The insider selling cluster is routine in size relative to market cap and is dominated by a director's planned exercise-and-sell. The positive earnings context (beat-and-raise quarter) suggests these sales are not a bearish signal. Monitor for any additional insider sales in the coming weeks, but this cluster alone does not warrant a bearish read-through. The stock's post-earnings momentum may continue, but the insider activity does not provide a fresh catalyst.
Price Chart
Executive Summary
A cluster of insider selling at Charles River Laboratories (CRL) totaling $10.5M in open-market sales occurred within 7 days of a Q2 2026 earnings beat that sent the stock up ~10%. Director James C. Foster exercised and sold $7.9M worth of shares, while EVPs Victoria Creamer and Shannon Parisotto, and SVP Michael Knell also sold. The cluster is dominated by a single director's large sale, which is likely a planned exercise-and-sell transaction rather than a fresh bearish signal, especially given the positive earnings context. The total selling represents ~0.08% of market cap, falling below the 0.1% materiality threshold, making this cluster routine and not indicative of a broader negative view from management.
Key Financial Metrics
Key Facts
- Director James C. Foster sold 28,733 shares for $7.9M on Aug 10, following a derivative exercise.
- EVP Victoria Creamer sold 4,179 shares for $1.08M on Aug 6.
- SVP Michael Knell sold a total of 6,241 shares for ~$1.63M across multiple transactions on Aug 6.
- CEVP Shannon Parisotto sold 5,000 shares for $1.33M on Aug 5.
- Total open-market sales: ~$10.5M, representing ~0.08% of CRL's $13.5B market cap.
- The cluster occurred 7 days after CRL reported Q2 2026 earnings that beat consensus by 10.6% and raised full-year guidance.
- The stock price at the time of sales (~$259-$275) was near the top of its recent range following the earnings-driven rally.
Financial Impact
Total insider open-market sales of ~$10.5M, or ~0.08% of market cap. Director Foster's sale alone accounts for $7.9M.
Risk Factors
- Director Foster's large sale could be interpreted negatively by the market despite its likely planned nature.
- Continued insider selling, especially by C-suite executives, could signal waning confidence if it accelerates.
- The stock's recent rally may attract profit-taking, and insider sales could amplify any pullback.
Market Snapshot
Investment Themes
Documents Analyzed
This report is based on 1 SEC document filed with EDGAR.
| Document | Accession Number |
|---|---|
| CLUSTER Data (Synthetic) | cluster-CRL-1786525345496 |
Track record builds as more directional reports settle.
Filters
| Type | Now | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aug 27, 2026 5w ago | Insider Cluster | $296.41 $294.44 | ▼ −0.66% | ▼ −0.16% | $290.19 (−2.10%) |
Aug 20, 2026 6w ago | Insider Cluster | $291.45 $278.06 | ▼ −4.59% | ▼ −4.59% | $290.19 (−0.43%) |
Aug 13, 2026 7w ago | Insider Cluster | $281.27 $278.26 | ▼ −1.07% | ▲ +0.68% | $290.19 (+3.17%) |
Aug 11, 2026 7w ago | Insider Cluster | $282.00 $278.35 | ▼ −1.29% | ▼ −0.24% | $290.19 (+2.90%) |
Aug 10, 2026 7w ago | Insider Cluster | $282.00 $278.35 | ▼ −1.29% | ▼ −0.24% | $290.19 (+2.90%) |
Aug 5, 2026 8w ago | 8-K | $260.72 $291.76 | ▲ +11.91% | ▲ +12.51% | $290.19 (+11.30%) |
May 7, 2026 21w ago | 8-K | $180.78 $179.87 | ▲ +0.51% | ▲ +3.64% | $290.19 (−60.52%) |
Feb 25, 2026 31w ago | 8-K | $167.50 $164.89 | ▼ −1.56% | ▲ +3.68% | $290.19 (+73.24%) |
US Market Status
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