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Icon (ICLR) AI Stock Analysis

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ICLR

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(NASDAQ:ICLR)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$178.00
▲(12.89% Upside)
Icon's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and strategic investments, tempered by bearish technical indicators and valuation concerns. The company's ability to manage cash flow and address pricing pressures will be crucial for future performance.
Positive Factors
Strong Balance Sheet
A strong balance sheet with low leverage enhances financial stability and provides flexibility for strategic investments and growth.
Strategic Investments in Technology
Investments in technology improve operational efficiency and competitiveness, positioning ICON for long-term success in clinical trials.
Leadership Transition
The leadership transition to an experienced COO ensures continuity and strategic focus, potentially driving future growth and innovation.
Negative Factors
Declining Profit Margins
Declining profit margins can pressure profitability, requiring improved cost management to maintain financial health.
Elevated Cancellations
High cancellation rates can disrupt revenue streams and impact long-term growth, necessitating strategic adjustments.
Pricing Pressure
Pricing pressure can erode margins and profitability, challenging ICON to differentiate its services and maintain competitive pricing.

Icon (ICLR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Icon Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionICON plc (ICLR) is a global provider of outsourced development and commercialization services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. With a focus on delivering high-quality solutions across various stages of the clinical development process, ICON offers services including clinical trial management, regulatory consulting, data management, and market access. The company operates in several sectors, such as clinical research, strategic development, and regulatory services, catering to a diverse clientele looking to streamline their research and development efforts.
How the Company Makes MoneyICON generates revenue primarily through service contracts with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies for clinical trial management and related services. The company operates on a fee-for-service model, where it charges clients for various clinical development services based on the scope and complexity of the projects. Key revenue streams include clinical trial management, data management, and regulatory affairs services. Additionally, ICON has established significant partnerships with pharmaceutical firms and collaborates with academic institutions, which contribute to its earnings by providing access to a broader client base and enhancing its service offerings. The company's ability to secure long-term contracts and maintain repeat business from existing clients also plays a crucial role in stabilizing its revenue flow.

Icon Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 22, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 25, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call presented a balanced view of ICON plc's performance. While there were strong business awards and strategic investments in technology, the company faced challenges with elevated cancellations and pricing pressures affecting margins. The overall outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with expectations of normalized cancellation levels and continued technological advancements.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Gross Business Awards
Gross business awards totaled $3 billion, up mid-single digits year-over-year, with notable strength in oncology, cardiometabolic disease, and FSP sectors.
Share Repurchase Program
Bought back $250 million in shares during Q3, bringing total repurchases to $750 million year-to-date.
Positive Biotech Sector Performance
Significant increase in RFP flow in the biotech sector on a year-over-year and sequential basis, reflecting improved funding environment.
Revenue and Earnings Growth
Revenue increased sequentially and year-over-year, with adjusted earnings per share of $3.31, a 1.5% increase over Q2.
Strong Free Cash Flow
Generated $334 million in free cash flow during Q3 and $687 million year-to-date.
Strategic Investments in Technology
Continued focus on deploying innovative technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to enhance efficiency and predictability in clinical trials.
Negative Updates
Elevated Cancellations
Net book-to-bill ratio negatively impacted by $900 million in cancellations, with a bias towards studies canceled before enrollment.
Decline in Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased by 20 basis points sequentially to 19.4% due to higher pass-through revenue mix.
Pricing Pressure
Increased pricing competitiveness in the market, especially from large pharma clients, is expected to weigh on margins.
Revenue Mix Impact
Revenue mix and pricing pressure are expected to impact gross margins in the near term, with a focus on pass-through revenue.
Company Guidance
During ICON plc's Q3 2025 earnings call, the company provided guidance indicating a challenging but stable market environment. Gross business awards for the quarter were strong, totaling $3 billion, representing a mid-single-digit increase year-over-year, with significant contributions from oncology, cardiometabolic disease, and functional service provider (FSP) sectors. The company's revenue for the quarter was $2.043 billion, marking a 0.6% year-over-year increase and a 1.3% sequential rise from Q2 2025. Despite the positive revenue growth, ICON faced a flat burn rate of 8.2% and a slight decline in adjusted EBITDA margin to 19.4%, down 20 basis points sequentially, due to a higher pass-through revenue mix. The company executed $250 million in share repurchases during the quarter, contributing to a year-to-date total of $750 million. Adjusted earnings per share reached $3.31, up 1.5% from Q2, while free cash flow for the quarter was robust at $334 million. For the full year, ICON adjusted its guidance, forecasting revenue between $8.05 billion and $8.1 billion and adjusted EPS ranging from $13 to $13.20. Looking forward, ICON expects market conditions to persist similarly, with optimism for a return to normalized growth levels in 2026 as cancellations hopefully moderate and new business wins continue to strengthen.

Icon Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Icon shows strong revenue growth and a solid balance sheet with low leverage. However, declining profit margins and cash flow challenges pose risks. The company needs to improve operational efficiencies and cash flow management to sustain growth.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Icon has demonstrated consistent revenue growth, with a notable 15.8% increase in TTM. However, margins have slightly declined, with the gross profit margin decreasing from 29.4% in 2024 to 26.9% in TTM. The net profit margin also saw a reduction from 9.6% to 7.4% in TTM. Despite these declines, the company maintains a healthy EBIT and EBITDA margin, indicating operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a strong equity position with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07 in TTM, significantly improved from 0.38 in 2024. Return on equity has decreased slightly to 6.3% in TTM, reflecting a moderate return on shareholders' investments. The equity ratio remains robust, indicating financial stability.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Icon's cash flow statement reveals a decline in free cash flow growth, with a significant drop of 74.3% in TTM. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is stable at 0.37, suggesting adequate cash generation relative to net income. However, the free cash flow to net income ratio has slightly decreased, indicating potential challenges in cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue8.10B8.28B8.12B7.74B5.48B2.80B
Gross Profit2.18B2.44B2.40B2.21B1.51B808.03M
EBITDA1.18B1.56B1.52B1.41B739.43M488.83M
Net Income599.48M791.47M612.34M505.30M153.19M327.81M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets16.51B16.88B16.99B17.19B17.39B3.44B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments468.89M538.78M380.06M290.48M753.92M842.03M
Total Debt3.57B3.60B3.94B4.83B5.65B433.61M
Total Liabilities7.17B7.35B7.75B8.69B9.32B1.59B
Stockholders Equity9.33B9.52B9.24B8.50B8.07B1.85B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow995.80M1.12B1.02B421.15M735.39M543.67M
Operating Cash Flow1.18B1.29B1.16B563.32M829.14M594.72M
Investing Cash Flow-206.53M-266.79M-226.65M-145.87M-6.02B-46.58M
Financing Cash Flow-1.20B-837.18M-844.04M-864.17M5.11B-235.02M

Icon Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price157.68
Price Trends
50DMA
176.64
Negative
100DMA
169.51
Negative
200DMA
166.10
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-5.72
Positive
RSI
33.38
Neutral
STOCH
11.19
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ICLR, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 157.68 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 175.74, below the 50-day MA of 176.64, and below the 200-day MA of 166.10, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -5.72 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 33.38 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 11.19 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for ICLR.

Icon Risk Analysis

Icon disclosed 57 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Icon reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Icon Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$16.60B41.2073.70%13.88%23.92%
77
Outperform
$35.84B28.8919.55%3.85%-4.74%
70
Outperform
$19.97B21.0613.69%1.71%13.74%14.87%
66
Neutral
$10.29B45.403.04%0.29%3.37%-18.80%
64
Neutral
$12.38B21.516.27%-2.46%-17.89%
56
Neutral
$8.27B-2.32%-0.92%-118.96%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ICLR
Icon
157.68
-54.50
-25.69%
CRL
Charles River Labs
168.97
-51.72
-23.44%
RVTY
Revvity
92.28
-28.02
-23.29%
DGX
Quest Diagnostics
184.31
27.11
17.25%
IQV
IQVIA Holdings
213.05
-3.94
-1.82%
MEDP
Medpace Holdings
600.44
236.86
65.15%

Icon Corporate Events

ICON Announces CEO Transition and Updates on Share Repurchase and Vaccine Study
Oct 23, 2025

ICON plc announced a leadership transition with Dr. Steve Cutler retiring as CEO on October 1, 2025, succeeded by COO Barry Balfe, who also joined the Board of Directors. The company also reported on its share repurchase program, with $750 million remaining for future buybacks as of October 23, 2025. Additionally, a large-scale COVID vaccine study faced delays and a stop work order, impacting operations but not altering financial guidance for 2025. These developments reflect ICON’s strategic adjustments in leadership and financial operations, with potential implications for stakeholders and market positioning.

ICON plc Reports Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Oct 22, 2025

On October 22, 2025, ICON plc reported its financial results for the third quarter of 2025, highlighting a revenue of $2,042.8 million, a 1.3% increase from the previous quarter. Despite a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $165.3 million, the company achieved net business wins of $2,086 million, reflecting a net book to bill ratio of 1.02. The adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $396.7 million, and the company repurchased $250 million worth of stock. ICON adjusted its full-year 2025 financial guidance, reflecting ongoing market challenges and increased pass-through revenues, with a revised revenue range of $8,050 – $8,100 million.

ICON plc Announces Third Quarter 2025 Earnings Call
Sep 25, 2025

On September 24, 2025, ICON plc announced it will release its third-quarter 2025 financial results on October 22, 2025, and will host a conference call and webcast on October 23, 2025, to discuss its financial performance. This announcement is significant as it provides stakeholders with insights into the company’s financial health and operational performance, potentially impacting its market positioning and investor relations.

ICON plc Reaffirms 2025 Financial Guidance Amid CEO Transition
Sep 4, 2025

On September 4, 2025, ICON plc confirmed that there would be no changes to its financial guidance for the full year 2025, following the announcement of a CEO transition. This confirmation reassures stakeholders about the company’s stability and continuity in its financial outlook despite the leadership change.

ICON Announces CEO Transition Effective October 1, 2025
Sep 4, 2025

On September 4, 2025, ICON plc announced a leadership transition with Dr. Steve Cutler retiring as CEO, effective October 1, 2025. Barry Balfe, the current Chief Operating Officer, will succeed him and join the Board. This transition follows a comprehensive succession planning process, with Balfe’s extensive experience in the CRO industry positioning him to lead ICON into future growth. Dr. Cutler will remain on the Board as a non-executive director to ensure a smooth transition, and he expressed confidence in Balfe’s ability to drive ICON’s strategic focus on innovation and efficiency in clinical development.

ICON plc Announces Participation in September 2025 Investor Conferences
Sep 2, 2025

On September 2, 2025, ICON plc announced its participation in upcoming investor conferences, with COO Barry Balfe presenting at the Baird 2025 Global Healthcare Conference and CEO Dr. Steve Cutler participating at the Deutsche Bank 2025 Healthcare Summit. These engagements are part of ICON’s efforts to maintain its strong industry positioning and communicate its strategic direction to stakeholders, reflecting its commitment to transparency and engagement with the investment community.

ICON plc Releases Interim Financial Statements for 2025
Aug 26, 2025

On August 26, 2025, ICON plc released its unaudited interim financial statements for the period from January 1, 2025, to August 7, 2025. The release of these financial statements provides stakeholders with insights into the company’s financial performance and operational efficiency during this period, which is crucial for assessing its market positioning and strategic direction.

ICON plc Halts COVID Vaccine Study Following BARDA Notice
Aug 12, 2025

On August 12, 2025, ICON plc announced that a large-scale next-generation COVID vaccine study, which had been actively enrolling participants, received a stop work notice from BARDA, leading to a halt in new subject screening and dosing. Despite this setback, which will affect revenue in the second half of 2025, ICON maintains its full-year financial guidance, reflecting ongoing discussions with BARDA and continued follow-up with already enrolled participants.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 30, 2025