Central Garden & Pet Company (CENTA) 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.

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Total return — CENTA vs PRDO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CENTA +65.6% (+5.2%/yr)PRDO +401.3% (+17.5%/yr)PRDO compounded faster over this window
100200300400500600Start $10020182020202220242026$166$501
CENTA PRDO

CENTA vs PRDO: by the numbers

  • •CENTA is the larger company ($2.47B vs $2.00B market cap).
  • •PRDO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.63 vs 12.87 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 CENTA has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCENTAPRDO
P/E ratio12.8711.63
Forward P/E11.0410.84
PEG ratio4.291.71
P/S ratio0.802.33
P/B ratio1.421.93
EV / EBITDA7.694.64
FCF yield13.97%10.91%

Profitability

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

Dividends

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

Growth (annualized)

MetricCENTAPRDO
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)-0.15%24.81%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENTA or PRDO?
PRDO has the lower trailing P/E: CENTA trades at 12.87 and PRDO at 11.63. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CENTA or PRDO?
Over the past five years, PRDO grew revenue faster — CENTA at a -0.98% CAGR versus PRDO at 4.19%.
Does CENTA or PRDO pay a bigger dividend?
PRDO pays a dividend (1.95% yield), while CENTA has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is CENTA or PRDO more profitable?
PRDO runs the higher net margin — CENTA at 5.39% versus PRDO at 20.63%.
How have CENTA and PRDO total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CENTA delivered 5.33% 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.