Is Charles River Laboratories Stock Underperforming the Dow?

Core Insights - Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) is a leading American contract research organization (CRO) with a market cap of $9.5 billion, serving various sectors including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology [1] - CRL is categorized as a mid-cap stock, benefiting from strong competitive advantages such as end-to-end preclinical drug development capabilities and long-standing client relationships [2] - The stock has shown significant short-term performance, gaining 30.2% over the past three months, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average [3] Performance Metrics - CRL reached a 52-week high of $200.58, but on a year-to-date basis, it is up only 7.3%, lagging behind the Dow's 13.8% rise in 2025 [3][4] - The stock has maintained a position above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since late September, indicating a strengthening technical uptrend [4] - Following an upgrade from JPMorgan Chase & Co., CRL shares gained over 2%, with the price target raised to $190, reflecting optimism about the company's fundamentals [5] Competitive Position - Compared to its peer Labcorp Holdings Inc., CRL has underperformed, with Labcorp showing a 14.8% increase year-to-date and 13.5% over the past 52 weeks [6]