% of US stocks

Gross margin
35.9%

Higher than 45% of US stocks

Operating margin
14.3%

Higher than 71% of US stocks

Net margin
5.4%

Higher than 61% of US stocks

Returns & dividend
Return on equity
10.0%

Higher than 63% of US stocks

Return on assets
4.3%

Higher than 73% of US stocks

Dividend yield
—

Bars mark the percentile across the ~4,600 US stocks Ticker Nerd covers, among those reporting the figure.

Peers

CENTA vs competitors

The nearest names by industry and size, scored by the same model — like for like.

Its peer group, ranked by the same modelPackaged Foods
CompanyMarket capTKN rank
CENTACentral Garden & Pet Co.$2.4B
94
UTZUTZ Brands, Inc.$2.0B
42
MZTIThe Marzetti Co.$3.2B
64
NOMDNomad Foods Ltd.$1.7B
45
JJSFJ&J Snack Foods Corp.$1.7B
56
FRPTFreshpet, Inc.$3.6B
56
FLOFlowers Foods, Inc.$1.6B
70

Look up any of the roughly 4,600 stocks we score.

The rank is the raw material. Whether the rules would actually own Central Garden & Pet Co. — and when they’d sell — is the membership. See the Ticker Nerd 20 →

News

Latest CENTA news & analysis

Wall Street Analysts Believe Central Garden (CENTA) Could Rally 28.12%: Here's is How to Trade

Zacks Investment Research · 13 Aug 2026positive

Wall Street analysts' consensus price target for Central Garden (CENTA) suggests roughly 28% upside potential. Meanwhile, the article notes the consensus metric is often unreliable, though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions could indicate near-term upside for the stock.

Why it matters — CENTA watchers may take note of the upward trend in earnings estimate revisions, which analysts view as a potentially meaningful signal for near-term performance.

Is Central Garden & Pet (CENTA) Outperforming Other Consumer Discretionary Stocks This Year?

Zacks Investment Research · 13 Aug 2026neutral

Zacks Investment Research published an article comparing Central Garden & Pet (CENTA) and Cimpress (CMPR) year-to-date performance against their consumer discretionary sector. The piece examines whether Central Garden is outperforming its industry peers this year.

Why it matters — The article offers CENTA watchers a benchmark comparison of the company's year-to-date performance relative to its sector and a peer.

Nubz® Flavor Bursts Win “Flavored Dog Treat Product of the Year” in 2026 Pet Innovation Awards

GlobeNewsWire · 6 Aug 2026positive

The 2026 Pet Innovation Awards named Nylabone's Nubz Flavor Bursts dog treat "Flavored Dog Treat Product of the Year." Nylabone is an iconic brand in the Central Garden & Pet portfolio (NASDAQ: CENT/CENTA), and the recognition comes from an independent platform highlighting innovation in the pet care industry.

Why it matters — For CENTA watchers, this independent recognition highlights the award-winning status and innovation of a flagship brand within the company's product portfolio.

Nylabone Wins “Chew Toy Product of the Year” In 2026 Pet Innovation Awards

GlobeNewsWire · 6 Aug 2026positive

Nylabone, a brand in the Central Garden & Pet portfolio, was awarded "Chew Toy Product of the Year" in the 2026 Pet Innovation Awards for its collection of chew toys made with real chicken, bison, venison, bacon, and beef. The Pet Innovation Awards is an independent platform recognizing innovation in the pet care industry.

Why it matters — The award highlights recognition of a Central Garden & Pet portfolio brand's products within the competitive pet care industry, which could draw attention to the company's brand strength.

Central Garden (CENTA) Tops Q3 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

Zacks Investment Research · 5 Aug 2026positive

Central Garden reported quarterly earnings of $1.54 per share for Q3, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51 per share, and also topped revenue estimates. This compared with earnings of $1.56 per share in the same quarter a year ago.

Why it matters — A CENTA watcher would note that the company beat Wall Street's earnings and revenue expectations for the quarter even though its year-over-year earnings were slightly lower.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about CENTA stock

What is the CENTA stock price forecast for 2026-2027?

The 5 Wall Street analysts covering Central Garden & Pet Co. have a median 12-month price target of $48, with estimates ranging from $39 to $50. These are third-party analyst estimates, not Ticker Nerd forecasts, and they are frequently wrong.

Is CENTA stock a buy right now?

Of the 5 analysts covering Central Garden & Pet Co., 4 rate it a Buy, 0 a Hold and 1 a Sell. Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model ranks Central Garden & Pet Co. 94 out of 100 across roughly 4,600 US stocks as at 15 Aug 2026. None of this is personal advice — it does not consider your circumstances.

How does Ticker Nerd's model rank CENTA?

As at 15 Aug 2026, Central Garden & Pet Co. ranks 94 out of 100 on Ticker Nerd's systematic factor model — a percentile across roughly 4,600 US stocks, built from its factor families. Its strongest factor family is Volatility (95 of 100).

Will CENTA stock go up?

No one can know that. What the data says: the median 12-month target from 5 analysts implies +26.8% from the last close, and Ticker Nerd's factor model ranks Central Garden & Pet Co. 94 out of 100 as at 15 Aug 2026. Analyst targets are third-party estimates and frequently wrong; none of this is personal advice.

What is the CENTA stock forecast for 2030?

No analyst covering Central Garden & Pet Co. publishes a 2030 price target — Wall Street targets run 12 to 18 months out. Sites quoting a 2030 price for CENTA are extrapolating price history, which says nothing about the business. The furthest attributed numbers are the current analyst targets: $39 to $50 over the next 12 months.

How has CENTA stock performed over the past year?

Central Garden & Pet Co. returned +15.4% over the 12 months to 14 Aug 2026, with dividends reinvested. Past performance does not indicate future returns.

What does Central Garden & Pet Co. do?

Central Garden & Pet Company is a prominent player in the consumer and pet care industry, focused on producing and distributing a diverse array of products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies sectors. The company's core activity revolves around servicing a broad market that includes retailers, garden centers, and professional customers, with offerings ranging from garden chemicals and outdoor decor to pet food and supplies.

What is the latest news on CENTA?

The most recent item we track (Zacks Investment Research, 13 Aug 2026): "Wall Street Analysts Believe Central Garden (CENTA) Could Rally 28.12%: Here's is How to Trade". Wall Street analysts' consensus price target for Central Garden (CENTA) suggests roughly 28% upside potential. Meanwhile, the article notes the consensus metric is often unreliable, though a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions could indicate near-term upside for the stock.

Company

About Central Garden & Pet Co.

Central Garden & Pet Company is a prominent player in the consumer and pet care industry, focused on producing and distributing a diverse array of products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies sectors. The company's core activity revolves around servicing a broad market that includes retailers, garden centers, and professional customers, with offerings ranging from garden chemicals and outdoor decor to pet food and supplies. Notable for its commitment to quality and innovation, Central Garden & Pet Company plays a significant role in the home improvement and pet care markets by delivering products that enhance consumer lifestyles and meet the demands of garden enthusiasts and pet owners alike. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, the company maintains a strong market presence and contributes to sectors emphasizing wellness, outdoor living, and pet care, thus impacting consumer retail trends and shaping experiences in these areas.

CEO Mr. Nicholas Lahanas · 6,000 employees · United States · https://www.central.com