Central Garden & Pet CoCENT +4.32%76 Net Margin % is 8.76% as of Mar. 2026, which is 109% above its 10-year median of 4.19. 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 1,952 Consumer Packaged Goods companies, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks better than 61.37% on this metric.
The historical rank and industry rank for Central Garden & Pet Co's Net Margin % or its related term are showing as below:
CENT'
s Net Margin % Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 2.43 Med: 4.19 Max: 5.58
Current: 5.42
CENT's Net Margin % is ranked better than 61.37% of 1952
companies
in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry
Industry Median: 3.51
vs CENT: 5.42
Central Garden & Pet Co (NAS:CENT) Net Margin % Explanation
Although Net Income and Earnings-per-Share (EPS) are the most widely used parameter in measuring a company's profitability and valuation, it is the least reliable. The reason is that reported earnings can be manipulated easily by adjusting any numbers such as Depreciation, Depletion and Amotorization and non-recurring items.
But the long term trend of the net margin is a good indicator of the competitiveness and health of the business.
Central Garden & Pet Co Net Margin % Related Terms
Central Garden & Pet Co Net 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.
For the Packaged Foods subindustry, Central Garden & Pet Co's Net Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Net 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 Net Margin % vs Consumer Packaged Goods Industry
For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry and Consumer Defensive sector, Central Garden & Pet Co's Net Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Central Garden & Pet Co's Net 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.
Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) has a Net Margin % of 8.76% as of Mar. 2026. Net margin is the ratio of total net income to net sales. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. This is 109% above median its historical median of 4.19. Over the past decade, Central Garden & Pet Co's Net Margin % has ranged from 2.43 to 5.58. According to the industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #754 out of 1952 companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, placing it in the top 38.6%.
Is Central Garden & Pet Co's Net Margin % too high?
Central Garden & Pet Co's current Net Margin % of 8.76% is 109% above median its 10-year median of 4.19. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 2.43 to a high of 5.58. The Consumer Packaged Goods industry median Net Margin % is 3.51. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 8.76% is 149.6% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #754 out of 1952 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 Net Margin % compare to FRPT and FLO?
According to the Consumer Packaged Goods industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #754 out of 1952 companies for Net Margin %. This puts Central Garden & Pet Co in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Net Margin % is 3.51. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 8.76% is 149.6% above this benchmark. Historically, Central Garden & Pet Co's own Net Margin % has ranged from 2.43 to 5.58 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 4.19 vs. the industry median of 3.51, 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 Net Margin % for a Consumer Packaged Goods company?
The median Net Margin % among Consumer Packaged Goods companies is 3.51, based on 1,952 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Net Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Net Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Net Margin % of 8.76% is 149.6% 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 Net Margin % mean?
A high Net Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Net margin is the ratio of total net income to net sales. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, the median Net Margin % is 3.51 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Net Margin % is 8.76%, which is 109% above median its own 10-year median of 4.19. 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 Net Margin % is 8.76%, which is 109% above median its 10-year median of 4.19 and 149.6% above the Consumer Packaged Goods industry median of 3.51. 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 Net Margin % calculated?
Net Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT), the current Net Margin % is 8.76% 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:
Net Margin %: 8.76% (109% above median its 10-year median of 4.19)
GF Value™: $37.68 vs. price of $45.15 (19.8% above fair value)
Industry Position: 149.6% above the Consumer Packaged Goods median (#754 of 1952)
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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