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Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) Stock Analysis

By Nova Skye | AltStation.io | Updated February 07, 2026

Price

$187.52

Change

+2.08%

Market Cap

$9.23B

Avg Volume

770.6K

Company Overview

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. offers essential services in drug discovery, development, and safety testing with a focus on the biomedical industry. Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, the company operates through three main segments: Research Models and Services (RMS), Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), and Manufacturing Solutions. RMS supplies genetically bred rodents for research purposes, while DSA provides critical services for identifying and validating drug candidates, including toxicology and drug metabolism analysis. The Manufacturing Solutions segment emphasizes quality control testing of pharmaceuticals and biologics, catering largely to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors.

Charles River holds a competitive position as a market leader in preclinical research and testing services. Its edge lies in the comprehensive suite of services it provides across various stages of drug development, coupled with strong partnerships, such as collaborations with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Key competitors include Covance and Charles River’s own growing list of specialized service providers. The market dynamics are competitive, with ongoing pressure to innovate, particularly in areas like personalized medicine and biopharmaceuticals.

Currently, Charles River is experiencing robust growth, driven by increased demand for outsourced R&D services. They have made significant strategic moves, such as the acquisition of several companies to broaden their capabilities in antibody-drug conjugates and enhance their safety assessment offerings. Recent milestones, including a partnership with the Francis Crick Institute for drug discovery, position them well for future growth, indicating a strong outlook as the pharmaceutical industry continues to expand its reliance on outsourced expertise.

Key Financials

Market Cap

$9.23B

Revenue

$4.02B

EBITDA

$884.89M

Gross Margin

34.7%

Profit Margin

-2.0%

Revenue Growth

-0.5%

Total Cash

$207.10M

Total Debt

$2.63B

Free Cash Flow

$548.05M

52-Week Price Performance Analysis

Price Statistics

P/E Ratio

N/A

Forward P/E

17.12

Beta

1.62

52-Week High

$228.88

52-Week Low

$91.86

EPS

$-1.52

50-Day Avg

$202.19

200-Day Avg

$167.47

Price/Book

2.71

Technical Analysis

Over the past 52 weeks, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) is in a notable bullish trend, having increased from approximately $150 to the current price of $187.52, reflecting a strong increase of 18.3%. Key support is identified around $175, which has held multiple times as a floor for price action, while a critical resistance level is seen near $189.21, the highest point in the last month. The chart indicates a series of higher highs and higher lows, forming an upward channel that confirms the strength of the uptrend. Recently, there has been a pullback from the peak levels around $200 in early February, suggesting a need for consolidation or potential for another upward movement. Currently, CRL’s price of $187.52 is positioned above the midpoint of its 52-week range, indicating bullish market sentiment and suggesting further upside potential if it breaks above resistance at $189.21.

Recent News and Developments

Market Update

Here’s a summary of the latest news and developments for Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) stock from the past week (January 31, 2026, to February 7, 2026):

1. Charles River Laboratories Receives Analyst Upgrade

On February 7, 2026, Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL) was upgraded by Wall Street Zen. This upgrade reflects a positive sentiment from at least one analyst firm regarding the company’s stock performance and outlook. Other analyst ratings from the past week include a “Buy” consensus from 11 analysts as of February 5, 2026, with an average target price of $205.27.

2. Significant Stock Price Decline Mid-Week

Shares of Charles River Laboratories International Inc. (CRL) experienced a notable drop of 6.04% in mid-day trading on February 5, 2026. The stock hit an intraday low of $188.15 before slightly recovering to $189.44, down from its previous close of $201.62. This decline on February 5 followed a 5.6% drop on February 4, 2026.

Market Sentiment and Analyst Recommendations

Bull Case

Charles River is trading at $187.52 with a $9.23B market cap, well-positioned above its 52-week support at $175 and showing an 18.3% gain over the past year. The stock has 11 analyst Buy ratings with a $205.27 average target, suggesting 9.4% upside from current levels, and the $215.73 consensus target implies 15% potential. The company’s balance sheet is solid with $207.10M in cash against $2.63B debt, manageable leverage for a business with $4.02B in annual revenue. The chart shows a clean uptrend with higher highs and higher lows, and the recent 6% pullback on February 5 appears to be consolidation rather than a trend break. Q4 earnings on February 18 could reignite momentum if management signals stabilization after the recent restructuring, particularly if they demonstrate progress in the cell therapy and CDMO segments despite the Maryland site closure.

Bear Case

Revenue is actually contracting at -0.5% growth, and Q4 is expected to show a steeper -12.4% earnings decline year-over-year with -1.6% revenue decrease, signaling real operational pressure. The company is actively restructuring with site closures and headcount reductions, which suggests management is responding to weak demand or margin pressure rather than executing a growth strategy. The stock has already pulled back 6% in one day and 11.6% from its February highs around $212, indicating institutional confidence is fragile despite the analyst upgrades. No P/E ratio is listed, which typically means the company is either unprofitable or earnings are distorted, raising questions about the quality of those analyst Buy ratings. The debt load of $2.63B against slowing revenue growth and margin compression is a real constraint on financial flexibility if the CDMO market continues weakening.

What to Watch

The February 18 earnings call is critical. Watch for management’s 2026 revenue guidance and whether they stabilize the -0.5% growth rate or project further declines. Listen closely to commentary on the cell therapy business, which is clearly struggling given the Maryland closure, and whether this represents a temporary pullback or a structural market issue. Monitor the gross margin trend in Q4 results; if restructuring costs are weighing on profitability, you need confirmation that those are one-time charges. The $189.21 resistance level is your near-term technical threshold. A break above $200 on positive guidance would validate the analyst targets, but a close below $175 support would confirm the bear case and likely trigger further selling. Track the CDMO market commentary from competitors like Lonza and Catalent to assess whether CRL’s weakness is company-specific or industry-wide.

Analyst Consensus

NONE

Based on 15 analyst opinions

Low Target

$155.00

Mean Target

$215.73

High Target

$265.00

Earnings and Financial Data

Sector

Healthcare

Industry

Diagnostics & Research

Employees

18,700

Earnings & Dividends

Next Earnings

Feb 18, 2026

EPS (Trailing)

$-1.52

Dividend Yield

None

Payout Ratio

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CRL a good stock to buy?

Charles River Laboratories (CRL) is currently trading at $187.52 with an analyst target price of $215.73, indicating potential upside. With a forward P/E of 17.12, it appears reasonably valued in the diagnostics and research sector. Overall, it merits consideration for growth-focused investors.

What is CRL’s price target?

Analysts have set a target price of $215.73 for CRL. This suggests a potential upside of about 15% from the current price of $187.52. Investors should monitor external market conditions and company performance as they approach this target.

Does CRL pay a dividend?

No, Charles River Laboratories does not pay a dividend. The absence of a dividend means that CRL is likely prioritizing reinvestment into growth opportunities, which could appeal to growth-oriented investors.

What is CRL’s market cap?

Charles River Laboratories has a market cap of $9.23 billion. This sizeable valuation places it as a significant player in the healthcare diagnostics and research industry. Investors looking for stability may find this market cap reassuring.

What is CRL’s 52-week range?

CRL’s stock has traded between $91.86 and $228.88 over the past year. This wide range reflects the stock’s volatility and market sentiment fluctuations. Investors should consider this when evaluating the stock’s potential risks and rewards.

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Disclaimer: This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The analysis and opinions expressed are those of AltStation.io and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for investment decisions. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Updated February 07, 2026.