The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: SMGAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

SMG AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is a leading manufacturer and distributor of lawn, garden, and indoor gardening products. The company returned to profitability in FY2025 with net income of $145.2M following three consecutive years of net losses. However, balance sheet leverage remains elevated, with net debt of $2.09B and negative shareholders' equity of -$208.7M.

Market cap
$3.18B
Revenue (TTM)
$3.48B
P/E
19.5x
fwd 12.9x
1Y return
5.8%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$72.83
33.5% vs last close

Bull case

  • The company restored profitability in FY2025 with net income of $145.2M and delivered solid free cash flow of $273.9M.
  • Forward valuation is attractive at 12.9x forward earnings and a PEG ratio of 0.74, trading below peer median multiples.
  • Analyst consensus sets a mean price target of $72.83, implying 33.5% upside from the recent price of $54.57.

Bear case

  • Balance sheet risk is pronounced, characterized by $2.09B in net debt and negative shareholders' equity of -$208.7M as of June 30, 2026.
  • Long-term sales performance has weakened, evidenced by a 5-year revenue CAGR of -3.7% and a 5-year stock return of -55.3%.
  • Latest quarterly earnings contracted 25.5% year-over-year, alongside an elevated short interest of 11.9% of float.

What Scotts Miracle-Gro does

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company manufactures, markets, and distributes lawn care, garden care, and indoor gardening products across domestic and international markets. Operating through U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne, and Other segments, its offerings include fertilizers, grass seeds, spreaders, plant foods, potting mixes, mulch, and pest control solutions. The company is also active in hydroponic gardening, supplying non-soil plant growth products, lighting systems, and indoor insect control solutions. Its core consumer brands include Scotts, Turf Builder, Miracle-Gro, Ortho, and AeroGarden, sold across home centers, hardware stores, garden centers, e-commerce platforms, and specialty distributors.

Growth and profitability

Annual revenue contracted from $4.92B in FY2021 to $3.41B in FY2025, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of -3.7%. Operating margin improved to 10.5% in FY2025 from -4.9% in FY2023, while gross margin expanded to 30.6%. Following a net loss of -$437.5M in FY2022, net income rebounded to $145.2M in FY2025. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue was $3.48B with an operating margin of 16.8% and a net profit margin of 2.1%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 1.1% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 25.5%.

SMG income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, the company held $27.7M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $2.11B, leaving net debt at $2.09B. Shareholders' equity was -$208.7M, and the current ratio stood at 1.21. Free cash flow reached $273.9M in FY2025 on operating cash flow of $371.3M. Capital allocation in FY2025 included $97.4M in capital expenditures, $154.3M in dividends paid, and $18.4M dedicated to share buybacks.

SMG balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

SMG trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 19.5x and a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 12.9x, compared to medians of 19.7x and 13.4x for its US-listed Basic Materials peers. Its enterprise value to EBITDA ratio is 11.9x, above the peer median of 10.5x, while its price-to-sales multiple is 0.9x versus the peer median of 1.8x. Over the past year, the stock returned 5.8%, lagging the 16.8% return for the S&P 500, and its 5-year return of -55.3% trails the benchmark's 83.0% gain.

SMG key metrics →

SMG dividend

The company pays a forward annual dividend of $2.64 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 4.84% and a payout ratio of 57.1%. Dividends are distributed quarterly and have been paid for 22 consecutive years. Over the last five years, the dividend growth rate has averaged 1.9% annualized, with the last ex-dividend date occurring on August 21, 2026.

SMG dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage includes 5 Strong Buy, 1 Buy, and 2 Hold ratings. The mean price target is $72.83, representing a 33.5% premium to the last closing price of $54.57. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, consensus estimates project EPS of $4.41 on revenue of $3.29B. The company has beaten EPS expectations in 3 of the last 4 quarters, and its next earnings release is scheduled for November 4, 2026.

SMG forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Elevated leverage with total debt of $2.11B compared to a cash balance of just $27.7M limits financial flexibility.
  • Stock volatility is elevated, as demonstrated by a high beta of 1.85 and a price 10.5% below its 200-day average.
  • Return on equity over the trailing twelve months stands at -47.6%, reflecting sustained balance sheet deficits.
  • Revenue for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, is projected by analysts to drop to $3.29B from FY2025 levels of $3.41B.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this SMG AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: SMG income statement, SMG balance sheet, SMG key metrics, SMG analyst forecast, SMG chart. See the SMG stock overview for the latest quote and news.

SMG AI stock analysis FAQ

What is the dividend yield for SMG?

SMG offers a forward dividend yield of 4.84%, based on an annual dividend of $2.64 per share paid quarterly.

What are analysts' price targets and expectations for SMG?

Analysts hold a mean price target of $72.83, which is 33.5% above the last closing price of $54.57. For the current fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, consensus estimates anticipate EPS of $4.41 on revenue of $3.29B.

How leveraged is The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company?

As of June 30, 2026, the company carried $2.11B in total debt against $27.7M in cash, resulting in net debt of $2.09B and negative shareholders' equity of -$208.7M.

When is the next earnings report date for SMG?

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is scheduled to report its next financial results on November 4, 2026.

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