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Labcorp Holdings (LH)
NYSE:LH

Labcorp Holdings (LH) AI Stock Analysis

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LH

Labcorp Holdings

(NYSE:LH)

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Neutral 62 (OpenAI - 5.2)
,
Neutral 62 (OpenAI - 5.2)
,
Neutral 62 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:62Neutral
Price Target:
$280.00
▲(6.02% Upside)
Action:DowngradedDate:03/21/26
The score is driven primarily by solid (but uneven) financial performance and a constructive earnings outlook with guided growth, backlog strength, and margin initiatives. These positives are partially offset by a weak technical trend and only average valuation support, while recent financing-related corporate actions are modestly positive but keep leverage in focus.
Positive Factors
Central Labs backlog & book-to-bill momentum
A sizeable $8.7B backlog with ~ $2.7B expected to convert in 12 months and book-to-bill >1 provides durable revenue visibility for Biopharma Central Labs. That pipeline reduces near-term demand volatility, supports mid-single-digit organic growth, and underpins margin leverage over the next 2–6 months.
Consistent cash generation & capital allocation
Sustained positive FCF (~$1.2B) enables a repeatable allocation framework—funding capex, M&A, dividends and buybacks—supporting strategic expansion and shareholder returns. Guidance for $1.24–$1.36B FCF in 2026 reinforces multi-quarter funding capacity for growth and balance sheet management.
Product & technology innovation pipeline
A large program of new tests, FDA-cleared diagnostics and AI/automation rollout strengthens differentiated service offerings and increases high-value esoteric share. These innovations expand addressable markets, increase pricing and margin potential, and create longer-term clinical partnerships and payer evidence development.
Negative Factors
Early Development revenue weakness
A meaningful decline in Early Development reduces exposure to higher‑margin, growth-oriented work in BLS. Streamlining that trims ~$50M of revenue may improve near-term margins but erodes scale and could slow recovery of ED volumes, weakening segment growth and client continuity over the medium term.
Choppy free cash flow conversion
Inconsistent FCF generation reduces predictability of internal funding for capex, acquisitions and debt repayment. Even with positive annual FCF, quarter-to-quarter timing and working-capital swings make liquidity management harder and can constrain strategic moves or increase reliance on financing during weaker quarters.
Material debt and leverage constraints
Substantial indebtedness and a new term loan covenant cap leverage at 4.0x limit flexibility for large bolt-on M&A or aggressive buybacks. With ~$5.6B total debt cited in guidance, covenant and refinancing risk could restrict strategic optionality and raise sensitivity to earnings or cashflow volatility over the next several quarters.

Labcorp Holdings (LH) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Labcorp Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLabcorp Holdings, Inc. provides laboratory services to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers and patients make clear and confident decisions. The company was founded on April 16, 2024 and is headquartered in Burlington, NC.
How the Company Makes MoneyLabcorp primarily makes money by delivering two broad categories of services: (1) clinical laboratory and diagnostic testing and (2) drug development services for life sciences customers. In its clinical diagnostics business, revenue is generated when Labcorp performs laboratory tests (e.g., routine and specialized diagnostics) ordered by healthcare providers. Payment is typically received from third-party payers (such as private health insurers and government programs) and, in some cases, directly from patients, based on contracted reimbursement rates, test menus, and testing volumes. This business is driven by the volume and mix of tests performed, payer contract terms, and demand from hospitals, physician practices, and health systems. In drug development services, Labcorp generates revenue by providing outsourced support to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies across the development lifecycle, including services used to design and execute clinical trials, perform central laboratory and related testing for trials, manage and analyze trial data, and support regulatory submissions. Customers generally pay through contracted arrangements (often project-based and/or long-term service agreements) tied to milestones, delivered services, and ongoing study activity. Revenue in this segment is influenced by the number and size of customer programs, the duration of clinical trials, and overall R&D spending trends in the life sciences industry. Across both areas, significant factors affecting earnings include testing volume and test complexity (which impacts pricing), payer reimbursement dynamics in the clinical business, and the level of outsourcing demand from life sciences customers in the drug development business. Partnerships and relationships with health systems, physician networks, payers, and life sciences sponsors support recurring demand, but specific partnership terms and their quantitative contribution to revenue are null.

Labcorp Holdings Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Segment
Revenue by Segment
Breaks down sales across various business divisions, revealing which segments are contributing most to the top line and where there might be potential for expansion or risk.
Chart InsightsLabcorp's Diagnostics segment is experiencing a robust recovery, with consistent growth since 2023, supported by strategic acquisitions and innovations in testing capabilities. The recent earnings call highlights an 8.5% revenue increase, driven by strong organic growth and margin improvements. Conversely, the Drug Development segment faced a significant dip in 2023 but is gradually recovering. Challenges in Early Development are prompting site consolidations, potentially affecting future revenue. The company's focus on high-growth therapeutic areas and AI-driven efficiencies positions it well for sustained growth, despite regulatory and currency challenges.
Data provided by:The Fly

Labcorp Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 17, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call portrays a fundamentally strong and growing business: solid full-year revenue and EPS growth, margin expansion, robust central lab backlog and book-to-bill, continued product launches and AI/automation investments, plus a constructive 2026 guidance. Offsetting risks include a meaningful decline in early development revenue (being actively addressed via streamlining), a one-off Q4 volume hit from a large consumer-genetics client and weather, higher near-term capital spending for a new central lab facility, and ongoing reimbursement/regulatory uncertainty (PAMA). On balance, the positives (organic growth, margin expansion, strong backlog/book-to-bill, innovation and disciplined capital allocation) outweigh the headwinds, though management expects some transitional impacts in ED and incremental capex this year.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Full-Year Revenue and EPS Growth
2025 enterprise revenue grew over 7% year-over-year and adjusted EPS grew 13% for the full year; management noted adjusted EPS growth of ~13% and margins improved by over 50 basis points versus prior year.
Robust Q4 Financial Performance
Q4 2025 revenue was $3.5 billion, up 5.6% YoY (organic +3.8%); adjusted operating income was $488 million (13.9% of revenue) vs $423 million (12.7% prior year); Q4 adjusted EPS was $4.07, up 18% YoY.
Diagnostics Segment Strength
Diagnostics Q4 revenue $2.7 billion, up 5.5% YoY with organic growth of 4.1%; total volume increased 2.2%; price/mix rose 3.3%; Diagnostics adjusted operating income $419 million (15.4% margin), up 150 basis points YoY.
Biopharma / Central Labs Momentum
Central Labs revenue in BLS grew 11.1% in the quarter (7.7% constant currency); BLS segment book-to-bill was strong at 1.16 for the quarter and 1.09 trailing 12 months; backlog ended Q4 at $8.7 billion with ~$2.7 billion expected to convert in 12 months.
Cash Generation and Capital Allocation
Full-year free cash flow was $1.2 billion (up 10% YoY). In Q4 the company invested $258 million in acquisitions, repurchased $225 million of stock and paid $59 million of dividends; share repurchase authorization remaining ~ $800 million.
Strategic M&A and Asset Wins
Completed multiple acquisitions and asset deals in Q4 and subsequent period (Parkview select outreach agreement, Community Health Systems outreach assets, Incyte Diagnostics anatomic pathology assets, and Empire City Labs assets post-quarter), contributing to >$1 billion of revenue growth over the past three years from hospital/regional deals.
Product and Technology Innovation
Launched 130+ new tests in 2025 focused on oncology, women's health, neurology and autoimmune disease; esoteric testing grew double-digits and increased share from 37.5% (Q1 2023) to 41.5% (Q4 2025). Introduced FDA-cleared blood test for Alzheimer's, expanded MRD testing, expanded OnDemand to 200+ biomarkers, and advanced AI/automation (pathology, cytology, microbiology) and a Roche automated mass spectrometry agreement.
2026 Outlook Showing Continued Growth
2026 guidance: enterprise revenue growth 4.7%–6% (midpoint ~5.4%), adjusted EPS $17.65–$18.25 implying ~9% growth at midpoint, free cash flow guidance $1.24B–$1.36B, expected margin expansion across both segments, and LaunchPad savings targeted $100M–$125M annually.
Negative Updates
Early Development (ED) Revenue Decline
BLS early development revenue declined 13.5% in Q4 (15.1% constant currency). Management is streamlining the ED business, expecting to reduce annual revenue by ~$50 million to improve operating income, with actions largely completed by end of Q2 2026.
Q4 Volume Softness from One Large Client and Weather
Organic diagnostic volume in Q4 was lighter (organic volume contributed ~1.1% to the 2.2% total volume increase). Management cited lower referrals from a large consumer genetic client facing financial challenges and adverse weather as contributors; they indicated the client impact was a one-time event with recoveries underway.
Q4 Free Cash Flow Timing Dip
Q4 free cash flow was $490 million versus $665 million in prior-year quarter (decrease primarily driven by working capital timing), though full-year free cash flow increased 10% to $1.2 billion.
Regulatory & Reimbursement Uncertainty (PAMA)
PAMA reimbursement reform remains delayed through Dec 31, 2026; uncertainty persists and management continues to push for permanent reform via the RESULTS Act. Previously estimated potential incremental savings of $25M–$30M if PAMA enacted remain a source of variability.
Incremental CapEx and Elevated Spend for New Facility
2026 capital expenditures expected to be ~4% of revenue (higher than prior year) due in part to investment in a new 500,000+ sq. ft. strategic central lab and kit production facility to support long-term growth; higher near-term spend could pressure near-term free cash flow cadence.
ACA Exchange Tax Credit Headwind
Expiration of ACA tax credits was estimated to reduce diagnostic volume by ~30 basis points in 2026; management has included this assumption in 2026 guidance and continues to monitor enrollment/utilization.
Company Guidance
Labcorp's 2026 guidance calls for enterprise revenue growth of 4.7%–6.0% (midpoint 5.4%), with Diagnostics up 5%–6% and Biopharma Laboratory Services (BLS) up 3%–5%; Central Labs is expected to grow mid‑single‑digit organic (constant currency) while Early Development is relatively flat. Adjusted EPS is guided to $17.65–$18.25 (midpoint implying ~9% growth), adjusted tax rate ≈23%, net interest ≈$230M, free cash flow $1.24B–$1.36B (seasonally weighted to H2), and capital expenditures about 4% of revenue to begin a new 500,000+ sq ft central lab/kit facility; LaunchPad savings are expected in line with the long‑term $100M–$125M/year target. The outlook incorporates a ~40bps FX tailwind enterprise‑wide (~170bps for BLS), the PAMA delay through 12/31/2026, adverse weather YTD, and plans to deploy FCF for acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends (≈$800M repurchase authorization remaining); FY‑end liquidity and leverage metrics cited were $532M cash, $5.6B total debt (≈2.3x gross debt/TTM adjusted EBITDA), backlog $8.7B with ~$2.7B expected to convert in 12 months, and segment book‑to‑bill of 1.16 for the quarter and 1.09 TTM.

Labcorp Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Solid but not best-in-class fundamentals: revenue momentum improved, the balance sheet is stable with manageable leverage, and operating/free cash flow are positive. Offsetting this, profitability and margins have been volatile versus prior peaks and free cash flow has been uneven, reducing visibility.
Income Statement
62
Positive
Revenue has grown steadily from 2023 to 2025 (with a sharp acceleration in 2025), but profitability has been volatile and below prior-cycle peaks. Gross margin has compressed versus 2020–2022, and net margin—while improving in 2024–2025—remains well below 2021 levels. EBIT/EBITDA profitability is positive overall, but margin consistency has weakened, suggesting a more challenging cost/price environment.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
Leverage appears manageable for the industry: debt-to-equity sits in a moderate range and improved in 2025 versus 2024, while equity remains sizable relative to total assets. Returns on equity have recovered from 2023 and improved further in 2024–2025, though still meaningfully below the strong profitability period seen in 2020–2022. Overall, the balance sheet looks stable, with the main watch item being the still-material debt load.
Cash Flow
58
Neutral
The company consistently generates positive operating cash flow and free cash flow, which is a key strength. However, free cash flow has been choppy—down in 2022 and 2023, rebounding in 2024, then declining again in 2025—reducing visibility. Free cash flow has covered a meaningful portion of earnings across years, but cash conversion is not consistently strong enough to offset the variability in free cash flow trends.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue13.95B13.01B12.16B11.86B13.14B
Gross Profit3.73B3.62B3.36B3.71B4.99B
EBITDA2.01B1.81B1.35B1.95B3.68B
Net Income876.50M746.00M418.00M1.28B2.38B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets18.39B18.38B16.73B20.16B20.39B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments532.30M1.52B536.80M320.60M1.47B
Total Debt7.20B7.27B5.95B6.25B6.34B
Total Liabilities9.76B10.31B8.83B10.04B10.09B
Stockholders Equity8.62B8.05B7.88B10.10B10.27B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.21B1.10B874.10M1.47B2.65B
Operating Cash Flow1.64B1.59B1.33B1.96B3.11B
Investing Cash Flow-1.19B-1.37B-1.17B-1.65B-884.60M
Financing Cash Flow-1.46B779.90M-59.30M-1.32B-2.07B

Labcorp Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price264.09
Price Trends
50DMA
272.12
Negative
100DMA
265.46
Negative
200DMA
266.03
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.80
Positive
RSI
40.95
Neutral
STOCH
30.40
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LH, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 264.09 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 275.69, below the 50-day MA of 272.12, and below the 200-day MA of 266.03, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.80 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 40.95 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 30.40 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for LH.

Labcorp Holdings Risk Analysis

Labcorp Holdings disclosed 47 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Labcorp Holdings reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Labcorp Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
70
Neutral
$21.33B19.6513.88%1.80%13.74%14.87%
69
Neutral
$21.37B32.3110.21%0.94%5.15%60.30%
68
Neutral
$16.09B80.9217.36%27.12%-41.72%
64
Neutral
$26.92B19.967.28%5.00%-1.03%
62
Neutral
$21.76B23.8110.28%1.14%8.28%97.24%
59
Neutral
$28.25B28.4922.28%3.85%-4.74%
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
LH
Labcorp Holdings
264.09
32.37
13.97%
BIIB
Biogen
183.41
42.51
30.17%
PODD
Insulet
228.63
-39.69
-14.79%
DGX
Quest Diagnostics
194.16
30.10
18.35%
STE
Steris
217.92
-0.32
-0.15%
IQV
IQVIA Holdings
166.47
-19.42
-10.45%

Labcorp Holdings Corporate Events

Private Placements and Financing
Labcorp Holdings Secures New $750 Million Term Loan
Positive
Mar 20, 2026

On March 20, 2026, Labcorp Holdings Inc. and its subsidiary Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings entered into a new term loan credit agreement providing a $750 million senior unsecured term loan maturing on March 20, 2028. The facility, fully funded at closing, bears interest at a floating rate based on either SOFR plus a margin of 0.700% or a base rate with no additional margin.

The credit agreement includes customary representations, covenants and events of default, with limitations on additional debt at certain non‑guarantor subsidiaries, as well as restrictions on liens, mergers and major asset sales. It also requires Labcorp to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of 4.0x, with the ability to raise this temporarily to 4.5x for four quarters following material acquisitions under specified conditions, shaping the company’s financial flexibility and capital structure over the loan term.

The most recent analyst rating on (LH) stock is a Hold with a $300.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Labcorp Holdings stock, see the LH Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Labcorp Holdings Adds John Sampson to Board
Positive
Feb 9, 2026

Labcorp Holdings Inc., the Burlington, N.C.-based provider of diagnostic and drug development laboratory services, has expanded its board with the appointment of John H. Sampson, M.D., Ph.D., MHSc, MBA, effective February 9, 2026. Sampson, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, brings clinical, research and health system leadership experience in oncology, neuroscience, women’s health and personalized medicine that aligns with Labcorp’s strategic priorities.

The company also named Sampson to its Quality and Compliance Committee, signaling a focus on strengthening clinical rigor and governance across its global operations. His background as a practicing neurosurgeon, member of the National Academy of Medicine and prolific researcher in neurologic disease is expected to bolster Labcorp’s efforts to advance earlier diagnosis, personalized medicine and new therapy development for its worldwide customer base.

The most recent analyst rating on (LH) stock is a Buy with a $319.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Labcorp Holdings stock, see the LH Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Labcorp Extends Receivables Facility, Enhances Liquidity Flexibility
Positive
Jan 29, 2026

Labcorp Holdings Inc. reported that on January 28, 2026, it executed a second amendment to its receivables purchase agreement through its special-purpose entity, Labcorp Receivables LLC, with PNC Bank as administrative agent and other parties. The amendment extended the facility’s scheduled termination date to January 26, 2029, added a committed $125 million accordion feature that allows Labcorp Receivables to increase the facility size from $700 million to up to $825 million by May 29, 2026, and removed a 0.10% SOFR adjustment previously applied to the capital accruing yield. The structure keeps Labcorp Receivables as a separate legal entity whose assets are available first to its own creditors, with any excess collections potentially remitted to Labcorp, underscoring the company’s continued use of off-balance-sheet-like receivables financing to enhance liquidity while maintaining creditor protections.

The most recent analyst rating on (LH) stock is a Buy with a $291.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Labcorp Holdings stock, see the LH Stock Forecast page.

Financial Disclosures
Labcorp Schedules Q4 2025 Earnings Release and Call
Neutral
Jan 15, 2026

On January 15, 2026, Labcorp Holdings announced plans to release its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025 before the market opens on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, followed by a 9 a.m. ET conference call and webcast for investors and analysts. The earnings release, detailed financial information, and a replay of the webcast—available for nearly a year, until February 4, 2027—will be accessible via the company’s investor relations website, signaling Labcorp’s continued emphasis on transparency and engagement with the financial community as it reports on its recent operating performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (LH) stock is a Hold with a $273.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Labcorp Holdings stock, see the LH Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
Labcorp Holdings Board Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend
Positive
Jan 14, 2026

On January 14, 2026, Labcorp Holdings Inc. announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.72 per share of common stock, payable on March 12, 2026, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2026. The move signals continued commitment to returning capital to shareholders and reflects management’s confidence in the company’s cash generation and financial stability, which may bolster Labcorp’s appeal to income-focused investors in the healthcare and diagnostics sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (LH) stock is a Buy with a $325.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Labcorp Holdings stock, see the LH Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Labcorp to Present at J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference
Neutral
Dec 30, 2025

On December 30, 2025, Labcorp announced it would participate in a fireside chat at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, January 13 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. The session, which will be accessible via a live audio webcast on the company’s investor relations website and archived for replay, underscores Labcorp’s ongoing efforts to engage with the investment community and highlight its role in the global diagnostics and drug development ecosystem.

The most recent analyst rating on (LH) stock is a Buy with a $308.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Labcorp Holdings stock, see the LH Stock Forecast page.

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: Mar 21, 2026