AMETEK, Inc. vs Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc — how do they compare? AMETEK, Inc. trades at $259.52 (market cap $58.76B), while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $288.87 (market cap $13.46B). The key difference: AMETEK, Inc. is far larger — about 4.4× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and AMETEK, Inc. pays a 0.53% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AME | CRL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $58.76B | $13.46B |
Sector | Industrials | Health |
52-Week High | $256.30 | $282.00 |
52-Week Low | $179.28 | $145.57 |
Enterprise Value | $60.30B | $16.30B |
Dividend Yield | 0.53% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AME trades at $258.62, up 2.27% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong earnings momentum after beating Q2 2026 EPS estimates. The company reported record Q2 results and raised full-year guidance, supported by robust revenue growth and a 20.04% net income margin. Analysts maintain a consensus buy rating with a $281.86 price target, reflecting optimism about its 3D printing and electronics testing segments.
The outlook is positive given consistent earnings beats and upward guidance, but risks include high valuation multiples (P/E 37.47) and exposure to macroeconomic volatility. Institutional sentiment remains strong, with no sell ratings among 30 analysts, though the stock's proximity to resistance at $261 warrants caution for near-term entries.
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at $284.37, up 2.66% today and near its 52-week high, reflecting strong bullish momentum. The stock has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, including a Q2 2026 EPS of $3.02 versus $2.77 expected, and the company raised its full-year guidance. Despite negative net income margins, operating cash flow remains robust at $738 million in 2025. Analyst sentiment is overwhelmingly positive with 26 buy ratings and a consensus price target of $277.29.
The outlook is supported by improving biotech demand and cost controls, but high valuation multiples and recent insider selling pose risks. Earnings growth and margin expansion are key catalysts, though profitability challenges and macroeconomic sensitivity could pressure the stock. Investors should weigh strong technicals and analyst support against fundamental weaknesses and execution risks.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Ametek is a diversified industrial conglomerate with over $6 billion in sales. The firm operates through an electronic instruments group and an electromechanical group. EIG designs and manufactures differentiated and advanced instruments for the process, aerospace, power, and industrial end markets. EMG is a focused, niche supplier of highly engineered automation solutions, thermal management systems, specialty metals, and electrical interconnects, among other products. About half of the firm's sales are made in the United States. The firm's asset-light strategy in place for nearly two decades emphasizes growth through acquisitions, new product development through research and development, driving operational efficiencies, and global and market expansion.
Read more on AME →Charles River Laboratories was founded in 1947 and is a leading provider of drug discovery and development services. The company's research model & services segment is the leading provider of animal models for laboratory testing, which breeds and delivers animal research models with specific genetic characteristics for preclinical studies around the world. The discovery & safety assessment segment includes services required to take a drug through the early development process, including discovery services. The manufacturing support segment includes microbial solutions, which provides in vitro (non-animal) testing products, biologics testing services, and avian vaccine services.
Read more on CRL →