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Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 18 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 10 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter revenue declined organically: Fourth-quarter revenue was $994.2 million, down 0.8% reported and 2.6% organically, with foreign currency adding 1.9%. Full-year revenue was $4.02 billion, down 0.9%. Source
  • GAAP loss reflected non-cash impairments: Fourth-quarter GAAP loss per diluted share was $(5.62), including an $211.0 million intangible asset impairment and a $165.0 million goodwill impairment in Biologics Solutions. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS fell 10.2% in quarter: Fourth-quarter non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.39, down 10.2%, and non-GAAP net income was $118.8 million, down 13.0%, on lower revenue and operating margin. Source
  • DSA organic revenue fell 3.3%: DSA revenue was $591.6 million, down 2.0% reported and 3.3% organically, on lower discovery services volume and lower regulated safety assessment volume. Source
  • DSA bookings improved in fourth quarter: Management cited substantial improvement in DSA net bookings in the fourth quarter as evidence that the biopharmaceutical demand environment is stabilizing. Source
  • Non-GAAP margin fell to 18.1%: Fourth-quarter non-GAAP operating margin was 18.1%, down from 19.9%, primarily on lower revenue, higher DSA study-related direct costs and an unfavorable RMS revenue mix. Source
  • Reported revenue guided flat to +1.5%: Reported 2026 revenue growth is guided at least flat to +1.5%, and organic growth at (1.0)% to at least flat, stated without planned divestitures of about 7% of revenue. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS guided $10.70 to $11.20: Non-GAAP EPS is estimated at $10.70 to $11.20, up about 4% to 9%, with GAAP EPS estimated at $6.30 to $6.80. Source

“As we look ahead, we are cautiously optimistic that positive demand trends will continue in 2026.”

James C. Foster, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue growth, reported Sourcefull-year 2026At Least Flat to +1.5%New
Revenue growth, organic Sourcefull-year 2026(1.0)% to At Least FlatNew
Divestitures and acquisitions, net effect on reported revenue growth Sourcefull-year 20260.0% - (0.5)%New
Foreign exchange effect on reported revenue growth Sourcefull-year 2026(1.0)% - (1.5)%New
GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2026$6.30 - $6.80New
Acquisition-related amortization and integration costs, per share Sourcefull-year 2026$3.50 - $3.60New
Restructuring costs, per share Sourcefull-year 2026$0.80 - $0.85New
Non-GAAP EPS Sourcefull-year 2026$10.70 - $11.20New
Non-GAAP EPS growth Sourcefull-year 2026approximately 4% to 9%New
Planned divestitures, share of annual revenue Source2025 and estimated 2026approximately 7%New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: The company gave 2026 guidance for revenue and EPS, stated without the impact of planned divestitures. Source
  • New: The company completed the acquisition of the assets of K.F. (Cambodia) Ltd., which is cited as adding to 2026 earnings. Source
  • Ended: The U.S. government investigations into the NHP supply chain are described as now concluded. Source

Fourth-quarter and full-year results

  • Fourth-quarter revenue declined organically: Fourth-quarter revenue was $994.2 million, down 0.8% reported and 2.6% organically, with foreign currency adding 1.9%. Full-year revenue was $4.02 billion, down 0.9%. Source
  • GAAP loss reflected non-cash impairments: Fourth-quarter GAAP loss per diluted share was $(5.62), including an $211.0 million intangible asset impairment and a $165.0 million goodwill impairment in Biologics Solutions. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS fell 10.2% in quarter: Fourth-quarter non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.39, down 10.2%, and non-GAAP net income was $118.8 million, down 13.0%, on lower revenue and operating margin. Source
  • Full-year non-GAAP EPS slightly lower: Full-year non-GAAP diluted EPS was $10.28, down 0.4%. Full-year GAAP diluted loss per share was $(2.91), against diluted EPS of $0.20 in 2024. Source
  • Venture investments gained in quarter: Venture capital and other strategic investments produced a $0.10 per-share gain in the fourth quarter, compared with a $0.32 per-share loss a year earlier. Source

Segment revenue and demand

  • DSA organic revenue fell 3.3%: DSA revenue was $591.6 million, down 2.0% reported and 3.3% organically, on lower discovery services volume and lower regulated safety assessment volume. Source
  • DSA bookings improved in fourth quarter: Management cited substantial improvement in DSA net bookings in the fourth quarter as evidence that the biopharmaceutical demand environment is stabilizing. Source
  • Organic growth return assumed for 2026: Guidance assumes fourth-quarter DSA booking trends continue, returning organic revenue growth in the second half of 2026 for the consolidated company and the DSA segment. Source
  • RMS organic revenue slipped: RMS revenue was $206.3 million, up 1.0% reported but down 0.9% organically, as higher research model services and small models in China and Europe partly offset lower large and North American small model revenue. Source
  • Manufacturing organic revenue fell 2.1%: Manufacturing revenue was $196.4 million, up 0.7% reported and down 2.1% organically. Management expects Manufacturing organic revenue to increase in 2026 after the 2025 loss of a large CDMO client. Source
  • RMS full-year revenue rose 2.0%: Full-year RMS revenue was $846.1 million, up 2.0% and up 1.2% organically. Full-year DSA revenue was $2.40 billion, down 2.0%, and Manufacturing was $766.4 million, down 0.4%. Source

“This approach ensures Charles River remains the partner of choice for our clients as the biopharmaceutical demand environment continues to improve,”

James C. Foster, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer

Margins and costs

  • Non-GAAP margin fell to 18.1%: Fourth-quarter non-GAAP operating margin was 18.1%, down from 19.9%, primarily on lower revenue, higher DSA study-related direct costs and an unfavorable RMS revenue mix. Source
  • Manufacturing margin rose on savings: Manufacturing non-GAAP operating margin was 32.1%, up from 28.7%, attributed to cost savings from restructuring. The full-year Manufacturing non-GAAP margin was 28.8%. Source
  • RMS margin fell on revenue mix: RMS non-GAAP operating margin was 21.9%, down from 22.8%, on unfavorable large research model mix and lower small research model revenue in North America. Source
  • GAAP margins hit by impairments: Fourth-quarter GAAP operating margin was (28.5)% against (16.7)%, with Manufacturing at (115.9)% after larger Biologics Solutions impairments. Source

2026 guidance

  • Reported revenue guided flat to +1.5%: Reported 2026 revenue growth is guided at least flat to +1.5%, and organic growth at (1.0)% to at least flat, stated without planned divestitures of about 7% of revenue. Source
  • Non-GAAP EPS guided $10.70 to $11.20: Non-GAAP EPS is estimated at $10.70 to $11.20, up about 4% to 9%, with GAAP EPS estimated at $6.30 to $6.80. Source
  • Per-share acquisition and restructuring costs: Acquisition-related amortization and integration costs are estimated at $3.50 to $3.60 per share, and restructuring costs at $0.80 to $0.85 per share. Source
  • Divested businesses in guidance footnote: The guidance text says it is stated without planned divestitures. A footnote says the planned divested businesses' revenue and earnings per share remain in full-year 2026 guidance. Source
  • Currency and divestiture effects on growth: Foreign exchange effect on reported revenue growth is shown at (1.0)% to (1.5)%, and divestitures and acquisitions at 0.0% to (0.5)%. Source

“we remain intently focused on scientific innovation that will reinforce our position as the leader in preclinical drug development.”

James C. Foster, Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer

Cash, capital and impairments

  • Operating cash flow nearly flat: Net cash from operating activities was $737.6 million for 2025, against $734.6 million in 2024. Capital expenditures were $219.2 million, down from $233.0 million. Source
  • Share repurchases rose to $360.7 million: Purchases of treasury stock were $360.7 million in 2025, against $119.2 million in 2024. Shares outstanding fell to 49.2 million from 51.1 million. Source
  • Long-term debt declined to $2.14 billion: Long-term debt, net and finance leases was $2.14 billion at year-end, down from $2.24 billion. Cash and cash equivalents were $213.8 million. Source
  • Long-lived asset impairments rose: Full-year long-lived asset impairments were $259.1 million, against $51.8 million in 2024, alongside the $165.0 million goodwill impairment. Source

Strategy and organization

  • Cambodia asset acquisition completed: Management said the completed acquisition of the assets of K.F. (Cambodia) Ltd. adds earnings accretion to 2026 non-GAAP EPS. Source
  • NHP investigations now concluded: Management said the U.S. government investigations into the NHP supply chain are now concluded. Related DSA legal costs are excluded from non-GAAP results. Source
  • Organization being refined for speed: Management said it is strengthening and refining the organization to improve speed and responsiveness to clients. Source

Coming up, as management said on 18 February 2026

  • PathoQuest SAS acquisition planned: The guidance footnote refers to the planned acquisition of PathoQuest SAS, which is adjusted out of organic growth. No closing date is given in the document. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Lower large research model revenue and lower Insourcing Solutions revenue, mainly CRADL operations, are expected to partly offset 2026 growth. Source
  • Financial: Intangible asset impairments were recorded for Cell Solutions and CDMO Gene Therapy after a 2025 decline in operating performance. Source
  • Financial: A higher tax rate was cited as one reason non-GAAP net income and EPS declined in the fourth quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said it remains committed to driving its strategy, including through selective acquisitions that fit its core competencies. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it is taking actions to drive efficiency and process improvements that it expects to keep delivering benefits. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.