Verition Fund Management LLC Makes New $316,000 Investment in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Verition Fund Management LLC purchased a new stake in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 10,070 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $316,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of CENTA. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 16.5% in the 2nd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,511 shares of the company’s stock valued at $83,000 after purchasing an additional 355 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in Central Garden & Pet by 2.5% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 15,269 shares of the company’s stock valued at $504,000 after buying an additional 377 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 2.2% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 27,300 shares of the company’s stock worth $902,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its holdings in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 503.2% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 754 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 629 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its stake in shares of Central Garden & Pet by 43.8% in the 3rd quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,402 shares of the company’s stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 732 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 50.82% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on CENTA shares. StockNews.com lowered Central Garden & Pet from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Central Garden & Pet from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Central Garden & Pet currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $41.33.

Central Garden & Pet Trading Up 2.1 %

NASDAQ:CENTA opened at $34.72 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 3.66 and a quick ratio of 2.19. Central Garden & Pet has a one year low of $27.70 and a one year high of $41.03. The company has a market cap of $2.28 billion, a PE ratio of 21.46 and a beta of 0.78. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $31.58 and a 200-day moving average of $32.84.

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.