Research Analysts Offer Predictions for CRL Q1 Earnings

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE:CRL) – Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for Charles River Laboratories International in a research report issued on Wednesday, March 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the medical research company will post earnings of $2.05 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.39. The consensus estimate for Charles River Laboratories International’s current full-year earnings is $9.36 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Charles River Laboratories International’s Q4 2026 earnings at $3.02 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $3.32 EPS.

Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE:CRL) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 18th. The medical research company reported $2.39 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.33 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $994.23 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $986.98 million. Charles River Laboratories International had a positive return on equity of 15.60% and a negative net margin of 3.59%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was down .8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.66 earnings per share. Charles River Laboratories International has set its FY 2026 guidance at 10.700-11.200 EPS.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Argus set a $200.00 target price on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Wall Street Zen lowered Charles River Laboratories International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on Charles River Laboratories International from $165.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $193.00 target price on shares of Charles River Laboratories International in a report on Thursday, February 19th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $203.57.

Charles River Laboratories International Trading Up 1.9%

Shares of CRL stock opened at $155.61 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $191.59 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $180.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.29. Charles River Laboratories International has a 52-week low of $91.86 and a 52-week high of $228.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.66 billion, a PE ratio of -52.57, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.64.

Institutional Trading of Charles River Laboratories International

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Charles River Laboratories International by 115.8% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,696,150 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $537,828,000 after buying an additional 1,446,972 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA bought a new stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International in the 4th quarter worth about $176,478,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 9,938.8% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 691,474 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $137,935,000 after acquiring an additional 684,586 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Charles River Laboratories International by 1,491.1% during the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 613,604 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $96,005,000 after purchasing an additional 575,039 shares during the period. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI grew its holdings in Charles River Laboratories International by 117.7% during the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 946,769 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $148,131,000 after purchasing an additional 511,901 shares during the last quarter. 98.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

More Charles River Laboratories International News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its FY2027 EPS view to $11.62 (from $11.30), signaling stronger full‑year outlook and supporting a higher valuation multiple. Zacks FY2027 boost
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks lifted FY2026 EPS to $10.78 (from $10.68), implying near‑term margin or revenue improvement versus prior assumptions. Zacks FY2026 boost
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks published FY2028 EPS of $12.12, reflecting continued expected earnings growth beyond FY2027. Long‑term upgrades can lift investor sentiment. Zacks FY2028 outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple quarterly raises: Q3 2026 to $2.86, Q3 2027 to $3.02, Q4 2026 to $3.02, and Q4 2027 to $3.32 — these sequential upgrades point to improving quarterly momentum. Zacks quarterly upgrades
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised mid‑2026 quarterly views (Q2 2026 to $2.85 and Q2/Q3 2026 lifts), indicating expectations for recovery or stronger demand in the upcoming fiscal periods. Zacks mid‑2026 raises
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks’ estimates differ from the consensus full‑year figure repeatedly cited ($9.36), meaning analyst views remain divergent; the Zacks upgrades imply upside versus consensus but do not change consensus itself. Consensus vs Zacks
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks lowered Q1 2026 EPS from $2.39 to $2.05, a material near‑term cut that could pressure the next quarter’s reported results and short‑term sentiment. Zacks Q1 2026 cut
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks slightly trimmed Q2 2027 to $2.65 (from $2.67), a minor downgrade but another signal of some variability in near‑term cadence. Zacks Q2 2027 trim

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.