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CRL vs MEDP
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Charles River Laboratories (CRL) vs. Medpace Holdings (MEDP) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Different niches, same sector: CRL is a leader in preclinical research and safety testing, while MEDP focuses on clinical development from Phase I through Phase IV.
- Momentum diverges: MEDP is growing revenue at a double-digit pace, whereas CRL is in an early-stage recovery with only marginally positive organic growth.
- CRL is refocusing: Recent divestitures and a new strategy have sharpened its portfolio and driven a sharp share-price re-rating.
- MEDP is scaling faster: Record bookings, a roughly $3 billion backlog, and aggressive buybacks have supported its relative performance.
- Risk profiles differ: CRL carries non-human primate (NHP) cost and demand-recovery risk, while MEDP faces customer-concentration and cancellation-volatility risk.
- Valuation is the key trade-off: Both stocks trade at elevated multiples, making execution and momentum the deciding factors.
Introduction
Charles River Laboratories and Medpace Holdings both operate in the outsourced drug-development services market, yet they serve very different stages of the pharmaceutical lifecycle. This stock comparison is relevant for investors weighing a preclinical testing and research-models specialist against a pure-play clinical contract research organization (CRO). Because the two companies respond to different demand drivers, biotech funding trends, and margin structures, their relative performance and market positioning offer a useful lens on the broader life-sciences services recovery.
CRL Overview and Recent Performance
CRL, or Charles River Laboratories International, provides non-clinical and preclinical drug development services across three segments: Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA), Research Models and Services (RMS), and Manufacturing Solutions. The company has spent recent quarters streamlining its portfolio, completing divestitures of its Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and Cell Solutions businesses and certain European Discovery Services sites to refocus on regulated testing and quality-control capabilities.
Recent market activity has been notably positive. The stock has climbed sharply over the past year, supported by improving DSA demand, rising bookings, and a growing backlog. Under new CEO Birgit Girshick, Charles River introduced a "Pathway to Purpose" strategy and, at its September 2026 Investor Day, outlined targets of 5% to 7% annual organic revenue growth from 2027 and roughly a 24% operating margin by 2030. Management also guided 2026 results toward the upper end of its ranges. Sentiment has been reinforced by the company's first positive organic revenue quarter since late 2023, though exposure to NHP supply costs and uneven demand recovery remain key watch items.
MEDP Overview and Recent Performance
MEDP, or Medpace Holdings, is a clinical CRO offering scientifically driven outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, spanning Phase I through Phase IV trials. The company has a strong focus on small and mid-sized biotech clients, a segment that has helped sustain robust growth.
Medpace's recent performance has been defined by accelerating momentum. Revenue has grown at double-digit rates, and the company reported record net bookings with a book-to-bill ratio above 1.0 in its latest quarter, lifting its backlog to approximately $3 billion. Management raised full-year 2026 guidance for revenue, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and diluted earnings per share (EPS). A completed share-repurchase program that retired a meaningful portion of outstanding shares has amplified per-share growth. Analysts have responded with a mix of price-target increases and cautious ratings, reflecting both the company's execution strength and persistent concerns about customer concentration and the potential volatility of backlog cancellations.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast between these two stocks lies in where they sit in the drug-development value chain and in the stage of their growth cycles. CRL is a turnaround story: management is rationalizing the portfolio, cutting costs, and working to restore organic growth after a multi-year demand reset. Its recovery is gradual and remains sensitive to academic and government research budgets and NHP sourcing economics.
MEDP, by comparison, is a growth-and-efficiency story. Its revenue expansion, record bookings, and buyback-driven EPS growth reflect a company operating from a position of strength, though that strength is partly tied to a concentrated base of small and mid-sized biotech sponsors and to a backlog conversion rate management itself has flagged as elevated.
On valuation, both names trade at premium multiples relative to their sectors, which raises the bar for continued execution. In terms of sector exposure, CRL leans toward the earlier, preclinical end of R&D (research and development), while MEDP is anchored in the clinical phase, where spending is typically larger but contract cycles are longer and more prone to cancellation. Risk factors thus diverge: cost and demand variability for CRL versus concentration and cancellation risk for MEDP.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency, growth durability, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would likely favor MEDP in the current environment. The company's combination of double-digit revenue growth, record bookings, an expanding backlog, and shareholder-friendly capital returns reflects more consistent momentum than CRL's still-fragile organic recovery. That said, the assessment is probabilistic rather than definitive: MEDP's elevated valuation and concentration risk leave less room for missteps, while CRL's cost programs and portfolio refocusing offer an improving, if less proven, catalyst path. Both stocks warrant continued monitoring for shifts in biotech funding, bookings trends, and margin execution.
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 StrongBuy and MEDP is a Hold.
CRL's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for CRL turned positive on October 20, 2026. Looking at past instances where CRL's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 38 of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 20, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on CRL as a result. In 58 of 84 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
Following a +4.81% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where CRL advanced for three days, in 199 of 284 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 70%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 150 of 228 cases where CRL Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 66%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for CRL moved out of overbought territory on October 30, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 30 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 22 of the 30 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 73%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 7 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where CRL declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 70%.
CRL broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 26, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 1 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating outstanding price growth. CRL’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 13 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (6.042) is normal, around the industry mean (67.473). P/E Ratio (-74.721) is within average values for comparable stocks, (2.957). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.122) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.340) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 93 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 95 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 100 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. CRL’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 85, placing this stock worse than average.
MEDP's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for MEDP turned positive on October 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where MEDP's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 42 of 51 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 82%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 20, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on MEDP as a result. In 76 of 99 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
MEDP moved above its 50-day moving average on October 05, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +3.49% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MEDP advanced for three days, in 237 of 315 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 75%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 192 of 255 cases where MEDP Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 75%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for MEDP moved out of overbought territory on October 29, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 36 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 25 of the 36 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 69%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 7 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MEDP declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 63%.
MEDP broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 23, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 11 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 19 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 85, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 38 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. MEDP’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 54 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 83 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (41.946) is normal, around the industry mean (67.473). P/E Ratio (37.580) is within average values for comparable stocks, (2.957). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.929) is also within normal values, averaging (3.473). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.002) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (6.390) is also within normal values, averaging (9.775).
CRL | MEDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 30 | 38 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 13 Undervalued | 83 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 19 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 93 | 11 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 1 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 95 | 54 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
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.
CRL's Valuation (13) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is significantly better than the same rating for MEDP (83). This means that CRL’s stock grew significantly faster than MEDP’s over the last 12 months.
MEDP's Profit vs Risk Rating (19) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is significantly better than the same rating for CRL (100). This means that MEDP’s stock grew significantly faster than CRL’s over the last 12 months.
MEDP's SMR Rating (11) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is significantly better than the same rating for CRL (93). This means that MEDP’s stock grew significantly faster than CRL’s over the last 12 months.
CRL's Price Growth Rating (1) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is somewhat better than the same rating for MEDP (38). This means that CRL’s stock grew somewhat faster than MEDP’s over the last 12 months.
MEDP's P/E Growth Rating (54) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CRL (95). This means that MEDP’s stock grew somewhat faster than CRL’s over the last 12 months.
| CRL | MEDP | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 79% | 1 day ago 82% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 78% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 5 days ago 75% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 70% | 1 day ago 63% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 64% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 75% |
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 overvalued. 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 while MEDP’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CRL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- MEDP’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MEDP’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CRL’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- MEDP’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CRL (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +4.07% price change this week, while MEDP (@Medical Specialties) price change was -2.57% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +2.12%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.89%, and the average quarterly price growth was +48.45%.
Reported Earning Dates
CRL is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
MEDP is expected to report earnings on Feb 15, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+2.12% 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.
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CRL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CRL has been loosely correlated with RGEN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CRL jumps, then RGEN could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CRL | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRL | 100% | -4.44% | ||
| RGEN - CRL | 56% Loosely correlated | -6.20% | ||
| AZTA - CRL | 56% Loosely correlated | -5.35% | ||
| MEDP - CRL | 56% Loosely correlated | -3.77% | ||
| BRKR - CRL | 53% Loosely correlated | -7.95% | ||
| SHC - CRL | 52% Loosely correlated | -2.94% | ||
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MEDP and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, MEDP has been loosely correlated with TMO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if MEDP jumps, then TMO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To MEDP | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDP | 100% | -3.77% | ||
| TMO - MEDP | 61% Loosely correlated | -1.72% | ||
| CRL - MEDP | 57% Loosely correlated | -4.44% | ||
| A - MEDP | 44% Loosely correlated | -3.47% | ||
| RVTY - MEDP | 44% Loosely correlated | -5.30% | ||
| BRKR - MEDP | 43% Loosely correlated | -7.95% | ||
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