Central Garden & Pet (CENT) vs Marzetti (MZTI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Central Garden & Pet (CENT) has outperformed Marzetti (MZTI) over the past year, gaining 29.8% versus a loss of 38.2%. Over five years, CENT leads with a +3.7% price change compared with -41.8% for MZTI. Marzetti is the larger company by market cap ($2.79 billion vs $2.54 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Central Garden & Pet trades at a lower forward P/E (13.3x vs 14.1x for Marzetti). Marzetti pays a dividend yielding 3.87%, while Central Garden & Pet does not currently pay one. Marzetti converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.9% versus 5.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CENT | MZTI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $40.55 | $102.19 |
| Market cap | $2.54B | $2.79B |
| 1-day change | +1.00% | +1.75% |
| YTD return | +24.88% | -37.85% |
| 1-year return | +29.81% | -38.22% |
| 5-year return | +3.70% | -41.80% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.02 | 14.64 |
| Forward P/E | 13.27 | 14.08 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.70 | $6.98 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 3.87% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.95 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.13B | $1.93B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -2.23% | +1.08% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $162.84M | $191.61M |
| Gross margin | 31.87% | 24.73% |
| Operating margin | 7.99% | 12.37% |
| Net margin | 5.20% | 9.93% |
| 52-week high | $46.97 | $176.26 |
| 52-week low | $28.77 | $97.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.67% | -42.02% |
| Analyst consensus | none | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +30.70% | +43.46% |
| Average volume | 98.20K | 376.21K |
| Shares outstanding | 9.65M | 27.29M |
| Employees | 6,000 | 3,500 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Consumer Specialties | Packaged Foods |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- CENT has outperformed MZTI by 68.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Marzetti offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.87% vs 0.00%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Central Garden & Pet in Consumer Discretionary and Marzetti in Consumer Staples.
About Central Garden & Pet
CENT stock →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.
Consumer Discretionary · Consumer Specialties · 6,000 employees
About Marzetti
MZTI stock →The Marzetti Company engages in manufacturing and marketing of specialty food products for the retail and foodservice channels in the United States. It operates in two segments, Retail and Foodservice.
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods · 3,500 employees
CENT vs MZTI FAQ
Which is bigger, Central Garden & Pet or Marzetti?
Marzetti (MZTI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.79B compared with $2.54B for Central Garden & Pet (CENT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CENT or MZTI?
CENT returned +29.81% over the past 12 months, compared with -38.22% for MZTI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CENT or MZTI?
MZTI has the lower trailing P/E at 14.6, versus 15.0 for CENT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Central Garden & Pet or Marzetti?
Marzetti pays a dividend yielding 3.87%, while Central Garden & Pet does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Central Garden & Pet and Marzetti in the same industry?
No. Central Garden & Pet is in the Consumer Discretionary sector, while Marzetti is in Consumer Staples.