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.
CENT
Central Garden & Pet Company
$39.79Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 10:04 AM EDT
LRN
Stride, Inc.
$79.10Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 10:05 AM EDT
Total return — CENT vs LRN
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCENT +96.2% (+7.0%/yr)LRN +450.5% (+18.6%/yr)LRN compounded faster over this window
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
| Metric | CENT | LRN |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 14.85 | 11.08 |
| Forward P/E | 12.74 | 10.66 |
| PEG ratio | 4.95 | 0.33 |
| P/S ratio | 0.81 | 1.34 |
| P/B ratio | 1.43 | 2.06 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.73 | 5.47 |
| FCF yield | 13.88% | 10.55% |
Profitability
| Metric | CENT | LRN |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.54% | 37.75% |
| Operating margin | 8.11% | 17.90% |
| Net margin | 5.39% | 13.43% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 20.72% |
| ROIC | 5.88% | 16.10% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CENT | LRN |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Central Garden & Pet P/E ratioStride P/E ratioCentral Garden & Pet ROEStride ROECentral Garden & Pet operating marginStride operating marginCentral Garden & Pet revenue growthStride revenue growthCentral Garden & Pet free cash flowStride free cash flow
Central Garden & Pet & Stride appear in these rankings
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.