Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs Howmet Aerospace Inc — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $228.67 (market cap $11.14B), while Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $277.73 (market cap $110.74B). The key difference: Howmet Aerospace Inc is far larger — about 9.9× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and Howmet Aerospace Inc pays a 0.17% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | HWM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $11.14B | $110.74B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $233.60 | $283.23 |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $171.00 |
Enterprise Value | $14.00B | $112.99B |
Dividend Yield | — | 0.17% |
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.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $271.28, up 0.16% on the day, with a neutral technical signal but strong fundamental performance. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $1.22 exceeding expectations. Revenue growth and robust profit margins, including a 20.22% net income margin, support its premium valuation multiples. Recent news highlights strength in commercial aerospace demand as a key growth driver.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus with 84% buy ratings and a $317.63 price target, suggesting ~17% upside. However, elevated valuation ratios like a P/E of 64.22 pose risks if growth slows. Key catalysts include Q2 2026 results on August 6, 2026, while reliance on aerospace cycles and competitive pressures are monitoring points for investors.
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 →Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →