Central Garden & Pet CoCENT +4.32%76 Gross Margin % is 33.06% as of Mar. 2026, which is 12% above its 10-year median of 29.64. GuruFocus rates CENT with a GF Score™ of 76/100 and a GF Value™ of $37.68 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 1,902 Consumer Packaged Goods companies, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks better than 62.88% on this metric.
CENT's Gross Margin % is ranked better than 62.88% of 1902
companies
in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry
Industry Median: 26.37
vs CENT: 32.21
Central Garden & Pet Co had a gross margin of 33.06% for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 => Competition eroding margins
The 5-Year average Growth Rate of Gross Margin for Central Garden & Pet Co was 1.00% per year.
Central Garden & Pet Co (NAS:CENT) Gross Margin % Explanation
Warren Buffett believes that firms with excellent long term economics tend to have consistently higher margins.
Durable competitive advantage creates a high Gross Margin % because of the freedom to price in excess of cost. Companies can be categorized by their Gross Margin %
1. Greater than 40% = Durable competitive advantage
2. Less than 40% = Competition eroding margins
3. Less than 20% = no sustainable competitive advantage
Consistency of Gross Margin is key
Central Garden & Pet Co had a gross margin of 33.06% for the quarter that ended in Mar. 2026 => Competition eroding margins
Be Aware
If a company loses its competitive advantages, usually its gross margin declines well before its sales declines. Watching Gross Margin % and Operating Margin % closely helps avoid value trap situations.
Central Garden & Pet Co Gross Margin % Related Terms
Central Garden & Pet Co Gross Margin % 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.
CENT vs FRPT, FLO, JJSF: Gross Margin % Comparison
For the Packaged Foods subindustry, Central Garden & Pet Co's Gross Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Gross Margin % 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 Gross Margin % vs Consumer Packaged Goods Industry
For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry and Consumer Defensive sector, Central Garden & Pet Co's Gross Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Central Garden & Pet Co's Gross Margin % falls into.
* 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.
A positive Gross Profit is only the first step for a company to make a net profit. The gross profit needs to be big enough to also cover related labor, equipment, rental, marketing/advertising, research and development and a lot of other costs in selling the products.
Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) has a Gross Margin % of 33.06% as of Mar. 2026. Gross margin is the ratio of total gross profit to net sales. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. This is 12% above median its historical median of 29.64. Over the past decade, Central Garden & Pet Co's Gross Margin % has ranged from 28.60 to 32.21. According to the industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #706 out of 1902 companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, placing it in the top 37.1%.
Is Central Garden & Pet Co's Gross Margin % too high?
Central Garden & Pet Co's current Gross Margin % of 33.06% is 12% above median its 10-year median of 29.64. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 28.60 to a high of 32.21. The Consumer Packaged Goods industry median Gross Margin % is 26.37. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 33.06% is 25.4% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #706 out of 1902 companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, which is above the industry midpoint. Overall, Central Garden & Pet Co has a GF Score™ of 76/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Central Garden & Pet Co's Gross Margin % compare to FRPT and FLO?
According to the Consumer Packaged Goods industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #706 out of 1902 companies for Gross Margin %. This puts Central Garden & Pet Co in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Gross Margin % is 26.37. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 33.06% is 25.4% above this benchmark. Historically, Central Garden & Pet Co's own Gross Margin % has ranged from 28.60 to 32.21 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 29.64 vs. the industry median of 26.37, Central Garden & Pet Co has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Gross Margin % for a Consumer Packaged Goods company?
The median Gross Margin % among Consumer Packaged Goods companies is 26.37, based on 1,902 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Gross Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Gross Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Gross Margin % of 33.06% is 25.4% above 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 Gross Margin % mean?
A high Gross Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Gross margin is the ratio of total gross profit to net sales. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, the median Gross Margin % is 26.37 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Gross Margin % is 33.06%, which is 12% above median its own 10-year median of 29.64. 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 $37.68, compared to a current price of $45.15 — trading 19.8% above its estimated fair value. The current Gross Margin % is 33.06%, which is 12% above median its 10-year median of 29.64 and 25.4% above the Consumer Packaged Goods industry median of 26.37. Central Garden & Pet Co's overall GF Score™ is 76/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Gross Margin % calculated?
Gross Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT), the current Gross Margin % is 33.06% as of Mar. 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 $45.15 is trading 19.8% above its estimated GF Value™ of $37.68.
GuruFocus considers Central Garden & Pet Co to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for CENT:
Gross Margin %: 33.06% (12% above median its 10-year median of 29.64)
GF Value™: $37.68 vs. price of $45.15 (19.8% above fair value)
Industry Position: 25.4% above the Consumer Packaged Goods median (#706 of 1902)
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.
76GF Score
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