CRA International (CRAI)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $187.06 | Market Cap: $1.2 BilSector: Industrials | Industry: Research & Consulting Services
CRA International (CRAI)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $187.06Market Cap: $1.2 BilSector: IndustrialsIndustry: Research & Consulting Services
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.1% | Weak multi-year price returns3Y Excs Rtn is -14% | Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 33x |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 34% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Business & Legal Complexity. Themes include Economic & Financial Litigation Support, Regulatory & Public Policy Advisory, and Strategic Growth Consulting. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 5.1% |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 34% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Business & Legal Complexity. Themes include Economic & Financial Litigation Support, Regulatory & Public Policy Advisory, and Strategic Growth Consulting. |
| Weak multi-year price returns3Y Excs Rtn is -14% |
| Expensive valuation multiplesP/CFOPrice/(Cash Flow from Operations). CFO is cash before capital expenditures. is 33x |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
CRAI Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
Despite several positive developments, CRA International (CRAI) experienced a -3.3% stock movement in the approximate period from August 31, 2025, to December 4, 2025. The key points for the company during this timeframe, considering market dynamics that could lead to a net negative movement despite positive corporate news, are as follows:
1. CRA International Reported Strong Q3 2025 Financial Results. The company announced robust financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025 on October 30, 2025, surpassing analysts' expectations in both earnings per share (EPS) of $2.06 and revenue of $185.9 million. Following this announcement, CRAI's stock price surged by 4.35%. The company also raised its full-year revenue guidance to between $740 million and $748 million.
2. The Company Increased its Quarterly Cash Dividend. On October 30, 2025, Charles River Associates announced a 16% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, raising it to $0.57 per common share. This move typically signals strong financial health and a commitment to returning value to shareholders.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| CRAI Return | -4% | 86% | 33% | -18% | 91% | -1% | 266% |
| Peers Return | 10% | 112478% | -17% | -12% | 527% | -40% | 340413% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| CRAI Win Rate | 50% | 92% | 50% | 33% | 67% | 40% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 12% | 23% | 19% | 29% | 25% | 18% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| CRAI Max Drawdown | -58% | -2% | -15% | -31% | -1% | -14% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -5% | -6% | -19% | -24% | -2% | -50% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: VRSK, ACCL, BRKK, DTDT, FOFO.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | CRAI | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -33.8% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 51.0% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 119 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -60.9% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 155.9% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 300 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -40.8% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 68.8% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 568 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -67.6% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 209.0% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 3306 days | 1480 days |
Compare to VRSK, ACCL, BRKK, DTDT, FOFO
In The Past
CRA International's stock fell -33.8% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 2/23/2023. A -33.8% loss requires a 51.0% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Latest Trefis Analyses
| Title | |
|---|---|
| ARTICLES |
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to CRAI. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | CNM | Core & Main | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 7.3% | 7.3% | -1.6% |
| 11212025 | VRRM | Verra Mobility | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 2.3% | 2.3% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | LII | Lennox International | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0% |
| 11212025 | ADP | Automatic Data Processing | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 1.6% | 1.6% | -1.2% |
| 11212025 | CW | Curtiss-Wright | Quality | Q | Momentum | UpsideQuality Stocks with Momentum and UpsideBuying quality stocks with strong momentum but still having room to run | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for CRA International
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 99.83 |
| Mkt Cap | 16.3 |
| Rev LTM | 1,880 |
| Op Inc LTM | 715 |
| FCF LTM | 572 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 490 |
| CFO LTM | 695 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 612 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 8.0% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 10.7% |
| Rev Chg Q | 8.4% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 2.0% |
| Op Mgn LTM | 28.0% |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | 26.8% |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | 0.0% |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 25.1% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 24.1% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 20.4% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 19.4% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 16.3 |
| P/S | 6.7 |
| P/EBIT | 21.1 |
| P/E | 31.1 |
| P/CFO | 29.4 |
| Total Yield | 4.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.8% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 3.4% |
| D/E | 0.1 |
| Net D/E | 0.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 1.0% |
| 3M Rtn | -16.2% |
| 6M Rtn | -29.9% |
| 12M Rtn | -21.9% |
| 3Y Rtn | 23.3% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 1.1% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -22.1% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -44.6% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -36.8% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -44.0% |
Returns Analyses
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 10302025 | 10-Q 9/27/2025 |
| 6302025 | 7312025 | 10-Q 6/28/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5012025 | 10-Q 3/29/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2202025 | 10-K 12/28/2024 |
| 9302024 | 10312024 | 10-Q 9/28/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8012024 | 10-Q 6/29/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5022024 | 10-Q 3/30/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2292024 | 10-K 12/30/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11022023 | 10-Q 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8032023 | 10-Q 7/1/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5042023 | 10-Q 4/1/2023 |
| 12312022 | 3022023 | 10-K 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11032022 | 10-Q 10/1/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8042022 | 10-Q 7/2/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5052022 | 10-Q 4/2/2022 |
| 12312021 | 3032022 | 10-K 1/1/2022 |
External Quote Links
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