CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in the month of September. As of September 30th, there was short interest totalling 39,900 shares, a decline of 17.6% from the September 15th total of 48,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 45,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.9 days. Approximately 0.6% of the company’s shares are short sold.

CRA International Stock Performance

Shares of CRAI stock opened at $191.09 on Wednesday. CRA International has a fifty-two week low of $81.29 and a fifty-two week high of $196.03. The firm has a market cap of $1.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.14. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $167.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $165.93.

CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The business services provider reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.49 by $0.34. CRA International had a return on equity of 22.37% and a net margin of 6.17%. The business had revenue of $171.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $167.87 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.42 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that CRA International will post 6.93 EPS for the current year.

CRA International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 27th were issued a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.88%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 27th. CRA International’s payout ratio is currently 27.45%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded CRA International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th.

Insider Buying and Selling at CRA International

In other news, CFO Daniel K. Mahoney sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 11,624 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,804,161.04. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other CRA International news, EVP Jonathan D. Yellin sold 1,250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.26, for a total value of $197,825.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 20,361 shares in the company, valued at $3,222,331.86. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Daniel K. Mahoney sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.21, for a total value of $155,210.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 11,624 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,804,161.04. This trade represents a 0.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 10,750 shares of company stock valued at $1,695,720. 5.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bridge City Capital LLC increased its position in CRA International by 4.9% in the first quarter. Bridge City Capital LLC now owns 4,810 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $719,000 after buying an additional 223 shares in the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in CRA International in the first quarter worth about $115,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of CRA International by 21.9% during the first quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 10,630 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,590,000 after purchasing an additional 1,912 shares in the last quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC grew its position in shares of CRA International by 55.3% during the first quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 28,675 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $4,289,000 after purchasing an additional 10,213 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dearborn Partners LLC grew its position in shares of CRA International by 22.2% during the first quarter. Dearborn Partners LLC now owns 9,673 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,447,000 after purchasing an additional 1,757 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.13% of the company’s stock.

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.