Central Garden & Pet Company (CENTA) vs The Marzetti Company (MZTI)
A side-by-side comparison of Central Garden & Pet Company and The Marzetti 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.
CENTA
Central Garden & Pet Company
$34.51Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 1:05 PM EDT
MZTI
The Marzetti Company
$100.37Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 1:05 PM EDT
Total return — CENTA vs MZTI
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCENTA +65.6% (+5.2%/yr)MZTI -8.3% (-0.9%/yr)CENTA compounded faster over this window
CENTA MZTI
CENTA vs MZTI: by the numbers
- •MZTI is the larger company ($2.75B vs $2.48B market cap).
- •CENTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.88 vs 14.38 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •MZTI converts more revenue to profit (9.93% vs 5.39% net margin).
- •MZTI grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.64% vs -0.98% CAGR).
- •MZTI pays a dividend (4.02% yield), while CENTA has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CENTA | MZTI |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.88 | 14.38 |
| Forward P/E | 11.06 | 14.91 |
| PEG ratio | 4.29 | 2.31 |
| P/S ratio | 0.80 | 1.43 |
| P/B ratio | 1.42 | 2.76 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.70 | 8.53 |
| FCF yield | 13.96% | 7.49% |
Profitability
| Metric | CENTA | MZTI |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.54% | 24.73% |
| Operating margin | 8.11% | 12.37% |
| Net margin | 5.39% | 9.93% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 19.19% |
| ROIC | 5.88% | 17.37% |
Dividends
| Metric | CENTA | MZTI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | N/A | 4.02% |
| Payout ratio | N/A | 57.31% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CENTA | MZTI |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -0.98% | 5.64% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 2.96% | 6.19% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.25% | 19.02% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.15% | -8.45% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENTA or MZTI?
- CENTA has the lower trailing P/E: CENTA trades at 12.88 and MZTI at 14.38. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CENTA or MZTI?
- Over the past five years, MZTI grew revenue faster — CENTA at a -0.98% CAGR versus MZTI at 5.64%.
- Does CENTA or MZTI pay a bigger dividend?
- MZTI pays a dividend (4.02% yield), while CENTA has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CENTA or MZTI more profitable?
- MZTI runs the higher net margin — CENTA at 5.39% versus MZTI at 9.93%.
- How have CENTA and MZTI total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CENTA delivered 5.33% and MZTI delivered -0.87% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Central Garden & Pet P/E ratioMarzetti P/E ratioMarzetti dividend yieldCentral Garden & Pet ROEMarzetti ROECentral Garden & Pet operating marginMarzetti operating marginCentral Garden & Pet revenue growthMarzetti revenue growthCentral Garden & Pet free cash flowMarzetti free cash flow
Central Garden & Pet & Marzetti 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.