FY2025 EPS Estimates for CRAI Raised by Barrington Research

Key Points

• Barrington Research has raised its FY2025 earnings estimate for Charles River Associates to $8.13 per share, compared to the previous estimate of $7.98, while maintaining an "Outperform" rating and a price target of $228.00.
• The company has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.49 per share, with an ex-dividend date of August 26th, representing an annual yield of 1.1%.
• Despite the positive earnings news, Charles River Associates' shares have seen a 1.4% decline recently, opening at $184.45.

Charles River Associates (NASDAQ:CRAI - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Barrington Research raised their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Charles River Associates in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, August 6th. Barrington Research analyst K. Steinke now expects that the business services provider will post earnings per share of $8.13 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $7.98. Barrington Research currently has a "Outperform" rating and a $228.00 price target on the stock. The consensus estimate for Charles River Associates' current full-year earnings is $7.52 per share.

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded Charles River Associates from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 2nd.

Charles River Associates Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:CRAI traded up $3.65 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $189.08. 36,467 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 74,105. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $185.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $182.14. The stock has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.91. Charles River Associates has a fifty-two week low of $152.57 and a fifty-two week high of $214.01.

Charles River Associates (NASDAQ:CRAI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The business services provider reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $186.88 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $180.34 million. Charles River Associates had a return on equity of 25.51% and a net margin of 7.93%.

Charles River Associates Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 26th will be given a $0.49 dividend. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 26th. Charles River Associates's payout ratio is currently 23.73%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Charles River Associates news, CEO Paul A. Maleh sold 7,500 shares of Charles River Associates stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $190.62, for a total value of $1,429,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 141,545 shares of the company's stock, valued at $26,981,307.90. The trade was a 5.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 5.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Charles River Associates

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Charles River Associates during the fourth quarter worth approximately $9,389,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Charles River Associates by 6.7% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 3,982 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $745,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in Charles River Associates during the fourth quarter worth approximately $249,000. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in Charles River Associates by 28,517.4% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,582 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $1,140,000 after purchasing an additional 6,559 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its stake in Charles River Associates by 1.6% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 12,706 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $2,201,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares during the last quarter. 84.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Charles River Associates 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.