---
title: "Central Garden & Pet | 8-K: FY2026 Q2 Revenue Beats Estimate at USD 906.15 M"
type: "News"
locale: "en"
url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/285432856.md"
datetime: "2026-05-06T20:28:17.000Z"
locales:
  - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/285432856.md)
  - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/285432856.md)
  - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/285432856.md)
---

# Central Garden & Pet | 8-K: FY2026 Q2 Revenue Beats Estimate at USD 906.15 M

Revenue: As of FY2026 Q2, the actual value is USD 906.15 M, beating the estimate of USD 845.15 M.

EPS: As of FY2026 Q2, the actual value is USD 1.28, beating the estimate of USD 1.0899.

EBIT: As of FY2026 Q2, the actual value is USD 123.02 M.

#### Overall Financial Results (Q2 FY 2026 vs Q2 FY 2025)

-   Gross margin expanded by 30 basis points to 33.1%, compared with 32.8%.
-   Operating income totaled $114 million, compared with $93 million.
-   Operating margin was 12.6%, compared with 11.2%.
-   Other expense was - $0.351 million, compared with other income of $0.744 million.
-   Net interest expense of $9 million was consistent with the prior year.
-   Net income was $79 million, compared with $64 million.
-   Adjusted EBITDA was $139 million, compared with $123 million.
-   Adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.4%, compared with 14.8%.

#### Pet Segment Results (Q2 FY 2026 vs Q2 FY 2025)

-   Net sales in the Pet segment were $477 million, compared with $454 million, primarily driven by continued strength in Dog & Cat and Animal Health, as well as Outdoor Cushions shipments shifting from the first quarter into the second.
-   Operating income was $78 million, compared with $61 million.
-   Operating margin was 16.3%, compared with 13.4%.
-   Adjusted EBITDA was $89 million, compared with $75 million.
-   Adjusted EBITDA margin was 18.6%, compared with 16.6%.

#### Garden Segment Results (Q2 FY 2026 vs Q2 FY 2025)

-   Net sales in the Garden segment were $429 million, compared with $380 million, primarily driven by shipments shifting from the first quarter into the second, and new listings in Grass and Fertilizer.
-   Operating income was $66 million, compared with $59 million.
-   Operating margin was 15.4%, compared with 15.5%.
-   Adjusted EBITDA was $76 million, compared with $69 million.
-   Adjusted EBITDA margin was 17.7%, compared with 18.2%.

#### Liquidity and Debt (Q2 FY 2026 vs Q2 FY 2025)

-   Cash used in operations was $50 million, compared with $47 million, primarily reflecting seasonal working capital timing.
-   Central Garden & Pet Company repurchased 110 thousand shares for $3.4 million during the quarter.
-   As of March 28, 2026, $128 million remained available for future stock repurchases.
-   Cash and cash equivalents at March 28, 2026, totaled $653 million, compared with $517 million.
-   Total debt was $1.2 billion, consistent with the prior year period, with strong liquidity supporting continued investment capacity and financial flexibility.
-   Gross leverage ended the second quarter at 2.8x, compared with 2.9x in the prior year and below the target range of 3.0 to 3.5x.
-   Central Garden & Pet Company had no borrowings outstanding under its credit facility at quarter end.

#### Outlook / Guidance

Central Garden & Pet Company reaffirms its fiscal 2026 outlook for non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.70 or better, driven by continued margin discipline, ongoing investment in growth initiatives, and portfolio optimization. The company does not expect its pet distribution partnership to have a significant impact on EPS. Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $50 million to $60 million, focused on maintenance, productivity initiatives, and targeted growth investments across both segments.

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- [CENT.US](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CENT.US.md)

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