CRAI

Industrials

CRA International, Inc. · Consulting Services · $960M

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
42.1
Below Average

CRA International, Inc. scores 42.1/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Industrials Sector
CRAI
42.1
Sector avg
42.4
Quality
Neutral
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Neutral
Valuation
Elevated

What is CRA International, Inc.?

CRA International is a specialized consulting firm that helps corporations, law firms, and regulators navigate complex economic, financial, and strategic challenges. Headquartered in Boston, it operates across the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally.

The firm generates revenue by deploying expert consultants — economists, financial analysts, and industry specialists — to advise clients on litigation support, regulatory proceedings, and management strategy. Engagements range from expert testimony in high-stakes legal cases to market-entry analysis and intellectual property valuation for corporate clients across a broad range of industries.

CRA International was incorporated in 1965 and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • Litigation and regulatory consulting, including expert testimony
  • Forensic accounting and financial investigations
  • Corporate strategy and performance improvement
  • Intellectual property and asset valuation

Is CRAI a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates CRAI as Below Average overall, reflecting a mixed picture across its five quality pillars.

The Quality and Risk pillars both register as Good, suggesting the business maintains reasonable financial discipline and manageable exposure to downside scenarios. These are meaningful anchors for a professional-services firm operating in cyclical consulting markets.

The Moat pillar scores Weak, pointing to limited structural competitive advantages, while the Valuation pillar reads Elevated — meaning the current price may not leave much room for error.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does CRAI pay dividends?

Yes — CRA International, Inc. pays a dividend.

CRAI pays a regular dividend, which is relatively uncommon among small-cap consulting firms. This signals a degree of financial confidence from management. Income-oriented investors may find the dividend cadence appealing, though the Elevated Valuation pillar is worth weighing alongside any yield consideration.

When does CRAI report earnings?

CRA International reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, consistent with standard practice for US-listed equities.

The firm's consulting revenue is tied to demand for litigation support and strategic advisory work, both of which can fluctuate with the legal and regulatory environment. Growth has been Neutral per the UQS assessment, reflecting a steady but not rapidly expanding business.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit CRA International's investor relations page directly.

CRAI Price History

+102.7% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in CRA International, Inc.?

$
Today it would be worth
$21,952
That's a +120% total return, or +17.0% annualized.

Based on CRA International, Inc.'s historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

CRAI Long-term Outlook

The UQS Growth pillar for CRAI sits at Neutral, suggesting the business is not in a high-expansion phase but is not contracting either. The Good Risk rating provides some confidence in near-term stability, while the Elevated Valuation pillar introduces caution about how much future growth is already priced in.

Growth drivers

  • Sustained demand for litigation and regulatory consulting across financial services and life sciences
  • Expansion of management consulting engagements in energy and technology sectors
  • International presence providing diversification beyond the US market

Key risks

  • Weak Moat rating means client retention is not structurally guaranteed
  • Elevated Valuation leaves limited margin of safety if growth disappoints
  • Revenue concentration in cyclical litigation activity that can slow during quieter regulatory periods

CRAI vs Peers

CRAI competes in the specialized consulting space alongside several firms that vary in scale and service focus.

ICFICRAI scores lower
ICF International, Inc.

ICF International blends management consulting with technology implementation, giving it a broader government and public-sector footprint than CRAI's litigation-heavy model.

HURNCRAI scores lower
Huron Consulting Group Inc.

Huron focuses heavily on healthcare and higher education consulting, differentiating itself from CRAI's stronger emphasis on economic and financial expert services.

SBCCRAI scores lower
SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated

SBC Medical operates primarily as a healthcare services and clinic management business, making it a tangential rather than direct competitor to CRAI's consulting practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CRA International do?

CRA International provides economic, financial, and management consulting services. Its experts advise corporations and law firms on litigation support, regulatory proceedings, forensic accounting, corporate strategy, and asset valuation across industries including healthcare, energy, financial services, and technology.

Does CRAI pay dividends?

Yes, CRA International pays a regular dividend. This is relatively uncommon for a small-cap consulting firm and reflects management's confidence in the business's cash generation. Investors should review the current dividend details on the company's investor relations page.

When does CRAI report earnings?

CRA International follows a standard quarterly earnings cadence for US-listed companies. For the exact schedule and most recent results, check the investor relations section of the company's official website.

Is CRAI a good stock to buy?

The UQS Score rates CRAI as Below Average overall. While the Quality and Risk pillars are Good, the Weak Moat and Elevated Valuation pillars introduce meaningful caution. Investors should weigh these factors carefully. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is CRAI overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for CRAI is rated Elevated, suggesting the stock may be priced above what the underlying fundamentals comfortably support. This does not guarantee a price decline, but it does reduce the margin of safety for new investors entering at current levels.

How does CRAI compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like ICF International and Huron Consulting, CRAI is more narrowly focused on economic and financial expert consulting — particularly litigation support. This specialization can be a differentiator in high-stakes legal matters but limits diversification relative to broader consulting firms.

What is CRAI's market cap bracket?

CRA International is classified as a small-cap company. This means it carries characteristics typical of smaller public firms — including potentially lower trading liquidity and greater sensitivity to business-specific events compared to large- or mega-cap peers.

Who founded CRA International?

CRA International was originally incorporated in 1965. Detailed founding history, including key individuals involved in the firm's establishment, is publicly available through the company's official history and SEC filings.

Is CRAI a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, CRAI's profile is mixed. The Good Quality and Risk pillars provide a reasonable foundation, but the Weak Moat suggests limited structural protection against competition over time. The Elevated Valuation pillar adds further caution for long-horizon investors.

What is the main competitive advantage of CRA International?

CRA International's primary advantage lies in its roster of credentialed economists and financial experts who provide testimony and analysis in high-stakes litigation. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating it may not be deeply entrenched relative to sector peers.

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Pro Analysis

CRAI — Score History

3540455055Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 23 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 23, 202642.155.727.046.143.338.3-0.1
May 22, 202642.255.727.046.143.338.6+0.1
May 21, 202642.155.727.046.143.338.3-0.1
May 19, 202642.255.727.046.143.339.2-0.6
May 16, 202642.855.727.046.143.342.8+0.6
May 14, 202642.255.727.044.543.340.7+0.1
May 13, 202642.155.727.044.543.340.2+0.3
May 12, 202641.855.727.044.543.338.5-0.3
May 11, 202642.155.727.044.543.340.6-4.2
May 8, 202646.355.727.044.069.442.8-0.9

CRAI — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

55.7/100 (25%)

CRA International, Inc. shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Capital Efficiency (ROIC)Moderate

How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.

Return on EquityStrong

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityWeak

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityModerate

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Gross Profit / AssetsStrong

Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

46.1/100 (20%)

CRA International, Inc. shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.

Recent Revenue TrendModerate

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRModerate

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

43.3/100 (15%)

CRA International, Inc. has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Financial LeverageModerate

Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageStrong

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

38.4/100 (15%)

CRA International, Inc. has a mixed valuation — some metrics suggest fair value while others appear stretched.

Earnings YieldModerate

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowWeak

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioWeak

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorStrong

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

27/100 (25%)

CRA International, Inc. operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CRAI.

Score Composition

Quality
55.7×25%13.9
Growth
46.1×20%9.2
Risk
43.3×15%6.5
Valuation
38.4×15%5.8
Moat
27.0×25%6.8
Total
42.1Below Average

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the CRAI UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for CRA International, Inc. is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses CRA International, Inc.'s competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether CRA International, Inc. is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.