BNP Paribas Financial Markets Trims Stock Holdings in CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets reduced its position in CRA International, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRAI) by 17.7% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 4,399 shares of the business services provider’s stock after selling 949 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in CRA International were worth $823,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of CRA International during the fourth quarter worth about $9,389,000. Foundry Partners LLC raised its stake in CRA International by 56.0% during the 4th quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 29,115 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $5,450,000 after acquiring an additional 10,455 shares during the last quarter. Summit Global Investments acquired a new stake in CRA International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $656,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in CRA International during the 4th quarter worth approximately $281,000. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of CRA International in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $249,000. 84.13% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at CRA International

In other news, Director Thomas Aiken Avery sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.05, for a total value of $199,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 14,669 shares in the company, valued at $2,919,864.45. This trade represents a 6.38% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Paul A. Maleh sold 7,600 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $192.50, for a total transaction of $1,463,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 145,806 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $28,067,655. This trade represents a 4.95% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 30,100 shares of company stock worth $5,661,538 over the last three months. 4.70% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

CRA International Stock Performance

CRAI stock opened at $187.42 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.87. The company has a fifty day moving average of $173.40 and a 200-day moving average of $183.81. CRA International, Inc. has a one year low of $133.54 and a one year high of $214.01.

CRA International (NASDAQ:CRAI) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The business services provider reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.93 by $0.29. CRA International had a net margin of 6.79% and a return on equity of 25.95%. The firm had revenue of $181.85 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $176.63 million. Equities analysts forecast that CRA International, Inc. will post 7.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

CRA International Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 27th will be issued a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.05%. CRA International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 26.45%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Barrington Research upped their price target on CRA International from $224.00 to $228.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday.

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.