CRA International stock gains after strong Q2 2026 results and guidance

Published on 09/18/2026 at 14:41 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

CRA International stock closed at USD 166.37 on September 17, 2026, after Q2 2026 revenue rose to USD 210.8 million and non-GAAP EPS reached USD 2.16. The company now guides full-year 2026 revenue to USD 805 million to USD 820 million.

CRAI, US12563P1057, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

CRA International, Inc. stock (ISIN US12563P1057) ended the last completed Nasdaq trading session on September 17, 2026 at USD 166.37, up 1.22 percent from the previous close of USD 164.37. The move comes as investors digest the company’s recently reported second-quarter 2026 results and updated full-year 2026 revenue guidance in the consulting business.

Q2 2026 earnings beat and revenue growth

According to Seeking Alpha, CRA International reported non-GAAP EPS of USD 2.16 for Q2 2026, beating consensus by USD 0.01 on revenue of USD 210.8 million. The same overview notes that revenue for the quarter exceeded expectations by USD 11.9 million, indicating that the company’s economic and financial consulting services saw solid demand compared with analyst projections in the three months ended in 2026.

The revenue beat in Q2 2026 builds on several years of steady expansion in the top line. The stock portal data compiled by Seeking Alpha show that CRA International’s revenue grew by 11.46 percent year-over-year on a trailing basis, with a three-year compound annual growth rate of 9.32 percent, underscoring a consistent growth trajectory in its consulting activities across litigation, regulatory and strategy mandates.

Full-year 2026 guidance and balance sheet flexibility

In its forward-looking commentary, CRA International has set a full-year 2026 revenue outlook in the range of USD 805 million to USD 820 million. The same earnings call coverage by Seeking Alpha notes that the company simultaneously extended its credit facility to USD 400 million, which provides additional financial flexibility to support growth initiatives, working capital and potential strategic investments.

The guidance range implies that, if CRA International reaches the upper end of USD 820 million, it would generate materially higher annual revenue than the levels implied by its recent trailing figures, and even the lower bound of USD 805 million represents a step up from current run-rate revenue. For investors, the combination of double-digit revenue growth, an expanding consulting footprint across industries from financial services to technology, and an enlarged credit facility suggests that management is positioning the firm for continued expansion while maintaining access to liquidity.

Dividend, valuation metrics and market positioning

Alongside its earnings release, CRA International also declared a quarterly dividend of USD 0.57 per share, according to the dividend information summarized by Seeking Alpha. On a forward basis, the same data set lists a dividend rate of USD 2.28 per share and a forward yield of 1.37 percent at recent prices, which adds an income component to the total return profile of the stock while still leaving room for reinvestment in the business.

Valuation metrics from Seeking Alpha indicate forward EPS of USD 8.47 and a forward price-earnings ratio of 19.64, based on recent quotations. In simple terms, investors are currently paying just under 20 times the expected earnings over the coming year for CRA International stock, a level that reflects the market’s view of the company as a growing but still relatively niche consulting player compared with larger diversified peers.

Stock price, 52-week range and market capitalization

Price data from the CRA International page on Seeking Alpha show that the shares closed at USD 166.37 on Nasdaq on September 17, 2026, with a prior close at USD 164.37 and a daily gain of USD 2.00, corresponding to a 1.22 percent increase for that completed trading day. The same overview lists a 52-week trading range between USD 132.17 and USD 227.29, meaning the current price stands above the low by roughly USD 34.20 yet still about USD 60.92 below the high, placing the stock in the middle portion of its one-year band.

At this price level, CRA International’s market capitalization is reported at approximately USD 1.04 billion by Seeking Alpha, positioning the company firmly in the small-cap segment of the US equity market. Short interest stands at 4.76 percent, suggesting a moderate level of bearish positioning but not an extreme bet against the shares. For retail investors, this mix of stable revenue growth, modest yield, mid-range valuation and manageable short interest defines the current risk-reward profile of CRA International stock.

CRA International stock and investor takeaway

As of the close on September 17, 2026, CRA International stock traded at USD 166.37 on Nasdaq, reflecting a 1.22 percent gain on the day and leaving the shares trading between the 52-week low of USD 132.17 and the high of USD 227.29. The latest Q2 2026 figures, guidance range of USD 805 million to USD 820 million in full-year revenue, and the expanded USD 400 million credit facility frame the fundamental backdrop that investors are weighing when assessing the consulting firm’s next phase of growth.