Huron Consulting (HURN) Ok Numbers

Huron Consulting (HURN) is up 5% today but this is probably a function of simply making up for some of yesterday's 12% losses. Another smaller position for the fund, pretty much everything was "in line" with analysts. But forward guidance was a bit weak (and again "someone" was tipped off yesterday of course - and the SEC won't care)

• Huron Consulting Group Inc (HURN) posted a 44 percent rise in fourth-quarter profit that was in line with market expectations and forecast first-quarter revenue well below analysts' estimate.
• The Chicago-based financial services consulting services company said quarterly results were helped by strong performance at its health and education consulting, and legal consulting segments.
• Huron posted earnings of $11.5 million, or 63 cents a share, for the quarter, compared with $8.0 million, or 46 cents a share, a year earlier.
• Revenue rose 63 percent to $136 million. Analysts on average were expecting revenue of $136.4 million, according to Reuters Estimates.
• Revenue from financial consulting, corporate consulting, and health and education consulting grew more than 76 percent to about $115 million.
• The company forecast first-quarter earnings of 66 cents to 70 cents a share, on revenue of $142 million to $147 million. Analysts on average were expecting earnings of 70 cents a share, before items, on revenue of $154.9 million, according to Reuters Estimates.
• For the full year, Huron Consulting Group expects earnings to range between $3.10 and $3.28 per share. Analysts estimate the company will earn $3.10 per share.

I still like the growth trajectory and business; plus potential upside from its newer division dealing with bankruptcies. Full year estimates actually went up a bit even if next quarter is looking a bit light. We'll see how accurate that is, but even at $3.00 EPS for a good 25% growth trajectory we have a company at less than 20x forward estimates on 2008.

The chart is in poor shape so for now I am just going to sit and monitor, and not be adding or subtracting - this is another minor position at this point.

Long Huron Consulting in fund; no personal position