CRA International Beats on Both Top and Bottom Lines

CRA International (Nasdaq: CRAI  ) reported earnings on Feb. 14. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 29 (Q4), CRA International beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue dropped and GAAP earnings per share shrank to a loss.

Margins dropped across the board.

Revenue details
CRA International chalked up revenue of $66.0 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ predicted a top line of $64.8 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 9.9% lower than the prior-year quarter's $75.0 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.43. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.36 per share. GAAP EPS were -$5.33 for Q4 versus $0.42 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 34.4%, 220 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.5%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -79.2%, 8,510 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $66.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.34.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $275.6 million. The average EPS estimate is $1.51.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a five-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 69 members out of 75 rating the stock outperform, and six members rating it underperform. Among 28 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 26 give CRA International a green thumbs-up, and two give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on CRA International is outperform, with an average price target of $22.00.

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