CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) Stock Passes Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average of $111.25

CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $111.25 and traded as high as $142.97. CRA International shares last traded at $141.40, with a volume of 33,904 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded CRA International from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 4th.

CRA International Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $984.85 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.19, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.22. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $133.52 and its 200 day simple moving average is $111.25.

CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 29th. The business services provider reported $1.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.53. CRA International had a net margin of 6.17% and a return on equity of 19.01%. The business had revenue of $161.61 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $149.51 million. Sell-side analysts predict that CRA International, Inc. will post 5.88 EPS for the current year.

CRA International Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th were paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 11th. CRA International’s dividend payout ratio is presently 31.11%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Thomas Aiken Avery sold 1,000 shares of CRA International stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $138.05, for a total transaction of $138,050.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,140,327.20. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Thomas Aiken Avery sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $138.05, for a total transaction of $138,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 15,504 shares in the company, valued at $2,140,327.20. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Jonathan D. Yellin sold 1,250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $136.62, for a total value of $170,775.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 21,587 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,949,215.94. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 10,750 shares of company stock worth $1,487,085 over the last 90 days. 5.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in CRA International by 1.9% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 138,370 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $14,114,000 after buying an additional 2,553 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its holdings in shares of CRA International by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 70,908 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $6,293,000 after purchasing an additional 2,381 shares during the period. Ancora Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of CRA International by 30.4% in the first quarter. Ancora Advisors LLC now owns 63,927 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $4,772,000 after purchasing an additional 14,889 shares in the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC lifted its position in shares of CRA International by 1,301.5% in the third quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 55,218 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $4,900,000 after purchasing an additional 51,278 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of CRA International by 17.7% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 50,537 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $5,465,000 after purchasing an additional 7,594 shares during the period. 84.13% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.