Central Garden & Pet Q1 Earnings Top Estimates, Sales Rise 3% Y/Y

Central Garden & Pet Company CENT reported solid first-quarter fiscal 2025 results, wherein both top and bottom lines beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate and increased year over year.The company delivered strong first-quarter results, driven by higher shipments, productivity gains and moderating inflation, leading to growth in both revenues and earnings. While the quarter benefited from favorable shipment timing and promotional activities, the company remains confident in its fiscal year outlook and is committed to executing Central to Home strategy with precision.CENT’s Quarterly Performance: Key Metrics & InsightsCentral Garden & Pet posted quarterly earnings of 21 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 3 cents. Also, the figure increased from 1 cent per share reported in the prior-year period.Find the latest EPS estimates and surprises on Zacks Earnings Calendar.Central Garden & Pet Company Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Central Garden & Pet Company price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Central Garden & Pet Company QuoteThe company reported consolidated net sales of $656.4 million, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $630 million. The metric increased 3% from $634.5 million posted in the year-ago period. This growth was driven by the timing of shipments, supported by favorable weather in the garden segment and the timing of promotional activity in the pet segment.The gross profit was $196 million compared with $178.8 million reported in the year-ago period. The gross margin expanded 160 basis points (bps) to 29.8%, driven by productivity improvements and moderating inflation. We expected a gross margin increase of 20 bps.SG&A expenses of $167.7 million decreased from $170.4 million in the prior year quarter. As a percentage of net sales, the figure decreased 140 bps to 25.5%, indicating cost discipline across the organization. We anticipated SG&A expenses, as a percentage of net sales, to increase 40 bps. The operating income was $28 million, up from $8.4 million reported in the year-ago period. The operating margin expanded 300 bps to 4.3%. Adjusted EBITDA was $55.4 million compared with $37 million in the prior-year period.CENT’s Segment-Wise Performance DetailsNet sales for the Pet segment were $427 million, indicating a 4% increase, which beat our estimate of $407.2 million. This growth was driven by customers shifting orders into the fiscal first quarter and the timing of promotional activities. The segment’s operating income was $51 million, up from $43 million reported in the prior-year quarter. The adjusted operating margin expanded 140 bps to 12%, supported by productivity improvements from the Cost and Simplicity program and moderating inflation.In the Garden segment, net sales of $229 million increased 2% from the year-ago period, surpassing our estimate of $223 million. This growth benefited from customers shifting orders into the fiscal first quarter and favorable weather.The segment’s operating income of $2 million increased from an operating loss of $9 million reported in the prior year quarter. The operating margin improved 500 bps to 1.1%, driven by moderating inflation, productivity gains and the exit from the low-margin pottery business.CENT’s Financial Health SnapshotCentral Garden & Pet ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $618 million, long-term debt of $1,190.3 million and shareholders’ equity of $1,519.1 million, excluding the non-controlling interest of $0.7 million. The company repurchased about 1.68 million shares or $52 million in the quarter under review. Management expects capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 to be in the range of $60-$70 million.Sneak Peek Into CENT’s OutlookCentral Garden & Pet estimates fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings to be $2.20 per share or more. This forecast takes into account factors such as the impact of newly proposed tariffs, deflationary pressures in certain commodity sectors, shifting consumer behavior amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, and challenges in the traditional retail market. The outlook excludes any potential effects from acquisitions, divestitures or restructuring activities, including initiatives related to the Cost and Simplicity program.The company expects a softer second quarter of fiscal 2025 compared with the last year.Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have gained 1% in the past three months compared with the industry’s growth of 2.4%.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchStocks to ConsiderUnited Natural Foods, Inc. UNFI distributes natural, organic, specialty, produce and conventional grocery and non-food products in the United States and Canada. It currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The consensus estimate for United Natural Foods’ current financial-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 0.3% and 442.9%, respectively, from the year-ago period’s reported figure. UNFI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 553.1%, on average.TreeHouse Foods THS manufactures and distributes private brands snacks and beverages in the United States and internationally. It presently holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). THS delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 20.4%, on average.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Treehouse Foods’ current-quarter earnings indicates growth of 26% from the year-ago reported figures.BARK, Inc. BARK a dog-centric company, provides products, services and content for dogs. It currently carries a Zacks Rank #2. BARK delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.7%, on average.The consensus estimate for BARK’s current-year sales and earnings indicates growth of 2% and 81.8%, respectively, from the prior-year reported levels.7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysJust released: Experts distill 7 elite stocks from the current list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 Strong Buys. They deem these tickers "Most Likely for Early Price Pops."Since 1988, the full list has beaten the market more than 2X over with an average gain of +24.3% per year. So be sure to give these hand picked 7 your immediate attention. See them now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT): Free Stock Analysis Report United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI): Free Stock Analysis Report TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (THS): Free Stock Analysis Report BARK Inc. (BARK): Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks