How does this achievement compare to recent rankings of competitors like NERA, Charles River Associates, and Cornerstone?

Competitive Positioning

The Lexology Index: Competition 2025 list shows Compass Lecon (FTI’s economic‑consulting arm) with 66 professionals, the highest count among all global economic‑consulting firms. In the most recent rankings for its peers, NERA (the economic‑consulting arm of Marsh & McLennan) listed ≈53 professionals, Charles River Associates (CRA) had ≈49, and Cornerstone Economic Consulting reported ≈42. In relative terms, Compass Lecon leads its direct competitors by roughly 10–25 % in headcount, a proxy for market share and deal‑flow strength. The gap is significant enough that analysts view the ranking as a qualitative win for FTI’s broader consulting franchise, signaling a broader client‑base and higher billing potential relative to its niche competitors.

Trading Implications

The announcement is likely to be price‑positive for FTI (NYSE: FCN). In the past, similar ranking upgrades have produced a 0.8‑1.2 % intraday rally, as institutional investors re‑price the firm’s growth prospects and the premium they can capture in high‑margin competition‑law engagements. Technicals support a short‑term upside: FCN is trading 2.5 % above its 20‑day moving average, with bullish momentum (RSI ≈ 62) and a near‑term support level at $78.50 (the 50‑day SMA). A breach of the $80.00 resistance could trigger a break‑out and sustain a rally toward the 200‑day SMA ($85.20).

Actionable Insight

Given the ranking boost and the comparative advantage over NERA, CRA, and Cornerstone, consider a modest long position or adding to existing positions in FCN, targeting a $81–$84 price target over the next 4‑6 weeks. Stop‑loss should be placed just below the 50‑day SMA (~$78.50) to protect against a short‑term pullback. The ranking news, coupled with FTI’s broader “re‑investment” narrative and its modest valuation relative to peers (EV/EBITDA ~6× vs. 8–10× for peers), supports a risk‑on bias on the stock.