Charles River Laboratories (CRL) Stock Analysis
This is a peer-relative look at Charles River Laboratories (CRL): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.
Company Profile
| Profile Item | CRL |
|---|---|
| Name | Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 16.17 billion USD |
| Currency | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 23, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 110.83% | 24.62% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 27.87% | 20.37% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -1.57% | -4.02% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 47.81% | 66.36% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.33 | 0.93 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -74.73% | -80.19% |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.23 | 0.36 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 3.58 | 0.58 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) posts ROE of 1.27%, roughly around the peer group’s normal range. Shareholders’ equity is producing a return that looks broadly typical for the industry.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.27%
Group distribution
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- CRL
- 1.27%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Largest peers
- LLY
- 86.02%
- NVS
- 24.33%
- AZN
- 22.57%
- JNJ
- 20.02%
- MRK
- 5.06%
- CRL
- 1.27%
- ABBV
- --
Net Margin (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) keeps 1.01% of revenue as net profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal net margin range. Its full cost stack is taking a typical share of sales for the industry.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.01%
Group distribution
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- CRL
- 1.01%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Largest peers
- LLY
- 31.90%
- AZN
- 17.68%
- NVS
- 17.49%
- JNJ
- 16.20%
- ABBV
- 15.67%
- MRK
- 3.64%
- CRL
- 1.01%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) turns 23.42% of revenue into operating profit, putting operating margin in the upper peer quartile. Before financing and taxes enter the picture, the day-to-day business keeps more of each sales dollar than most industry peers.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.42%
Group distribution
- Max
- 83.12%
- CRL
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Largest peers
- LLY
- 53.66%
- ABBV
- 39.59%
- MRK
- 35.22%
- NVS
- 34.27%
- AZN
- 29.57%
- JNJ
- 25.74%
- CRL
- 23.42%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 1.27% | -26.66% |
| ROA (TTM) | 4.74% | -12.50% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 1.01% | 0.00% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 23.42% | 0.00% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 35.10% | 37.87% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) grew revenue -0.85%, in the lower peer quartile. The top line is expanding more slowly than at most peers, which can reflect softer demand, lost share, or weaker pricing.
EPS Growth
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) grew earnings per share -1,555.00%, below the industry benchmark range. Per-share profits are trailing virtually every peer, which can point to margin pressure, one-off charges, or dilution.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -0.85% | 11.45% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 0.33% | 9.94% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -1,555.00% | 4.28% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 4.17% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) has current ratio of 1.41, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.41
Group distribution
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- CRL
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.10
Largest peers
- CRL
- 1.41
- LLY
- 1.39
- MRK
- 1.35
- JNJ
- 1.02
- AZN
- 1.01
- NVS
- 0.88
- ABBV
- 0.87
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) has debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, in the higher-leverage quartile for its industry. The heavier reliance on borrowing can make earnings, rates, or refinancing conditions matter more.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.87
Group distribution
- Max
- 1.42
- CRL
- 0.87
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Largest peers
- NVS
- 1.29
- LLY
- 1.23
- MRK
- 1.20
- CRL
- 0.87
- AZN
- 0.66
- JNJ
- 0.55
- ABBV
- --
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 5.52 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.87 | 0.15 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.92 | 1.08 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) pays no dividend, leaving dividend yield at 0.00% this period. Shareholders may still receive value through reinvestment or buybacks, but there is no dividend income to compare here.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
Group distribution
- CRL
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- NVS
- 2.88%
- ABBV
- 2.40%
- MRK
- 2.29%
- JNJ
- 1.94%
- AZN
- 1.73%
- LLY
- 0.49%
- CRL
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) paid no earnings out as dividends this period, leaving payout ratio at 0.00%. There is no dividend payout to size against earnings.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
Group distribution
- CRL
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Largest peers
- MRK
- 343.43%
- ABBV
- 117.35%
- NVS
- 90.46%
- JNJ
- 80.12%
- AZN
- 45.38%
- LLY
- 21.71%
- CRL
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at P/E ratio of 366.87, above the peer range for its industry. The market is paying unusually heavily for TTM earnings relative to comparable companies.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
366.87
Group distribution
- CRL
- 366.87
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
Largest peers
- CRL
- 366.87
- MRK
- 148.21
- ABBV
- 50.05
- LLY
- 43.95
- JNJ
- 41.92
- NVS
- 31.02
- AZN
- 26.37
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at 4.07 on P/S ratio, roughly in the peer group’s normal range. The market is not making a strong cheap-or-rich statement about its revenue base.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.07
Group distribution
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- CRL
- 4.07
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
Largest peers
- LLY
- 13.95
- ABBV
- 7.80
- JNJ
- 6.69
- MRK
- 5.37
- NVS
- 5.35
- AZN
- 4.63
- CRL
- 4.07
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at 5.01 on P/B ratio, roughly in line with the industry’s normal price-to-book range. Its balance sheet is not being priced at a clear discount or premium versus peers.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.01
Group distribution
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- CRL
- 5.01
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Largest peers
- LLY
- 29.96
- NVS
- 8.25
- JNJ
- 8.16
- MRK
- 8.06
- AZN
- 5.59
- CRL
- 5.01
- ABBV
- -112.34
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: CRL | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 366.87 | 26.69 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.07 | 7.30 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.01 | 3.25 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.74% | -1.66% |