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Upturn AI Summary - About
ICON PLC(ICLR)
Advisory History & Simulated Performance *
*as per simulation (see disclosures)- ALL
- 1Y
- 1M
- 1W
- BUY Advisory
- SELL Advisory (Profit)
- SELL Advisory (Loss)
- Profit
- Loss
- PASS (Skip)
Stock price based on last close Advisory Performance History (Simulated)
Upturn Advisory & Investor View for ICLR
10/08/2026: ICLR (1-star) is a SELL. SELL for 2 days. Simulated Profits (-5.42%). Updated daily EoD!
ICON PLC is a prominent global contract research organization that supports the clinical development process for pharmaceutical and biotech companies. The firm is recognized for its extensive global reach and ability to manage complex, end-to-end clinical trials. Its primary growth story revolves around the ongoing shift toward outsourcing by life sciences companies and the adoption of decentralized trial technologies. Key risks include sensitivity to pharma R&D spending and the inherent operational challenges of managing large-scale global projects. The stock may suit growth-oriented investors looking for exposure to the pharmaceutical services sector, and stakeholders should monitor pharmaceutical R&D budget trends and integration metrics for their recent major acquisitions.
How to Read the Upturn Advisory
The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.
Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.
Investor Fit
| Investor style | Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth investor | Strong fit | ICON has a track record of expanding its market share and footprint through both internal growth and strategic M&A. |
| Momentum investor | Mixed fit | Momentum performance depends on the current growth trajectory and broader biotech sector sentiment. |
| Value investor | Mixed fit | The stock often trades at a premium due to its role as a key infrastructure provider for the drug development cycle. |
| Dividend investor | Weak fit | ICON does not pay a dividend, prioritizing capital allocation toward growth. |
| Low-risk investor | Mixed fit | While providing essential services, the company remains sensitive to pharmaceutical industry R&D spending and cyclical trends. |
Risk Profile
| Risk factor | Level | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Price volatility | Medium | The stock can be sensitive to biotech funding cycles and broader market sentiment regarding healthcare spending. |
| Valuation risk | Medium | As a quality player in the CRO space, the stock's valuation often reflects high growth expectations. |
| Competition risk (Consolidation) | Medium | Market concentration among major players and potential new tech-enabled entrants keep pricing competitive. |
| Business quality | Strong | ICON operates in a high-barrier-to-entry market with sticky client relationships. |
| Dividend income | Low / none | Investors looking for regular yield will not find it here. |
| Execution risk | Medium | Successfully integrating large acquisitions like PRA is critical to achieving target margins. |
Price Behavior
Strong Uptrend
The stock has maintained a strong upward price trend across the last three quarters.
Extreme Price Shocks
The stock has experienced exceptionally large and disruptive price movements during the period.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -9.44% | Avg. Invested days 38 | Today’s Advisory SELL |
Upturn Advisory Rating  | Upturn Advisory Performance  2.0 | Stock Returns Performance  1.0 |
| Profits based on simulation | Last Close 10/08/2026 |
Upturn Scorecard
Upturn Star Rating 
Company Fundamentals
Financial Health Rating
Growth Momentum Score
Ownership
Top 5 Institutional Investors
Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)
Economic Dimensions
Quantitative Style Profile
Style Classification
Quality Focused
Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 12.66B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 172.72 | 1Y Target Price 184.41 |
Price to earnings Ratio 172.72 | 1Y Target Price 184.41 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 954.3K shares | Beta 1.24 | 52 Weeks Range 66.57 - 203.91 | Updated Date 10/08/2026 |
52 Weeks Range 66.57 - 203.91 | Updated Date 10/08/2026 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) - | Basic EPS (TTM) 0.95 |
How Company Makes Money
| Business area | What it includes | Retail investor read |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Development Services | End-to-end management of Phases I-IV clinical trials. | This is the core engine, generating revenue by managing complex drug testing on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. |
| Laboratory Services | Centralized labs and bioanalytical testing. | Provides necessary scientific validation and testing data for clinical trials. |
| Geography | Operations across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. | The company benefits from a global footprint that allows it to conduct trials across international borders and diverse patient populations. |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Revenue by Geography
Geography revenue - Year on Year
Valuation
Trailing PE 172.72 | Forward PE 14.75 | Enterprise Value 15.21B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.53 |
Enterprise Value 15.21B | Price to Sales(TTM) 1.53 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 1.83 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 22.85 | Shares Outstanding 77.15M | Shares Floating 77.10M |
Shares Outstanding 77.15M | Shares Floating 77.10M | ||
Percent Insiders 0.44 | Percent Institutions 108.21 |
Financial Metrics
🧭 Investment Snapshot
Total Revenue (Scale)
Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.
Net Income (Profit)
Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.
Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)
Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.
📈 Growth & Strength
Operating Income (Core Profit)
Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.
EBITDA (Cash Earnings)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.
Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)
Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.
🛡️ Financial Safety
Cash (Liquidity Buffer)
Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.
Total Debt (Leverage Risk)
Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.
Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)
Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.
🧱 Balance Sheet Strength
Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)
Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.
Total Assets (Asset Base)
The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.
Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)
Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.
⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors
Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)
Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.
Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)
Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.
Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)
Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.
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