Central Garden & Pet Co (NAS:CENT) Forward PE Ratio Explanation
The Forward PE Ratio of a company is often used to compare current earnings to estimated future earnings, as well as gaining a clearer picture of what earnings will look like without charges and other accounting adjustments. If earnings are expected to grow in the future, the Forward PE Ratio will be lower than the current PE Ratio. This measure is also used to compare one company to another with a forward-looking focus.
Trailing PE Ratio relies on what is already done. It uses the current share price and divides by the total EPS (Basic) over the past 12 months. PE Ratio can be affected by Non Operating Income such as the sale of part of businesses. This may increase for the current year or quarter dramatically. But it cannot be repeated over and over. Therefore PE Ratio without NRI is a more accurate indication of valuation than PE Ratio .
Central Garden & Pet Co Forward PE Ratio Related Terms
Central Garden & Pet Co Forward PE Ratio Historical Data
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Central Garden & Pet Co Forward PE Ratio Chart
Central Garden & Pet Co Annual Data
Trend
2016-09
2017-09
2018-09
2019-09
2020-09
2021-09
2022-09
2023-09
2024-09
2025-09
Forward PE Ratio
20.96
23.58
16.75
14.79
19.88
14.81
11.63
15.48
14.37
12.19
Central Garden & Pet Co Quarterly Data
2015-12
2016-03
2016-06
2016-09
2016-12
2017-03
2017-06
2017-09
2017-12
2018-03
2018-06
2018-09
2018-12
2019-03
2019-06
2019-09
2019-12
2020-03
2020-06
2020-09
2020-12
2021-03
2021-06
2021-09
2021-12
2022-03
2022-06
2022-09
2022-12
2023-03
2023-06
2023-09
2023-12
2024-03
2024-06
2024-09
2024-12
2025-03
2025-06
2025-09
2025-12
2026-03
Forward PE Ratio
16.47
13.55
17.95
20.96
24.88
27.86
20.70
23.58
23.36
22.68
20.24
16.75
17.54
13.81
13.33
14.79
19.76
16.26
20.41
19.88
19.31
27.03
18.98
14.81
17.24
14.71
12.53
11.63
12.24
15.43
13.79
15.48
19.65
17.64
15.77
14.37
17.25
15.29
13.64
12.19
11.73
13.02
CENT vs FRPT, MZTI, FLO: Forward PE Ratio Comparison
For the Packaged Foods subindustry, Central Garden & Pet Co's Forward PE Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Forward PE Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Central Garden & Pet Co Forward PE Ratio vs Consumer Packaged Goods Industry
For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry and Consumer Defensive sector, Central Garden & Pet Co's Forward PE Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Central Garden & Pet Co's Forward PE Ratio falls into.
Central Garden & Pet Co Forward PE Ratio Calculation
It's a measure of the price-to-earnings ratio (PE Ratio) using forecasted earnings for the calculation. While the earnings used are just an estimate and are not as reliable as current earnings data, there is still benefit in estimated P/E analysis. The forecasted earnings used in the formula can either be for the next 12 months or for the next full-year fiscal period.
Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) has a Forward PE Ratio of 13.90 as of Jul. 12, 2026. Forward P/E ratio is the share price dividend by the expected per-share earnings in the next 12 months. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #360 out of 744 companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, placing it in the top 48.4%.
Is Central Garden & Pet Co's Forward PE Ratio too high?
Central Garden & Pet Co's current Forward PE Ratio is 13.90. The Consumer Packaged Goods industry median Forward PE Ratio is 14.22. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 13.90 is 2.2% below this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #360 out of 744 companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, Central Garden & Pet Co has a GF Score™ of 72/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Central Garden & Pet Co's Forward PE Ratio compare to FRPT and MZTI?
According to the Consumer Packaged Goods industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #360 out of 744 companies for Forward PE Ratio. This puts Central Garden & Pet Co in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Forward PE Ratio is 14.22. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 13.90 is 2.2% below this benchmark. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Forward PE Ratio for a Consumer Packaged Goods company?
The median Forward PE Ratio among Consumer Packaged Goods companies is 14.22, based on 744 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Forward PE Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Forward PE Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Forward PE Ratio of 13.90 is 2.2% below the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Forward PE Ratio mean?
A high Forward PE Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Forward P/E ratio is the share price dividend by the expected per-share earnings in the next 12 months. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, the median Forward PE Ratio is 14.22 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Forward PE Ratio is 13.90. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Central Garden & Pet Co stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $37.53, compared to a current price of $42.89 — trading 14.3% above its estimated fair value. The current Forward PE Ratio is 13.90 and 2.2% below the Consumer Packaged Goods industry median of 14.22. Central Garden & Pet Co's overall GF Score™ is 72/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Forward PE Ratio calculated?
Forward PE Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT), the current Forward PE Ratio is 13.90 as of Jul. 12, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Central Garden & Pet Co stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $42.89 is trading 14.3% above its estimated GF Value™ of $37.53.
GuruFocus considers Central Garden & Pet Co to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for CENT:
Forward PE Ratio: 13.90
GF Value™: $37.53 vs. price of $42.89 (14.3% above fair value)
Industry Position: 2.2% below the Consumer Packaged Goods median (#360 of 744)
No single metric tells the full story. See the CENT stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Central Garden & Pet Co offers solutions that support healthier pets, greener lawns, and thriving gardens. Its products include dog and cat treats, chews, toys, beds, containment, grooming supplies, aquatics, small animal and bird supplies, equine and livestock products, insect control solutions, grass seed, wild bird feed, fertilizers, pest controls, live plants, and packet seeds, sold under brands such as Aqueon, Nylabone, Kaytee, Farnam, Pennington, Ferry Morse, Amdro, and Sevin. The company operates through two segments, Pet and Garden, and sells through retailers, independent stores, eCommerce channels, and professional markets. It has sales and distribution operations mainly across the United States, with additional facilities in Canada and Mexico.
72GF Score
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Forward PE Ratio is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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