- Central Garden & Pet will present a webcast fireside chat led by CFO Brad Smith at the 2025 KeyBanc Consumer Conference on Dec. 12, 2025, and meet investors one-on-one.
- The company reported FY2024 net sales of about $3.2B, but trailing-twelve-month revenue fell ~4.9% to roughly $3.12B.
- Despite softer sales, margin expansion from its Cost and Simplicity program and strength in the Garden segment have lifted profitability.
- Key questions center on sustaining sales, managing input-cost volatility, and integrating acquisitions such as Champion USA’s JustiFLY assets.
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Who, What, When, Where
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT/CENTA), a leading U.S. operator in the pet and garden industry—managing over 65 brands and employing over 6,000 people across North America—will participate in the virtual 2025 KeyBanc Capital Markets Consumer Conference on Friday, December 12, 2025. CFO Brad Smith will host a fireside chat at 12:55 p.m. ET. Senior management will also engage in investor one-on-one meetings throughout the conference. The fireside chat will be live-webcast and later archived.
How Much, Financial Performance & Outlook
In fiscal year 2024, Central achieved net sales of approximately $3.2 billion. Over the most recent twelve months, net sales have declined to ~$3.12 billion (≈4.9%), reflecting softness in both the Pet and Garden segments. However, margin expansion and operational leverage—driven by the company’s “Cost and Simplicity” program—have delivered improved profitability. KeyBanc reiterated an Overweight rating with a $50 price target, highlighting long-term opportunity in improving the product portfolio, gaining market share, making accretive acquisitions, and returning capital to shareholders.
Strategic Implications
The upcoming presentation offers Central an opportunity to reaffirm its strategy amidst mixed financials: despite declining sales, the company’s ability to improve margins and execute acquisitions suggests resilience. The acquisition of the U.S. assets of Champion USA, especially in the cattle fly-control space through its JustiFLY® line, opens high-margin, underpenetrated opportunity tied to livestock spending trends. Additionally, strength in the Garden segment—boosted by an extended selling season—signals that favorable weather or demand cycles can materially affect top-line performance.
Open Questions & Risks
- To what extent will Central be able to sustain or grow sales given softening trends in both Pet and Garden segments?
- Can the company preserve or further expand margins without sacrificing investment in innovation, brands, or channel competitiveness?
- How quickly and effectively can the integration of Champion USA and other recent acquisitions contribute to earnings and cash flow?
- What exposure does Central have to raw material, freight, and inflationary cost inputs, and how are those risks being mitigated?
- How will the company manage working capital and cash flow pressures amid revenue decline and competition?
Supporting Notes
- Central will hold its fireside chat with CFO Brad Smith on December 12, 2025 at 12:55 p.m. Eastern Time at the 2025 KeyBanc Capital Markets Consumer Conference.
- Senior management will be available for investor one-on-one meetings “throughout the day.”
- In FY 2024, net sales were $3.2 billion; over 65 brands; more than 6,000 employees.
- Recent revenue has declined ≈4.9% over the past twelve months, netting ~$3.12 billion.
- KeyBanc maintains an Overweight rating with a $50 price target, citing margin expansion, cost efficiencies, acquisition potential, and capital return.
- The acquisition of Champion USA’s U.S. assets (JustiFLY® line) adds to Central’s professional business in cattle fly-control, a higher-margin and growing segment.
- Garden segment benefited from an extended selling season, providing strength relative to the broader weakness.