CRL vs. UTHR: Charles River Laboratories vs. United Therapeutics Stock Comparison
How do Charles River Laboratories (CRL) and United Therapeutics (UTHR) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) and United Therapeutics (UTHR) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but CRL is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while UTHR is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. | United Therapeutics Corporation |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 16.17 billion USD | 23.94 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 23, 2000 | June 17, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 110.83% | 28.77% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 27.87% | 37.63% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -1.57% | 23.78% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) has an aggressive beta of 1.33, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) is defensive at 0.49 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 47.81% | 35.00% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.33 | 0.49 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -74.73% | -33.00% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.05M | 694.55K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.23 | 0.70 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 3.58 | 1.29 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 19.13% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 1.27% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for UTHR.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.27%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- CRL
- 1.27%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
19.13%
- Max
- 109.18%
- UTHR
- 19.13%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 38.61% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 1.01% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.01%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- CRL
- 1.01%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
38.61%
- UTHR
- 38.61%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 23.42% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 28.99% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.42%
- Max
- 83.12%
- CRL
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
28.99%
- Max
- 83.12%
- UTHR
- 28.99%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 1.27% | 19.13% |
| ROA (TTM) | 4.74% | 10.91% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 1.01% | 38.61% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 23.42% | 28.99% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 35.10% | 86.34% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 10.61% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at -0.85% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 13.07% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at -1,555.00% falls below its industry range, a notably weak earnings reading.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -0.85% | 10.61% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 0.33% | 18.02% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -1,555.00% | 13.07% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 22.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 4.61 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 1.41 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for CRL.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.41
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- CRL
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.10
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.61
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- UTHR
- 4.61
- Q1
- 2.47
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Only one side’s leverage can be read here: Charles River Laboratories (CRL) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87 against its industry range, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) reports no figure this period.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.87
- Max
- 1.42
- CRL
- 0.87
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
- UTHR
- --
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 4.61 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.87 | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.92 | -1.53 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Charles River Laboratories (CRL) nor United Therapeutics (UTHR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- CRL
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- UTHR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Charles River Laboratories (CRL) nor United Therapeutics (UTHR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- CRL
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- UTHR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 21.22 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 366.87 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for CRL’s trailing earnings.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
366.87
- CRL
- 366.87
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.22
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- UTHR
- 21.22
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 4.07 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 7.51 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.07
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- CRL
- 4.07
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.51
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- UTHR
- 7.51
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
On P/B ratio, both Charles River Laboratories (CRL) at 5.01 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 3.80 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
CRL
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.01
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- CRL
- 5.01
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.80
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- UTHR
- 3.80
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CRL | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 366.87 | 21.22 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.07 | 7.51 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.01 | 3.80 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.74% | 1.90% |