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CRL vs IQV
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Charles River Laboratories (CRL) vs. IQVIA (IQV) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- IQV delivered stronger year-over-year revenue growth of 8.4% in Q1 2026 compared to CRL's 1.2% increase, highlighting differences in top-line momentum.
- CRL posted a higher year-to-date return of approximately 13.6% versus IQV's 7.7% as of late July 2026, reflecting varied relative performance in recent market activity.
- Both companies operate in the healthcare research and services sector, with IQV focused on data analytics and clinical research services while CRL emphasizes preclinical testing and research models.
- IQV is scheduled to report Q2 2026 results on July 28, 2026, with analysts expecting continued revenue expansion around $4.3 billion.
- CRL reported non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.06 in Q1 2026, down from the prior year, amid margin pressures in certain segments.
- Market capitalization and valuation metrics show IQV trading at a larger scale with recent analyst price target increases, contrasting CRL's more modest analyst consensus targets.
Introduction
This comparison examines CRL and IQV, two established players in the healthcare services and research industry. Investors and traders seeking exposure to life sciences outsourcing, clinical development, and data-driven healthcare solutions may find this analysis relevant for assessing relative positioning. The review focuses on recent performance trends, business fundamentals, and observable market factors over recent weeks and broader periods to provide context for portfolio considerations in the current environment.
CRL Overview and Recent Performance
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) provides essential research models, preclinical services, and laboratory support to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic clients worldwide. In recent market activity, the stock closed at $226.58 on July 24, 2026, reflecting a year-to-date gain of approximately 13.6%. First-quarter 2026 results showed revenue of $995.8 million, up 1.2% year-over-year, though non-GAAP earnings per share declined to $2.06 amid higher study-related costs and segment mix shifts. Sentiment has been influenced by broader industry dynamics in drug development spending and operational efficiency efforts, with the stock trading within a 52-week range of $144.26 to $238.85.
IQV Overview and Recent Performance
IQVIA Holdings Inc. (IQV) delivers clinical research services, commercial insights, and healthcare intelligence primarily to life sciences and healthcare organizations. The stock closed at $208.05 on July 24, 2026, with a year-to-date return near 7.7%. First-quarter 2026 revenue reached $4.151 billion, representing an 8.4% increase year-over-year, supported by growth in commercial solutions and research & development segments; adjusted diluted earnings per share rose to $2.90. Recent market activity includes analyst price target upgrades and positioning ahead of the July 28, 2026, second-quarter earnings release, with the shares operating within a 52-week range of $154.50 to $247.05.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CRL and IQV both serve the life sciences ecosystem but differ in scale and focus. IQV operates a larger platform centered on data analytics, clinical trial management, and commercial solutions, driving more robust recent revenue expansion. CRL specializes in earlier-stage research models and preclinical support, which has shown comparatively steadier but slower top-line growth amid sector cost pressures. In terms of recent momentum, CRL has outperformed on a year-to-date basis while IQV benefits from stronger quarterly results and upcoming catalysts. Risk factors include exposure to pharmaceutical R&D cycles for both, with IQV carrying additional considerations around data privacy and contract renewals. Market sentiment appears constructive for IQV around earnings, whereas CRL reflects more measured analyst expectations.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as stronger recent revenue growth, larger operational scale, and positive analyst revisions, Tickeron’s AI would likely assign a higher probabilistic preference to IQV in the current environment. CRL demonstrates relative stability in year-to-date returns and established positioning in preclinical services, which could support consistent performance depending on broader industry trends. The assessment remains data-driven and subject to evolving market conditions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CRL is a Buy and IQV is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CRL’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileIQV’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CRL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- IQV’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CRL’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while IQV’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CRL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- IQV’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CRL (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +7.36% price change this week, while IQV (@Medical Specialties) price change was +24.70% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +0.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.59%, and the average quarterly price growth was +9.72%.
Reported Earning Dates
CRL is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
IQV is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+0.21% weekly)Medical specialties are companies that make equipment used by the health care industry. Equipment manufactured and distributed by these companies include dialysis machines, blood analysis equipment, surgical equipment, dental instruments, and diagnostic tools, among other items. Large companies typically aim to produce and distribute high-quality products across a broad market spectrum. Smaller firms are more likely to specialize in a particular market segment. Due to the industry’s close association with medical treatments, they typically have low sensitivity to macroeconomic fluctuations. Within this industry, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic Plc and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. are some of the companies with multi-billion market capitalizations in the U.S. stock markets.
| CRL | IQV | CRL / IQV | |
| Capitalization | 11.3B | 39.1B | 29% |
| EBITDA | 291M | 3.52B | 8% |
| Gain YTD | 17.706 | 9.827 | 180% |
| P/E Ratio | 577.05 | 29.58 | 1,951% |
| Revenue | 4.03B | 16.6B | 24% |
| Total Cash | 192M | 2.1B | 9% |
| Total Debt | 3.06B | 16.1B | 19% |
CRL | IQV | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 78 | 89 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 89 Overvalued | 65 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 96 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 94 | 42 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 7 | 5 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 2 | 38 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 55 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
IQV's Valuation (65) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as CRL (89) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IQV’s stock grew similarly to CRL’s over the last 12 months.
IQV's Profit vs Risk Rating (96) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as CRL (100) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IQV’s stock grew similarly to CRL’s over the last 12 months.
IQV's SMR Rating (42) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CRL (94) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IQV’s stock grew somewhat faster than CRL’s over the last 12 months.
IQV's Price Growth Rating (5) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry is in the same range as CRL (7) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that IQV’s stock grew similarly to CRL’s over the last 12 months.
CRL's P/E Growth Rating (2) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is somewhat better than the same rating for IQV (38) in the Servicestothe Health Industry industry. This means that CRL’s stock grew somewhat faster than IQV’s over the last 12 months.
| CRL | IQV | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 65% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 61% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 25 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 72% | 9 days ago 65% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 57% |
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IQV and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, IQV has been closely correlated with CRL. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if IQV jumps, then CRL could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To IQV | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IQV | 100% | +1.90% | ||
| CRL - IQV | 74% Closely correlated | -2.34% | ||
| TMO - IQV | 70% Closely correlated | +0.01% | ||
| MEDP - IQV | 65% Loosely correlated | +2.44% | ||
| RVTY - IQV | 62% Loosely correlated | +1.67% | ||
| A - IQV | 61% Loosely correlated | -0.17% | ||
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