What is Zacks Research's Forecast for CRL FY2026 Earnings?

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS forecast for Charles River Laboratories to $11.17, up from $11.15, though it remains below the broader consensus estimate of $11.42.
• Charles River’s latest quarter exceeded expectations, with EPS of $3.02 versus the $2.77 consensus and revenue of approximately $1 billion; however, revenue declined 2.7% year over year and the company reported a negative net margin.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and an average price target of $300.11, while CRL shares recently traded near a 52-week high.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL - Free Report) - Zacks Research increased their FY2026 EPS estimates for shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a note issued to investors on Monday, October 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the medical research company will earn $11.17 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $11.15. The consensus estimate for Charles River Laboratories International's current full-year earnings is $11.42 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Charles River Laboratories International's Q3 2027 earnings at $3.31 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $12.54 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $3.24 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $3.40 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $3.51 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $13.92 EPS.

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

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Charles River Laboratories International from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, August 7th. BNP Paribas Exane set a $250.00 target price on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. UBS Group began coverage on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research report on Wednesday, September 30th. They set a "buy" rating and a $357.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Charles River Laboratories International from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, September 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $300.11.

Charles River Laboratories International Trading Up 7.1%

Shares of Charles River Laboratories International stock opened at $310.84 on Tuesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $279.19 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $219.10. Charles River Laboratories International has a 1 year low of $146.20 and a 1 year high of $312.26. The company has a market capitalization of $14.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -64.09, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 1.04.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Charles River Laboratories International

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Continuum Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. SHP Wealth Management bought a new position in Charles River Laboratories International during the fourth quarter worth $85,000. Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International in the second quarter worth $129,000. Hilltop National Bank increased its stake in Charles River Laboratories International by 28.7% in the second quarter. Hilltop National Bank now owns 569 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $129,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC bought a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International in the second quarter valued at $172,000. Institutional investors own 98.91% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Charles River Laboratories International

In other news, EVP Shannon M. Parisotto sold 2,039 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $294.12, for a total transaction of $599,710.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,807 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,413,834.84. The trade was a 29.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director James Foster sold 33,561 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $10,068,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 31,596 shares of the company's stock, valued at $9,478,800. This trade represents a 51.51% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 90,990 shares of company stock valued at $25,731,388 over the last ninety days. 1.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Charles River Laboratories International

Here are the key news stories impacting Charles River Laboratories International this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised earnings estimates across multiple periods. Its FY2026 EPS forecast increased to $11.17 from $11.15, FY2027 to $12.54 from $12.49, and FY2028 to $13.92 from $13.82. Quarterly estimates for Q3 2027, Q1-Q3 2028 also increased by $0.01 each. The revisions suggest improving analyst confidence in Charles River’s future earnings growth. Zacks Research estimate revisions
• Positive Sentiment: CRL reached a new 52-week high. The breakout reflects strong investor momentum and may attract additional buying, although it also raises the risk of profit-taking after the recent rally. Charles River Laboratories reaches new 52-week high
• Neutral Sentiment: Part of the move appears tied to broader market strength. Charles River Laboratories gained during a broad rally, meaning some of its performance may reflect overall market sentiment rather than a new company-specific announcement. Charles River Laboratories broad market rally
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation and operating trends remain considerations. The company’s latest quarter beat EPS and revenue expectations, but revenue declined 2.7% year over year and net margin remained negative. Analysts’ current full-year consensus is $11.42 EPS, compared with Zacks’ $11.17 estimate.

About Charles River Laboratories International

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc is a contract research organization that provides products and services to support pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research. The company helps customers discover, develop and manufacture new medicines, vaccines and other healthcare products.

Its offerings include research models and related services, preclinical drug discovery, pharmacology, toxicology, bioanalysis and safety assessment. Charles River also provides laboratory and manufacturing solutions for biologics, cell and gene therapies, microbial testing and other specialized life sciences applications.

Founded in 1947, Charles River Laboratories serves customers worldwide through operations across North America, Europe and Asia.

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