CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) Reaches New 52-Week High – Here’s What Happened

Shares of CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $200.05 and last traded at $200.05, with a volume of 4787 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $188.20.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com cut CRA International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st.

CRA International Price Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $1.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.13. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $176.44 and a 200 day moving average of $170.69.

CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The business services provider reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.19. CRA International had a net margin of 6.41% and a return on equity of 24.46%. The company had revenue of $167.75 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $166.83 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.13 earnings per share. Research analysts predict that CRA International, Inc. will post 6.95 EPS for the current year.

CRA International Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 13th. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 26th will be given a dividend of $0.49 per share. This is a boost from CRA International’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 26th. CRA International’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO Paul A. Maleh sold 7,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Daniel K. Mahoney sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.21, for a total transaction of $155,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,624 shares in the company, valued at $1,804,161.04. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Paul A. Maleh sold 7,500 shares of CRA International stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $158.33, for a total value 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 $25,208,035.96. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 10,750 shares of company stock worth $1,695,720. Company insiders own 5.20% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On CRA International

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRA International during the first quarter worth about $115,000. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new position in CRA International in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its stake in shares of CRA International by 2.5% in the second quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 3,000 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $517,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of CRA International by 12.1% in the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 3,009 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $518,000 after acquiring an additional 324 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of CRA International by 13.6% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,280 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 393 shares during the period. 84.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.