Zacks Industry Forecast for FTI, Exponent, and CBIZ
Industry Overview: The consulting services industry is thriving due to economic strength, digital transformation, and the work-from-home trend, with companies like FTI Consulting, Exponent, and CBIZ showing strong growth potential.
Economic Recovery: The sector benefits from a resilient economy, with a 3.8% GDP growth in Q2 2025, and remains less disrupted by global uncertainties, as organizations seek guidance in navigating challenges.
Company Highlights: FTI Consulting has diversified operations and strong revenue growth; Exponent is capitalizing on technological innovation; and CBIZ is expanding through strategic acquisitions, enhancing its market position.
Market Performance: Despite the industry's strong fundamentals, it has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past year, with a current P/E ratio of 19.76X, indicating potential value for investors looking to enter the market.
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- Increased Stake: Black Creek Investment Management Inc. acquired 402,008 shares of FTI Consulting in Q4 2026, with an estimated transaction value of $66.27 million, indicating strong confidence in the company's future growth prospects.
- Asset Management Ratio: Following this acquisition, Black Creek's stake in FTI Consulting now represents 9.09% of its reportable AUM, highlighting its significant commitment to the company and reinforcing its position within the investment portfolio.
- Market Performance: As of February 12, 2026, FTI Consulting shares were priced at $160.91, reflecting a 16.1% decline over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 29.04 percentage points, raising concerns about its future growth trajectory.
- Financial Health: FTI Consulting reported record third-quarter revenue of $956.2 million in 2023, up 3% year-over-year, and raised its 2025 EPS guidance to between $7.62 and $8.12, indicating ongoing growth potential driven by strong consulting demand and profitability.
- New Investment Position: Black Creek Investment Management established a new position in Eagle Materials by acquiring 502,120 shares in Q4 2025, with an estimated trade value of $103.78 million, indicating confidence in the construction materials sector amid a potential infrastructure spending rebound.
- Asset Allocation Significance: This new position accounts for 5.1% of Black Creek's reportable assets in its 13F filing, ranking among its top five holdings, which underscores the firm's strategic focus on this stock.
- Strong Financial Performance: Eagle Materials reported $556 million in quarterly revenue and $3.22 in diluted EPS for its latest fiscal quarter, with cement volumes rising 9% year-over-year, demonstrating resilience despite softness in the residential market.
- Share Buyback Strategy: The company repurchased approximately 648,000 shares for $142.6 million in the quarter, reinforcing consistent capital allocation and reflecting management's confidence in future growth prospects.
- Share Acquisition: Black Creek Investment Management acquired 402,008 shares of FTI Consulting in Q4, with an estimated trade value of $66.27 million, reflecting confidence in the company's growth potential and market position.
- Value Increase: The quarter-end value of FTI Consulting's position rose by $74.83 million, driven by both market price changes and trading activity, indicating a positive outlook from investors regarding its business prospects.
- Asset Management Proportion: This acquisition increased FTI Consulting's representation to 3.29% of Black Creek's reportable assets under management, highlighting its strategic importance within the investment portfolio.
- Performance Metrics: FTI Consulting reported record third-quarter revenue of $956.2 million, up 3% year-over-year, and a diluted EPS of $2.60, up 41%, further solidifying its competitive edge in the consulting services sector.
- Executive Appointments: FTI Consulting has appointed Oussama Nicolas and Tara Makarem as Senior Managing Directors to lead its healthcare and life sciences practice in the Middle East, aiming to enhance the firm's service capabilities in both public and private sectors, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the rapidly evolving healthcare market.
- Industry Expertise: With over 25 years of healthcare consulting experience, Nicolas has held senior roles at several global strategy firms, leading multi-country healthcare engagements, which is expected to bring deep sector knowledge and leadership to FTI, facilitating the modernization of healthcare systems.
- Strategic Objectives: The newly appointed executives will co-lead FTI's healthcare and life sciences offerings, supporting clients in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, with the goal of helping governments improve healthcare outcomes through tailored services that enhance public health.
- Market Outlook: FTI Consulting generated $3.70 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024, and with the addition of these new executives, the company is poised to further solidify its leadership position in healthcare consulting, driving long-term growth and sustainable development.
- Expert Appointments: FTI Consulting expands its Strategy & Transformation practice in the Middle East by appointing Oussama Nicolas and Tara Makarem as Senior Managing Directors, aiming to enhance its healthcare and life sciences service capabilities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
- Leadership and Experience: Mr. Nicolas brings over 25 years of healthcare consulting experience, having held senior roles at various global strategy advisory firms where he led complex multi-country healthcare engagements, which is expected to provide FTI with deep sector knowledge and leadership.
- Support for Strategic Transformation: The newly appointed experts will co-lead FTI's healthcare and life sciences offerings, supporting both public and private sector clients in modernizing healthcare systems and improving health outcomes for populations in the region, which has significant social implications.
- Company Background: FTI Consulting generated $3.70 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024 and employs over 8,100 people, showcasing its global leadership in crisis and transformation, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the healthcare consulting market.
- Executive Appointment: FTI Consulting has appointed Mustapha Labassi as a Senior Managing Director in the Transaction Services practice, leveraging over 15 years of M&A experience to enhance the firm's financial due diligence capabilities in France and support clients in complex transactions.
- Industry Expertise: Labassi brings extensive due diligence experience across sectors such as healthcare, technology, media, and telecommunications, having advised French private equity firms and large European corporations, which is expected to bolster FTI's competitive edge in these areas.
- Market Demand Response: Rustom Kharegat, Co-Leader of Global Transactions at FTI Consulting, noted that Labassi's appointment is a strategic response to client demand, aimed at providing deeper due diligence and M&A advisory services to help clients seize market opportunities.
- Company Background: FTI Consulting generated $3.7 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024 and employs over 8,100 people, with Labassi's appointment further solidifying its leadership in global crisis and transformation consulting.







