Zacks Research Analysts Lower Earnings Estimates for CRL

Key Points

• Zacks Research lowered its Q2 2026 EPS estimate for Charles River Laboratories to $2.72 from $2.85, though it still sees longer-term earnings growth ahead.
• The firm raised full-year forecasts for FY2026 to $10.91 EPS and FY2027 to $12.11 EPS, and also increased several quarterly estimates in later periods.
• Charles River just beat quarterly expectations with Q1 EPS of $2.06 versus the $1.96 consensus and revenue of $995.83 million, while analysts overall remain at a “Moderate Buy” rating with an average price target of $208.50.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, May 28th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the medical research company will earn $2.72 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $2.85. The consensus estimate for Charles River Laboratories International's current full-year earnings is $11.05 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Charles River Laboratories International's Q3 2026 earnings at $2.98 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $3.15 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $10.91 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.58 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.96 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.15 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.43 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $12.11 EPS and Q1 2028 earnings at $3.08 EPS.

Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The medical research company reported $2.06 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.96 by $0.10. Charles River Laboratories International had a positive return on equity of 15.36% and a negative net margin of 4.59%.The firm had revenue of $995.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $977.46 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.34 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Charles River Laboratories International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.800-11.300 EPS.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on CRL. CLSA upgraded Charles River Laboratories International from an "underperform" rating to an "outperform" rating and set a $219.00 target price on the stock in a report on Friday. Mizuho set a $192.00 target price on Charles River Laboratories International in a report on Friday, May 8th. Barclays upped their price target on Charles River Laboratories International from $210.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, May 8th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Charles River Laboratories International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, February 21st. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price target on Charles River Laboratories International from $251.00 to $235.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 20th. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Charles River Laboratories International has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $208.50.

Charles River Laboratories International Stock Up 10.3%

CRL stock opened at $181.41 on Friday. Charles River Laboratories International has a fifty-two week low of $132.58 and a fifty-two week high of $228.88. The business's 50 day moving average price is $168.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $181.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.36. The company has a market capitalization of $8.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -48.25, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.44.

Institutional Trading of Charles River Laboratories International

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tema Etfs LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its position in Charles River Laboratories International by 82.4% in the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 186 shares of the medical research company's stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in Charles River Laboratories International in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Charles River Laboratories International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Sfam LLC bought a new position in Charles River Laboratories International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $43,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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: Zacks Research lifted its FY2026 EPS estimate for Charles River Laboratories to $10.91 from $10.79 and raised FY2027 EPS to $12.11 from $11.62, signaling stronger longer-term earnings potential. Source
• Positive Sentiment: The firm also increased quarterly estimates for Q3 2026, Q4 2026, Q2 2027, Q3 2027, Q4 2027, and Q1 2028, reinforcing the view that earnings momentum may be improving over the next few years. Source
• Neutral Sentiment: Despite the upgraded forecasts, Zacks’ FY2026 estimate of $10.91 still sits slightly below the current consensus of $11.05, so the revisions are constructive but not a dramatic beat versus market expectations. Source
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst sentiment also remains generally supportive, with brokerages recently assigning CRL a “Moderate Buy” rating, which helps underpin investor confidence. Source

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.

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