Charles River Associates (CRA) Reports Financial Results for the First Quarter of 2024

May 2, 2024

9 minutes read

Broad-based Contributions Drive Record Quarterly Revenue and Profits

BOSTON, May 02, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Charles River Associates (NASDAQ: CRAI), a worldwide leader in providing economic, financial and management consulting services, today announced financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended March 30, 2024.

“Building on momentum observed at the end of last year, CRA delivered record financial results during the first quarter of fiscal 2024,” said Paul Maleh, CRA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Revenue increased by 12.4% to $171.8 million, which represents the highest quarterly revenue in the company’s history. Profits grew at even faster rates, with new quarterly records set for each of net income, earnings per diluted share and EBITDA. Moreover, eight of eleven practices grew year over year to drive our strong financial performance, with six practices posting double-digit revenue growth—Antitrust & Competition Economics, Energy, Financial Economics, Forensic Services, Labor & Employment, and Risk, Investigations & Analytics.”

Highlights for First Quarter Fiscal 2024

Net income increased 53.5% year over year to $13.7 million, or 8.0% of revenue, compared with $8.9 million, or 5.8% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2023; non-GAAP net income increased 47.6% year over year to $13.8 million, or 8.0% of revenue, compared with $9.4 million, or 6.1% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

Non-GAAP EBITDA increased 34.4% to $22.4 million, or 13.0% of revenue, compared with $16.7 million, or 10.9% of revenue, in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

On a constant currency basis relative to the first quarter of fiscal 2023, revenue, GAAP net income and earnings per diluted share would have been lower by $1.0 million, $0.1 million, and $0.01 per diluted share, respectively. Non-GAAP net income, earnings per diluted share, and non-GAAP EBITDA would have been lower by $0.1 million, $0.01 per diluted share and $0.1 million, respectively.

CRA returned $12.3 million of capital to its shareholders, consisting of $3.1 million of dividend payments and $9.2 million for share repurchases of approximately 66,000 shares.

Management Commentary and Financial Guidance

“We are reaffirming our financial guidance for full-year fiscal 2024 of revenue in the range of $645 million to $675 million and non-GAAP EBITDA margin in the range of 10.8% to 11.5%, both on a constant currency basis relative to fiscal 2023,” said Maleh. “We are obviously pleased with the strong financial results to start the year, and are trending toward the top halves of our revenue and profit guidance ranges. We remain mindful that uncertain global macroeconomic, business, and political conditions can affect our business and will wait for another quarter of performance before providing any updated thoughts on our full-year guidance.”

CRA does not provide reconciliations of its annual non-GAAP EBITDA margin guidance to GAAP net income margin because the Company is unable to estimate with reasonable certainty unusual gains or charges, foreign currency exchange rates, and the resulting effect of these items, and of equity awards, on CRA’s taxes without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and may have a material effect on CRA’s results computed in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation between the historical GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures presented in this release is provided in the financial tables at the end of this release.

Quarterly Dividend

On May 2, 2024, CRA announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per common share, payable on June 14, 2024 to shareholders of record as of May 28, 2024. CRA expects to continue paying quarterly dividends, the declaration, timing and amounts of which remain subject to the discretion of CRA’s Board of Directors.

Conference Call Information and Prepared CFO Remarks

CRA will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its first-quarter 2024 financial results. To listen to the live call, please visit the “Investor Relations” section of CRA’s website at http://www.crai.com, or dial (877) 709-8155 or (201) 689-8881. An archived version of the webcast will be available on CRA’s website for one year.

In combination with this press release, CRA has posted prepared remarks by its CFO, Dan Mahoney, under “Quarterly Earnings” in the “Investor Relations” section on CRA’s website at http://www.crai.com. These remarks are offered to provide the investment community with additional background on CRA’s financial results prior to the start of the conference call.

About Charles River Associates (CRA)

Charles River Associates® is a leading global consulting firm specializing in economic, financial, and management consulting services. CRA advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its unique combination of functional expertise and industry knowledge, and for its objective solutions to complex problems. Headquartered in Boston, CRA has offices throughout the world. Detailed information about Charles River Associates, a registered trade name of CRA International, Inc., is available at www.crai.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In this release, CRA has supplemented the presentation of its financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or “GAAP” with the following financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP: non‑GAAP net income, non‑GAAP earnings per diluted share and non‑GAAP EBITDA. CRA believes that the non-GAAP financial measures described in this press release are important to management and investors because these measures supplement the understanding of CRA’s ongoing operating results and financial condition. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are used by CRA in its budgeting process, and the non-GAAP adjustments are made to the performance measures for some of CRA’s performance-based compensation.

As used herein, CRA defines non-GAAP EBITDA as net income before interest expense (net), provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization further adjusted for the impact of certain items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance, such as non-cash amounts relating to valuation changes in contingent consideration, acquisition-related costs, foreign currency losses, net and related tax effects. Non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share also exclude non-cash amounts relating to valuation changes in contingent consideration, acquisition-related costs, foreign currency losses, net and related tax effects. This release also presents certain current fiscal period financial measures on a “constant currency” basis in order to isolate the effect that foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations can have on CRA’s financial results. These constant currency measures are determined by recalculating the current fiscal period local currency financial measure using the specified corresponding prior fiscal period’s foreign exchange rates.

All of the non-GAAP financial measures referred to above should be considered in conjunction with, and not as a substitute for, the GAAP financial information presented in this release. EBITDA and the financial measures identified in this release as “non-GAAP” are reconciled to their GAAP comparable measures in the financial tables appended to the end of this press release. In evaluating these non-GAAP financial measures, note that the non-GAAP financial measures used by CRA may be calculated differently from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Statements in this press release concerning our future business, operating results and financial condition, including those concerning guidance on future revenue and non-GAAP EBITDA margin, the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our financial results, our expectations regarding continued growth, our expectations regarding the payment of any future quarterly dividends and the level and extent of any purchases under our expanded share repurchase program, and statements using the terms “outlook,” “expect,” or similar expressions, are “forward-looking” statements as defined in Section 21 of the Exchange Act. These statements are based upon our current expectations and various underlying assumptions. Although we believe there is a reasonable basis for these statements and assumptions, and these statements are expressed in good faith, these statements are subject to a number of additional factors and uncertainties. Our actual revenue and non-GAAP EBITDA margin in fiscal 2024 on a constant currency basis relative to fiscal 2023 could differ materially from the guidance presented herein, and our actual performance and results may differ materially from the performance and results contained in or implied by the forward-looking statements made herein, due to many important factors. These factors include, but are not limited to, the possibility that the demand for our services may decline as a result of changes in general and industry specific economic conditions; the timing of engagements for our services; the effects of competitive services and pricing; our ability to attract and retain key employee or non-employee experts; the inability to integrate and utilize existing consultants and personnel; the decline or reduction in project work or activity; global economic conditions including less stable political and economic environments; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; unanticipated expenses and liabilities; risks inherent in international operations; changes in tax law or accounting standards, rules, and regulations; our ability to collect on forgivable loans should any become due; and professional and other legal liability or settlements. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading “Risk Factors.” The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be regarded as our representation that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated will be achieved. Except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this press release, and we do not intend to do so.


	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
	FOR THE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED
	MARCH 30, 2024 COMPARED TO APRIL 1, 2023
	(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

	Fiscal Quarter Ended
	March 30, 2024			As a % of Revenue		April 1, 2023			As a % of Revenue
Revenues	$	171,789		100.0	%	$	152,845		100.0	%
Costs of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		118,880		69.2	%		107,837		70.6	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses		30,499		17.8	%		28,372		18.6	%
Depreciation and amortization		2,792		1.6	%		2,943		1.9	%
Income from operations		19,618		11.4	%		13,693		9.0	%

Interest expense, net		(464	)	-0.3	%		(571	)	-0.4	%
Foreign currency losses, net		(142	)	-0.1	%		(528	)	-0.3	%
Income before provision for income taxes		19,012		11.1	%		12,594		8.2	%
Provision for income taxes		5,321		3.1	%		3,676		2.4	%
Net income	$	13,691		8.0	%	$	8,918		5.8	%

Net income per share:
Basic	$	1.97				$	1.25
Diluted	$	1.95				$	1.23

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		6,926					7,119
Diluted		7,011					7,252


	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
	FOR THE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED
	MARCH 30, 2024 COMPARED TO APRIL 1, 2023
	(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

	Fiscal Quarter Ended
	March 30, 2024			As a % of Revenue		April 1, 2023			As a % of Revenue
Revenues	$	171,789		100.0	%	$	152,845		100.0	%

Net income	$	13,691		8.0	%	$	8,918		5.8	%
Adjustments needed to reconcile GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income:
Non-cash valuation change in contingent consideration		–		–	%		21		–	%
Acquisition-related costs		–		–	%		22		–	%
Foreign currency losses, net		142		0.1	%		528		0.3	%
Tax effect on adjustments		(35	)	–	%		(139	)	-0.1	%
Non-GAAP net income	$	13,798		8.0	%	$	9,350		6.1	%

Non-GAAP net income per share:
Basic	$	1.99				$	1.31
Diluted	$	1.96				$	1.29

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic		6,926					7,119
Diluted		7,011					7,252


	CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
	FOR THE FISCAL QUARTERS ENDED
	MARCH 30, 2024 COMPARED TO APRIL 1, 2023
	(IN THOUSANDS)

	Fiscal Quarter Ended
	March 30, 2024			As a % of Revenue		April 1, 2023			As a % of Revenue
Revenues	$	171,789		100.0	%	$	152,845		100.0	%

Net income	$	13,691		8.0	%	$	8,918		5.8	%
Adjustments needed to reconcile GAAP net income to non-GAAP net income:
Non-cash valuation change in contingent consideration		–		–	%		21		–	%
Acquisition-related costs		–		–	%		22		–	%
Foreign currency losses, net		142		0.1	%		528		0.3	%
Tax effect on adjustments		(35	)	–	%		(139	)	-0.1	%
Non-GAAP net income	$	13,798		8.0	%	$	9,350		6.1	%
Adjustments needed to reconcile non-GAAP net income to non-GAAP EBITDA:
Interest expense, net		464		0.3	%		571		0.4	%
Provision for income taxes		5,356		3.1	%		3,815		2.5	%
Depreciation and amortization		2,792		1.6	%		2,943		1.9	%
Non-GAAP EBITDA	$	22,410		13.0	%	$	16,679		10.9	%


CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)

	March 30, 2024		December 30, 2023

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	37,122	$	45,586
Accounts receivable and unbilled services, net		209,313		199,556
Other current assets		29,004		20,334
Total current assets		275,439		265,476

Property and equipment, net		36,833		38,176
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		100,704		101,185
Right-of-use assets		84,706		86,887
Other assets		54,860		61,487
Total assets	$	552,542	$	553,211

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accounts payable	$	33,350	$	28,701
Accrued expenses		106,008		171,040
Current portion of lease liabilities		16,743		16,475
Revolving line of credit		70,000		–
Other current liabilities		10,670		19,871
Total current liabilities		236,771		236,087
Non-current portion of lease liabilities		88,961		92,280
Other non-current liabilities		15,020		12,743
Total liabilities		340,752		341,110

Total shareholders’ equity		211,790		212,101
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	552,542	$	553,211


CRA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)

	Fiscal Quarter Ended
	March 30, 2024			April 1, 2023

Operating activities:
Net income	$	13,691		$	8,918
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash items, net		7,694			7,197
Accounts receivable and unbilled services		(11,094	)		(1,353	)
Working capital items, net		(73,371	)		(84,813	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(63,080	)		(70,051	)

Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net		(730	)		(562	)
Consideration paid for acquisition, net		–			(570	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(730	)		(1,132	)

Financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		70,000			105,000
Repayments under revolving line of credit		–			(5,000	)
Tax withholding payments reimbursed by shares		(1,631	)		(1,873	)
Cash dividends paid		(3,075	)		(2,702	)
Repurchase of common stock		(9,242	)		(20,577	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		56,052			74,848

Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(706	)		407

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(8,464	)		4,072
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		45,586			31,447
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	37,122		$	35,519

Noncash investing and financing activities:
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses for property and equipment	$	454		$	23
Excise tax on share repurchases	$	(65	)	$	(173	)
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$	1,955		$	–
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for taxes	$	1,534		$	1,081
Cash paid for interest	$	91		$	124
Cash paid for amounts included in operating lease liabilities	$	5,569		$	5,474