CRL vs. WAT

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) and Waters Corporation (WAT).

Performance

CRL vs. WAT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) and Waters Corporation (WAT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

CRL vs. WAT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CRL Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.	-13.53%	8.06%	-21.91%	8.49%	-42.17%	50.80%	63.56%	34.97%	3.41%	43.65%
WAT Waters Corporation	-21.60%	2.39%	12.68%	-3.90%	-8.06%	50.59%	5.89%	23.85%	-2.35%	43.75%

Fundamentals

Market Cap CRL : $8.49B WAT : $17.80B
EPS CRL : -$2.93 WAT : $10.77
PS Ratio CRL : 2.12 WAT : 5.61
PB Ratio CRL : 2.68 WAT : 6.95
Total Revenue (TTM) CRL : $4.02B WAT : $3.17B
Gross Profit (TTM) CRL : $1.01B WAT : $1.88B
EBITDA (TTM) CRL : $319.45M WAT : $970.17M

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CRL achieves a -13.53% return, which is significantly higher than WAT's -21.60% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with CRL having a 8.32% annualized return and WAT not far ahead at 8.36%.

CRL

• 1D: 8.00%
• 1M: -3.36%
• YTD: -13.53%
• 6M: 10.25%
• 1Y: 14.60%
• 3Y*: -5.10%
• 5Y*: -10.13%
• 10Y*: 8.32%

WAT

• 1D: 1.51%
• 1M: -6.76%
• YTD: -21.60%
• 6M: -0.67%
• 1Y: -19.20%
• 3Y*: -1.29%
• 5Y*: 0.90%
• 10Y*: 8.36%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

CRL vs. WAT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CRL

CRL Risk / Return Rank: 51
CRL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
CRL Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
CRL Omega Ratio Rank: 52
CRL Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
CRL Martin Ratio Rank: 51

WAT

WAT Risk / Return Rank: 20
WAT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
WAT Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
WAT Omega Ratio Rank: 20
WAT Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
WAT Martin Ratio Rank: 18

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CRL vs. WAT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) and Waters Corporation (WAT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CRL	WAT	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.26	-0.50	+0.76
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.73	-0.47	+1.19
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	0.94	+0.18
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.32	-0.57	+0.89
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.74	-1.23	+1.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CRL vs. WAT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CRL Sharpe Ratio is 0.26, which is higher than the WAT Sharpe Ratio of -0.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CRL and WAT, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CRL	WAT	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26	-0.50	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.24	0.03	-0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22	0.28	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.42	-0.18

Correlation

The correlation between CRL and WAT is 0.47, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

CRL vs. WAT - Dividend Comparison

Neither CRL nor WAT has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

CRL vs. WAT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CRL drawdown since its inception was -78.23%, roughly equal to the maximum WAT drawdown of -80.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRL and WAT.

Drawdown Indicators

	CRL	WAT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-78.23%	-80.12%	+1.89%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.18%	-31.32%	-1.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.23%	-44.27%	-33.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-78.23%	-44.27%	-33.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-62.36%	-29.88%	-32.48%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.47%	-23.99%	-1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.67%	14.49%	+0.18%

Volatility

CRL vs. WAT - Volatility Comparison

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (CRL) has a higher volatility of 17.13% compared to Waters Corporation (WAT) at 9.56%. This indicates that CRL's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than WAT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CRL	WAT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	17.13%	9.56%	+7.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	32.68%	25.10%	+7.58%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	56.65%	38.46%	+18.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	41.85%	32.49%	+9.36%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	37.20%	30.13%	+7.07%

Financials

CRL vs. WAT - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. and Waters Corporation over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

CRL - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. reported a gross profit of 0.00 and revenue of 994.23M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 0.0%.

WAT - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Waters Corporation reported a gross profit of 569.50M and revenue of 932.36M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 61.1%.

CRL - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. reported an operating income of -283.44M and revenue of 994.23M, resulting in an operating margin of -28.5%.

WAT - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Waters Corporation reported an operating income of 270.52M and revenue of 932.36M, resulting in an operating margin of 29.0%.

CRL - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. reported a net income of -276.56M and revenue of 994.23M, resulting in a net margin of -27.8%.

WAT - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Waters Corporation reported a net income of 225.21M and revenue of 932.36M, resulting in a net margin of 24.2%.