Core Insights - Charles River Associates (CRAI) is expected to benefit from increased demand for specialized advisory services, leading to strong client relationships and operational efficiency [1][4] - The company reported a profit of $2.06 per share for Q3 2025, exceeding estimates by 14% and showing a 16.4% increase year-over-year, although total revenues of $185.9 million declined by 10.8% year-over-year [3][10] Company Performance - CRAI's consulting services are in high demand due to technological advancements and regulatory complexities, with an anticipated revenue increase of 8.1% in 2025 [4][10] - The company has a strong focus on attracting top talent and providing high-quality consulting services, which enhances its reputation among multinational clients [5][6] Financial Strategies - CRAI has consistently paid dividends, with amounts of $12.3 million in 2024, $10.8 million in 2023, and $9.6 million in 2022, alongside share repurchases totaling $33.3 million in 2024, indicating confidence in its business [7] Industry Challenges - Rising talent costs and increased automation are significant concerns for CRAI, impacting profitability and scalability amid stiff competition from firms like McKinsey & Company and Boston Consulting Group [2][8] - The company's current ratio of 0.9 is below the industry average of 1.19, suggesting potential liquidity challenges [9]

Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating Hackett Group (HCKT) and CRA International (CRAI) to determine which stock presents a better value opportunity for investment [1] Valuation Metrics - HCKT has a forward P/E ratio of 11.97, while CRAI has a forward P/E of 25.31, indicating HCKT may be undervalued compared to CRAI [5] - HCKT's PEG ratio is 1.09, which is lower than CRAI's PEG ratio of 1.58, suggesting HCKT offers better value considering expected earnings growth [5] - HCKT's P/B ratio is 5.57, compared to CRAI's P/B of 7.27, further supporting HCKT's valuation advantage [6] Earnings Outlook - Both HCKT and CRAI have a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook due to favorable analyst estimate revisions [3] - HCKT is considered the superior value option based on the discussed valuation metrics, despite both companies having solid earnings prospects [7]

Core Insights - The article discusses a recent transaction involving Paul Maleh, President and CEO of CRA International, who sold 7,500 shares for approximately $1.4 million, reflecting a consistent trading pattern [3][4][6]. Company Overview - CRA International provides economic, financial, and management consulting services across various sectors, including finance, energy, healthcare, and technology, leveraging a team of 947 professionals [5]. Transaction Details - The sale of 7,500 shares represented 6.05% of Maleh's direct holdings, reducing his stake to 116,545 shares, or 1.78% of outstanding shares [2]. - The transaction was executed at a weighted average price of $182.97 per share on December 3, 2025 [4]. - This sale aligns with Maleh's median transaction size for open-market sales since April 2024, indicating a pattern of share disposition as his holdings have declined by approximately 38.35% since that time [2][3]. Market Performance - CRA International reported strong financial results on October 3, exceeding analyst expectations for both earnings and revenue, and the stock has seen significant gains, rising over 18% in the past year [7]. - The stock reached an all-time high on January 6, 2026, following a strong performance [7]. Analyst Ratings - Kevin Steinke from Barrington Research has rated CRA International stock as a buy, with a price target of $245, suggesting a potential upside of more than 14% from current prices [8].

Core Insights - Charles River (CRAI) shares have increased by 7% over the past month, significantly outperforming the industry's growth of 0.7% [1][8] - The company's earnings for the fourth quarter of 2025 are projected to rise by 1% year over year, with expected earnings growth of 8.2% in 2025 and 7.3% in 2026. Revenue growth is anticipated at 8.3% in 2025 and 3% in 2026 [1] Revenue Growth Drivers - CRAI's revenue growth is primarily fueled by its consulting and research services, driven by rising demand for specialized advisory services [2] - The company has successfully advised major clients, including UnitedHealth Group and Microsoft, showcasing its ability to meet complex client needs [3] Strategic Focus - CRAI emphasizes high-quality consulting as a key to its success, collaborating with independent experts to enhance its capabilities [3] - The company's strategic approach to strengthening client relationships across various business lines supports long-term growth and customer retention [4] Shareholder Value - CRAI consistently returns value to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, with dividends increasing from $9.6 million in 2022 to $12.3 million in 2024, and share repurchases rising from $27.6 million to $33.3 million over the same period [5] Liquidity Considerations - The company reported a current ratio of 0.9 in the third quarter of 2025, which is below the industry average of 1.19, indicating potential liquidity concerns [6][8]

Summary of CRA International Conference Call - December 10, 2025 Company Overview - **Company Name**: Charles River Associates (CRA) - **Ticker**: CRAI - **Industry**: Economic consulting and management consulting - **Anniversary**: Celebrated 60th anniversary in 2025 and over 27 years as a publicly traded company [2][3] Core Business Segments - **Revenue Composition**: - Legal and Regulatory: Approximately 80% of total revenue - Management Consulting: Remaining 20% [4] - **Key Practices**: - Antitrust and Competition Economics: 40%-45% of total revenue - Life Sciences, Energy, Auctions and Competitive Bidding, Maritime Practices: Contribute to management consulting [8][9] Financial Performance - **Revenue Growth**: Over 50% growth in the past five years; year-to-date 2025 shows continued growth [11] - **Headcount Growth**: Increased by 20% over the past five years [11] - **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: Grew by 142% over the past five years [11] - **Shareholder Returns**: Nearly $200 million returned to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [12] - **Share Repurchase**: Average repurchase price over the past five years was $88, with current trading above $190 [12] Talent and Workforce - **Employee Qualifications**: - Approximately 75% of senior colleagues have advanced degrees; over 40% hold PhDs [5][6] - Less than 10% voluntary turnover among top revenue-generating employees over the past five years [7] - **Diversity**: Employees from over 70 countries, speaking more than 35 languages [6] Market Position and Clientele - **Client Base**: Worked with 85 of the Fortune 100 companies and 98 of the Am Law 100 law firms in the past two years [10] - **Project-Based Business Model**: Trust built on a project-by-project basis rather than subscription-based [10] Investment Thesis - **Long-Term Value Maximization**: Focus on earning returns above the cost of capital and returning excess capital to shareholders [13] - **Organic Growth**: Approximately two-thirds of growth is organic, with a focus on talent acquisition and retention [17] Current Market Dynamics - **M&A Activity**: Increasing momentum in mergers and acquisitions, with CRA involved in significant deals [24] - **Litigation Activity**: Notable increase in litigation filings, indicating a robust demand for consulting services [26] Conclusion - **Outlook**: CRA anticipates continued success and record performance in 2025, with a strong pipeline of new business opportunities and talent acquisition [19][23]

Company Overview - Charles River is entering its 60th year, marking a significant milestone in its history and evolution as a company [2]. Event Context - The discussion is part of a fireside chat hosted by UBS, featuring Charles River's CEO, Paul Maleh, indicating the company's engagement with investors and analysts [1].

Summary of CRA International (NasdaqGS:CRAI) 2025 Conference Call Company Overview - CRA International is celebrating its 60th anniversary, founded in 1965 by professors from Harvard and MIT to provide high-quality research in economics, finance, and strategy to assist business leaders in decision-making [3][4] - The company has approximately 1,000 consulting professionals, with 80% of its business in legal regulatory services and 20% in traditional management consulting [3][17] Financial Performance - CRA has experienced consistent growth of approximately 9%-10% annually since 2012, with profits growing at a faster rate [5][6] - The company does not have annuity-type revenue streams; instead, it operates on a project-by-project basis, requiring proof of value for each assignment [6][17] - Revenue growth is primarily organic, with about two-thirds of the growth coming from selling more hours and services, while rate increases contribute an average of 2%-4% [17] Competitive Landscape - The competitive set varies between legal regulatory services and management consulting, with CRA focusing on its core competencies in economics and regulations within life sciences and energy [21][22] - CRA has been gaining market share over the past dozen years, outpacing industry growth in both legal regulatory and management consulting sectors [22] AI and Technology Integration - AI is seen as an opportunity to enhance efficiency in research projects, but there are limitations regarding accuracy and data usage due to legal constraints [26][27][28] - The company emphasizes the importance of human expertise and creativity in consulting, which may be jeopardized by over-reliance on AI tools [29][30] - AI is also driving demand for legal services due to increased litigation related to property rights disputes [30] Client Relationships and Market Position - CRA serves 85 of the Fortune 100 companies and has worked with 98 of the Am Law 100 law firms, indicating a strong client base [48][49] - The company aims to increase its share of wallet from existing clients, focusing on becoming more client-centric rather than consulting-centric [48][49] Employee Retention and Culture - CRA has maintained a low voluntary attrition rate of around 10% over the past five years, indicating a strong workplace culture and employee satisfaction [39][43] - The company prioritizes creating value for its consultants to retain top talent, emphasizing the quality of colleagues and client relationships [43][44] International Growth Opportunities - Approximately 20% of CRA's revenue comes from international markets, with growth opportunities arising from a more vigorous regulatory environment in Europe compared to the U.S. [65] Revenue Forecasting and Engagements - At any given time, CRA has about 55%-60% of the preceding 12 months' revenue in-house, relying on industry trends and lead flow for revenue forecasting [62][63] - The company anticipates 2025 to be its eighth consecutive record year for revenue and profits, driven by strong client demand [63]

Core Insights - CRA International, Inc. (CRAI) reported strong third-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate, leading to a 2.8% increase in share price post-earnings release [1] Financial Performance - Quarterly EPS was $2.06, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 14% and reflecting a 16.4% increase year over year [3][8] - Total revenues reached $185.9 million, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.8%, although this represented a 10.8% decline compared to the previous year [3][8] - Non-GAAP EBITDA increased by 14.6% year over year to $24.4 million, with a non-GAAP EBITDA margin improvement of 40 basis points to 13.1% [4] Guidance and Outlook - CRAI raised its 2025 constant-currency revenue guidance to a range of $740-$748 million, up from the previous range of $730-$745 million, with the midpoint exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $743.1 million [2][8] - The company expects a non-GAAP EBITDA margin in the range of 12.6-13%, an increase from the prior estimate of 12.3-13% [2] Operational Metrics - The company achieved a utilization rate of 77%, while headcount decreased by 1% year over year [4] - Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter were $22.50 million, down from $26.7 million at the end of December 2024, with $85.25 million generated from operating activities [5]

Core Insights - Charles River Associates (CRA) has strengthened its Forensic Services Practice by appointing David Shin as Vice President, bringing over 20 years of experience in high-stakes investigations related to cyber breaches and regulatory inquiries [2][4]. Company Overview - CRA is a global leader in economic, financial, and management consulting services, advising clients on litigation and regulatory matters, and guiding corporations through critical business strategy issues [5]. - The firm has been operational since 1965 and is headquartered in Boston, with offices worldwide [5]. Forensic Services Practice - CRA's Forensic Services Practice is recognized for handling thousands of client matters annually, focusing on areas such as cybercrime, digital forensics, forensic accounting, and eDiscovery [4]. - The addition of David Shin is expected to enhance the practice's capabilities, particularly in e-Discovery and digital technologies, which are crucial for complex litigation and merger reviews [2][4].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 10.8% year over year to $185.9 million, marking the best three revenue quarters in CRA's history [6] - Non-GAAP net income, earnings per diluted share, and EBITDA increased by 12.7%, 16.4%, and 14.6% respectively [7] - Non-GAAP EBITDA margin for the first three quarters of fiscal 2025 was 13.0% [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from legal and regulatory services increased by 11.5%, driven by activity in the broader legal market [7] - The antitrust and competition economics practice achieved record quarterly revenue, supported by ongoing merger-related activity [8] - Management consulting services revenue increased by 8% year over year, led by the energy practice [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American operations revenue increased by 6.8%, while international operations expanded by 30.3% year over year [6] - Worldwide M&A activity totaled $3 trillion during the first nine months of 2025, an increase of 33% compared to the previous year [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is raising its revenue guidance for fiscal 2025, now expecting revenue in the range of $740 million to $748 million [15] - CRA continues to focus on cross-functional economic analysis, particularly in response to growing needs in transfer pricing and antitrust services [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding future performance, noting the consistency of results and strong demand across various practices [46] - The company remains mindful of uncertain global macroeconomic conditions that could impact business [16] Other Important Information - The company concluded the quarter with $22.5 million in cash and $95.0 million in borrowings, resulting in net debt of $72.5 million [17] - A 16% increase in quarterly cash dividend from $0.49 to $0.57 per common share was announced, reflecting confidence in business quality [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Headcount dynamics and sustainability - Management explained that headcount changes reflect evaluations of growth opportunities, with a focus on profitable practices [25][26] Question: Bill rates and revenue growth - Management confirmed that bill rates have increased low double digits, driven by rate card increases and consistent client demand [28][30] Question: International growth drivers - The competition practice in Europe has shown strong performance, with consistent enforcement driving growth compared to North America [34] Question: Legal and regulatory activity drivers - Management noted broad-based inflow activity across several practices, indicating strong demand for consulting support [42][44] Question: Regulatory scrutiny on antitrust and M&A - Management observed no significant contraction in project inflows despite changes in regulatory stance, indicating continued strong demand [56] Question: Life sciences practice outlook - The life sciences practice is showing signs of growth, but management remains cautious about declaring a significant upward trend [57] Question: Intellectual property practice sustainability - The intellectual property practice is collaborating with other practices, indicating strong demand for complex matters [60] Question: Hiring pipeline for Vice Presidents - Management expressed satisfaction with the influx of new Vice Presidents, highlighting the value proposition of CRA in attracting talent [62]