Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) vs Perdoceo Education Corporation (PRDO)

A side-by-side comparison of Central Garden & Pet Company and Perdoceo Education Corporation 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 PRDO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CENT +96.2% (+7.0%/yr)PRDO +383.3% (+17.1%/yr)PRDO compounded faster over this window
100200300400500600Start $10020182020202220242026$196$483
CENT PRDO

CENT vs PRDO: by the numbers

  • •CENT is the larger company ($2.50B vs $2.01B market cap).
  • •PRDO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.70 vs 14.93 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •PRDO converts more revenue to profit (20.63% vs 5.39% net margin).
  • •PRDO grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.19% vs -0.98% CAGR).
  • •PRDO pays a dividend (1.95% yield), while CENT is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCENTPRDO
P/E ratio14.9311.70
Forward P/E12.8210.90
PEG ratio4.981.72
P/S ratio0.812.34
P/B ratio1.431.95
EV / EBITDA7.774.69
FCF yield13.80%10.84%

Profitability

MetricCENTPRDO
Gross margin32.54%77.08%
Operating margin8.11%24.56%
Net margin5.39%20.63%
ROE9.53%17.14%
ROIC5.88%13.81%

Dividends

MetricCENTPRDO
Dividend yieldN/A1.95%
Payout ratioN/A22.63%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCENTPRDO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-0.98%4.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)2.96%6.65%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.25%8.06%
Total return CAGR (5Y)0.96%24.81%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENT or PRDO?
PRDO has the lower trailing P/E: CENT trades at 14.93 and PRDO at 11.70. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CENT or PRDO?
Over the past five years, PRDO grew revenue faster — CENT at a -0.98% CAGR versus PRDO at 4.19%.
Does CENT or PRDO pay a bigger dividend?
PRDO pays a dividend (1.95% yield), while CENT is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is CENT or PRDO more profitable?
PRDO runs the higher net margin — CENT at 5.39% versus PRDO at 20.63%.
How have CENT and PRDO total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CENT delivered 6.70% and PRDO delivered 17.12% 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.