ICON ICLR
IrelandHealthcare · Diagnostics & ResearchUSD
184.41 USD (+12.4%)
17 analysts
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ICON plc is a contract research organization (CRO) that provides drug development and clinical trial services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, from discovery to commercialization.
Key points
from its scores- ✕Little or no dividend1.5
- ✕Weak growth1.8
- ✕Fragile balance sheet3.0
AI analysis
bottom line, main risk, context and newsHigh debt and falling earnings are clear risks, but the forward valuation and attractive PEG could offer an opportunity if the recovery is confirmed.
ICON shows weak financial health (Net Debt/EBITDA of 4.96) and very negative earnings growth (-63.3%), although its forward valuation (P/E 13.88) and PEG (0.49) suggest the market expects a recovery. Quality is moderate (ROIC 6.05%) and momentum is negative (-7.73%).
The main risk is high leverage (Net Debt/EBITDA of 4.96) in a rising-rate environment in Europe, which could pressure financial health and limit investment capacity.
Context and risks
ICON plc is domiciled in Ireland, a country with moderate governance risk. Its CRO business depends on regulatory trust and intellectual property protection, adding a layer of jurisdictional risk, although no specific regulatory or legal risks materially affecting the company are identified at this time.
Is ICON stock cheap or expensive?
at the analysis dateOn P/E and EV / EBITDA, it trades 322% above the Healthcare median on average.
| Multiple | Company | Sector | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E | 172.7 | 26.7 | +546% |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.8 | 14.5 | +99% |
| Price / book | 1.3 | 4.1 | −67% |
| Price / sales | 1.5 | 3.4 | −55% |
Sector: median of the 217 Healthcare companies analysed. In bold, the multiples used for the comparison.
Valuation score: 4.7 out of 10 (median for Healthcare: 4.7).
Average analyst target: 184.41 USD, +12.4% versus the price.
A premium can be justified if the company is of higher quality or grows faster than its sector: Quality / Moat 4.2 (sector 5.5), Growth 1.8 (sector 6.6).
Classic formulas with standard assumptions (10.0% growth, 8-9% discount rate). Indicative only: they change a lot with the assumptions and are not a recommendation.
Work out its fair value yourself →How much would you have made investing every month? →
Comparing it with its sector does not say whether it is a good buy: this is not investment advice.
Score by category
0 to 10 · hover overtap each one to see what it measuresKey metrics
at the analysis date · compared with the Healthcare medianValuation
- P/E
- 172.7
- Forward P/E
- 13.9
- EV / EBITDA
- 28.8
- Price / book
- 1.3
- Price / sales
- 1.5
- PEG
- 0.49
- Market cap
- 12.7B USD
- Enterprise value
- 15.1B USD
Profitability
- ROE
- 0.3%
- ROA
- 1.0%
- ROIC (approx.)
- 6.0%
- Gross margin
- 23.9%
- Operating margin
- 9.4%
- Net margin
- 0.3%
- Free cash flow
- 622.6M USD
- FCF yield
- 4.9%
- Cash conversion
- 119%
Solvency
- Total debt
- 3.5B USD
- Net debt
- 2.6B USD
- Cash
- 928.4M USD
- EBITDA
- 523.5M USD
- Net debt / EBITDA
- 4.96
- Debt / equity
- 37.60
- Current ratio
- 0.95
- Quick ratio
- 0.92
Growth
- Revenue growth
- +1.2%
- Earnings growth
- −63.3%
- EPS (TTM)
- 0.95 USD
- EPS (forward)
- 11.82 USD
Dividend
- Dividend yield
- 0.0%
- Payout
- 0.0%
Risk and market
- Beta
- 1.24
- Analyst consensus
- Buy (17)
- Target price
- 184.41 USD
- 52-week range
- 66.57 – 203.91
Recent news
All ICLR news →Compare it with its sector
All 217 in Healthcare →Frequently asked questions about ICON
Is ICON stock cheap or expensive?
On P/E and EV / EBITDA, it trades 322% above the Healthcare median on average. Valuation score: 4.7 out of 10 (median for Healthcare: 4.7). Average analyst target: 184.41 USD, +12.4% versus the price. This is not investment advice.
What score does ICON get on MeridIAn Screener?
It scores 3.6 out of 10, rank 2,020 of 2,130 (better than 5% of the companies analysed). Its strongest category is Risk & Context (4.8) and its weakest, Dividend (1.5). Analysis of 08/10/2026.
What is ICON's P/E ratio?
Its P/E is 172.7: the share price equals 172.7 times earnings per share over the last 12 months. The Healthcare median is 26.7. Based on the earnings analysts expect, the forward P/E is 13.9.
How much is ICON worth on the stock market?
Its market capitalisation is 12.7B USD and its enterprise value, debt included, is 15.1B USD.
How much debt does ICON have?
Its net debt (debt minus cash) is 2.6B USD. That is 4.96 times its EBITDA; the Healthcare median is 1.53.
Does ICON pay a dividend?
It pays no dividend, or almost none.
How has ICON stock performed over the last year?
It has fallen 10.6% over the last year, excluding dividends. Over the last 52 weeks it has traded between 66.57 and 203.91 USD. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
What do analysts think of ICON?
17 analysts cover it; their average recommendation is “Buy” and their average target is 184.41 USD (+12.4% versus the price). It is an estimate, not market data.