CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) Reaches New 52-Week High - Still a Buy?

CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI - Get Free Report)'s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $194.21 and last traded at $194.21, with a volume of 2956 shares. The stock had previously closed at $192.22.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of CRA International from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th.

CRA International Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $166.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $165.64. The firm has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a PE ratio of 31.41, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.14.

CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.49 by $0.34. The company had revenue of $171.44 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $167.87 million. CRA International had a net margin of 6.17% and a return on equity of 22.37%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.42 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that CRA International, Inc. will post 6.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

CRA International Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 27th were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 27th. CRA International's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 27.45%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other CRA International news, CEO Paul A. Maleh sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.33, for a total transaction of $1,187,475.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 159,212 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,208,035.96. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Jonathan D. Yellin sold 1,250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.26, for a total transaction of $197,825.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,361 shares in the company, valued at $3,222,331.86. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Paul A. Maleh sold 7,500 shares of CRA International stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.33, for a total transaction of $1,187,475.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 159,212 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $25,208,035.96. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 10,750 shares of company stock worth $1,695,720 in the last three months. Insiders own 5.20% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On CRA International

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in CRA International during the first quarter valued at approximately $115,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in shares of CRA International in the 2nd quarter worth $221,000. Kennedy Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in CRA International by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 3,324 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $497,000 after purchasing an additional 117 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its holdings in CRA International by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 3,000 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $517,000 after purchasing an additional 74 shares during the period. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its position in CRA International by 12.1% during the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 3,009 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $518,000 after purchasing an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.13% of the company's stock.

About CRA International

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.