Transaction details
According to a Form 4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, director John Ranelli sold 3,668 shares of Central Garden & Pet Co (NASDAQ:CENT) Class A common stock on February 19, 2026. The shares were sold at a reported average price of $34.4968 per share for a total transaction amount of $126,534. The per-share execution prices in the trade ranged from $34.455 to $34.56.
Post-transaction holdings
Following the disposition, Ranelli's direct and indirect holdings were updated in the filing. He now directly owns 3,584 shares of common stock. Indirect holdings include 646 shares of Class A common stock and 7,039 shares of common stock held through the John R. Ranelli Trust.
Quarterly results and capital actions
In related corporate disclosures, Central Garden & Pet reported first-quarter fiscal 2026 results that showed earnings per share of $0.21, which exceeded analysts' estimates of $0.14 - a 50% outperformance relative to those estimates. Revenue for the quarter totaled $617 million, falling short of the forecasted $631.84 million and representing a 2.29% shortfall versus expectations.
Also disclosed was an authorization from the company's Board of Directors to expand its stock repurchase program by $100 million. The expanded authorization permits purchases of both common stock and Class A common stock through a variety of transaction types. The company stated that it views the current share price as undervalued, and that perspective was a factor in the decision to increase the buyback capacity.
Context and company intent
The filings and disclosures together outline both an insider sale and several corporate measures intended to manage capital and potentially enhance shareholder value. The sale by a director, the quarterly financial results showing mixed signals, and the expanded repurchase authorization are the primary items disclosed in the filings and company report.
Summary of factual points
- Director John Ranelli sold 3,668 Class A common shares on February 19, 2026, per a Form 4.
- The shares sold at an average price of $34.4968, with the transaction totaling $126,534 and execution prices ranging from $34.455 to $34.56.
- After the sale, Ranelli directly holds 3,584 common shares and indirectly holds 646 Class A shares plus 7,039 common shares through the John R. Ranelli Trust.
- Central Garden & Pet reported Q1 fiscal 2026 EPS of $0.21 versus estimates of $0.14, and revenue of $617 million versus expected $631.84 million.
- The Board authorized a $100 million expansion of the company's stock repurchase program and stated it considers the current share price undervalued.