Verition Fund Management LLC Purchases New Shares in Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA)

Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Central Garden & Pet (NASDAQ:CENTA) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 10,070 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $316,000.

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

Central Garden & Pet Trading Up 2.1 %

Central Garden & Pet stock opened at $34.72 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a current ratio of 3.66. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $31.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $32.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.46 and a beta of 0.78. Central Garden & Pet has a 52 week low of $27.70 and a 52 week high of $41.03.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

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.