Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (CALM) vs Central Garden & Pet Company (CENTA)

A side-by-side comparison of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. and Central Garden & Pet Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — CALM vs CENTA

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CALM +124.8% (+8.4%/yr)CENTA +65.6% (+5.2%/yr)CALM compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$225$166
CALM CENTA

CALM vs CENTA: by the numbers

  • •CALM is the larger company ($3.04B vs $2.45B market cap).
  • •CENTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.77 vs 55.34 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CENTA converts more revenue to profit (5.39% vs 2.32% net margin).
  • •CALM grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.85% vs -0.98% CAGR).
  • •CALM pays a dividend (3.78% yield), while CENTA has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCALMCENTA
P/E ratio55.3412.77
Forward P/EN/A10.96
PEG ratio0.324.26
P/S ratio1.200.80
P/B ratio1.181.41
EV / EBITDA20.117.64
FCF yieldN/A14.08%

Profitability

MetricCALMCENTA
Gross margin23.08%32.54%
Operating margin11.77%8.11%
Net margin2.32%5.39%
ROE2.29%9.53%
ROIC0.52%5.88%

Dividends

MetricCALMCENTA
Dividend yield3.78%N/A
Payout ratio210.09%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricCALMCENTA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)12.85%-0.98%
EPS CAGR (5Y)174.91%2.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)N/A4.25%
Total return CAGR (5Y)19.17%-0.15%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CALM or CENTA?
CENTA has the lower trailing P/E: CALM trades at 55.34 and CENTA at 12.77. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CALM or CENTA?
Over the past five years, CALM grew revenue faster — CALM at a 12.85% CAGR versus CENTA at -0.98%.
Does CALM or CENTA pay a bigger dividend?
CALM pays a dividend (3.78% yield), while CENTA has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is CALM or CENTA more profitable?
CENTA runs the higher net margin — CALM at 2.32% versus CENTA at 5.39%.
How have CALM and CENTA total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CALM delivered 8.45% and CENTA delivered 5.33% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.