** Life sciences and contract research organizations (CRO) stocks end 2025 on a mixed note amid policy uncertainty and sector-wide funding squeezes under the current Trump administration

** Danaher DHR.N, Thermo Fisher Scientific TMO.N, Waters WAT.N, and IQVIA IQV.N posted yearly gains of over 0.5%, 12%, 3%, and 15%, respectively, fueled by resilient core-segment growth and fading policy risks — despite lackluster China demand

** TMO and DHR eye an end to a three-year losing streak, while IQV and WAT secure a place in the green for the second consecutive year

** While ICON, ICLR.O Avantor AVTR.N, Neogenomics NEO.O, Charles River Laboratories CRL.N and Illumina ILMN.O head for 2025 losses as they faced customer losses, activist pressure, and soft big-pharma demand

** ILMN caps a fourth straight losing year, AVTR, ICLR will notch a place in negative territory for the second straight year and NEO snaps a two-year gaining streak

** Following several tough years marked by a post-COVID hangover and 2025 headwinds from DOGE, MFN, and tariffs, Jefferies analysts said in a note earlier this month they see life sciences firms poised for recovery next year

** Investor sentiment has brightened amid pharma onshoring news and rising biotech funding, while bioprocessing shines as a standout on consumables strength, equipment rebound, and China upside, Jefferies added

(Reporting by Padmanabhan Ananthan)

((Padmanabhan.Ananthan@thomsonreuters.com))