Rhumbline Advisers Boosts Stake in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT)

Rhumbline Advisers raised its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 29,052 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 314 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers’ holdings in Central Garden & Pet were worth $1,127,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $1,681,000. Quest Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet during the third quarter worth $797,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 73.8% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 35,228 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,285,000 after purchasing an additional 14,964 shares during the period. Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 51.4% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 34,944 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,275,000 after purchasing an additional 11,865 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 11.6% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 112,305 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,096,000 after purchasing an additional 11,671 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.13% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider John D. Walker III sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total value of $328,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 67,111 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,205,267.46. This trade represents a 12.97 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 8.19% of the company’s stock.

Central Garden & Pet Stock Performance

CENT stock opened at $35.79 on Thursday. Central Garden & Pet has a 1-year low of $32.17 and a 1-year high of $47.48. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $37.15 and a 200 day moving average price of $37.41. The company has a market capitalization of $2.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.66 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 3.47 and a quick ratio of 1.97.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.03) by $0.24. Central Garden & Pet had a net margin of 3.77% and a return on equity of 10.08%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Argus lowered shares of Central Garden & Pet from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price target on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $48.00 to $45.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Central Garden & Pet has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $46.75.

Central Garden & Pet Profile

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.