Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue increased by 5.9% year-over-year to $171.4 million, marking the highest first half revenue in the company's history [5] - Non-GAAP net income, earnings per diluted share, and EBITDA increased by 26.4%, 28.9%, and 18.5% respectively [5] - Non-GAAP EBITDA margin for the first half of fiscal 2024 was 13% [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Legal and regulatory services increased by 7.2% year-over-year, while management consulting expanded by 0.9% [6] - Five practices showed year-over-year growth: Antitrust & Competition Economics, Financial Economics, Intellectual Property, Labor & Employment, and Life Sciences [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Project lead flow increased by 11% year-over-year, with new project originations growing by 18% [7] - The broader legal market saw total case filings increase by 7% year-over-year and total core judgments increased by 3% [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on optimizing its service portfolio and has reconfigured consulting teams in targeted areas [15] - The company aims to operate with a utilization rate in the mid-70s and continues to hire and grow revenue [21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted strong regulatory oversight in both the U.S. and Europe, with no signs of easing regulatory pressures [25][30] - The company increased its revenue guidance for fiscal 2024 to a range of $670 million to $685 million, reflecting a strong start to the year [16] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $24.6 million in cash and $87 million in borrowings, resulting in a net debt of $62.4 million [17] - Total liquidity at the end of the quarter was $183.1 million [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on team reconfiguration and guidance increase - Management acknowledged the need for actions taken to address excess capacity and emphasized that guidance reflects these actions and associated savings [21][22] Question: Conversion rates and lead flow - Management reported strong conversion rates in Q4 of 2023 and the first two quarters of fiscal 2024, consistent with historical norms [24] Question: Regulatory landscape update - Management indicated that regulatory oversight remains strong with no signs of a slowdown in pressures faced by companies [25] Question: Margin guidance and profitability - Management highlighted that the current year is not characterized by one-time boosts but rather a continuation of strong performance [28] Question: Antitrust business performance - Management noted that M&A activity has shown signs of life, but the practice is still more focused on antitrust litigation [32] Question: Practices contributing to revenue guidance increase - Management credited the Antitrust & Competition Economics practice for exemplary performance and noted broad-based contributions from multiple practices [34][36] Question: Group hire in Intellectual Property practice - Management expressed excitement about the recent group hire, which is expected to enhance the practice's capabilities and geographic footprint [38] Question: Campus hiring plans - Management indicated ongoing efforts to attract top talent despite a softer market for junior-level hires [40]

CRA International (CRAI) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.83 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.49 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.42 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 22.82%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this consulting firm would post earnings of $1.39 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.96, delivering a surprise of 41.01%. Over the last four quarters, ...

Exhibit 99.2 1 CHARLES RIVER ASSOCIATES (CRA) SECOND QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2024 EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT PREPARED CFO REMARKS CRA is providing these prepared remarks by CFO Dan Mahoney in combination with its press release. These remarks are offered to provide the investment community with additional information on CRA's financial results prior to the start of the conference call. As previously announced, the conference call will be held August 1, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. ET. These prepared remarks will not be read on ...

CRA International, Inc., which conducts business as Charles River Associates (CRAI) , has had an impressive run this year so far, with the stock gaining 76%. Charles River has a diversified business with service offerings across areas of functional expertise, client base, and geographical regions. Being proficient in multiple industries helps the company meet varying client needs and offer other innovative services. Charles River's current ratio (a measure of liquidity) at the end of first-quarter 2024 was ...

CRA International is a member of the Business Services sector. This group includes 315 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #7. The Zacks Sector Rank gauges the strength of our 16 individual sector groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRAI's full-year earnings has moved 5.2% higher. This is a sign of improving analyst sentiment and a positive earnings outlook trend. SPX Tech ...

Investors interested in Consulting Services stocks are likely familiar with CRA International (CRAI) and Gartner (IT) . But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out. The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with speci ...

Let's take a look at the factors that make the stock an attractive pick. Northward Estimate Revisions: Four estimates for 2024 moved north in the past 60 days versus no southward revision, reflecting analysts' confidence in the company. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CRAI's 2024 earnings has moved up 5.3% in the past 60 days. Strong Growth Prospects: The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Charles River's 2024 earnings is pegged at $6.19, which implies 13.4% year-over-year growth. Moreover, earnings are expected ...

Investors with an interest in Consulting Services stocks have likely encountered both CRA International (CRAI) and Gartner (IT) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look. There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with p ...

An Outperformer: A glimpse at the company's price trend reveals that the stock has had an impressive run over the year. Shares of Charles River Associates have returned 77.5% compared with the 10.8% growth of the industry it belongs to and the 26.6% decline of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. Solid Zacks Rank: CRAI currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Our research shows that stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2 (Buy) offer attractive investment opportunities for investors. You can see the complete list of ...

CRA International, Inc. (CRAI) reported impressive first-quarter 2024 results, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate on both counts. The better-than-expected results impressed investors as the stock has gained 6.6% since the earnings release on May 2.CRAI’s adjusted EPS came in at $1.96, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 41% and increased 51.9% year over year. Revenues of $171.8 million beat the consensus mark by 6.9% and increased 12.4% from the year-ago quarter.Other Quarterly DetailsThe c ...