Is CRL (Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, CRL is classified as Doubtful. It passed 3 of 4 compliance screens. Some scholars may permit investing with income purification, while others advise avoiding it. We recommend consulting a qualified Islamic scholar before investing in CRL.

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. operates as a leading non-clinical contract research organization supporting drug discovery and safety testing worldwide. The company provides critical services for pharmaceutical development, including the production of specialized rodent research models used extensively by medical researchers. For Muslim investors using AAOIFI standards, CRL is currently classified as Doubtful. While the underlying medical research business is perfectly halal, the stock fails the financial screening criteria due to high leverage, meaning it does not currently align with strict Islamic investment guidelines. The primary concern from an Islamic finance perspective is the company's debt-to-market capitalization ratio, which sits at 37.8%, breaching the 33% maximum limit. On a positive note, its interest-bearing cash and securities represent only 2.6% of its market cap, and interest income is negligible at 0.12% of total revenue. Halal investors should monitor CRL's balance sheet in upcoming quarters. If the company actively reduces its debt burden or if its market capitalization increases sufficiently to bring the debt ratio below the 33% threshold, the stock could become fully compliant. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. operates in the Healthcare sector under the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry and is headquartered in Wilmington, MA, US. The company is led by CEO James C. Foster and employs approximately 18,700 people.

CRL was screened using AAOIFI-based shariah compliance criteria. Four tests are applied: (1) Business Activity — the company's core business must not derive primary income from haram (prohibited) activities such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or interest-based finance. (2) Debt-to-Market-Cap — total debt must not exceed 33% of market capitalization. (3) Interest Income — interest income must not exceed 5% of total revenue. (4) Cash & Securities — cash and interest-bearing securities must not exceed 33% of market cap. CRL passed 3 of these 4 screens.

CRL was last screened on 2026-04-29. Shariah compliance status can change as companies report new financial data, acquire new businesses, or shift revenue streams. We recommend checking back periodically for the most up-to-date screening results.