Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Has $66.12 Million Stake in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC trimmed its position in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) by 3.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,035,082 shares of the company’s stock after selling 65,669 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC’s holdings in Central Garden & Pet were worth $66,120,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of Central Garden & Pet during the third quarter valued at $7,621,000. Barclays PLC increased its position in Central Garden & Pet by 161.7% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 122,530 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,849,000 after purchasing an additional 75,718 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in Central Garden & Pet by 3.3% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,175,277 shares of the company’s stock worth $68,304,000 after purchasing an additional 68,689 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its position in Central Garden & Pet by 9.4% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 691,092 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,700,000 after purchasing an additional 59,368 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in Central Garden & Pet by 5.6% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 773,023 shares of the company’s stock worth $24,273,000 after purchasing an additional 41,241 shares during the period. 50.82% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Central Garden & Pet Trading Up 1.9 %

NASDAQ CENTA opened at $33.51 on Friday. Central Garden & Pet has a 52 week low of $27.70 and a 52 week high of $41.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.41 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a current ratio of 3.47. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $32.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.27.

Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.03) by $0.24. Central Garden & Pet had a return on equity of 10.08% and a net margin of 3.77%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Central Garden & Pet will post 2.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Central Garden & Pet news, insider John D. Walker III sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $32.86, for a total value of $328,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 67,111 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,205,267.46. This represents a 12.97 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 20.28% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

CENTA has been the subject of several analyst reports. StockNews.com upgraded Central Garden & Pet from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Central Garden & Pet from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, Argus cut Central Garden & Pet from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $41.00.

Central Garden & Pet Company Profile

Central Garden & Pet Company produces and distributes various products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies markets in the United States. It operates through two segments: Pet and Garden. The Pet segment provides 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, and food and supplements; products for equine and livestock; animal and household health and insect control products; aquariums and terrariums, including fixtures and stands, water conditioners and supplements, water pumps and filters, and lighting systems and accessories; and live fish and small animals, as well as outdoor cushions.