Scotts Miracle-Gro Appoints Nate Baxter as CEO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 29 2026
0mins
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company announced that the Board of Directors has named Nate Baxter as president and CEO, effective immediately. In addition, Baxter has joined the Board of Directors. The Board also elected independent Lead Director Pete Shumlin as chairman of the Board. Baxter succeeds Jim Hagedorn, CEO since 2001 and chairman since 2003, whose transition from the company and its Board of Directors aligns with the Board's long-term internal succession plan. The framework of the succession plan was established by the Board of Directors upon Baxter joining the company in 2023.
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Analyst Views on SMG
Wall Street analysts forecast SMG stock price to fall
5 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 67.080
Low
51.37
Averages
64.09
High
74.00
Current: 67.080
Low
51.37
Averages
64.09
High
74.00
About SMG
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of products for lawn and garden care and indoor and hydroponic gardening. The Company’s products are primarily sold in North America. The U.S. Consumer segment consists of its consumer lawn and garden business in the United States. Its consumer lawn and garden brands include Scotts, Turf Builder, lawn fertilizer and Scotts, grass seed products; Miracle-Gro soil, plant food, and gardening products; Ortho herbicide and pesticide products, and Tomcat rodent control and animal repellent products. The Other segment consists of its consumer lawn and garden business in Canada. Its products include Turf Builder Halts Crabgrass Preventer with Lawn Food, Turf Builder Weed & Feed5, Turf Builder SummerGuard Lawn Food with Insect Control, Turf Builder Southern Lawn Food, Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader, Turf Builder Bonus S Southern Weed & Feed₂ Turf Builder Lawn Food and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company breached their fiduciary duties, which could impact corporate governance and shareholder rights.
- Legal Fee Arrangement: The firm promises to handle the case on a no-cost basis, meaning shareholders will not incur out-of-pocket expenses while pursuing legal remedies, thus lowering the barrier to participation.
- Potential Remedies: Long-term shareholders may seek corporate governance reforms, fund returns, or court-approved financial awards, which would enhance the company's transparency and management efficiency.
- Importance of Shareholder Participation: Shareholder involvement can improve company policies and oversight mechanisms, thereby enhancing shareholder value; Halper Sadeh LLC has successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors.
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- Funding Transparency Issues: The sponsorship structure of Freedom 250 has been criticized for its opacity, allowing donors to gain access to Trump through contributions as high as $10 million, raising concerns about corporations seeking political influence.
- Celebration Participation Status: Despite Congress allocating $150 million for the 250th anniversary, America250 has only received $25 million, while Freedom 250 has secured nearly $80 million in funding, highlighting the financial advantage of Trump-aligned events.
- Event Organization Challenges: The Great American State Fair has faced poor participation, with at least eight states declining to join due to exhibit costs and partisan concerns, resulting in sparse crowds and equipment failures during the event.
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- Opaque Funding Structure: Freedom 250's fundraising materials indicate that donors contributing over $500,000 gain VIP access to Trump, raising ethical concerns about the transparency of funding and potential impacts on government decision-making.
- Celebration Participation: Despite Congress allocating $150 million for the 250th anniversary, Freedom 250 has secured nearly $80 million in related grants, while America250 has only received $25 million, indicating a preference among companies for Trump's version of the celebration.
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- Executive Transition: Scotts Miracle-Gro has appointed current President and COO Nate Baxter as CEO effective immediately, marking a significant leadership change aimed at driving the company's future growth.
- Leadership Background: Baxter joined the company in April 2023 as Executive VP of Technology and Operations, became COO in September 2023, and was promoted to President and COO in 2024, bringing extensive industry experience from his previous role at Tokyo Electron.
- Former CEO Achievements: Jim Hagedorn, who completed nearly 40 years with Scotts, held various sales, operations, and management roles, successfully driving the company's growth, particularly following the merger with The Scotts Company.
- Financial Outlook: Scotts reaffirmed its FY 2026 guidance, projecting low single-digit growth in U.S. consumer net sales, an adjusted gross margin of at least 32%, adjusted net income from continuing operations between $4.15 and $4.35 per share, and free cash flow of approximately $275 million, reflecting the company's confidence in future performance.
See More
Scotts Miracle-Gro Donates $1 Million for White House South Lawn Restoration
- Donation for Restoration: Scotts Miracle-Gro announced a $1 million contribution to the National Park Service for the restoration of the White House South Lawn, reflecting the company's commitment to historical preservation and enhancing its brand image.
- Custom Grass Blend: The company is providing a proprietary turfgrass blend specifically designed to improve the density, durability, and aesthetics of the South Lawn, ensuring it remains in optimal condition for future events.
- Historical Significance: The South Lawn serves as a vital piece of U.S. history and a stage for global diplomacy, and Scotts' involvement underscores its responsibility as a market leader, further solidifying its position in the consumer gardening sector.
- Participation in Celebrations: This donation is part of Scotts' broader engagement in America's 250th anniversary celebrations, showcasing its long-term commitment to community and environmental stewardship while generating positive public attention for the company.
See More
Investigation into Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Shareholder Rights
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders, which could lead to corporate governance reforms if proven.
- Contingent Fee Arrangement: The law firm promises to handle the case without upfront costs, meaning shareholders will not incur additional financial burdens while seeking legal remedies.
- Importance of Shareholder Participation: Shareholder involvement can improve company policies and oversight mechanisms, enhancing transparency and accountability, ultimately contributing to increased shareholder value.
- Global Investor Representation: Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors worldwide, focusing on implementing corporate reforms and recovering funds for those affected by securities fraud and corporate misconduct, showcasing its expertise in protecting investor rights.
See More
Investigation into Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Shareholder Rights
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company breached their fiduciary duties, which could impact corporate governance and shareholder rights.
- Legal Fee Arrangement: The firm promises to handle the case on a no-cost basis, meaning shareholders will not incur out-of-pocket expenses while pursuing legal remedies, thus lowering the barrier to participation.
- Potential Remedies: Long-term shareholders may seek corporate governance reforms, fund returns, or court-approved financial awards, which would enhance the company's transparency and management efficiency.
- Importance of Shareholder Participation: Shareholder involvement can improve company policies and oversight mechanisms, thereby enhancing shareholder value; Halper Sadeh LLC has successfully implemented corporate reforms and recovered millions for defrauded investors.
See More
Corporate Sponsorship Behind Trump's Freedom 250 Celebrations
- Corporate Sponsorship Phenomenon: A CNBC analysis reveals that 14 companies, including Boeing, Deloitte, and United Airlines, are backing both America250 and Freedom 250, indicating a complex intersection of corporate interests and politics that may influence their dealings with the government.
- Funding Transparency Issues: The sponsorship structure of Freedom 250 has been criticized for its opacity, allowing donors to gain access to Trump through contributions as high as $10 million, raising concerns about corporations seeking political influence.
- Celebration Participation Status: Despite Congress allocating $150 million for the 250th anniversary, America250 has only received $25 million, while Freedom 250 has secured nearly $80 million in funding, highlighting the financial advantage of Trump-aligned events.
- Event Organization Challenges: The Great American State Fair has faced poor participation, with at least eight states declining to join due to exhibit costs and partisan concerns, resulting in sparse crowds and equipment failures during the event.
See More
Corporate Sponsorship of Freedom 250 Raises Concerns
- Corporate Sponsorship: Major companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Oracle are sponsoring Freedom 250, and while no direct evidence links these sponsorships to government dealings, watchdogs warn this could create new avenues for corporate influence in Washington.
- Opaque Funding Structure: Freedom 250's fundraising materials indicate that donors contributing over $500,000 gain VIP access to Trump, raising ethical concerns about the transparency of funding and potential impacts on government decision-making.
- Celebration Participation: Despite Congress allocating $150 million for the 250th anniversary, Freedom 250 has secured nearly $80 million in related grants, while America250 has only received $25 million, indicating a preference among companies for Trump's version of the celebration.
- Event Issues: The Great American State Fair, a centerpiece of Freedom 250, has faced reduced state participation, sparse crowds, and technical failures, with some artists withdrawing due to concerns over the partisan nature of the event, highlighting organizational challenges.
See More
Scotts Miracle-Gro Appoints New CEO
- Executive Transition: Scotts Miracle-Gro has appointed current President and COO Nate Baxter as CEO effective immediately, marking a significant leadership change aimed at driving the company's future growth.
- Leadership Background: Baxter joined the company in April 2023 as Executive VP of Technology and Operations, became COO in September 2023, and was promoted to President and COO in 2024, bringing extensive industry experience from his previous role at Tokyo Electron.
- Former CEO Achievements: Jim Hagedorn, who completed nearly 40 years with Scotts, held various sales, operations, and management roles, successfully driving the company's growth, particularly following the merger with The Scotts Company.
- Financial Outlook: Scotts reaffirmed its FY 2026 guidance, projecting low single-digit growth in U.S. consumer net sales, an adjusted gross margin of at least 32%, adjusted net income from continuing operations between $4.15 and $4.35 per share, and free cash flow of approximately $275 million, reflecting the company's confidence in future performance.
See More
Scotts Miracle-Gro Donates $1 Million for White House South Lawn Restoration
- Donation for Restoration: Scotts Miracle-Gro announced a $1 million contribution to the National Park Service for the restoration of the White House South Lawn, reflecting the company's commitment to historical preservation and enhancing its brand image.
- Custom Grass Blend: The company is providing a proprietary turfgrass blend specifically designed to improve the density, durability, and aesthetics of the South Lawn, ensuring it remains in optimal condition for future events.
- Historical Significance: The South Lawn serves as a vital piece of U.S. history and a stage for global diplomacy, and Scotts' involvement underscores its responsibility as a market leader, further solidifying its position in the consumer gardening sector.
- Participation in Celebrations: This donation is part of Scotts' broader engagement in America's 250th anniversary celebrations, showcasing its long-term commitment to community and environmental stewardship while generating positive public attention for the company.
See More
Investigation into Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Shareholder Rights
- Shareholder Rights Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating whether certain officers and directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro Company breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders, which could lead to corporate governance reforms if proven.
- Contingent Fee Arrangement: The law firm promises to handle the case without upfront costs, meaning shareholders will not incur additional financial burdens while seeking legal remedies.
- Importance of Shareholder Participation: Shareholder involvement can improve company policies and oversight mechanisms, enhancing transparency and accountability, ultimately contributing to increased shareholder value.
- Global Investor Representation: Halper Sadeh LLC represents investors worldwide, focusing on implementing corporate reforms and recovering funds for those affected by securities fraud and corporate misconduct, showcasing its expertise in protecting investor rights.
See More
