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Cra Internationalinc. (CRAI)
NASDAQ:CRAI
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Cra International (CRAI) AI Stock Analysis

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CRAI

Cra International

(NASDAQ:CRAI)

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Outperform 81 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:81Outperform
Price Target:
$218.00
▲(15.16% Upside)
CRA International's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are the most significant factors driving the score. The company's robust revenue growth, improved profitability, and strategic international expansion are key strengths. Technical indicators support a positive trend, though valuation metrics suggest moderate pricing. Challenges in leverage and operational metrics like DSO are noted but outweighed by overall positive performance.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, enhancing long-term financial stability.
International Expansion
Significant international expansion strengthens global market presence and diversifies revenue streams, reducing dependency on domestic markets.
Increased Profitability
Improved profitability reflects efficient operations and cost management, providing a solid foundation for sustained growth and shareholder value.
Negative Factors
Increased Leverage
Higher leverage can strain financial resources and limit flexibility, posing risks if not managed effectively, especially in volatile markets.
Increased Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
Longer DSO indicates slower cash collection, which can impact cash flow management and operational liquidity over time.
Consultant Headcount Decrease
A decrease in consultant headcount may affect project delivery capacity and limit growth potential if not addressed strategically.

Cra International (CRAI) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cra International Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCRA International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides economic, financial, and management consulting services in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings; and guides corporations through business strategy and performance-related issues. The company also offers consulting services, including research and analysis, expert testimony, and support in litigation and regulatory proceedings in the areas of finance, accounting, economics, insurance, and forensic accounting and investigations to corporate clients and attorneys. In addition, it offers management consulting services comprising strategy development, performance improvement, corporate strategy and portfolio analysis, estimation of market demand, new product pricing strategies, valuation of intellectual property and other assets, assessment of competitors' actions, and analysis of new sources of supply. The company serves various industries, including communications and media; consumer, health, and wellness products; energy; entertainment and leisure; financial services; healthcare; life sciences; manufacturing and industries; natural resources; retail and distribution; technology; and transportation. CRA International, Inc. was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
How the Company Makes MoneyCRAI generates revenue primarily through its consulting services, which are billed on a project basis or through retainer agreements. Key revenue streams include fees for expert witness services in litigation cases, economic consulting for regulatory matters, and strategic advisory services for corporations and government entities. The firm often engages in long-term contracts with clients, providing ongoing support and expertise. Significant partnerships with law firms, government agencies, and corporations enhance CRAI's market reach and contribute to its earnings by positioning the firm as a trusted advisor in high-stakes scenarios.

Cra International Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call reflected a strong performance in revenue and profitability with significant growth in international operations and specific practices like Antitrust & Competition Economics and Energy. However, challenges were noted in headcount management and increased DSO, with a net debt position that could be of concern. Overall, the highlights outweigh the lowlights.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Revenue increased by 10.8% year-over-year to $185.9 million, marking the best three revenue quarters in CRA's history.
International Expansion
International operations expanded by 30.3% year-over-year, driven by Antitrust & Competition Economics and Life Sciences practices.
Antitrust & Competition Economics Success
The Antitrust & Competition Economics practice achieved a new high for quarterly revenue, contributing to major M&A activities, including advising UnitedHealth Group and Microsoft.
Increased Profitability
Non-GAAP net income, earnings per diluted share, and EBITDA increased by 12.7%, 16.4%, and 14.6% respectively.
Dividend Increase
Announced a 16% increase in quarterly cash dividend from $0.49 to $0.57 per common share.
Robust Energy Practice
Energy practice led revenue increase by 8% year-over-year, advising on major utility projects and market design initiatives.
Negative Updates
Consultant Headcount Decrease
Consultant headcount decreased by 1.0% year-over-year, with a noted imbalance in the ratio of junior to senior staff.
Increased Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
DSO increased to 115 days from 110 days in the previous quarter, indicating a slower collection period.
Net Debt Position
Ended the quarter with net debt of $72.5 million despite reducing borrowings and share repurchases.
Company Guidance
During Charles River Associates' third quarter 2025 conference call, the company provided updated guidance reflecting strong performance. Revenue for the first three quarters of fiscal 2025 reached $552.1 million with a non-GAAP EBITDA of $71.8 million, yielding a margin of 13.0%. The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to a range of $740 million to $748 million, up from a prior range of $730 million to $745 million, and adjusted its non-GAAP EBITDA margin expectation to 12.6% to 13.0%, compared to a previous range of 12.3% to 13.0%. This upward revision was attributed to strong results across various practices, including Antitrust & Competition Economics, energy, finance, and intellectual property, as well as substantial international growth, particularly in Europe. The company also highlighted a robust hiring pipeline, particularly at the Vice President level, and an increase in the quarterly cash dividend by 16%, underscoring confidence in its business quality and commitment to shareholder returns.

Cra International Financial Statement Overview

Summary
CRA International exhibits strong financial health with consistent revenue growth and improving profit margins. The increased leverage requires careful monitoring, but the company maintains a strong return on equity and robust cash flow generation.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
CRA International demonstrates strong revenue growth with a TTM increase of 2.55% and consistent improvement in profit margins. The gross profit margin has improved to 31%, and the net profit margin stands at 7.74%, indicating solid profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also shown positive trends, reflecting efficient operational management.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio has increased to 0.96 in the TTM, suggesting higher leverage, which could pose a risk if not managed carefully. However, the return on equity is robust at 27%, indicating effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio remains stable, reflecting a balanced asset structure.
Cash Flow
72
Positive
Free cash flow has grown by 34.55% in the TTM, showcasing strong cash generation capabilities. However, the operating cash flow to net income ratio has decreased, suggesting potential challenges in converting income into cash. The free cash flow to net income ratio remains healthy, indicating good cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue731.05M687.41M623.98M590.90M565.93M508.37M
Gross Profit226.66M207.48M171.73M180.82M165.88M137.66M
EBITDA113.64M97.48M81.94M86.38M81.02M59.72M
Net Income56.58M46.65M38.48M43.62M41.68M24.51M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets629.04M571.44M553.21M550.92M555.36M558.51M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments22.50M26.71M45.59M31.45M66.13M45.68M
Total Debt194.33M103.24M114.34M121.98M138.80M153.00M
Total Liabilities427.39M359.37M341.11M339.76M349.53M349.49M
Stockholders Equity201.66M212.07M212.10M211.15M205.83M209.02M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow28.43M33.11M57.71M21.31M73.08M37.57M
Operating Cash Flow41.83M49.73M60.07M25.12M75.70M54.66M
Investing Cash Flow-13.40M-18.12M-2.94M-18.16M-2.62M-17.09M
Financing Cash Flow-29.74M-48.86M-44.48M-38.95M-51.99M-19.50M

Cra International Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price189.31
Price Trends
50DMA
184.08
Positive
100DMA
186.96
Positive
200DMA
183.59
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.38
Negative
RSI
61.52
Neutral
STOCH
87.54
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CRAI, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 189.31 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 179.18, above the 50-day MA of 184.08, and above the 200-day MA of 183.59, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.38 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 61.52 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 87.54 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for CRAI.

Cra International Risk Analysis

Cra International disclosed 31 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cra International reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Cra International Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
$1.24B22.7627.83%1.08%8.69%34.58%
77
Outperform
$5.17B21.2813.30%-0.95%-10.54%
75
Outperform
$2.95B28.6321.20%12.50%29.40%
74
Outperform
$1.57B16.039.88%0.66%-3.81%-7.05%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
51
Neutral
$151.93M-0.80-61.44%7.20%-10.83%-1669.11%
42
Neutral
$143.50M-43.39%-8.73%-1168.15%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CRAI
Cra International
189.31
8.77
4.86%
FORR
Forrester Research
6.63
-10.38
-61.02%
FCN
FTI Consulting
170.79
-27.83
-14.01%
HURN
Huron Consulting
170.84
48.68
39.85%
ICFI
Icf International
85.06
-44.90
-34.55%
RGP
Resources Connection
4.86
-3.21
-39.78%

Cra International Corporate Events

DividendsFinancial Disclosures
CRA International Boosts Dividend Amid Strong Q3 Results
Positive
Oct 30, 2025

On October 30, 2025, CRA announced a 16% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.57 per share, payable on December 12, 2025. The company reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, with a 10.8% increase in revenue year over year to $185.9 million and a 12.7% rise in non-GAAP net income. CRA also raised its revenue guidance for the full fiscal year, reflecting confidence in its competitive position despite global economic uncertainties.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025