Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs Medtronic PLC — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $288.87 (market cap $13.46B), while Medtronic PLC trades at $90.61 (market cap $116.07B). The key difference: Medtronic PLC is far larger — about 8.6× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and Medtronic PLC pays a 3.18% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | MDT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.46B | $116.07B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $282.00 | $105.35 |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $73.75 |
Enterprise Value | $16.30B | $134.82B |
Dividend Yield | — | 3.18% |
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.
Medtronic (MDT) trades at $90.70, up 1.44% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving average signals. The company demonstrates solid fundamentals with consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $1.55 beating expectations of $1.54. Revenue growth accelerated to $33.54 billion in 2025 with improving profit margins of 13.2%. Recent positive developments include new product approvals and institutional accumulation, though RSI levels suggest potential near-term overbought conditions.
The outlook remains positive with analyst consensus targeting $98.75 (8.9% upside) and no sell ratings. Key opportunities include robotic surgery platform expansion and cardiac ablation growth, while risks involve rising debt levels and competitive pressures. The stock offers dividend stability with a $0.72 upcoming payment, making it attractive for income-focused investors seeking medical technology exposure.
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 →One of the largest medical device companies, Medtronic develops and manufactures therapeutic medical devices for chronic diseases. Its portfolio includes pacemakers, defibrillators, heart valves, stents, insulin pumps, spinal fixation devices, neurovascular products, advanced energy, and surgical tools. The company markets its products to healthcare institutions and physicians in the United States and overseas. Foreign sales account for almost 50% of the company's total sales.
Read more on MDT →