Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc vs Stryker Corporation — how do they compare? Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc trades at $288.87 (market cap $13.46B), while Stryker Corporation trades at $346.82 (market cap $133.54B). The key difference: Stryker Corporation is far larger — about 9.9× Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc's market cap, and Stryker Corporation pays a 1.01% dividend while Charles River Laboratories Intl. Inc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CRL | SYK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $13.46B | $133.54B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $282.00 | $394.34 |
52-Week Low | $145.57 | $282.58 |
Enterprise Value | $16.30B | $145.01B |
Dividend Yield | — | 1.01% |
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.
Stryker (SYK) trades at $347.21, up 0.4% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals, including a 9% organic sales growth in Q2 2026 and a net income margin of 14.43%. Recent news highlights recovery from a cybersecurity incident and the launch of Mako RPS, expanding its robotic surgery portfolio. Analyst consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with 74% recommending Buy and a price target of $379.44.
The outlook for SYK is favorable, driven by robust earnings growth and strategic product launches. Key risks include cybersecurity vulnerabilities and margin pressures from tariffs. With no sell ratings and strong institutional support, the stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors, though monitoring quarterly execution remains critical.
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 →Stryker is a global leader in medical technology, specializing in Orthopaedics, MedSurg, and Neurotechnology. It is renowned for its highly decentralized business model, which empowers 22 specialized business units to drive innovation and category leadership. With its market-leading Mako SmartRobotics™ platform and a relentless M&A strategy, Stryker provides a comprehensive ecosystem of connected surgical tools, implants, and digital solutions that improve both clinical and financial outcomes for hospitals worldwide.
Read more on SYK →