Central Garden & Pet CoCENT +3.93%76 Operating Margin % is 12.57% as of Mar. 2026, which is 69% above its 10-year median of 7.45. 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 1,951 Consumer Packaged Goods companies, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks better than 64.99% on this metric.
Central Garden & Pet Co (NAS:CENT) Operating Margin % Explanation
Just like Gross Margin %, it is important to see a company maintains its operating margin over time. Among the same industry, a company with higher operating margin is more efficient in its operation. It is also more stable during industry slowdown or recessions. Peter Lynch prefers those with higher margins than those with lower margins.
Be Aware
Operating Margin % can be manipulated by adjusting the rate of depreciation, depletion and amortization (DDA).
If a company is facing competition, its Operating Margin % may decline. Often the Operating Margin % declines well before the company's Revenue or even profit decline. Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important indicator of whether the company is facing problems.
For instance, by 2012, Nokia (NOK)'s problems were well known and its stock had lost more than 90% of its market value since 2007. But Nokias Operating Margin % had already been in decline since 2002, although its Earnings per Share (Diluted) were still rising. Investors who paid attention to Operating Margin % would have avoided this huge loss. The same can be said for Research-in-Motion (RIMM).
Therefore, Operating Margin % is a very important screening filter for GuruFocus. GuruFocus's Buffett-Munger screener requires that the profit margin is either consistent or expanding. The Model Portfolio of the Buffett-Munger screener has outperformed the market every year since inception in 2009.
Central Garden & Pet Co Operating Margin % Related Terms
Central Garden & Pet Co Operating Margin % Historical Data
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The historical data trend for Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin % can be seen below:
* 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: Operating Margin % Comparison
For the Packaged Foods subindustry, Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin %, along with its competitors' market caps and Operating 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 Operating Margin % vs Consumer Packaged Goods Industry
For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry and Consumer Defensive sector, Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin % distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin % falls into.
Central Garden & Pet Co Operating Margin % Calculation
Operating Margin % - also known as operating income margin, operating profit margin and return on sales (ROS) - is the ratio of Operating Income divided by net sales or Revenue, usually presented in percent.
Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin % for the fiscal year that ended in Sep. 2025 is calculated as
* 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 Operating Margin % of 12.57% as of Mar. 2026. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. This is 69% above median its historical median of 7.45. Over the past decade, Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin % has ranged from 5.79 to 8.20. According to the industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #683 out of 1951 companies in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, placing it in the top 35%.
Is Central Garden & Pet Co's Operating Margin % too high?
Central Garden & Pet Co's current Operating Margin % of 12.57% is 69% above median its 10-year median of 7.45. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 5.79 to a high of 8.20. The Consumer Packaged Goods industry median Operating Margin % is 5.26. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 12.57% is 139% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #683 out of 1951 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 Operating Margin % compare to FRPT and FLO?
According to the Consumer Packaged Goods industry distribution chart, Central Garden & Pet Co ranks #683 out of 1951 companies for Operating Margin %. This puts Central Garden & Pet Co in the upper half of its industry. The industry median Operating Margin % is 5.26. Central Garden & Pet Co's value of 12.57% is 139% above this benchmark. Historically, Central Garden & Pet Co's own Operating Margin % has ranged from 5.79 to 8.20 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 7.45 vs. the industry median of 5.26, 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 Operating Margin % for a Consumer Packaged Goods company?
The median Operating Margin % among Consumer Packaged Goods companies is 5.26, based on 1,951 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Operating Margin % significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Operating Margin % should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Operating Margin % of 12.57% is 139% 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 Operating Margin % mean?
A high Operating Margin % can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Operating margin is the ratio of total operating income to net sales. View historical data on Central Garden & Pet Co and its competitors. For the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, the median Operating Margin % is 5.26 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Central Garden & Pet Co's current Operating Margin % is 12.57%, which is 69% above median its own 10-year median of 7.45. 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 $44.98 — trading 19.4% above its estimated fair value. The current Operating Margin % is 12.57%, which is 69% above median its 10-year median of 7.45 and 139% above the Consumer Packaged Goods industry median of 5.26. 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 Operating Margin % calculated?
Operating Margin % is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT), the current Operating Margin % is 12.57% 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 $44.98 is trading 19.4% above its estimated GF Value™ of $37.68.
GuruFocus considers Central Garden & Pet Co to be Modestly Overvalued.
Key valuation signals for CENT:
Operating Margin %: 12.57% (69% above median its 10-year median of 7.45)
GF Value™: $37.68 vs. price of $44.98 (19.4% above fair value)
Industry Position: 139% above the Consumer Packaged Goods median (#683 of 1951)
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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