10Y annualized return is
positive but below market average
at 5.4% per year
CRL has met or exceeded earnings expectations in
all
recent quarters (10/10)
Moderate Price-to-Sales Ratio
Decent Gross Profit Margin
Manageable Debt Levels
Good Liquidity Ratios
Stable Demand Environment
Cost-Saving Initiatives
Improvement in Biotech Demand
Restructuring for Future Growth
Extremely High P/E Ratio
High EV/EBITDA Ratio
Low Net Profit Margin
Low Return on Equity
Low Cash Ratio
Interest Coverage Concern
Declining Revenue
Uncertain Recovery in Pharma Demand
Pricing Headwinds
Charles River Laboratories is navigating a challenging demand environment while implementing significant cost-saving measures. The company's long-term strategic positioning and improving biotech demand provide some optimism, but ongoing revenue declines and uncertain pharma demand recovery pose risks.
Analysis Date: February 19, 2025 Last Updated: March 11, 2025
+69%
+5.4% per year
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The data presented is indicative and may not be updated in real-time.
CountryUS
ExchangeNYSE
IndustryMedical - Diagnostics & Research
SectorHealthcare
Market Cap$9.69B
CEOMr. James C. Foster J.D.
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) helps companies develop new medicines and treatments. They provide important services like testing and safety checks for drugs before they reach patients. They also breed special lab animals, like mice and rats, which scientists use to study diseases and test new drugs. In simple terms, CRL supports the healthcare industry by making sure that new health products are safe and effective.
Streams of revenue
Discovery and Safety Assessment:76%
Manufacturing Support:24%
Geographic Distribution
UNITED STATES:56%
Europe:27%
CANADA:13%
Asia Pacific:5%
Core Products
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Research ModelsLab animal models
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Biologics TestingBiologics analysis
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Discovery ServicesDrug discovery
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Microbial SolutionsMicrobial detection
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Preclinical ServicesDrug safety testing
Business Type
Business to Business
Competitive Advantages
π
Global ReachWith operations in multiple regions, CRL can serve a broad international client base, enhancing its market presence.
π
Regulatory ExpertiseThe company has deep knowledge of regulatory requirements, helping clients navigate complex compliance landscapes in drug development.
π
Established ReputationCharles River has built a strong reputation over decades, making it a trusted partner for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
π
Diverse Service OfferingsThe company provides a wide range of integrated services across drug discovery and development, catering to various client needs.
π
Innovative Research ModelsCRL specializes in genetically engineered and purpose-bred research models, maintaining a competitive edge in non-clinical research.
Key Business Risks
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Client DependencyHigh dependency on a limited number of large clients may pose financial risks if contracts are lost or reduced.
π
Market CompetitionIntense competition in the contract research sector may pressure pricing and market share.
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Regulatory ComplianceNon-compliance with evolving regulations can lead to fines, operational disruptions, and reputational damage.
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Supply Chain DisruptionsDisruptions in the supply chain for research models and materials can affect service delivery and client satisfaction.
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Technological AdvancementsFailure to keep pace with rapid technological changes can impact service offerings and operational efficiency.
Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) values provide a view of the company's performance over the last year.
Graham Value Metrics
Benjamin Graham's value investing approach focuses on finding stocks with a significant margin of safety between their intrinsic value and market price.
Intrinsic Value
Estimated fair value based on Graham's formula
$2.99
Current Market Price: $136.91
IV/P Ratio: 0.02x (>1.0 indicates undervalued)
Margin of Safety
Gap between intrinsic value and market price
-4473.0%
Graham recommended a minimum of 20-30% margin of safety
Higher values indicate a greater potential discount to fair value
Graham Criteria Checklist
Benjamin Graham's value investing checklist for CRL
Positive earnings (5+ years)
Dividend history (5+ years)
P/E ratio β€ 20 (571.54)
P/B ratio β€ 1.5 (2.02)
Current ratio β₯ 2.0 (1.41x)
Long-term debt < Net current assets (6.66x)
Margin of safety (-4473.0%)
CRL does not meet all Graham criteria
ROE: 0.33542959716408777
ROA: None
Gross Profit Margin: 31.82529631561962
Net Profit Margin: 0.3024452659007222
Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) values provide a view of the company's performance over the last year.
Income Statement Flow
Scroll horizontally to see more
About Profitability Metrics
Profitability metrics measure a company's ability to generate earnings relative to its revenue, operating costs, and other relevant metrics. Higher values generally indicate better performance.
Return on Equity (ROE)
Measures how efficiently a company uses its equity to generate profits
0.34%
10%15%
Higher values indicate better returns for shareholders
TTM (as of 2025-04-30)
Gross Profit Margin
Percentage of revenue retained after accounting for cost of goods sold
31.83%
20%40%
Higher values indicate better efficiency in production
TTM (as of 2025-04-30)
Net Profit Margin
Percentage of revenue retained after accounting for all expenses
The gross profit margin of 31.83% reflects a healthy ability to generate profit from sales before accounting for operating expenses.
Weaknesses
Low Net Profit Margin
0.003
Net Profit Margin
The net profit margin of 0.30% is very low, indicating that the company struggles to convert revenues into actual profit, which raises concerns about cost control and overall profitability.
Low Return on Equity
0.0034
Return on Equity
The return on equity (ROE) of 0.34% suggests that the company is not generating a satisfactory return on shareholders' equity, indicating inefficiency in using capital.
About Financial Health Metrics
Financial health metrics assess a company's ability to meet its financial obligations and its overall financial stability.
Debt to Equity Ratio
Total debt divided by total equity
0.78x
1.0x2.0x
Lower values indicate less financial leverage and risk
Less than 1.0 is conservative, 1.0-2.0 is moderate, >2.0 indicates high risk
Less than 1.0 is concerning, 1.0-2.0 is adequate, greater than 2.0 is good
Q4 2024
Financial Health Analysis
Strengths
Manageable Debt Levels
0.7869
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
0.3618
Debt-to-Assets Ratio
The debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79 and debt-to-assets ratio of 0.36 indicate that the company manages its debt levels relatively well, suggesting a balanced approach to financing.
Good Liquidity Ratios
1.4114
Current Ratio
1.1312
Quick Ratio
The current ratio of 1.41 and quick ratio of 1.13 suggest that the company has sufficient short-term assets to cover its short-term liabilities, indicating solid liquidity.
Weaknesses
Low Cash Ratio
0.1958
Cash Ratio
The cash ratio of 0.20 indicates limited cash reserves relative to current liabilities, which could pose a risk in meeting short-term obligations.
Interest Coverage Concern
2.077
Interest Coverage Ratio
An interest coverage ratio of 2.08 suggests that the company only barely covers its interest expenses, indicating potential challenges in meeting debt obligations if earnings decline.
Historical Earnings Results
Meeting Expectations
10/10
Higher values indicate better execution and credibility
Recent Results
2025-02-19
+6.4%
2024-11-06
+6.6%
2024-08-07
+17.2%
2024-05-09
+10.2%
2024-02-14
+2.9%
2023-11-08
+15.7%
2023-08-09
+2.3%
2023-05-11
+7.3%
2023-02-22
+8.4%
2022-11-02
+4.8%
Earnings call from February 19, 2025
EPS
2.50
Estimated
2.66
Actual
+6.40%
Difference
Strengths
Stable Demand Environment
Stable below 1.0
Net Book-to-Bill Ratio
Lower levels maintained
Cancellation Rate
The company has noted stability in key performance indicators for DSA demand, including a stable net book-to-bill ratio and cancellation rates. This indicates a consistent demand for services amidst market challenges.
Cost-Saving Initiatives
$225 million
Expected Annualized Savings
19.9%
Operating Margin in Q4 2024
Charles River is implementing significant restructuring initiatives expected to yield annualized savings of approximately $225 million by 2026. This proactive approach helps maintain margins despite revenue declines.
Weaknesses
Declining Revenue
-2.8%
Organic Revenue Decline
4.5% to 7%
Expected Revenue Decline in 2025
The company experienced a decline in organic revenue by 2.8% for the full year of 2024, primarily driven by lower DSA revenue and client spending constraints.
Opportunities
Improvement in Biotech Demand
Slight improvement in 2025
Expected Biotech Revenue Growth
The company anticipates stable to slightly improved demand trends from small and mid-sized biotech clients, contributing positively to future revenue growth.
Restructuring for Future Growth
>5%
Projected Cost Structure Reduction
Charles River's strategic initiatives, including rightsizing and optimizing operations, position the company to capitalize on future market opportunities as biopharmaceutical spending rebounds.
Risks
Uncertain Recovery in Pharma Demand
Expected in 2026
Pharma Demand Recovery Timeline
The company does not expect a recovery in large pharma demand until 2026, indicating a prolonged period of revenue pressure and uncertainty in that segment.
Pricing Headwinds
Expected decline due to lower pricing
Pricing Impact on DSA Revenue
The company is facing pricing headwinds in the DSA segment as clients become more price-sensitive, impacting revenue growth potential.
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