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Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 lowered, 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue up reported, down organic: Revenue was $995.8 million, up 1.2%. Currency added 2.8% and a divestiture subtracted 0.1%, so organic revenue fell 1.5%. Source
  • DSA bookings tracking expectations: Management said DSA demand is tracking to its expectations, producing solid first-quarter bookings. The release gives no bookings dollar figure. Source
  • Consolidated non-GAAP margin fell: Non-GAAP operating margin was 16.3%, versus 19.1%. The release cites DSA study costs, RMS revenue mix and higher stock-based compensation. Source
  • CDMO and Cell Solutions sale closed: The company sold its CDMO and Cell Solutions businesses to GI Partners on May 6, 2026, as previously announced. Source
  • New CEO named in release: Birgit Girshick is named Chief Executive Officer. The February release named James C. Foster as Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. Source

“We are pleased to deliver on our first-quarter financial targets, and remain well positioned to generate improving results over the course of the year.”

Birgit Girshick, Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue growth/(decrease), reported SourceFull-year 2026(5.5)% - (4.0)%Lowered from (5.0)% - (3.5)%
Revenue growth/(decrease), organic SourceFull-year 2026(1.5)% - (0.5)%Kept
Contribution from acquisitions SourceFull-year 20260.0% - (0.5)%Kept
Impact from divestitures SourceFull-year 2026~5.0%Kept
Favorable impact of foreign exchange SourceFull-year 2026(0.5)% - (1.0)%
GAAP EPS estimate SourceFull-year 2026$5.35 - $5.85; acquisition-related amortization ~$2.30; acquisition and divestiture costs ~$2.30Lowered from $6.30 - $6.80 (February release)
Costs associated with restructuring and efficiency initiatives SourceFull-year 2026~$0.85
Non-GAAP EPS estimate SourceFull-year 2026$10.80 - $11.30Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: GAAP EPS guidance updated to primarily reflect the impact of the divestitures. Source
  • Guidance kept: Organic revenue and non-GAAP EPS guidance reaffirmed, as stated by the company. Source
  • New: Birgit Girshick is named Chief Executive Officer in this release. The February release named James C. Foster as Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. Source
  • New: Management describes a refreshed strategic focus aimed at modernizing the company and the industry. Source
  • Ended: The CDMO and Cell Solutions businesses were divested to GI Partners on May 6, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue up reported, down organic: Revenue was $995.8 million, up 1.2%. Currency added 2.8% and a divestiture subtracted 0.1%, so organic revenue fell 1.5%. Source
  • Manufacturing gains offset by RMS and DSA: Manufacturing organic growth was more than offset by organic revenue declines in the RMS and DSA segments. Source
  • DSA bookings tracking expectations: Management said DSA demand is tracking to its expectations, producing solid first-quarter bookings. The release gives no bookings dollar figure. Source
  • GAAP loss from divestiture write-down: GAAP net loss to common shareholders was $(14.8) million, or $(0.30) per share, mainly from a $118.0 million loss on assets held for sale. GAAP operating margin rose to 12.0% from 7.6%. Source

Segments and regions

  • RMS organic revenue down 5.5%: RMS revenue was $208.4 million, down 2.2%. Lower small research models in North America and large models was partly offset by small models in China. Source
  • RMS margin hit by revenue mix: RMS non-GAAP margin fell to 24.7% from 27.1%. GAAP margin rose to 23.9% on a gain from the sale of Massachusetts real estate. Source
  • DSA revenue down organically: DSA revenue was $596.9 million, up 0.7% reported but down 1.4% organically. Lower discovery services revenue was partly tied to prior site consolidation. Source
  • Manufacturing grew on Microbial Solutions: Manufacturing revenue was $190.5 million, up 6.8%, with organic revenue up 2.9%. Lower CDMO revenue partly offset Microbial Solutions growth. Source

“Our confidence is supported by a DSA demand environment that is tracking to our expectations, resulting in solid bookings in the first quarter, as well as the successful execution of our strategy.”

Birgit Girshick, Chief Executive Officer

Costs and margins

  • Consolidated non-GAAP margin fell: Non-GAAP operating margin was 16.3%, versus 19.1%. The release cites DSA study costs, RMS revenue mix and higher stock-based compensation. Source
  • Restructuring savings lifted Manufacturing: Manufacturing non-GAAP margin rose to 25.9% from 23.1%, driven by cost savings from restructuring. Segment GAAP margin was 24.6%. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • $200 million of shares repurchased: The company repurchased 1.1 million shares for $200.0 million in the quarter. Source
  • $800 million left on authorization: At March 28, 2026, $800.0 million remained under the $1.0 billion repurchase authorization approved October 29, 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell sharply: Operating cash flow was $41.1 million, against $171.7 million a year earlier. Cash and equivalents ended at $191.8 million, down from $213.8 million. Source
  • Long-term debt rose: Long-term debt, net and finance leases was $2,663.1 million, up from $2,136.4 million at December 27, 2025. Source
  • $405 million acquisition cash outflow: Cash paid for acquisitions of businesses and assets, net of cash acquired, was $405.0 million. The release does not name the acquired business. Source

“I am energized to lead this great company into its next chapter of growth and am confident in the path we are taking to create the future for Charles River”

Birgit Girshick, Chief Executive Officer

Divestitures, portfolio and strategy

  • CDMO and Cell Solutions sale closed: The company sold its CDMO and Cell Solutions businesses to GI Partners on May 6, 2026, as previously announced. Source
  • Portfolio refocus on core competencies: Management said the divestitures will refine the portfolio around core competencies, including regulated drug development testing. Source
  • Refreshed strategic focus described: The CEO described a refreshed strategic focus aimed at modernizing the company and the industry. Source

Leadership and people

  • New CEO named in release: Birgit Girshick is named Chief Executive Officer. The February release named James C. Foster as Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. Source
  • February title listed for Foster: The February release listed James C. Foster as Chair, President and Chief Executive Officer. This release does not restate his title.
  • Executive transition lifted stock comp: Stock-based compensation rose to $22.4 million from $13.1 million, which the release ties largely to executive transition. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026

  • European Discovery sites sale closing: Management expects the sale of certain European Discovery Services sites to complete in May 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: RMS organic revenue fell 5.5%, from lower small research models in North America and lower large research models. Source
  • Financial: A loss on assets held for sale tied to the CDMO and Cell Solutions divestiture reduced GAAP results by $118.0 million. Source
  • Operational: Stock-based compensation rose, largely from executive transition, lowering non-GAAP margin. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management states it delivered on its first-quarter financial targets. Source
  • On track: Management says DSA demand is tracking to its expectations. Source
  • Met: The previously announced divestiture of the CDMO and Cell Solutions businesses was completed on May 6, 2026. Source
  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed 2026 organic revenue and non-GAAP EPS guidance, last updated February 25, 2026. 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.