Analysts Slash Charles River Laboratories Targets to $175 and $193
Mizuho analyst Ann Hynes cut her price target on Charles River Laboratories from $215 to $175 while maintaining Neutral, citing mixed Q4 results and slower organic growth. On Feb. 19, Baird’s Eric Coldwell lowered his target from $231 to $193 but kept an Outperform rating with 14% upside potential.
1. Analyst Rating and Price Target Adjustments
On February 20, Mizuho Securities maintained a Neutral rating on Charles River Laboratories but cut its price target from $215 to $175. One day earlier, on February 19, Baird kept its Outperform rating while lowering its target from $231 to $193, implying roughly 14% upside potential.
2. Reasons for Revision
Both firms pointed to mixed fourth-quarter results, slower anticipated organic growth for 2026 and reduced free cash flow projections as drivers for the price target cuts. Baird additionally applied a more conservative valuation multiple given broader industry concerns over AI-related investments.
3. Outlook and Upside Potential
The retained positive ratings alongside lowered targets reflect cautious confidence: Mizuho’s Neutral stance underscores near-term headwinds, whereas Baird’s Outperform rating signals belief in Charles River’s long-term drug discovery and safety testing services growth trajectory.