Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL) Given Average Recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Sixteen brokerages give Charles River Laboratories an average “Moderate Buy” rating, with 12 buys, three holds and one sell. The average 12-month price target is approximately $255.65, though recent targets range as high as $310.
• Quarterly earnings exceeded expectations: The company reported adjusted EPS of $3.02 versus the $2.77 consensus estimate and revenue of $1.0 billion, ahead of forecasts, although revenue declined 2.7% year over year. Fiscal 2026 EPS guidance is $11.15–$11.45.
• Shares have surged while insiders sold: CRL opened at $276.34, near its 52-week high of $277.07, compared with a 52-week low of $144.26. Insiders sold 90,870 shares worth about $21.0 million over the past 90 days, while institutional investors own 98.91% of the stock.

Shares of Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL - Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of "Moderate Buy" by the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $255.6471.

Several research firms have recently commented on CRL. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Charles River Laboratories International from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday. CLSA downgraded shares of Charles River Laboratories International from an "outperform" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $219.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Monday, July 20th. Piper Sandler set a $300.00 price target on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research report on Monday. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of Charles River Laboratories International from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $180.00 to $310.00 in a research report on Thursday, August 6th.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Shannon M. Parisotto sold 5,046 shares of Charles River Laboratories International stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $263.00, for a total transaction of $1,327,098.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,807 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,264,241. This trade represents a 51.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Michael Gunnar Knell sold 6,645 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $260.38, for a total value of $1,730,225.10. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 11,852 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,086,023.76. This trade represents a 35.92% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 90,870 shares of company stock valued at $21,015,353 in the last 90 days. 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cardinal Capital Management increased its holdings in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 10,928 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $2,180,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 1,847 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $375,000 after buying an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 2.8% in the first quarter. Glenmede Trust Co. NA now owns 2,706 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $467,000 after buying an additional 73 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV boosted its stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 1.3% in the fourth quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 6,316 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $1,260,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the period. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC grew its position in Charles River Laboratories International by 2.6% during the third quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 3,226 shares of the medical research company's stock worth $505,000 after buying an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. 98.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Charles River Laboratories International Stock Performance

CRL opened at $276.34 on Tuesday. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $216.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $189.45. Charles River Laboratories International has a 52-week low of $144.26 and a 52-week high of $277.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $13.19 billion, a PE ratio of -56.98, a PEG ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.38.

Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The medical research company reported $3.02 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $1 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $980.53 million. Charles River Laboratories International had a positive return on equity of 15.75% and a negative net margin of 5.96%.The business's revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.12 earnings per share. Charles River Laboratories International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 11.150-11.450 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Charles River Laboratories International will post 11.35 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Charles River Laboratories International Company Profile

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc is a leading provider of research models and preclinical and clinical support services for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company's core offerings include discovery, safety assessment, toxicology, and pathology services, as well as supply of laboratory animals and related diagnostics. Services extend across in vivo and in vitro testing, biologics testing, and support for advanced therapies, helping clients accelerate drug development from early discovery through regulatory submission.

Founded in 1947 in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Charles River has grown through strategic investments and acquisitions to establish a broad portfolio of capabilities.

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