Zacks Research Issues Positive Estimate for CRL Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q2 2028 EPS estimate for Charles River Laboratories to $3.39 from $3.01, while analysts’ consensus full-year EPS estimate stands at $11.33.
• 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 consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $255.65 average price target, though the stock recently traded near its 52-week high and insiders have sold shares totaling more than $42.6 million over the past 90 days.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q2 2028 EPS estimates for shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, August 26th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the medical research company will post earnings of $3.39 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $3.01. The consensus estimate for Charles River Laboratories International's current full-year earnings is $11.33 per share.

Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 5th. The medical research company reported $3.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.77 by $0.25. Charles River Laboratories International had a negative net margin of 5.96% and a positive return on equity of 15.75%. The business had revenue of $1 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $980.53 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.12 earnings per share. The company's quarterly 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.

A number of other equities analysts also recently commented on CRL. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Charles River Laboratories International from $215.00 to $282.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $250.00 target price on Charles River Laboratories International in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Evercore reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. Barclays restated an "overweight" rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Charles River Laboratories International from a "neutral" rating to an "overweight" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $180.00 to $310.00 in a research note on Thursday, August 6th. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Charles River Laboratories International currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $255.65.

Charles River Laboratories International Stock Performance

Shares of Charles River Laboratories International stock opened at $296.94 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.35. Charles River Laboratories International has a one year low of $144.26 and a one year high of $303.31. The company has a market cap of $14.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -61.22, a PEG ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 1.38. The business's 50 day moving average price is $243.93 and its 200 day moving average price is $196.64.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director James C. Foster sold 75,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.00, for a total transaction of $16,875,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 31,596 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,109,100. The trade was a 70.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available 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 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 sale, the chief accounting officer owned 11,852 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,086,023.76. The trade was a 35.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 165,990 shares of company stock valued at $42,606,388 in the last 90 days. 1.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles River Laboratories International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Continuum Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Charles River Laboratories International in the 4th quarter valued at about $42,000. Sfam LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International during the fourth quarter worth about $43,000. Activest Wealth Management lifted its stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 10,900.0% during the fourth quarter. Activest Wealth Management now owns 220 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the period. Finally, Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Charles River Laboratories International during the fourth quarter worth approximately $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.91% of the company's stock.

Charles River Laboratories International News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Long-term earnings outlook improved. Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $11.15 from $10.91, FY2027 to $12.49 from $12.11, and FY2028 to $13.82 from $13.01. The firm also lifted Q2 2027, Q3 2027, Q1 2028 and Q2 2028 forecasts, with Q2 2028 EPS increasing to $3.39 from $3.01. These revisions suggest stronger expected earnings growth beyond the current year.
• Positive Sentiment: Potential vaccine-related business opportunity. Medigen has partnered with Charles River to help advance an enterovirus vaccine globally. The collaboration could generate additional demand for Charles River’s contract research, testing and development services. Medigen links up with Charles River in push to take enterovirus vaccine global
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains favorable but valuation is elevated. Charles River has a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating, supported by recent price targets from $291 to $310. The stock is trading near its 52-week high, while the average target of $255.65 is below its recent trading level, creating potential valuation concerns. Is Wall Street bullish or bearish on Charles River Laboratories stock?
• Negative Sentiment: Director sold a significant stake. James Foster sold 33,561 shares for about $10.1 million at $300 per share, reducing his direct ownership by 51.5%. The sale was made under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan, which reduces its value as a discretionary bearish signal, but the size of the transaction could still weigh on sentiment. Charles River Laboratories director insider sale
• Negative Sentiment: Some near-term estimates were lowered. Zacks trimmed its EPS forecasts for Q3 and Q4 2026, Q1 2027 and Q4 2027. The reductions are small, but they point to near-term uncertainty despite improved full-year and longer-term expectations.

About Charles River Laboratories International

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.

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