Machek Howard 4

What Happened

• Machek Howard, Chief Accounting Officer of Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT), delivered 3,924 shares on July 13, 2026 to satisfy the withholding tax liability related to the vesting of restricted stock. The shares were valued at $37.59 each (average of high and low on 7/13), for a total value of $147,503. This was a tax withholding disposition (routine), not an open-market sale intended as an investment decision.

Key Details

• Transaction date and price: 2026-07-13 at $37.59 (average of high and low on that date).
• Shares involved: 3,924 shares withheld/delivered; total value reported $147,503.
• Shares owned after transaction: Not disclosed in this filing.
• Footnotes:
  • F1: Shares were delivered by the reporting person to pay the withholding tax upon vesting of restricted stock; the withheld share amount was based on the average of the high and low CENTA prices on July 13, 2026.
  • F2: Notes the CENTA Stock Fund units in the issuer’s 401(k) plan represent CENTA shares and cash (not directly tied to this withholding transaction).
• Filing timeliness: Filed 2026-07-14 for a 2026-07-13 transaction — appears timely (Form 4 is due within two business days).

Context

• Code F indicates shares were surrendered to cover tax liability on vested restricted stock (a common, routine action). This is not an open-market sale or a purchase, so it should not be read as a standalone bullish or bearish signal about the insider’s view.