Arizona State Retirement System Cuts Stock Position in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Arizona State Retirement System lessened its holdings in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) by 3.3% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 11,563 shares of the company’s stock after selling 390 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System’s holdings in Central Garden & Pet were worth $422,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,371,134 shares of the company’s stock valued at $178,254,000 after purchasing an additional 72,345 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,174,265 shares of the company’s stock valued at $115,734,000 after purchasing an additional 208,945 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,687,598 shares of the company’s stock valued at $105,003,000 after purchasing an additional 88,951 shares in the last quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC grew its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. Champlain Investment Partners LLC now owns 1,643,275 shares of the company’s stock valued at $64,203,000 after purchasing an additional 95,175 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,498,211 shares of the company’s stock worth $51,179,000 after purchasing an additional 31,135 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.38% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Central Garden & Pet

In other news, Director Brooks Pennington III sold 777 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.62, for a total value of $32,338.74. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $122,362.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, Director John Ranelli sold 2,440 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.87, for a total transaction of $99,722.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 2,946 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $120,403.02. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Brooks Pennington III sold 777 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $41.62, for a total transaction of $32,338.74. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 2,940 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $122,362.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 14,217 shares of company stock valued at $583,832 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 20.28% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. KeyCorp boosted their target price on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Central Garden & Pet from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $44.33.

Central Garden & Pet Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CENTA opened at $41.07 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.77, a current ratio of 3.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $40.22 and a 200 day simple moving average of $38.29. The company has a market cap of $2.20 billion, a PE ratio of 18.17 and a beta of 0.67. Central Garden & Pet has a fifty-two week low of $33.77 and a fifty-two week high of $45.93.

Central Garden & Pet 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 grooming products, waste management and training pads, and pet containment; supplies for aquatics, small animals, reptiles, and pet birds, including toys, cages and habitats, bedding, and food and supplements; animal and household health and insect control products; live fish and products for fish, reptiles, and other aquarium-based pets, such as aquariums, furniture and lighting fixtures, pumps, filters, water conditioners, food, and supplements; and products for equine and livestock, as well as outdoor cushions.