Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) vs Post Holdings, Inc. (POST)

A side-by-side comparison of Central Garden & Pet Company and Post Holdings, 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 POST

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CENT +96.2% (+7.0%/yr)POST +36.1% (+3.1%/yr)CENT compounded faster over this window
100150200250Start $10020182020202220242026$196$136
CENT POST

CENT vs POST: by the numbers

  • •POST is the larger company ($3.29B vs $2.48B market cap).
  • •POST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (13.36 vs 14.81 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CENT converts more revenue to profit (5.39% vs 3.48% net margin).
  • •POST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.61% vs -0.98% CAGR).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCENTPOST
P/E ratio14.8113.36
Forward P/E12.7210.10
PEG ratio4.940.05
P/S ratio0.810.39
P/B ratio1.421.07
EV / EBITDA7.726.22
FCF yield13.91%16.79%

Profitability

MetricCENTPOST
Gross margin32.54%26.89%
Operating margin8.11%10.15%
Net margin5.39%3.48%
ROE9.53%9.52%
ROIC5.88%5.40%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCENTPOST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.98%9.61%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.96%248.76%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.25%6.96%
Total return CAGR (5Y)0.96%-0.31%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENT or POST?
POST has the lower trailing P/E: CENT trades at 14.81 and POST at 13.36. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CENT or POST?
Over the past five years, POST grew revenue faster — CENT at a -0.98% CAGR versus POST at 9.61%.
Is CENT or POST more profitable?
CENT runs the higher net margin — CENT at 5.39% versus POST at 3.48%.
How have CENT and POST total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CENT delivered 6.70% and POST delivered 3.13% 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.