Charles River Laboratories (CRL)vsNovartis AG ADR (NVS)
CRL
Charles River Laboratories
$267.49
+0.75%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $11.30B
NVS
Novartis AG ADR
$156.33
+1.37%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $291.32B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Novartis AG ADR generates 1308% more annual revenue ($56.69B vs $4.03B). NVS leads profitability with a 22.5% profit margin vs -4.6%. CRL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.12. NVS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 51/100 (C-).
CRL
Hold45
out of 100
Grade: D
NVS
Buy51
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-2.3%
Fair Value
$162.24
Current Price
$267.49
$105.25 premium
Margin of Safety
-66.5%
Fair Value
$92.73
Current Price
$156.33
$63.60 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Growing faster than its price suggests
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 31 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 34.6%
Keeps 23 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Generating 5.6B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
1.2% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
ROE of -6.3% — below average capital efficiency
Earnings declined 17.3%
0.8% revenue growth
Grey zone — moderate risk
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CRL
The strongest argument for CRL centers on PEG Ratio. PEG of 0.12 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : NVS
The strongest argument for NVS centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 22.5% and operating margin at 34.6%.
Bear Case : CRL
The primary concerns for CRL are Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : NVS
The primary concerns for NVS are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CRL profiles as a turnaround stock while NVS is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.
CRL carries more volatility with a beta of 1.40 — expect wider price swings.
CRL is growing revenue faster at 1.2% — sustainability is the question.
NVS generates stronger free cash flow (5.6B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
NVS scores higher overall (51/100 vs 45/100), backed by strong 22.5% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Charles River Laboratories
HEALTHCARE · DIAGNOSTICS & RESEARCH · USA
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., is an American pharmaceutical company specializing in a variety of preclinical and clinical laboratory, gene therapy and cell therapy services for the Pharmaceutical, Medical device and Biotechnology industries. It also supplies assorted biomedical products and outsourcing services for research and development in the pharmaceutical industry and offer support in the fields of basic research, drug discovery, safety and efficacy, clinical support, and manufacturing.
Novartis AG ADR
HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL · USA
Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures and markets medical devices worldwide. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.
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