Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 04 2026
0mins
Should l Buy CENT?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Net Sales $617 million, a 6% year-over-year decline. Reasons: Timing of retailer spring inventory shipments in the Garden and Pet segments, portfolio optimization efforts, rationalizing lower-margin categories, closure of U.K. operations, and transitioning European business to a direct export model.
Non-GAAP Gross Profit $190 million compared with $196 million, while non-GAAP gross margin expanded 100 basis points to 30.8%. Reasons: Productivity gains and improved mix.
Non-GAAP SG&A Expense $166 million, down 1% versus the prior year. As a percentage of sales, it was 26.8% compared with 25.5%. Reasons: Disciplined cost management.
Non-GAAP Operating Income $24 million compared with $28 million. Non-GAAP operating margin was 3.9% compared with 4.3%. Reasons: Shipment timing and portfolio optimization efforts.
Non-GAAP Net Income $13 million compared with $14 million in the prior year. Reasons: Shipment timing and portfolio optimization efforts.
Adjusted EBITDA $50 million compared to $55 million. Reasons: Shipment timing and portfolio optimization efforts.
Pet Segment Net Sales $416 million, a 3% year-over-year decline. Reasons: Portfolio optimization efforts, shipments shifting into the second quarter, and temporary shipment hold. Partially balanced by growth in Rawhide and Animal Health businesses.
Pet Segment Non-GAAP Operating Income $50 million compared with $51 million. Non-GAAP operating margin improved to 12.1% from 12%. Reasons: Consistent execution across core categories.
Garden Segment Net Sales $202 million, a 12% decline. Reasons: Shipment timing, transition of third-party distribution product lines, and rationalization of live plants categories. Partially balanced by growth in Wild Bird business.
Garden Segment Non-GAAP Operating Loss $2 million compared with income of $2 million. Non-GAAP operating margin was negative 1.2% compared to positive 1.1%. Reasons: Shipment timing offsetting productivity gains and cost management.
Cash Used by Operations $70 million for the quarter compared with $69 million a year ago. Reasons: Timing of shipments.
CapEx $11 million compared to $6 million. Reasons: Focused investment approach centered on productivity initiatives and essential maintenance.
Cash and Cash Equivalents $721 million, up $103 million. Reasons: Strong liquidity position and cash generation profile.
Total Debt $1.2 billion, unchanged from the prior year. Reasons: Maintenance of financial resilience.
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Analyst Views on CENT
Wall Street analysts forecast CENT stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 37.350
Low
30.00
Averages
43.33
High
50.00
Current: 37.350
Low
30.00
Averages
43.33
High
50.00
About CENT
Central Garden & Pet Company is engaged in the garden and pet industries. The Company offers a portfolio of over 60 brands, including Amdro, Aqueon, Best Bully Sticks, Cadet, C&S, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Kaytee, Nylabone, Pennington, Sevin, Zoecon, and JustiFLY. Its segments include Pet and Garden. The Pet segment includes dog and cat supplies such as treats and chews, toys, beds and containment, grooming products, waste management and training pads; supplies for aquatics, small animals, reptiles and pet birds including toys, enclosures 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. The Garden segment includes lawn and garden consumables such as grass seed; vegetable, flower and herb packet seed; wild bird feed, bird houses and other birding accessories; weed, grass, and other herbicides, insecticide and pesticide products, and live plants.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Central Garden & Pet Appoints New Board Member
- New Board Appointment: Central Garden & Pet Company has announced the appointment of Kay M. Schwichtenberg to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2026, which is expected to bring extensive leadership experience in consumer products and animal health to the company.
- Extensive Industry Background: Schwichtenberg has over 40 years of experience in the animal health industry, including 29 years at Central, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Animal & Public Health, indicating her expertise will likely drive innovation and growth for the company.
- Strategic Value Addition: Bill Brown, Chairman of the Board, noted that Schwichtenberg's operational and executive perspective will add value to the Board, aiding the company in focusing on long-term value creation and market growth.
- Educational and Professional Credentials: Schwichtenberg holds an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has held leadership positions in various industry associations, showcasing her broad influence and leadership capabilities within the industry.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Appoints New Board Member
- New Board Appointment: Central Garden & Pet Company has appointed Kay M. Schwichtenberg to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2026, aiming to leverage her extensive experience in the animal health sector to drive company growth.
- Rich Industry Experience: Schwichtenberg brings over 40 years of experience in the animal health industry, including 29 years at Central, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Animal & Public Health until her retirement in February 2023, demonstrating her deep understanding of the company.
- Leadership Recognition: Bill Brown, Chairman of the Board, stated that Schwichtenberg's leadership experience and profound understanding of consumer products and animal health will provide crucial support for the company's focus on innovation and long-term value creation, further enhancing corporate governance.
- Outstanding Educational Background: Schwichtenberg holds an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed the Advanced Executive Program at London Business School, showcasing her expertise in business management, which can significantly contribute to strategic decision-making within the company.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Shareholders Re-Elect Directors and Approve Auditor
- Board Re-Election: During the 2026 annual meeting, all nine director nominees received at least 10,771,155 votes, ensuring stability in the company's governance structure and enhancing shareholder trust in management.
- Auditor Approval: Shareholders ratified Deloitte as the independent auditor with 17,177,566 votes, reflecting the company's commitment to financial transparency and compliance, which is expected to boost investor confidence.
- Executive Compensation Vote: The advisory vote on executive compensation received at least 16,346,943 votes in favor, indicating shareholder approval of the company's pay policies, which may help attract and retain key talent.
- Meeting Procedures Smooth: The meeting confirmed the presence of at least 8,880,142 shares of common stock and 1,600,459 shares of Class B stock, ensuring a quorum was met, which facilitated the smooth progression of the agenda and demonstrated active shareholder engagement and interest in the company's future development.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Company Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Overview: Central Garden & Pet reported net sales of $617 million for Q1, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline primarily due to spring inventory shipment timing and portfolio optimization, although non-GAAP gross margin improved to 30.8%, indicating ongoing cost management efforts.
- Acquisition and Innovation Strategy: The company completed the acquisition of Champion USA at quarter-end, enhancing its market position in the livestock sector, while management emphasized continued investments in digital capabilities and innovation to drive future organic growth.
- Earnings Guidance Reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS expectation of $2.70 or better, indicating confidence in future performance despite ongoing pressures from shipment timing and portfolio optimization.
- Market Outlook and Challenges: Despite challenges from SKU rationalization and shipment timing, management expressed optimism about stabilization in pet categories and anticipated a positive market rebound during the spring gardening season, showcasing the company's potential for market share gains and long-term profitability.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Q1 Earnings Report
- Earnings Performance: Central Garden & Pet reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.21, beating expectations by $0.07, indicating some resilience in profitability despite broader market challenges.
- Revenue Decline: The company’s revenue of $617 million represents a 6.0% year-over-year decline, missing estimates by $14.02 million, which reflects soft market demand impacting overall sales.
- Margin Improvement: Gross margin expanded by 110 basis points to 30.9%, up from 29.8%, primarily driven by improved productivity, suggesting effective cost management strategies in place.
- Operating Income Drop: Operating income fell to $17 million from $28 million year-over-year, with operating margin decreasing from 4.3% to 2.7%, highlighting challenges in maintaining operational efficiency amidst declining revenues.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Appoints New Chief Legal Officer
- Executive Appointment: Central Garden & Pet Company has appointed Apur Patel as the new Chief Legal Officer, effective January 26, 2026, aiming to align legal matters closely with corporate strategy.
- Succession Context: Patel succeeds the retiring George Yuhas, who served as interim Chief Legal Officer during the transition, highlighting the company's commitment to a smooth executive handover.
- Extensive Experience: With over 30 years of global legal experience, Patel previously served as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Clorox, leading a team of over 20 legal professionals, showcasing his ability to manage legal risks in complex global organizations.
- Strategic Vision: Patel expressed excitement about building a strong legal foundation at Central and collaborating with CEO Niko Lahanas and the leadership team to support the company's long-term success and value creation.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Appoints New Board Member
- New Board Appointment: Central Garden & Pet Company has announced the appointment of Kay M. Schwichtenberg to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2026, which is expected to bring extensive leadership experience in consumer products and animal health to the company.
- Extensive Industry Background: Schwichtenberg has over 40 years of experience in the animal health industry, including 29 years at Central, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Animal & Public Health, indicating her expertise will likely drive innovation and growth for the company.
- Strategic Value Addition: Bill Brown, Chairman of the Board, noted that Schwichtenberg's operational and executive perspective will add value to the Board, aiding the company in focusing on long-term value creation and market growth.
- Educational and Professional Credentials: Schwichtenberg holds an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has held leadership positions in various industry associations, showcasing her broad influence and leadership capabilities within the industry.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Appoints New Board Member
- New Board Appointment: Central Garden & Pet Company has appointed Kay M. Schwichtenberg to its Board of Directors, effective March 1, 2026, aiming to leverage her extensive experience in the animal health sector to drive company growth.
- Rich Industry Experience: Schwichtenberg brings over 40 years of experience in the animal health industry, including 29 years at Central, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Animal & Public Health until her retirement in February 2023, demonstrating her deep understanding of the company.
- Leadership Recognition: Bill Brown, Chairman of the Board, stated that Schwichtenberg's leadership experience and profound understanding of consumer products and animal health will provide crucial support for the company's focus on innovation and long-term value creation, further enhancing corporate governance.
- Outstanding Educational Background: Schwichtenberg holds an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago and completed the Advanced Executive Program at London Business School, showcasing her expertise in business management, which can significantly contribute to strategic decision-making within the company.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Shareholders Re-Elect Directors and Approve Auditor
- Board Re-Election: During the 2026 annual meeting, all nine director nominees received at least 10,771,155 votes, ensuring stability in the company's governance structure and enhancing shareholder trust in management.
- Auditor Approval: Shareholders ratified Deloitte as the independent auditor with 17,177,566 votes, reflecting the company's commitment to financial transparency and compliance, which is expected to boost investor confidence.
- Executive Compensation Vote: The advisory vote on executive compensation received at least 16,346,943 votes in favor, indicating shareholder approval of the company's pay policies, which may help attract and retain key talent.
- Meeting Procedures Smooth: The meeting confirmed the presence of at least 8,880,142 shares of common stock and 1,600,459 shares of Class B stock, ensuring a quorum was met, which facilitated the smooth progression of the agenda and demonstrated active shareholder engagement and interest in the company's future development.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Company Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Overview: Central Garden & Pet reported net sales of $617 million for Q1, reflecting a 6% year-over-year decline primarily due to spring inventory shipment timing and portfolio optimization, although non-GAAP gross margin improved to 30.8%, indicating ongoing cost management efforts.
- Acquisition and Innovation Strategy: The company completed the acquisition of Champion USA at quarter-end, enhancing its market position in the livestock sector, while management emphasized continued investments in digital capabilities and innovation to drive future organic growth.
- Earnings Guidance Reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS expectation of $2.70 or better, indicating confidence in future performance despite ongoing pressures from shipment timing and portfolio optimization.
- Market Outlook and Challenges: Despite challenges from SKU rationalization and shipment timing, management expressed optimism about stabilization in pet categories and anticipated a positive market rebound during the spring gardening season, showcasing the company's potential for market share gains and long-term profitability.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Q1 Earnings Report
- Earnings Performance: Central Garden & Pet reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of $0.21, beating expectations by $0.07, indicating some resilience in profitability despite broader market challenges.
- Revenue Decline: The company’s revenue of $617 million represents a 6.0% year-over-year decline, missing estimates by $14.02 million, which reflects soft market demand impacting overall sales.
- Margin Improvement: Gross margin expanded by 110 basis points to 30.9%, up from 29.8%, primarily driven by improved productivity, suggesting effective cost management strategies in place.
- Operating Income Drop: Operating income fell to $17 million from $28 million year-over-year, with operating margin decreasing from 4.3% to 2.7%, highlighting challenges in maintaining operational efficiency amidst declining revenues.
See More
Central Garden & Pet Appoints New Chief Legal Officer
- Executive Appointment: Central Garden & Pet Company has appointed Apur Patel as the new Chief Legal Officer, effective January 26, 2026, aiming to align legal matters closely with corporate strategy.
- Succession Context: Patel succeeds the retiring George Yuhas, who served as interim Chief Legal Officer during the transition, highlighting the company's commitment to a smooth executive handover.
- Extensive Experience: With over 30 years of global legal experience, Patel previously served as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Clorox, leading a team of over 20 legal professionals, showcasing his ability to manage legal risks in complex global organizations.
- Strategic Vision: Patel expressed excitement about building a strong legal foundation at Central and collaborating with CEO Niko Lahanas and the leadership team to support the company's long-term success and value creation.
See More
