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CRL vs TMO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Charles River Laboratories (CRL) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Charles River Laboratories (CRL) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) operate in the life sciences tools and services sector, with CRL focusing on preclinical research services and TMO offering a broader portfolio of instruments, consumables, and diagnostics.
- In recent weeks, CRL reported second-quarter 2026 organic revenue growth of 0.1% and raised full-year guidance, supported by improving demand in its discovery and safety assessment segment and share repurchases.
- TMO delivered stronger second-quarter results with 5% organic revenue growth and raised its 2026 outlook, driven by broad-based demand across pharma, biotech, and industrial markets plus ongoing share buybacks.
- CRL shares have shown higher volatility and stronger year-to-date gains compared with TMO, reflecting its smaller size and sensitivity to biopharma funding cycles.
- TMO benefits from greater scale, recurring revenue streams, and diversification, which have contributed to more consistent performance amid shifting market sentiment.
- Both companies have executed portfolio optimization through divestitures, positioning them for improved operational focus in the current environment.
Introduction
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) represent two prominent players in the life sciences tools and services industry. Investors and traders often compare these stocks when evaluating exposure to biopharma research, drug development, and laboratory infrastructure amid evolving funding trends and regulatory landscapes. This analysis examines their business models, recent performance metrics, and relative positioning to assist those seeking to understand sector dynamics and individual company trajectories in the prevailing market environment.
CRL Overview and Recent Performance
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) provides preclinical and clinical laboratory services, including discovery, safety assessment, and manufacturing support primarily for pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients. In recent market activity, the company reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of approximately $1 billion, exceeding expectations, with organic growth turning positive for the first time since late 2023. Management raised full-year guidance, citing stronger bookings in the discovery and safety assessment segment and operational improvements in manufacturing. Share repurchases totaling $100 million in the quarter have supported shareholder returns, while divestitures of certain non-core businesses have sharpened the portfolio. Stock performance has reflected these developments, with notable gains over broader timeframes despite sector headwinds.
TMO Overview and Recent Performance
Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) supplies analytical instruments, laboratory products, diagnostics, and biopharma services to a wide range of end markets, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academia. Recent results showed second-quarter 2026 revenue of $11.99 billion, reflecting 10% reported growth and 5% organic expansion, surpassing prior guidance. The company raised its full-year outlook amid strengthening customer activity and productivity gains. Strategic moves, including acquisitions and a $1 billion share repurchase program in the quarter, have bolstered its position. Performance has remained resilient across recent periods, supported by recurring revenue and exposure to long-term industry trends.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
CRL operates a more specialized model centered on contract research and preclinical testing, exposing it to biopharma research and development spending cycles. TMO maintains broader diversification across instruments, consumables, and services, generating substantial recurring revenue that supports steadier cash flows. In recent momentum, CRL has exhibited sharper rebounds tied to demand recovery signals, while TMO has delivered consistent organic growth across multiple segments. Risk factors differ markedly: CRL faces higher volatility due to its smaller scale and client concentration, whereas TMO contends with integration risks from acquisitions but benefits from greater financial flexibility. Sector exposure remains similar within healthcare, yet market sentiment has favored TMO’s scale and stability during periods of uneven biotech funding.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings stability, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a probabilistic edge to TMO. Its larger scale, diversified revenue base, and track record of guidance raises suggest more reliable momentum compared with CRL’s recovery-driven trajectory, though both stocks warrant monitoring for shifts in biopharma demand.
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 TMO is a Buy.
CRL | TMO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 38 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 88 Overvalued | 13 Undervalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 100 | 67 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 92 | 60 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 36 | 25 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 1 | 16 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 50 |
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.
TMO's Valuation (13) in the Medical Specialties industry is significantly better than the same rating for CRL (88) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew significantly faster than CRL’s over the last 12 months.
TMO's Profit vs Risk Rating (67) in the Medical Specialties industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CRL (100) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew somewhat faster than CRL’s over the last 12 months.
TMO's SMR Rating (60) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as CRL (92) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew similarly to CRL’s over the last 12 months.
TMO's Price Growth Rating (25) in the Medical Specialties industry is in the same range as CRL (36) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry. This means that TMO’s stock grew similarly to CRL’s over the last 12 months.
CRL's P/E Growth Rating (1) in the Miscellaneous Commercial Services industry is in the same range as TMO (16) in the Medical Specialties industry. This means that CRL’s stock grew similarly to TMO’s over the last 12 months.
| CRL | TMO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 83% | 3 days ago 65% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 64% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 66% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 69% | 3 days ago 62% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 62% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 70% | 4 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 13 days ago 70% | 20 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 86% | 3 days ago 64% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 58% |
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 1 FA rating(s) are green while TMO’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- CRL’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- TMO’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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 TMO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CRL’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- TMO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CRL (@Medical Specialties) experienced а +5.32% price change this week, while TMO (@Medical Specialties) price change was +3.62% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Medical Specialties industry was +3.46%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +7.34%, and the average quarterly price growth was +60.89%.
Reported Earning Dates
CRL is expected to report earnings on Nov 11, 2026.
TMO is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Medical Specialties (+3.46% 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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