Compare Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc (CRL) vs Ecolab Inc. (ECL) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $280.53 (market cap $13.22B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $284.62 (market cap $79.73B). The key difference: Ecolab Inc. is far larger — about 6× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and Ecolab Inc. pays a 1.03% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.22B | $79.73B |
Sector | Health | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $277.00 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $16.06B | $88.51B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.03% |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at $267.49, up 0.75% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $3.02 versus $2.77 expected, and raised full-year guidance. Despite negative net income margins and high valuation multiples, analyst sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive with 72% buy ratings.
CRL shows operational strength with consistent earnings beats and improved demand, yet faces risks from high debt and profitability challenges. The consensus price target of $277.29 suggests modest upside, but investors must weigh growth prospects against valuation concerns and macroeconomic pressures on biotech spending.
ECL trades at $285.17, up 0.6% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.09, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady, with a net income margin of 12.57% and robust cash flow from operations of $2.95B in 2025. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and institutional buying interest.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $327.90, implying 15% upside. Risks include elevated valuation multiples and potential margin pressure from input costs. The stock's momentum is supported by earnings beats and strategic acquisitions, but investors should monitor debt levels and competitive dynamics in the water and hygiene sector.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
About Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc
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 →About Ecolab Inc.
Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the hospitality, healthcare, and industrial markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. The company has a strong hold on the U.S. market and is looking to increase its profitability abroad. Additionally, Ecolab serves customers in water, manufacturing, and life sciences end markets, selling customized solutions.
Read more on ECL →
