Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) vs Stride, Inc. (LRN)

A side-by-side comparison of Central Garden & Pet Company and Stride, Inc. 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 — CENT vs LRN

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CENT +96.2% (+7.0%/yr)LRN +450.5% (+18.6%/yr)LRN compounded faster over this window
05001kStart $10020182020202220242026$196$550
CENT LRN

CENT vs LRN: by the numbers

  • •LRN is the larger company ($3.36B vs $2.49B market cap).
  • •LRN trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.08 vs 14.85 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •LRN converts more revenue to profit (13.43% vs 5.39% net margin).
  • •LRN grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.38% vs -0.98% CAGR).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCENTLRN
P/E ratio14.8511.08
Forward P/E12.7410.66
PEG ratio4.950.33
P/S ratio0.811.34
P/B ratio1.432.06
EV / EBITDA7.735.47
FCF yield13.88%10.55%

Profitability

MetricCENTLRN
Gross margin32.54%37.75%
Operating margin8.11%17.90%
Net margin5.39%13.43%
ROE9.53%20.72%
ROIC5.88%16.10%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCENTLRN
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.98%10.38%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.96%34.80%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.25%34.09%
Total return CAGR (5Y)0.96%16.74%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENT or LRN?
LRN has the lower trailing P/E: CENT trades at 14.85 and LRN at 11.08. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CENT or LRN?
Over the past five years, LRN grew revenue faster — CENT at a -0.98% CAGR versus LRN at 10.38%.
Is CENT or LRN more profitable?
LRN runs the higher net margin — CENT at 5.39% versus LRN at 13.43%.
How have CENT and LRN total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CENT delivered 6.70% and LRN delivered 18.75% 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.