Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

New York Stock Exchange
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Somewhat Bullish +45

Charles River Labs stock trades near TD Cowen target after recent gains

AI-generated analysis

📈 Charles River Labs stock closed at USD 283.98 on September 8, 2026, trading just above the average analyst price target of USD 281.

🎯 TD Cowen raised its price target to USD 300 in August 2026, signaling potential upside of about 5.7% from recent levels.

💰 Analysts estimate mean earnings per share of USD 3.07 for the quarter ending September 2026 based on 11 contributing analysts.

📈 Long-term growth expectations indicate an average annual growth rate of 8.89% in key metrics such as earnings.

📉 Forward valuation ratios are projected to decline from 22.77 to 18.97 over the next several fiscal years as earnings expand.

⚠️ A primary risk is that any disappointment relative to the USD 3.07 EPS estimate could trigger significant valuation compression.

Bullish Signals
  • Charles River Labs stock is trading near the average analyst price target of USD 281, indicating market confidence in current earnings growth expectations.
  • TD Cowen lifted its price target to USD 300 in August 2026, suggesting a bullish outlook with potential upside from recent closing levels.
  • Analyst consensus for the quarter ending September 2026 shows a slight upward revision in earnings estimates with a mean percentage change of 0.33%.
  • Long-term analyst projections support an average annual growth rate of 8.89% in key metrics, justifying a premium multiple if growth continues.
Risk Factors
  • The stock is trading only a few dollars above the average analyst target, leaving limited near-term upside and discounting much of expected earnings growth.
  • Valuation ratios stand above 20 on a current-year basis, creating a risk of compression if the company misses the USD 3.07 EPS estimate for the September 2026 quarter.
  • Investors may react more strongly to negative surprises than positive ones given the current proximity to consensus price targets.
Full Analysis
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) stock closed at USD 283.98 on the New York Stock Exchange on September 8, 2026. The share price is currently trading slightly above the average analyst price target of USD 281, suggesting the market has priced in a portion of expected earnings growth. However, the stock remains below the more optimistic USD 300 target set by TD Cowen, which was lifted in August 2026. Analyst consensus for the quarter ending September 2026 indicates a mean earnings per share estimate of USD 3.07 based on data from 11 analysts. Estimates have seen a slight upward revision with a mean percentage change of 0.33%, reflecting a tight range between high and low expectations. Long-term growth projections suggest an average annual growth rate of approximately 8.89% in key metrics like earnings. Valuation ratios for the company show a gradual decline from 22.77 to 18.97 over the forecasted fiscal years, indicating that the market expects earnings expansion to justify current premium multiples. A key risk identified is potential valuation compression if the company fails to meet the upcoming quarterly earnings expectations of USD 3.07 per share, which could lead to a sharper negative reaction from investors than positive surprises.