Charles River Laboratories stock trades below its yearly high

Charles River Laboratories stock stood at USD 277.33 on the NYSE on September 23, 2026, down 2.73 percent from the prior session and 8.56 percent below its 52-week high of USD 303.31. The latest operating data show a recovery story with a clear profitability gap.

Revenue falls while margins weaken

In the second quarter of 2026, Charles River Laboratories generated USD 1.00 billion in revenue, down 2.7 percent year over year, according to Insider Monkey. Organic revenue nevertheless increased 0.1 percent, marking the strongest reading since the third quarter of 2023.

The earnings mix was more difficult. Non-GAAP EPS reached USD 3.02, down 3.2 percent year over year, while GAAP EPS was a loss of USD 0.03 versus earnings of USD 1.06 in the prior-year quarter. The company also reported a non-GAAP operating margin of 20.5 percent, compared with 22.1 percent a year earlier.

Bookings offer a recovery signal

Charles River's Discovery and Safety Assessment segment posted a Q2 2026 net book-to-bill ratio of 1.19, the highest level in nearly four years, according to Investing.com. Management said the ratio had stayed below 0.8 five or six quarters earlier, making the latest booking level a measurable improvement in demand.

The improvement is not yet translating evenly across the portfolio. DSA's non-GAAP operating margin fell to 25.6 percent from 27.4 percent, while the Manufacturing segment margin rose to 37.8 percent from 32.8 percent, according to Insider Monkey.

Stock remains below yearly peak

For fiscal 2026, the company has set non-GAAP EPS guidance of USD 11.15 to USD 11.45, as reported by MarketBeat. That outlook places the book-to-bill improvement beside a modest top-line forecast and keeps margin conversion central to the investment case.

Charles River Laboratories had a market capitalization of USD 13,358,348,241 as of September 23, 2026. The stock's 52-week range was USD 144.26 to USD 303.31, leaving the latest quote materially above its yearly low but below its peak.