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

CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI) shares 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 changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $189.43.

The business services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.59 by $0.44. CRA International had a net margin of 6.41% and a return on equity of 24.46%.

CRA International Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 4th will be paid a dividend of $0.49 per share. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.93%. CRA International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on CRAI shares. Barrington Research lifted their target price on shares of 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 lowered CRA International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CRAI. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of CRA International during the 3rd quarter worth $164,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in CRA International in the 4th quarter valued at about $249,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in CRA International in the 4th quarter valued at about $281,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in CRA International by 2.9% in the 3rd 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 during the period. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in CRA International by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,418 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $640,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.13% of the company’s stock.

CRA International Trading Up 11.4 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 34.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.13. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $187.77 and its 200-day moving average is $181.41.

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.