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Icon (ICLR) Competitors

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$172.23 -2.03 (-1.16%)
As of 08/21/2026 04:00 PM Eastern

ICLR vs. CRL, IQV, A, WAT, and ILMN

Should you buy Icon stock or one of its competitors? Icon's main competitors and comparable companies include Charles River Laboratories International (CRL), IQVIA (IQV), Agilent Technologies (A), Waters (WAT), and Illumina (ILMN). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "life sciences tools & services" industry.

How does Icon compare to Charles River Laboratories International?

Icon (NASDAQ:ICLR) and Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, valuation, profitability, media sentiment, earnings, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Icon has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Charles River Laboratories International has a beta of 1.38, meaning that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market.

95.6% of Icon shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.9% of Charles River Laboratories International shares are owned by institutional investors. 44.0% of Icon shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of Charles River Laboratories International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Icon has a net margin of 3.99% compared to Charles River Laboratories International's net margin of -5.96%. Charles River Laboratories International's return on equity of 15.75% beat Icon's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Icon3.99% 8.02% 4.56%
Charles River Laboratories International -5.96%15.75%6.51%

Icon currently has a consensus target price of $170.40, suggesting a potential downside of 1.06%. Charles River Laboratories International has a consensus target price of $255.65, suggesting a potential downside of 13.41%. Given Icon's higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Icon is more favorable than Charles River Laboratories International.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Icon
2 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.41
Charles River Laboratories International
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
12 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.69

In the previous week, Charles River Laboratories International had 6 more articles in the media than Icon. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for Charles River Laboratories International and 5 mentions for Icon. Icon's average media sentiment score of 1.57 beat Charles River Laboratories International's score of 0.53 indicating that Icon is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Icon
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Charles River Laboratories International
5 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Icon has higher revenue and earnings than Charles River Laboratories International. Charles River Laboratories International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Icon, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Icon$8.25B1.60$229.34M$4.2640.43
Charles River Laboratories International$4.02B3.51-$144.34M-$4.85N/A

Summary

Icon beats Charles River Laboratories International on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Icon compare to IQVIA?

Icon (NASDAQ:ICLR) and IQVIA (NYSE:IQV) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, media sentiment, risk, dividends, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation.

Icon has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its share price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, IQVIA has a beta of 1.18, meaning that its share price is 18% more volatile than the broader market.

Icon presently has a consensus price target of $170.40, suggesting a potential downside of 1.06%. IQVIA has a consensus price target of $241.88, suggesting a potential downside of 7.03%. Given Icon's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Icon is more favorable than IQVIA.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Icon
2 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.41
IQVIA
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.88

IQVIA has higher revenue and earnings than Icon. IQVIA is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Icon, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Icon$8.25B1.60$229.34M$4.2640.43
IQVIA$16.31B2.63$1.36B$8.0632.28

IQVIA has a net margin of 8.10% compared to Icon's net margin of 3.99%. IQVIA's return on equity of 30.25% beat Icon's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Icon3.99% 8.02% 4.56%
IQVIA 8.10%30.25%6.54%

In the previous week, IQVIA had 21 more articles in the media than Icon. MarketBeat recorded 26 mentions for IQVIA and 5 mentions for Icon. Icon's average media sentiment score of 1.57 beat IQVIA's score of 1.49 indicating that Icon is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Icon
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
IQVIA
22 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

95.6% of Icon shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.6% of IQVIA shares are owned by institutional investors. 44.0% of Icon shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.7% of IQVIA shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

IQVIA beats Icon on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Icon compare to Agilent Technologies?

Agilent Technologies (NYSE:A) and Icon (NASDAQ:ICLR) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, earnings, risk, media sentiment, valuation, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Agilent Technologies has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Icon. Agilent Technologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Icon, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Agilent Technologies$6.95B6.47$1.30B$4.9831.98
Icon$8.25B1.60$229.34M$4.2640.43

Agilent Technologies has a beta of 1.25, meaning that its stock price is 25% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Icon has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

Agilent Technologies currently has a consensus price target of $160.24, indicating a potential upside of 0.62%. Icon has a consensus price target of $170.40, indicating a potential downside of 1.06%. Given Agilent Technologies' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Agilent Technologies is more favorable than Icon.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Agilent Technologies
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.89
Icon
2 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.41

95.6% of Icon shares are held by institutional investors. 44.0% of Icon shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Agilent Technologies has a net margin of 19.55% compared to Icon's net margin of 3.99%. Agilent Technologies' return on equity of 24.33% beat Icon's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Agilent Technologies19.55% 24.33% 12.99%
Icon 3.99%8.02%4.56%

In the previous week, Agilent Technologies had 24 more articles in the media than Icon. MarketBeat recorded 29 mentions for Agilent Technologies and 5 mentions for Icon. Icon's average media sentiment score of 1.57 beat Agilent Technologies' score of 1.36 indicating that Icon is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Agilent Technologies
23 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Icon
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

Summary

Agilent Technologies beats Icon on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Icon compare to Waters?

Icon (NASDAQ:ICLR) and Waters (NYSE:WAT) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, dividends and earnings.

In the previous week, Waters had 17 more articles in the media than Icon. MarketBeat recorded 22 mentions for Waters and 5 mentions for Icon. Icon's average media sentiment score of 1.57 beat Waters' score of 1.39 indicating that Icon is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Icon
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Waters
16 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Icon has a net margin of 3.99% compared to Waters' net margin of 3.58%. Waters' return on equity of 11.27% beat Icon's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Icon3.99% 8.02% 4.56%
Waters 3.58%11.27%6.73%

Waters has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Icon. Icon is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Waters, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Icon$8.25B1.60$229.34M$4.2640.43
Waters$3.17B12.80$642.63M$4.01102.84

Icon has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Waters has a beta of 1.19, meaning that its stock price is 19% more volatile than the broader market.

Icon currently has a consensus target price of $170.40, suggesting a potential downside of 1.06%. Waters has a consensus target price of $420.35, suggesting a potential upside of 1.94%. Given Waters' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Waters is more favorable than Icon.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Icon
2 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.41
Waters
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75

95.6% of Icon shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 94.0% of Waters shares are held by institutional investors. 44.0% of Icon shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Waters shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Waters beats Icon on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Icon compare to Illumina?

Illumina (NASDAQ:ILMN) and Icon (NASDAQ:ICLR) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability, risk and media sentiment.

Illumina has a beta of 1.45, meaning that its stock price is 45% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Icon has a beta of 1.21, meaning that its stock price is 21% more volatile than the broader market.

Illumina has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Icon. Icon is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Illumina, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Illumina$4.34B7.63$850M$5.3640.93
Icon$8.25B1.60$229.34M$4.2640.43

Illumina currently has a consensus price target of $188.40, suggesting a potential downside of 14.13%. Icon has a consensus price target of $170.40, suggesting a potential downside of 1.06%. Given Icon's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Icon is more favorable than Illumina.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Illumina
2 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47
Icon
2 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.41

In the previous week, Illumina had 39 more articles in the media than Icon. MarketBeat recorded 44 mentions for Illumina and 5 mentions for Icon. Icon's average media sentiment score of 1.57 beat Illumina's score of 1.16 indicating that Icon is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Illumina
34 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Icon
5 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

89.4% of Illumina shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.6% of Icon shares are held by institutional investors. 2.9% of Illumina shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 44.0% of Icon shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Illumina has a net margin of 18.36% compared to Icon's net margin of 3.99%. Illumina's return on equity of 29.84% beat Icon's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Illumina18.36% 29.84% 12.17%
Icon 3.99%8.02%4.56%

Summary

Illumina beats Icon on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding ICLR and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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ICLR vs. The Competition

MetricIconLife Sciences Tools & Services IndustryHealthcare SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$13.19B$10.24B$7.38B$12.85B
Dividend YieldN/A1.45%2.53%10.78%
P/E Ratio40.4361.54272.6024.25
Price / Sales1.60110.82623.26100.89
Price / Cash10.2227.0478.6253.99
Price / Book1.4137.3413.056.20
Net Income$229.34M$56.67B$3.47B$348.59M
7 Day Performance5.57%5.24%2.09%0.08%
1 Month Performance1.12%9.02%6.63%3.88%
1 Year Performance-2.05%24.45%25.01%16.98%

Icon Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
ICLR
Icon
3.5274 of 5 stars
$172.23
-1.2%
$170.40
-1.1%
-2.0%$13.19B$8.25B40.4340,100
CRL
Charles River Laboratories International
1.8779 of 5 stars
$286.44
+2.3%
$255.65
-10.8%
+82.7%$13.68B$4.00BN/A19,700
IQV
IQVIA
4.0723 of 5 stars
$241.09
+1.9%
$241.88
+0.3%
+36.2%$39.71B$16.98B29.9193,000
A
Agilent Technologies
4.5125 of 5 stars
$148.65
+0.1%
$160.24
+7.8%
+31.1%$41.93B$7.23B29.8518,100
WAT
Waters
2.8292 of 5 stars
$407.75
-1.1%
$420.35
+3.1%
+36.6%$40.49B$3.17B101.687,900

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This page (NASDAQ:ICLR) was last updated on 8/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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