CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) Sets New 52-Week High After Earnings Beat

CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Thursday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The company traded as high as $213.29 and last traded at $203.50, with a volume of 7266 shares. The stock had previously closed at $189.43.

The business services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.59 by $0.44. CRA International had a return on equity of 24.46% and a net margin of 6.41%. The firm had revenue of $176.44 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $166.29 million.

CRA International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, March 4th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.97%. CRA International's payout ratio is 29.08%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Barrington Research increased their price target on CRA International from $194.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, November 8th. StockNews.com cut CRA International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CRAI. Arkadios Wealth Advisors boosted its stake in CRA International by 48.7% during the third quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,460 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $782,000 after buying an additional 1,460 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in CRA International by 2.9% during the third quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 3,095 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $543,000 after buying an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. Foundry Partners LLC boosted its stake in CRA International by 1.0% during the third quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 18,660 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $3,271,000 after buying an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in CRA International by 178.8% during the third quarter. Eagle Asset Management Inc. now owns 148,221 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $25,986,000 after buying an additional 95,050 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in shares of CRA International in the 3rd quarter valued at $164,000. Institutional investors own 84.13% of the company's stock.

CRA International Trading Down 4.4 %

The firm has a market cap of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.13. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $187.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $181.74.

CRA International Company Profile

CRA International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides economic, financial, and management consulting services worldwide. It advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings; and guides corporations through business strategy and performance-related issues.