Simply Good Foods vs Central Garden & Pet

This page compares Simply Good Foods Co/The and Central Garden & Pet Co, examining their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible way. It presents key factors shaping each company’s position and prospects. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Simply Good Foods Co/The and Central Garden & Pet Co, examining their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible way. It presents key factor...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

SMPL

Metric

CENT

$1.95B

Market Cap

$1.83B

47.15%

Potential Profit

33.09%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Investment Analysis

Simply Good Foods

SMPL

Pros

Strong financial health with a low debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 13.8%, supporting operational stability.
Portfolio includes rapidly growing brands like Quest and OWYN, which drove double-digit retail sales gains recently.
Exposure to multiple distribution channels including grocery, mass merchandisers, and e-commerce, enhancing market reach.

Considerations

Declining performance of the Atkins brand, leading to a significant $60.9 million non-cash impairment charge.
Underperformance relative to the broader US Food industry with negative recent stock returns and a cautious short-term outlook.
Lower valuation metrics and historical growth concerns, reflected by modest scores for future growth and past performance.

Central Garden & Pet

CENT

Pros

Reasonably valued with a Price-to-Book ratio around 1.35, indicating sound asset backing relative to market price.
Recent strategic initiatives have successfully traded revenue growth for improved profit margins, enhancing earnings quality.
Industry recognition for innovation such as winning ‘Dog Treat Innovation of the Year’ boosts brand strength and market position.

Considerations

Relatively low insider and institutional ownership may point to limited insider confidence or liquidity constraints.
Potential cyclicality linked to consumer discretionary spending on pet and garden products could affect revenue stability.
Information on recent earnings or growth trends is less transparent, creating uncertainty about near-term company performance.

About The Companies

Simply Good Foods (SMPL)

Simply Good Foods Co (SMPL) is a North American maker of ‘better-for-you’ snacks and nutrition brands, best known for Quest Nutrition and Atkins-branded items. With a market capitalisation around $2.56bn, the company focuses on high-protein, low-sugar bars, snacks and powders sold through retail, e-commerce and international channels. Investors typically watch its ability to sustain brand momentum, expand distribution, and convert supply-chain efficiencies into margin gains. Growth drivers include persistent consumer interest in health-focused snacking and direct-to-consumer sales, while key risks include competitive pressure, commodity cost volatility, and changing consumer tastes. Financial performance can be lumpy as promotional activity, input costs and SKU mix shift. This summary is educational only — not personalised investment advice — and reminds readers that past performance does not guarantee future results and that shares can rise or fall.

Central Garden & Pet (CENT)

Central Garden & Pet Co. is a prominent American company operating in the pet supplies and lawn and garden sectors. Its business is split into two primary segments: Pet and Garden. The Pet division offers a wide range of products, from dog and cat treats, toys, and grooming supplies to food and habitats for birds, small animals, and fish. The Garden segment focuses on consumables like grass seed, wild bird feed, and various plant care products, including herbicides and insecticides. The organisation manages a diverse portfolio of over 60 brands, featuring well-known names such as Nylabone, Kaytee, Aqueon, and Pennington. This broad offering allows the company to cater to a wide array of consumer needs within these resilient markets. As with any investment, it's important to remember that market conditions and consumer habits can change, and the value of shares can go down as well as up.

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Comparison Snapshot