Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs W W Grainger Inc — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $228.01 (market cap $11.14B), while W W Grainger Inc trades at $1,361.73 (market cap $64.73B). The key difference: W W Grainger Inc is far larger — about 5.8× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and W W Grainger Inc pays a 0.68% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $11.14B | $64.73B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $233.60 | $1.39K |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $918.18 |
Enterprise Value | $14.00B | $66.82B |
Dividend Yield | — | 0.68% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) trades at $229.75, down 1.57% on the day, near its consensus price target of $229.80. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving average signals and support at $225. Fundamentally, CRL has beaten EPS estimates for three consecutive quarters but reported a net loss of $144.34 million in 2025, with negative profit margins. Recent news highlights collaborations in AI and NGS services, supporting growth prospects.
Outlook remains mixed: analyst consensus is strongly bullish with 72% buy ratings and a high target of $260, but profitability challenges and high P/E of 684.85 pose risks. Cash flow stability and strategic partnerships offer upside, while margin pressures and debt levels require monitoring for sustained recovery.
GWW trades at $1,391.68, up 1.16% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages and strong momentum. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $11.65, beating estimates, and raised its full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady, with 2026 revenue projected at $18.4B, while profitability metrics like ROE of 48.1% and net margin near 10% highlight operational strength. Positive analyst sentiment and recent dividend declarations reinforce investor confidence amid a favorable market backdrop.
The outlook for GWW is positive, driven by earnings beats and raised guidance, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 36.87 suggest premium pricing. Risks include economic sensitivity and competitive pressures, but institutional buy ratings and technical support near $1,380 provide a cushion for upward momentum if execution continues.
Trailing returns across standard periods
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 →Grainger is a leading broad-line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. It serves millions of customers worldwide through an integrated network of branches and digital platforms.
Read more on GWW →