Charles River Labs stock trades near yearly high as analysts flag valuation risks

Charles River Labs stock is holding close to its 52-week high as of early September 2026, with market data and analyst targets pointing to limited upside from current levels despite solid earnings expectations.

Charles River Labs stock (ISIN US1591881009) is trading close to its recent yearly high as of early September 2026, with the company valued at around USD 8.2 billion on the New York Stock Exchange according to sector data compiled before September 2, 2026.

Analysts see limited upside at current price

According to an overview of contract research peers compiled by MarketBeat data cited in an ad-hoc-news analyst comparison, Charles River Laboratories International carried a consensus target price of USD 255.65 as of early September 2026, implying a potential downside of 9.42% from the then-current share price level in that analysis.

The same MarketBeat-based overview, updated on September 2, 2026, shows that analysts assign Charles River Laboratories International an average rating score of 2.69, based on 1 sell rating, 3 hold ratings and 12 buy ratings, illustrating that while the stock is broadly viewed positively, valuation is a recurring point of caution in research coverage.

In a separate valuation snapshot compiled by Macrotrends and referenced in the same ad-hoc-news article, Charles River Labs stock was shown with a market capitalization of USD 8.198 billion and a price to earnings ratio of 16.06 as of a recent data update prior to September 2, 2026, a level that suggests investors are already pricing in continued earnings growth and leaves only limited upside to the consensus target price of USD 255.65.

Share price close to upper end of 52-week range

A related ad-hoc-news market piece drawing on data from GuruFocus reported that Charles River Laboratories International stock was quoted at USD 291.76 as of September 2, 2026 on the New York Stock Exchange, after a 3.3% move that pushed the shares toward the upper end of their 52-week trading corridor between USD 144.26 at the low end and USD 302.40 at the high, based on the GuruFocus pricing snapshot.

At this price level of USD 291.76 on September 2, 2026, the company’s market capitalization stood near USD 8.071 billion in the Macrotrends peer table, reinforcing its position as a mid-cap player in the global contract research and life sciences tools space and illustrating how the current stock price sits only USD 10.64 below the 52-week high of USD 302.40.

For investors, this combination of a 3.3% share price increase to USD 291.76 on September 2, 2026 and a consensus target price of USD 255.65 as of early September 2026 means that Charles River Labs stock is trading roughly USD 36.11 above the average analyst target, a gap that underpins the view that the stock now prices in a significant portion of the expected earnings trajectory.

Position among global contract research peers

In the MarketBeat-based comparison cited in the ad-hoc-news corporate news piece, analysts assign Charles River Laboratories International an average rating score of 2.69, while giving IQVIA a higher rating score of 2.88, and consider IQVIA more favorable than Charles River Labs despite both companies trading above book value and being covered by a similar mix of buy and hold recommendations.

This peer context underscores that Charles River Labs stock, with a price to earnings ratio of 16.06 and a market capitalization of USD 8.198 billion as of a recent Macrotrends data snapshot before September 2, 2026, is viewed as reasonably valued relative to its earnings profile but not necessarily the top pick in the contract research and life science services space when analysts compare risk reward profiles.

For investors following DACH-region benchmarks, the valuation discussion around Charles River Labs often serves as a reference point in comparisons with European contract research and laboratory service providers listed in indices such as the MDAX or TecDAX, even though Charles River Labs itself is not part of these indices and remains primarily a United States listed mid-cap name on the New York Stock Exchange.

Laboratory services underpin long term growth

Charles River Laboratories International is widely known for its contract research and laboratory services across discovery, nonclinical development and safety assessment, supplying global pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients with preclinical testing capabilities, specialized models and analytical support that form a recurring revenue base.

While the most recent interim earnings report is not detailed in the same day-filtered sources, the Macrotrends valuation snapshot referenced in the ad-hoc-news article highlights that the company’s earnings profile, reflected in the price to earnings ratio of 16.06 as of a data update prior to September 2, 2026, is central to how investors benchmark Charles River Labs against both United States and European peers in the life science tools and contract research segment.

For long term shareholders, the key question is whether contract volumes, outsourcing trends and pricing discipline in the laboratory services portfolio can sustain earnings growth at a pace that justifies a share price of USD 291.76 near the upper end of the 52-week range by comparison to the analyst consensus target price of USD 255.65 as of early September 2026.

Stock price and investor perspective

As of the latest available closing data on September 2, 2026, Charles River Labs stock is quoted at USD 291.76 on the New York Stock Exchange, within a 52-week range from USD 144.26 at the low end to USD 302.40 at the high, based on market data compiled by GuruFocus and sector valuations summarized in Macrotrends.

At that closing price on September 2, 2026, the company’s market capitalization, measured in the Macrotrends peer overview, stands near USD 8.071 billion, which positions Charles River Labs as a mid-cap component in global contract research and life sciences tools benchmarks and provides a numerical anchor for investors assessing the stock’s valuation in relation to its earnings prospects and analyst consensus targets.

Charles River Labs stock at a glance

• Company: Charles River Laboratories International Inc.
• ISIN: US1591881009
• Ticker: CRL
• Trading venue: NYSE
• Price (as of September 2, 2026): 291.76 USD
• Market capitalization: 8.071 billion USD (as of September 2, 2026)
• Sector / Industry: Health care - Life sciences tools and contract research
• Index membership: S&P 500