$39.20+0.31 (+0.80%)
At close: Oct 1, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Central Garden & Pet Co. · Tenets
How CENT measures up against value, income, timing, and long-hold tenets. Every criterion shows the live number and the pass rule. Always free.
The tenets below and the 0-100 Tenet Score on this report are two separate computations: each tenet runs its own criteria and its own pass rule, while the score is a percentile composite reported as one of four verdict words (Strong, Solid, Mixed or Weak).
2 / 17 qualify todayas of 2026-10-02 · computed nightly from our fundamentals DB; point-in-time auditable.
QUALIFIES
2
meet every gate today
BORDERLINE
6
within one input of the gate
FAILS
7
miss at least one gate
UNKNOWN
2
insufficient data to judge
passesfailsborderlineunknown
Value — six classic philosophies
Buffett Qualitydurable moat
✕ FailsFailsROE ≥ 15%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)10.4% · ≥ 15.0%
FailsGross margin ≥ 40%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)31.9% · ≥ 40.0%
FailsNet margin ≥ 15%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)5.2% · ≥ 15.0%
FailsDebt/equity ≤ 0.5(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)0.75 · ≤ 0.50
PassesGrowing FCF (multi-yr)(fiscal 2020 to 2025)5.6% per year · > 0
Decided by the pass rule for Buffett Quality.The pass rule for Buffett Quality is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Buffett Quality under The screens ›
Piotroski F-Scorefinancial strength
✓ 8 / 9PassesReturn on assets positive(fiscal 2025)4.5% · > 0
PassesOperating cash flow positive(fiscal 2025)$332.5M · > 0
PassesReturn on assets improving(fiscal 2025)3.1% → 4.5%
PassesEarnings backed by cash (CFO > net income)(fiscal 2025)$332.5M vs $164.0M
PassesLeverage falling (long-term debt / assets)(fiscal 2025)33.5% → 32.9%
PassesCurrent ratio improving(fiscal 2025)3.66 → 3.67
PassesNo share dilution (≤ +2%)(fiscal 2025)−4.6%
PassesGross margin expanding(fiscal 2025)29.5% → 31.9%
FailsAsset turnover improving(fiscal 2025)0.90 → 0.86
Decided by the pass rule for Piotroski F-Score.The badge above reads a pass with 1 of the checks below marked as failing. The pass rule for Piotroski F-Score is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here. These checks score 8 of 9.Piotroski F-Score under The screens ›
Munger Compoundershigh-ROIC quality
✕ FailsFailsROIC ≥ 15%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)6.8% · ≥ 15.0%
PassesNet debt/EBITDA ≤ 3×(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)0.9× · ≤ 3.0×
FailsAltman Z ≥ 3 (safe zone)(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)2.57 · ≥ 3.00
Decided by the pass rule for Munger Compounders.The pass rule for Munger Compounders is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Munger Compounders under The screens ›
Magic FormulaROC + earnings yield (threshold check; full rank needs universe)
~ BorderlinePassesEBIT > 0(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)$250.0M · > 0
PassesEarnings yield EBIT/EV ≥ 6%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)9.0% · ≥ 6.0%
FailsReturn on capital ≥ 25%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)13.9% · ≥ 25.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Magic Formula.The pass rule for Magic Formula is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.About this screen ›
Graham Defensivemargin of safety
~ BorderlinePassesSize: market cap ≥ $2B$2.5B · ≥ $2.0B
PassesCurrent ratio ≥ 2(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)3.67 · ≥ 2.00
PassesPositive EPS 10y10y
PassesPays a dividend$29.20 · > 0
FailsEPS growth ≥ 3%/yr(fiscal 2020 to 2025)3.0% per year · ≥ 3.0%
Unknown — no dataP/E ≤ 15— · ≤ 15.00
Unknown — no dataP/E × P/B ≤ 22.5— · ≤ 22.50
Decided by the pass rule for Graham Defensive.The pass rule for Graham Defensive is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here. 2 of 7 carry no data.Graham Defensive under The screens ›
Lynch GARPgrowth at reasonable price (historical-CAGR basis)
— Insufficient inputs (1 of 2 known)Unknown — no dataPEG < 1 (hist. growth)— · < 1.00
FailsEPS growth 10–30%(fiscal 2020 to 2025)3.0% per year · 10.0%–30.0%
Verdict Unknown for this set.Verdict Unknown for this set. 1 of 2 checks below carry data.Lynch GARP under The screens ›
Income — dividend safety
Income & Dividend Safetycoverage over headline yield
~ BorderlinePassesPays a dividend$29.20 · > 0
FailsYield in a healthy band (not a yield trap)0.0% · 1.0%–8.0%
PassesCovered by free cash flow216.26 · ≥ 1.20
PassesEarnings payout not stretched0.8% · ≤ 75.0%
PassesBalance sheet can sustain the payout0.9× · ≤ 4.0×
FailsAnnual dividend raised 10+ years running (Aristocrat ≥25, King ≥50)0.00 · ≥ 10.00
Not scored: see the reason belowNo dividend cut in the last 5 yearsThe dividend record on file is shorter than the five years this test covers, so there is no five-year stretch to check for a cut. It is left unscored rather than counted either way.—
Unknown — no data5-year dividend growth ≥ 5%/yr— · ≥ 5.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Income & Dividend Safety.The pass rule for Income & Dividend Safety is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page. 2 of 8 carry no data.
Dividend Growthraises you can count on
— Insufficient inputs (2 of 6 known)PassesPays a dividend$29.20 · > 0
Unknown — no dataAnnual dividend raised 10+ years running (Aristocrat ≥25, King ≥50)— · ≥ 10.00
Unknown — no dataNo dividend cut in the last 5 years—
Unknown — no data5-year dividend growth ≥ 5%/yr— · ≥ 5.0%
PassesCovered by free cash flow216.26 · ≥ 1.20
Unknown — no dataPayout not stretched— · ≤ 75.0%
Verdict Unknown for this set.Verdict Unknown for this set. 2 of 6 checks below carry data.Dividend Growth under The screens ›
Long Hold — quality compounders
Quality Compounderhigh returns, reinvested, few new shares
✕ FailsFailsReturn on invested capital ≥ 15% in 4+ of the last 5 years0 of 3 on file
FailsRevenue compounding ≥ 8%/yr over 5 years3.0% per year · ≥ 8.0%
PassesNot diluting: diluted share count flat-to-down (≤ +1%/yr)−2.0% · ≤ 1.0%
FailsFree cash flow margin ≥ 12%9.3% · ≥ 12.0%
PassesEarnings backed by cash (operating cash flow ≥ net income)2.03 · ≥ 1.00
Reading: holds. Not a gate checkDisciplined buybacks: actively reducing the share count (bonus)reading, not a gate check−2.0%
Decided by the pass rule for Quality Compounder.The pass rule for Quality Compounder is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here. Lines marked as readings are published beside the checks and are not gate checks.Quality Compounder under The screens ›
Timing — dip & swing receipts
Drawdown Contexta dip, not a collapse
✕ FailsPassesOff its 52-week high by 8–35% (a dip, not a collapse)16.5% · 8.0%–35.0%
FailsDip within its own normal pullback band0.18
FailsNot past where its dips have historically recovered from1.76
PassesA dip in an uptrend (above a rising 200-day)38.87
FailsHigher-low structure still intactstructure broken · higher low
PassesClear of the earnings blackout (more than 5 days out)57.00 · > 5.00
Decided by the pass rule for Drawdown Context.The pass rule for Drawdown Context is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Reversal Evidencedaily close onlysigns the pullback is turning
~ BorderlinePassesA bullish MACD cross within 10 sessions0.00 · ≤ 10.00
FailsReclaimed a rising 50-day EMA41.39
PassesPrinted a higher lowyes
FailsA volume thrust on the turn (≥ 1.2× normal)0.93 · ≥ 1.20
FailsReversal signals fired: 3 of 4 (MACD·MA·HL·Vol)2.00 · ≥ 3.00
Decided by the pass rule for Reversal Evidence.The pass rule for Reversal Evidence is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Not-a-Value-Trap Gatecheap for a good reason, not a broken one
✓ QualifiesPassesIn the cheap half of its own 5-year valuation range(through fiscal 2025)0.2×
PassesEarnings estimates not being cut0.00
PassesReturns on capital not deteriorating0.07
Decided by the pass rule for Not-a-Value-Trap Gate.The pass rule for Not-a-Value-Trap Gate is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Quality Floorpasses the quality/value gate on this dip
~ BorderlinePassesOperating profit is positive(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)$250.0M · > 0
FailsReturn on invested capital ≥ 10%(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)6.8% · ≥ 10.0%
PassesA solvent balance sheet (Altman Z ≥ 1.8, net debt/EBITDA ≤ 4)(fiscal 2025: a quarter is missing from the last four)2.6×
PassesQuality score ≥ 5050.40 · ≥ 50.00
PassesRevenue growing over 5 years(fiscal 2020 to 2025)3.0% per year · > 0
Decided by the pass rule for Quality Floor.The pass rule for Quality Floor is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Qualified Dipa pullback with receipts, not a falling knife
~ BorderlineA research signal from published criteria, not a recommendation.
FailsDrawdown context16.5% off its 52-week high
FailsReversal evidence2 of 4 signals fired
PassesTrap gate3 of 3 held
FailsQuality floor4 of 5 held
Invalidation level (structure break): below this the dip's structure has broken$42.36
Decided by the pass rule for Qualified Dip.The pass rule for Qualified Dip is what decides that verdict, and it is not restated here.Qualified Dip under The screens ›
Trend Alignmentprice in a confirmed uptrend
✕ FailsFailsTrading above its 50-day average42.35
PassesTrading above its 200-day average38.87
Passes50-day average above the 200-day (uptrend stack)42.35
Fails50-day average sloping up−0.03 · > 0
Decided by the pass rule for Trend Alignment.The pass rule for Trend Alignment is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Relative Strengthoutperforming, ranked vs the universe
✕ FailsFails3-month return in the top half of the universe0.38 · ≥ 0.50
Passes12-minus-1 momentum in the top half of the universe0.68 · ≥ 0.50
FailsRelative strength vs the S&P 500 improving−0.00 · > 0
PassesEarnings estimates being revised up0.00
Decided by the pass rule for Relative Strength.The pass rule for Relative Strength is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Momentum Triggera trigger you can see
✕ FailsPassesMACD above its signal line−0.91
FailsBack above the 50-day on a fresh cross (≤10 sessions)0.00
PassesHigher high and higher low (stair-stepping up)higher high · higher low
FailsA volume thrust on the move (≥ 1.2× normal)0.93 · ≥ 1.20
Decided by the pass rule for Momentum Trigger.The pass rule for Momentum Trigger is what decides that verdict, and it is not published separately on the methodology page.
Volatility Regimecontext, not a signal
Context, not scoredAverage daily swing: normal0.02
Volatility band width: mid-range0.23
Distance from its 52-week high: mid-range0.17
✓
Every verdict is auditableEach criterion shows the live number and the pass rule side by side — a receipt, not a rating. Several of these screens publish their rule in full under The screens; each row links to its own section where there is one.
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Unknown ≠ failAn “— Unknown” verdict means the inputs were insufficient: context, not a signal, and never counted as a fail.
Computed from our fundamentals DB; historical-CAGR PEG basis for Lynch. Research, not investment advice. Tenet's rulesets are independently developed from publicly available sources, and Tenet is not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by or otherwise associated with any referenced investor or trademark owner. Full notice. MAGIC FORMULA is a trademark of MagicFormulaInvesting.com LLC.