Reasons to Retain Charles River Stock in Your Portfolio for Now

CRA International, Inc. CRAI, or Charles River Associates, has had an impressive run over the past month. Its shares have rallied 14.1%, outperforming the 6.1% decline of the industry it belongs to and the 12.3% growth of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe company’s 2025 and 2026 earnings are expected to increase 5.3% and 6.4%, respectively, year over year.Factors That Augur Well for CRAICRAI’s positioning as a smaller, specialized player in the consulting and research services sector is a notable strength rather than a limitation. The company’s ability to carve out a niche by focusing on high-quality, analytical and strategic consulting has enabled it to stand out in a competitive industry dominated by much larger firms. This specialization aligns well with current market trends, where clients increasingly seek tailored, data-driven insights over broad, one-size-fits-all solutions.The growing complexity of the global business environment—fueled by technological disruption, regulatory shifts and evolving market pressures—plays directly to CRAI’s strengths. Its emphasis on innovation and its ability to attract top-tier talent position it to meet the rising demand for expert advisory services. Moreover, CRAI’s client-centric approach and history of delivering tangible value create a solid foundation for long-term partnerships, which are critical for sustained and stable growth.Charles River’s approach to shareholder returns demonstrates a disciplined and shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy. The steady increase in both dividend payouts and dividend per share, from $9.6 million in 2022 to $10.8 million in 2023 and further to $12.3 million in 2024, is encouraging. Correspondingly, dividend per share increased from $1.24 in 2022 to $1.44 in 2023 and to $1.75 in 2024, signaling strong earnings growth and a commitment to rewarding shareholders.In addition to dividends, the company’s ongoing share repurchase activity—rising from $27.6 million in 2022 to $33.3 million in 2024—further illustrates its focus on enhancing shareholder value. While many companies scale back buybacks during periods of cash flow uncertainty, Charles River’s willingness to continue repurchases despite fluctuations in its cash position speaks to its confidence in the underlying strength of its business and its belief that the stock remains a worthwhile investment.CRAI: Key Risks to WatchCharles River Associates is facing mounting pressure from increased expenses and weak liquidity. Rising talent costs in a competitive labor market pose a significant challenge for this labor-intensive industry, which also relies heavily on foreign expertise. Meanwhile, advancements in AI and automation are enabling clients to internalize capabilities, potentially reducing their reliance on consulting firms like CRAI.Adding to these challenges, CRAI’s current ratio has declined from 1.16 to 1.03 over the past year, falling below the industry average of 1.19. Although the ratio remains above 1, the downward trend raises concerns about the company’s ability to sustain adequate short-term liquidity going forward.CRAI’s Zacks Rank and Stocks to ConsiderCharles River currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Some better-ranked stocks from the broader Zacks Business Services sector are Green Dot (GDOT) and AppLovin (APP). Green Dot sports a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.GDOT has an encouraging earnings surprise history, having outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing four quarters and missing twice. The average beat is 5.6%.AppLovin currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1.APP has an encouraging earnings surprise history, outpacing the Zacks Consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average beat is 22.9%.Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and SellsWe're not kidding.Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity.Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone.See Stocks Now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Charles River Associates (CRAI): Free Stock Analysis Report Green Dot Corporation (GDOT): Free Stock Analysis Report AppLovin Corporation (APP): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks