Form 4: CRA International Director Reports Future Equity Grant of 696 Shares

CRA International, Inc. Director Thomas Aiken Avery reported the acquisition of 696 shares of common stock, granted with a vesting schedule over four years, effective July 17, 2025.

Summary

• Thomas Aiken Avery, a Director of CRA International, Inc. (CRAI), acquired 696 shares of common stock.
• The transaction date for this acquisition is July 17, 2025, with the shares acquired at a price of $0, indicating a grant rather than a purchase.
• These 696 shares are part of an equity grant that will vest in four equal annual installments, commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date.
• Following this reported transaction, Thomas Aiken Avery directly beneficially owns a total of 15,365 shares of CRA International, Inc. common stock.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The filing indicates a routine equity grant to a director, which is generally a positive sign of aligning insider interests with shareholders and retaining talent, without any negative implications or unexpected events.

Positives

• Director Thomas Aiken Avery received an equity grant of 696 shares, which aligns his long-term interests with those of shareholders.
• The four-year vesting schedule for the granted shares indicates a commitment to retaining key leadership and incentivizing long-term performance.

Future Outlook

The granted shares are subject to a four-year vesting schedule, with equal annual installments beginning on the first anniversary of the July 17, 2025 grant date, indicating future changes in beneficial ownership as shares vest.

Industry Context

This filing represents a routine insider transaction, specifically an equity grant to a director, which is a common component of executive and director compensation across publicly traded companies in various industries, including professional services.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• Equity grants to directors are a standard practice in publicly traded companies globally, serving to align the interests of leadership with long-term shareholder value.
• The four-year vesting schedule is typical for long-term incentive plans in many industries, including professional services firms comparable to CRA International, such as FTI Consulting (FCN) or Huron Consulting Group (HURN), which also utilize similar equity-based compensation structures.

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of shares by Director Thomas Aiken Avery is a related party transaction, representing an equity compensation grant as part of his service to the company.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The equity grant to a director aligns management's long-term interests with those of shareholders, potentially fostering better governance and performance.
• Employees: No direct impact on the broader employee base is indicated by this specific filing, as it pertains to director compensation.

Next Steps

• The 696 granted shares will vest in four equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on July 17, 2026.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

CRA International, CRAI, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Grant, Director Compensation, Equity Award, Beneficial Ownership