Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs Global Payments Inc — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $288.87 (market cap $13.46B), while Global Payments Inc trades at $88.53 (market cap $22.72B). The key difference: Global Payments Inc is the larger of the two by market cap, and Global Payments Inc pays a 1.16% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | GPN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.46B | $22.72B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $282.00 | $90.01 |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $62.47 |
Enterprise Value | $16.30B | $40.87B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.16% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Global Payments (GPN) trades at $88.65, up 2.93% today, with a bullish technical signal and consistent earnings beats. The stock shows strong profitability with a 63.91% gross margin but negative net income margin and ROE. Recent Q2 2026 EPS of $3.46 beat estimates, though revenue guidance was trimmed. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $96.67 target.
GPN offers upside to analyst targets but faces risks from margin pressure and competitive fintech landscape. Debt-to-asset ratio rose to 41.57% in 2025, increasing financial leverage concerns. Investment appeal hinges on execution of the Genius platform strategy amid economic headwinds.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Global Payments is a leading provider of payment processing and software solutions and focuses on serving small and midsize merchants. The company operates in 30 countries and generates about one fourth of its revenue from outside North America, primarily in Europe and Asia. In 2019, Global Payments merged with Total System Services in an all-stock deal that gave Total System Services shareholders 48% of the combined company's shares.
Read more on GPN →