Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.
- Open
- 294.21
- Day high
- 296.23
- Day low
- 288.55
- Prev close
- 291.76
- Volume
- 64K
- Mkt cap
- $13.8B
- P/E (TTM)
- —
- EPS (TTM)
- —
- P/B
- 4.9
- P/S
- 3.5
- Yield
- —
- Per share
- —
- ▼Insiders net selling -$42.6M over the last 3 months (0 open-market buys, 18 sales)
- 🏛Institutions mixed (13F)
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) is a Healthcare company listed on NYSE. The stock is up 76% over the past year. Over the trailing 3 months, insiders filed 0 open-market buys and 18 sales (SEC Form 4). Drillr has 1 published research article covering CRL.
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 9 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
CRL earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5, 2026 | $2.77 | $3.02 | +9.0% | $1.0B | +2.4% |
| May 7, 2026 | $1.96 | $2.06 | +5.1% | $996M | +1.9% |
| Feb 18, 2026 | $2.33 | $-5.62 | -341.2% | $994M | -0.4% |
| Nov 5, 2025 | $2.32 | $2.43 | +4.7% | $1.0B | +1.8% |
| Aug 6, 2025 | $2.50 | $3.12 | +24.8% | $1.0B | +6.5% |
| May 7, 2025 | $2.06 | $2.34 | +13.6% | $984M | +2.6% |
| Feb 19, 2025 | $2.50 | $2.66 | +6.4% | $1.0B | +5.7% |
| May 9, 2024 | $2.06 | $2.27 | +10.2% | $1.0B | +1.9% |
| Feb 14, 2024 | $2.39 | $2.46 | +2.9% | $1.0B | +2.2% |
| May 11, 2023 | $2.60 | $2.78 | +7.0% | $1.0B | +4.2% |
| Feb 22, 2023 | $2.75 | $2.98 | +8.5% | $1.1B | +6.4% |
| Nov 2, 2022 | $2.52 | $2.63 | +4.4% | $989M | +1.7% |
CRL insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2026 | FOSTER JAMES Cdirector | Option | 12,429 | $208.44 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | FOSTER JAMES Cdirector | Option | 21,132 | $194.12 |
| Aug 27, 2026 | FOSTER JAMES Cdirector | Sell | 33,561 | $300.00 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Andrews Nancy Cdirector | Option | 573 | $164.30 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Parisotto Shannon Mofficer: CEVP, Disc & Safety Assessment | Option | 2,039 | $194.12 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Andrews Nancy Cdirector | Sell | 573 | $285.24 |
| Aug 20, 2026 | Parisotto Shannon Mofficer: CEVP, Disc & Safety Assessment | Sell | 2,039 | $294.12 |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Parisotto Shannon Mofficer: CEVP, Disc & Safety Assessment | Sell | 3,714 | $279.66 |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Girshick Birgitdirector, officer: Chief Executive Officer | Sell | 6,500 | $279.90 |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Girshick Birgitdirector, officer: Chief Executive Officer | Option | 6,500 | $179.66 |
| Aug 13, 2026 | Parisotto Shannon Mofficer: CEVP, Disc & Safety Assessment | Option | 3,714 | $179.66 |
| Aug 11, 2026 | FOSTER JAMES Cdirector | Sell | 28,733 | $275.00 |
| Aug 11, 2026 | FOSTER JAMES Cdirector | Option | 28,733 | $179.66 |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Knell Michael Gunnarofficer: SVP, Finance and CAO | Sell | 404 | $258.53 |
| Aug 10, 2026 | Knell Michael Gunnarofficer: SVP, Finance and CAO | Sell | 213 | $262.37 |
Source: CRL SEC Form 4 filings, latest Aug 27, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full CRL insider & 13F page →Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. company profile
Overview
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL) is a leading contract research organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts. The company went public in 2000 and has grown to become one of the world's largest providers of non-clinical drug development services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Charles River operates globally across the United States, Europe, Canada, and the Asia Pacific region, serving as a critical partner in the drug discovery and development process by providing essential testing services, research models, and manufacturing solutions that help bring new medicines to market.
Business
Charles River Laboratories operates as a contract research organization (CRO) that provides essential services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing new drugs and therapies. The company's business is built around the drug development pipeline, which requires extensive testing and validation before any new medicine can reach patients. The company operates through three main business segments: Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) represents the largest segment, generating approximately 60% of total revenue. This division provides early-stage drug discovery services to identify and validate potential therapeutic compounds, followed by comprehensive safety testing required by regulatory agencies like the FDA. Services include toxicology studies (testing how drugs affect organs and biological systems), pathology analysis, safety pharmacology, bioanalysis, and pharmacokinetics studies that determine how drugs are absorbed and metabolized in the body. Research Models and Services (RMS) accounts for roughly 20% of revenue and produces purpose-bred laboratory animals, primarily rodents like rats and mice, used in medical research. This segment also provides genetically engineered animal models, research animal diagnostic services, and complete vivarium operation services where Charles River manages entire laboratory animal facilities for clients. Manufacturing Solutions generates approximately 20% of revenue and focuses on quality control testing for pharmaceutical products. This includes testing sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals, biologics testing, and specialized services for vaccine production including the supply of specific-pathogen-free fertile chicken eggs used in vaccine manufacturing. The pharmaceutical industry relies heavily on these services because drug development is highly regulated, requiring extensive non-clinical testing before human trials can begin. Charles River essentially serves as the testing infrastructure that validates whether potential new medicines are safe and effective enough to advance through the development process.
Revenue model
Charles River generates revenue primarily through fee-for-service contracts with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Clients pay for specific testing services, research models, and manufacturing support on a project basis. The company's customers include large pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, mid-sized biotech firms, and smaller startup companies developing new therapies. The business model benefits from several revenue drivers. Regulatory requirements create consistent demand since all new drugs must undergo extensive safety testing before approval. The complexity and specialized nature of these services creates high switching costs for clients who prefer to work with established, reliable partners. Charles River also generates recurring revenue through long-term contracts for research model supply and facility management services. Several factors can significantly impact the company's margins and profitability. Biopharmaceutical funding cycles represent the most significant external factor - when venture capital and public market funding for biotech companies declines, demand for Charles River's services drops accordingly. Large pharmaceutical company spending patterns also create volatility, as these companies periodically restructure their research operations or shift resources between internal and external research. Pricing power varies by service type and market capacity. During periods of high demand, Charles River can command premium pricing, particularly for specialized services like non-human primate studies. However, during market downturns, pricing pressure intensifies as competitors compete for limited projects. Operational leverage is significant in this business - the company maintains substantial fixed costs in facilities, equipment, and specialized staff, so volume changes directly impact margins. Regulatory changes can also affect demand patterns, such as recent FDA initiatives to reduce animal testing, which could impact traditional testing services while creating opportunities for alternative testing methods.
Competitive moat
Charles River maintains a strong competitive moat built on several key advantages that are difficult for competitors to replicate. The company's scale and global infrastructure represents its primary competitive advantage, operating specialized facilities across multiple continents that require significant capital investment and years to establish. This global footprint allows Charles River to serve multinational pharmaceutical companies with consistent service quality and regulatory compliance across different markets. Regulatory expertise and compliance history creates substantial barriers to entry. The company has decades of experience navigating complex FDA, EMA, and other regulatory requirements, with established relationships and proven track records that new entrants cannot easily match. Pharmaceutical companies are risk-averse when selecting testing partners, as regulatory failures can delay drug approvals by years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Scientific expertise and specialized capabilities further strengthen the moat. Charles River employs thousands of specialized scientists, veterinarians, and technicians with deep expertise in toxicology, pathology, and other specialized fields. The company's investment in proprietary technologies, such as genetically engineered animal models and alternative testing platforms, creates additional differentiation. However, the moat faces several potential challenges. Regulatory shifts toward alternative testing methods could disrupt traditional animal-based testing, though Charles River is proactively investing in these new technologies. Consolidation among competitors could create larger rivals with similar scale advantages. Client concentration risk exists since large pharmaceutical companies represent significant portions of revenue, and their strategic decisions to bring more testing in-house could impact demand. The company's competitive position remains strong but requires continuous investment in new technologies and capabilities to maintain its leadership as the industry evolves toward more sophisticated and alternative testing methods.
Risks & safety
Charles River's margin of safety appears moderate, with some financial strength offset by cyclical business challenges and elevated valuation metrics. Liquidity and Solvency: - Cash position: $229 million with current ratio of 1.43x provides adequate short-term liquidity - Debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93x indicates moderate leverage, manageable but not conservative - Strong free cash flow generation of $502 million in 2024 demonstrates operational cash generation capability - No immediate solvency concerns given cash flow profile and credit facilities Valuation Metrics: - P/E ratio of 77x (Q1 2025) appears elevated, reflecting recent earnings volatility - EV/EBITDA of 14.4x suggests premium valuation relative to historical averages - Price-to-book ratio of 2.47x indicates stock trading above tangible book value - Graham number of $26.70 versus current price of $137 suggests potential overvaluation Other Considerations: - Business cyclicality creates earnings volatility tied to biotech funding cycles - Ongoing restructuring initiatives targeting $225 million in cost savings provide operational flexibility - Market leadership position and recurring revenue streams offer some downside protection
Recent development
Over the past few years, Charles River has undergone significant strategic evolution in response to both market challenges and regulatory shifts. The company has implemented comprehensive cost reduction initiatives, targeting $225 million in annualized savings by 2026 through facility consolidation, headcount optimization, and operational efficiency improvements. This includes consolidating approximately 15 smaller sites and implementing a global business service model. A major strategic pivot involves embracing alternative testing methods through the Alternative Methods Advancement Project (AMAP), committing $300 million over five years to develop non-animal testing platforms. This initiative responds to FDA guidance promoting New Approach Methods (NAMs) and positions Charles River for the industry's gradual transition away from traditional animal testing. The company currently generates $200 million annually from alternative methods and expects hybrid study designs combining traditional and alternative approaches. Operational integration and technology advancement have been key focus areas, with the company integrating its Global Discovery and Safety Assessment operations and investing in digital platforms like Apollo to improve efficiency and client service. Charles River has also made strategic acquisitions, including increasing its stake in Noveprim, a non-human primate supplier, to address supply chain constraints. The company recently welcomed new board members from Elliott Investment Management and initiated a comprehensive strategic review to explore value creation opportunities, including potential portfolio optimization, acquisitions, or divestitures. This review reflects management's commitment to maximizing shareholder value during a challenging market environment. Capital allocation strategy has shifted toward shareholder returns, with the company completing $350 million in stock repurchases and reinstating a $1 billion repurchase program, while maintaining disciplined investment in growth areas and debt management.
CRL company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
Track CRL with Drillr
SEC filings, earnings calls, insider activity, alt-data signals — all queryable through Drillr's AI terminal and MCP API.
Try Drillr for free