Profit up at CRA

CRA International, a Boston financial and management consulting firm, reported a 10.1 percent increase in its third quarter profit, to $8.7 million for the three months ended Sept. 16, compared with $7.9 million in net income for the same period last year.

Its improved bottom line came on revenues that climbed 15.7 percent in the quarter, growth that the company attributed to improved performance in its international dealings and the acquisition of another firm. CRA bought Ballentine Barbera Group, another consulting practice, at the beginning of the third quarter.

The company's revenues climbed to $107 million from $92.5 million in the same quarter a year ago. CRA said it expects revenue growth of between 18 and 20 percent for the full fiscal 2006 year, with net income of between $26.5 million and $27.5 million, or $2.18 to $2.27 per share.
(By Keith Reed, Globe staff)