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Here's Why You Should Buy CRA International (CRAI) Stock Now
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CRA International, Inc. (CRAI - Free Report) has been investors’ favorite for quite some time as evident from its price momentum. The stock has soared 50.4% over the past year, substantially outperforming the 25.8% gain of the industry it belongs to.
Let’s take a look at some other factors that make the stock an attractive pick.
Solid Rank & VGM Score
CRA International has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Growth Momentum Score (VGM Score) of A. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 offer the best investment opportunities for investors. Thus, the company appears to be a compelling investment proposition at the moment.
Northward Estimate Revisions
One estimate for the current year moved north over the past 60 days versus no southward revisions, reflecting analysts’ confidence in the company. Over the same period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increased 19.4%.
Positive Earnings Surprise History
CRA International has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, delivering a positive average earnings surprise of 28%.
Strong Growth Prospects
The company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings of $2.15 reflects year-over-year growth of 12.6%. The metric is expected to register 8.8% growth in 2019.
Key Growth Drivers
CRA International has an impressive service offering than a year ago and an excellent professional team to deliver upon it. The company’s key areas of focus include generating balanced and profitable growth across the organization through optimum organic and inorganic means, strengthening client relationships within two lines of business and simplifying internal processes. These strategic actions augur well for its long-term growth prospects.
Additionally, CRA International has been very active with its restructuring efforts and remains on track to curtail its expenses by eliminating excess office space capacity, better rationalizing the remaining office space and lowering its administrative spending, particularly related to outside contractors and professional fees.
It further intends to achieve profitable growth organically in the coming quarters through new engagements and several cross-selling opportunities. Going forward, the improved cost structure and broad-based profitable growth are expected to translate into attractive margins.
The company’s healthy financial position also gives it the flexibility to pursue new hires and acquisitions that support the core offerings in its portfolio. On an annualized basis, CRA International aims to consistently deliver top-line growth in the mid-to-high single digits. Moreover, it plans to generate a high level of repeat business from the company’s existing relationships based on its solid reputation and quality of work.
In the meantime, CRA International continues to invest in business developments, client-facing activities and recruiting senior-level consultants, which is impressive.
NV5 Global, CoreLogic and CBIZ earnings for 2018 are expected to increase 29%, 9.7% and 20.7%, respectively.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
Image: Bigstock
Here's Why You Should Buy CRA International (CRAI) Stock Now
CRA International, Inc. (CRAI - Free Report) has been investors’ favorite for quite some time as evident from its price momentum. The stock has soared 50.4% over the past year, substantially outperforming the 25.8% gain of the industry it belongs to.
Let’s take a look at some other factors that make the stock an attractive pick.
Solid Rank & VGM Score
CRA International has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a Value Growth Momentum Score (VGM Score) of A. Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 offer the best investment opportunities for investors. Thus, the company appears to be a compelling investment proposition at the moment.
Northward Estimate Revisions
One estimate for the current year moved north over the past 60 days versus no southward revisions, reflecting analysts’ confidence in the company. Over the same period, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increased 19.4%.
Positive Earnings Surprise History
CRA International has an impressive earnings surprise history. The company outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters, delivering a positive average earnings surprise of 28%.
Strong Growth Prospects
The company’s Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 earnings of $2.15 reflects year-over-year growth of 12.6%. The metric is expected to register 8.8% growth in 2019.
Key Growth Drivers
CRA International has an impressive service offering than a year ago and an excellent professional team to deliver upon it. The company’s key areas of focus include generating balanced and profitable growth across the organization through optimum organic and inorganic means, strengthening client relationships within two lines of business and simplifying internal processes. These strategic actions augur well for its long-term growth prospects.
CRA International, Inc. Revenue (TTM)
CRA International,Inc. Revenue (TTM) | CRA International,Inc. Quote
Additionally, CRA International has been very active with its restructuring efforts and remains on track to curtail its expenses by eliminating excess office space capacity, better rationalizing the remaining office space and lowering its administrative spending, particularly related to outside contractors and professional fees.
It further intends to achieve profitable growth organically in the coming quarters through new engagements and several cross-selling opportunities. Going forward, the improved cost structure and broad-based profitable growth are expected to translate into attractive margins.
The company’s healthy financial position also gives it the flexibility to pursue new hires and acquisitions that support the core offerings in its portfolio. On an annualized basis, CRA International aims to consistently deliver top-line growth in the mid-to-high single digits. Moreover, it plans to generate a high level of repeat business from the company’s existing relationships based on its solid reputation and quality of work.
In the meantime, CRA International continues to invest in business developments, client-facing activities and recruiting senior-level consultants, which is impressive.
Other Stocks to Consider
Some other top-ranked stocks in the same space include NV5 Global (NVEE - Free Report) sporting a Zacks Rank #1, and CoreLogic and CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ - Free Report) carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
NV5 Global, CoreLogic and CBIZ earnings for 2018 are expected to increase 29%, 9.7% and 20.7%, respectively.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>