James Foster on 2026 guidance
From Charles River Laboratories International Inc ($CRL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“We expect the operating margin will improve by 20 to 50 basis points from 19.8% in 2025 driven principally by the benefit from the acquisition of the assets of KF Cambodia. This is expected to translate into non-GAAP earnings per share in a range from $10.70 to $11.20 representing growth of approximately 4 to 9%.”
On , James Foster, Chief Executive Officer, President & Chairman at Charles River Lbrtrs ntrntl Inc, spoke about 2026 guidance during Charles River Laboratories International Inc ($CRL) Q4 2025 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About James Foster
James Foster, Chairman, President, and CEO of Charles River Laboratories, marked his 50th anniversary with the company in April 2026 by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. He is set to retire as CEO in May 2026 but will remain on the board of directors. In interviews, Foster described his tenure as a "great run" and said he is most proud of the company's scientific depth, portfolio sophistication, and its "familial" and "team oriented" culture. He stated that Charles River works on over 80% of drugs approved by the FDA in the last five years. On the company's Q4 2025 earnings call in February 2026, Foster reported that 2025 financial results were at the upper ends of previously provided revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share ranges. He noted a stabilization of the biopharma demand environment and "substantial improvements" in Discovery and Safety Assessment (DSA) net bookings. Foster announced the planned acquisitions of KF Cambodia and Pathquest, stating they align with core competencies and are expected to generate operating margin improvement through cost savings on non-human primate (NHP) sourcing. He expressed cautious optimism that favorable DSA demand trends will continue in 2026, with a return to organic revenue growth expected in the second half of the year.