Charles River Laboratories Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2021 Results
February 16, 2022 – Biotechnology –
WILMINGTON, MA, February 16, 2022 – Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL) today reported its results for the fourth-quarter and full-year 2021 and reaffirmed guidance for 2022. For the quarter, revenue was $905.1 million, an increase of 14.4% from $791.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Acquisitions contributed 5.9% to consolidated fourth-quarter revenue growth. The divestiture of the Research Models and Services operations in Japan (RMS Japan) in October 2021 reduced reported revenue growth by 1.4%. The impact of foreign currency translation reduced reported revenue growth by 0.6%. Excluding the effect of these items, organic revenue growth was 10.5%, driven by contributions from all three business segments, led by the Manufacturing segment. The comparison to the COVID-19-related impact in 2020 increased both the reported and organic revenue growth rates by 0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
On a GAAP basis, fourth-quarter net income attributable to common shareholders was $137.6 million, a decrease of 3.9% from $143.2 million for the same period in 2020. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share on a GAAP basis were $2.67, a decrease of 5.0% from $2.81 for the fourth quarter of 2020. The decreases in GAAP net income and earnings per share primarily reflected a loss from the Companyís venture capital and other strategic investments of $0.19 per share in the fourth quarter of 2021, compared to a gain of $1.01 per share for the same period in 2020. The decreases were partially offset by acquisition-related adjustments associated with contingent consideration and a gain on the sale of RMS Japan.
On a non-GAAP basis, net income was $128.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of 5.2% from $122.1 million for the same period in 2020. Fourth-quarter diluted earnings per share on a non-GAAP basis were $2.49, an increase of 4.2% from $2.39 per share for the fourth quarter of 2020. The increases in non-GAAP net income and earnings per share were primarily 2 driven by higher revenue and operating income, partially offset by a higher tax rate and net interest expense.
James C. Foster, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, ‘2021 was another exceptional year for Charles River, with robust revenue and earnings growth, significant operating margin expansion, and meaningful cash flow generation. This performance reflects the unprecedented demand that we are seeing across most of our businesses, as well as the breadth and scientific depth of our leading, non-clinical portfolio.
‘We believe that Charles River is a stronger company today than it has ever been. We have built the leading safety assessment franchise in the world; established an integrated, end-to-end discovery offering for both small and large molecules; and most recently, a comprehensive, scientifically advanced solution for our clientsí complex biologics and cell and gene therapies. We believe that the strength of our portfolio, coupled with robust industry fundamentals and the investments that we are making to accommodate client demand, will fuel low-teens revenue growth in 2022 and enable us to achieve our strategic and financial goals,’ Mr. Foster concluded.

