What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for CENT Q2 Earnings?

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT) – Research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for shares of Central Garden & Pet in a report released on Monday, December 8th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.06 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.08. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Central Garden & Pet’s current full-year earnings is $2.38 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Central Garden & Pet’s Q3 2026 earnings at $1.52 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $2.75 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.07 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.53 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $2.80 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.88 EPS.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 24th. The company reported ($0.09) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.20) by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $678.18 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $657.86 million. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 5.20% and a return on equity of 11.17%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.18) earnings per share. Central Garden & Pet has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.700- EPS.

Several other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Canaccord Genuity Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $50.00 target price on shares of Central Garden & Pet in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of Central Garden & Pet in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $42.50.

Central Garden & Pet Stock Performance

CENT opened at $33.97 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.33, a current ratio of 3.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75. The firm has a market cap of $2.12 billion, a PE ratio of 13.32 and a beta of 0.68. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $31.71 and a 200-day simple moving average of $34.76. Central Garden & Pet has a fifty-two week low of $28.77 and a fifty-two week high of $43.88.

Institutional Trading of Central Garden & Pet

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Central Garden & Pet by 632.3% in the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 974 shares of the company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 841 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in shares of Central Garden & Pet during the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Stenger Family Office LLC bought a new stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet in the second quarter valued at approximately $48,000. CWM LLC grew its position in Central Garden & Pet by 222.4% in the 2nd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,412 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 974 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in Central Garden & Pet by 152.3% in the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,920 shares of the company’s stock valued at $68,000 after acquiring an additional 1,159 shares in the last quarter. 16.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.