Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Estimate for CRAI Earnings

Charles River Associates (NASDAQ:CRAI) – Zacks Research boosted their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Charles River Associates in a report released on Monday, November 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the business services provider will earn $8.17 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $7.98. The consensus estimate for Charles River Associates’ current full-year earnings is $7.52 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Charles River Associates’ Q1 2026 earnings at $2.20 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.00 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.33 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $8.57 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.02 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $8.76 EPS.

Charles River Associates (NASDAQ:CRAI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The business services provider reported $2.06 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $185.89 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $179.42 million. Charles River Associates had a net margin of 7.93% and a return on equity of 25.51%. Charles River Associates has set its FY 2025 guidance at EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Charles River Associates from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Barrington Research lifted their price objective on Charles River Associates from $235.00 to $239.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Charles River Associates in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $239.00.

Charles River Associates Stock Performance

CRAI stock opened at $171.71 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.13 billion, a PE ratio of 20.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a fifty day moving average of $190.63 and a 200-day moving average of $188.51. Charles River Associates has a one year low of $152.57 and a one year high of $214.66.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Jones Financial Companies Lllp acquired a new stake in Charles River Associates in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Longboard Asset Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Charles River Associates in the third quarter valued at about $217,000. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of Charles River Associates in the first quarter valued at about $329,000. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Charles River Associates in the first quarter valued at approximately $360,000. Finally, Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Charles River Associates during the 1st quarter worth approximately $628,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.13% of the company’s stock.

Charles River Associates Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 25th will be given a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 25th. This is a positive change from Charles River Associates’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. Charles River Associates’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.40%.

About Charles River Associates

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.