Exploring FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

You're looking at FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) and wondering why the smart money is so heavily invested, especially when the stock trades at around 104% institutional ownership-that's a huge vote of confidence from players like Mawer Investment Management Ltd. at 12.61% and BlackRock, Inc. holding 9.94% of shares, according to the latest institutional filings. We need to know what those titans see, right? The company just reported record third-quarter 2025 revenues of $956.2 million, a 3.3% jump, and a massive 41% spike in Earnings Per Share (EPS) to $2.60, but still, the full-year 2025 revenue guidance is a wide range, from $3.660 billion to $3.760 billion, which suggests some segment-level choppiness. Are the big buyers betting on the strength of Corporate Finance & Restructuring, or are they looking past the near-term headwinds in Economic Consulting? Let's defintely dig into the ownership shifts and see if the recent $234.1 million in share repurchases in Q3 2025 tells us anything about management's own valuation conviction.

Who Invests in FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) and Why?

You're looking at FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN), a company that thrives on complexity and crisis, and the investor profile reflects that reality: it's dominated by large, sophisticated institutional money. The direct takeaway is that FCN is overwhelmingly an institutional holding, with nearly 99.36% of its stock owned by firms like Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc.. This signals a belief in the long-term, specialized demand for FTI Consulting, Inc.'s services, despite the cyclical nature of its business.

Key Investor Types: The Institutional Fortress

The ownership structure of FTI Consulting, Inc. is a fortress of institutional capital. Retail investors-that's you and me buying through a brokerage-hold a relatively small portion, around 7.40%. The real action is in the institutional world, which includes mutual funds, pension funds, hedge funds, and other large asset managers. This high concentration means the stock's price movements are largely dictated by the trading decisions of a few hundred major firms.

Here's a quick breakdown of the major players, based on recent 13F filings (which disclose equity holdings):

• Passive/Index Funds: Giants like Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. are massive holders. They own FCN primarily through their broad-market and index-tracking funds, like the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, reflecting FCN's inclusion in major indices. They are long-term, passive holders.
• Active Asset Managers: Firms like Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC and Mawer Investment Management Ltd. are among the largest shareholders, with holdings valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars. These are active managers who have made a deliberate, conviction-based decision to own FCN.
• Hedge Funds: Names like Citadel Advisors and D. E. Shaw & Co. are active in FCN, with some increasing their positions significantly in the recent past. These funds look for short-to-medium-term opportunities, often tied to specific events or value plays.

When institutions own this much, you defintely pay attention to their moves.

Investment Motivations: Growth in the Face of Crisis

What attracts these large, sophisticated investors to FTI Consulting, Inc.? It boils down to a few core factors: specialized, non-cyclical growth in specific segments and a commitment to capital return.

The primary draw is FTI Consulting, Inc.'s unique market position as a global business advisory firm that specializes in crisis and transformation. This makes their services-like restructuring, litigation consulting, and forensic investigations-counter-cyclical or at least non-correlated to the broader economy in key areas. For example, in the third quarter of 2025, the company reported record revenues of $956.2 million, driven by strong performance in its Corporate Finance & Restructuring and Forensic and Litigation Consulting segments. This shows that while some areas face headwinds, others thrive on corporate distress and legal complexity.

The second major motivation is the company's strong financial performance and capital allocation strategy. The updated full-year 2025 Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) guidance is set between $8.20 and $8.70. Plus, FTI Consulting, Inc. doesn't pay a dividend, but it returns capital to shareholders through a major stock repurchase program. The board authorized a $500 million share buyback, which is a significant move to boost EPS and signals management's confidence that the stock is undervalued.

Investment Strategies: Value, Growth, and Special Situations

The mix of investors points to three main investment strategies at play:

1. Long-Term Core Holding (Passive/Growth):

This is the strategy of the largest holders, like Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. They view FTI Consulting, Inc. as a quality, mid-cap professional services firm that will continue to grow its market share over the long haul. They buy and hold, benefiting from the compounding of earnings and share repurchases. Their thesis is simple: increasing global regulation and corporate complexity mean a perpetual, growing need for FTI Consulting, Inc.'s specialized expertise.

2. Special Situations/Crisis-Driven Value:

Active managers and hedge funds often see FTI Consulting, Inc. as a value play tied to specific economic cycles or corporate events. They are betting on the company's ability to capitalize on market dislocations, such as a surge in corporate bankruptcies (driving the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment) or high-stakes litigation (driving the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment). The insider buying-like the CEO's purchase of 7,500 shares at around $151.12-reinforces this value perspective, suggesting the stock is cheap relative to its intrinsic worth.

3. Momentum/Active Trading:

A subset of hedge funds, including those who recently increased their stake, are likely trading on momentum driven by strong earnings beats. FTI Consulting, Inc.'s Q3 2025 EPS of $2.60 significantly beat the consensus estimate of $1.93. This kind of outperformance attracts short-term traders looking to ride the upward revision in analyst expectations and the resulting price movement. For a deeper dive into how the company built this resilient business model, you can check out FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money.

Next Step: Review FTI Consulting, Inc.'s next quarterly earnings call transcript to see if the management's commentary on the Economic Consulting and Technology segments suggests a turnaround in those areas, which would validate the active growth thesis.

Institutional Ownership and Major Shareholders of FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN)

You need to understand who is really holding the bag at FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) because institutional buying power dictates a stock's long-term stability and liquidity. The direct takeaway is that FCN is overwhelmingly an institutionally-owned stock, with a massive concentration of its float held by a few major asset managers who are responding positively to the company's strong 2025 earnings and capital return strategy.

As of the most recent filings, institutional investors own a staggering 99.36% of FTI Consulting's outstanding common stock. That's nearly all of it. This isn't a company driven by retail day traders; it's a battleground for professional money managers. The top holders are exactly who you'd expect: the behemoths of the asset management world, plus a few specialized investment firms.

Here's a quick look at the top institutional holders and their positions based on mid-2025 filings. This is where the real conviction lies.

Mawer Investment Management Ltd. is currently the largest single owner, holding a significant chunk, but the index funds from Vanguard and BlackRock, Inc. are the foundational bedrock. You defintely want to see the biggest names holding the biggest stakes; it signals stability and confidence in the long-term consulting market. To understand the strategic direction these investors are buying into, you should review the company's core principles: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN).

Recent Shifts: Who's Buying and Who's Selling FCN?

Institutional ownership isn't static; it's a constant tug-of-war based on quarterly performance and outlook. The most recent Q2 2025 filings show a clear pattern: a number of major funds are aggressively increasing their positions, indicating a bullish sentiment on the near-term outlook.

• FMR LLC: Added a massive 703,472 shares in Q2 2025, an increase of over 571.4%.
• Citadel Advisors LLC: Boosted its stake by 663,011 shares in Q2 2025, showing a strong conviction trade.
• Norges Bank: Increased its holding by 322,880 shares, a jump of over 404.4%.

But it's not a one-way street. Some funds are taking profits or reallocating capital. For example, Brown Advisory Inc. and Boston Partners both removed their entire positions in Q2 2025, selling 349,222 shares and 226,574 shares, respectively. Black Creek Investment Management Inc. also cut its stake by 15.8%, selling 131,273 shares. This tells you the stock is not universally loved, but the net buying pressure from the large increases suggests the bull case is currently winning.

The Institutional Impact on FTI Consulting's Strategy

When institutions own this much of a company, they don't just influence the stock price; they hold significant sway over capital allocation and corporate strategy. Their buying is a direct response to FTI Consulting's strong performance, and their continued holding acts as a powerful vote of confidence in management.

The recent Q3 2025 earnings report is the clear catalyst for the institutional buying. The company reported record Q3 2025 revenues of $956.2 million and an impressive 41% EPS growth to $2.60. Plus, management set a strong full-year 2025 guidance of $8.20 to $8.70 in Earnings Per Share (EPS). Institutional investors love a company that executes and provides clear, strong guidance. The numbers speak for themselves.

More importantly, the Board approved a new $500 million stock repurchase plan, which acts as a major signal to the market. This capital return strategy is a classic institutional-investor favorite, as it reduces the share count, boosts EPS, and signals that management believes the stock is undervalued. It's a clear action that aligns the company's financial strategy with shareholder value maximization. The stock buyback is a huge green light for big money.

Next step: Check the latest 13F filings for Q3 2025 to see if the aggressive buying trend continued through the end of the year.

Key Investors and Their Impact on FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN)

If you're looking at FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN), the first thing to understand is that it is fundamentally an institutional stock. The vast majority of the company's equity is held by large funds and institutions, which means their movements drive the price, not retail investors. This isn't a stock where a Reddit forum can move the needle.

As of the most recent filings in 2025, institutional ownership sits around an astonishing 99.36% of the float. That's a huge concentration, and it tells you that the major players see FTI Consulting, Inc. as a core, long-term holding in the professional services space. The top holders are essentially the index and mutual fund giants, which points to a stable, passive investment base, but still one that demands performance.

The top three institutional holders alone control a significant chunk of the company's outstanding shares. Here's the quick math on who owns what, based on Q2 2025 data:

• The Vanguard Group, Inc.: Holds approximately 10.62% of the stock, totaling 3,370,870 shares.
• Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC: Holds approximately 10.56%, or 3,352,297 shares.
• BlackRock, Inc.: Holds approximately 9.48%, with 3,008,390 shares.

You can see how this ownership structure influences the stock-it's driven by broad market sentiment and the company's fundamental performance, not by any single activist hedge fund. These mega-funds, like BlackRock, Inc., generally take a passive stance, but their sheer size means they have enormous voting power on governance issues like board elections and executive compensation. They're buying because FTI Consulting, Inc. is a leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, a business model that tends to be counter-cyclical and resilient. If you want a deeper dive into how that model works, you can check out FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money.

Recent Investor Moves and the Influence of Corporate Actions

The most compelling recent action isn't from an activist investor trying to force a change, but from the company itself, which is a key signal for investors. Following the strong Q3 2025 earnings-which saw record revenues of $956.2 million and a 41% year-over-year EPS growth to $2.60-the board authorized a major capital allocation move.

Specifically, FTI Consulting, Inc. announced a significant expansion of its share repurchase program, authorizing the buyback of up to $500 million in shares. This authorizes the company to repurchase up to 9.9% of its outstanding stock. This is a clear, tangible signal of management's confidence that the stock is undervalued, especially with the raised full-year 2025 EPS guidance now set between $8.20 and $8.70. When a company buys back nearly 10% of its shares, it definitely increases earnings per share for the remaining shareholders, which is a direct form of value creation.

What the Funds Are Doing Now

While the top holders are generally static, the hedge fund and active manager community saw some notable shifts in Q2 2025, which gives you a sense of the near-term momentum. You saw some big funds increasing their bets on FTI Consulting, Inc.'s continued strength:

• FMR LLC, for example, dramatically increased its position, adding 703,472 shares, a move valued at an estimated $113.6 million.
• CITADEL ADVISORS LLC also made a substantial addition, buying 663,011 shares, worth an estimated $107.0 million.

On the flip side, some funds took profits or rotated out, like BROWN ADVISORY INC, which removed its entire position of 349,222 shares, a sale valued at about $56.4 million. This kind of churn is normal, but the size of the recent inflows from active managers like Citadel suggests a belief that the restructuring and corporate finance segments will continue to perform well, leveraging the current economic volatility.

Also, don't overlook the insider activity. CEO Steven Henry Gunby put his own money on the line, purchasing 7,500 shares for an estimated $1,133,400 in October 2025. That's a strong vote of confidence from the person who defintely knows the company's trajectory best. You always want to see the CEO buying, especially after a strong earnings report.

Market Impact and Investor Sentiment

You're looking at FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN) and seeing a stock with strong institutional backing but a volatile price chart this year. The sentiment among major shareholders is best described as cautiously positive, reflecting a firm conviction in FTI Consulting's long-term business model-crisis, restructuring, and litigation consulting-even as near-term market momentum has cooled.

Institutional ownership is exceptionally high, sitting at about 104.38% of the float as of mid-2025, which is a massive vote of confidence from large players like Mawer Investment Management Ltd. and Vanguard Group Inc. This high figure simply means institutions own more shares than are readily available for trading, a common scenario when index funds and active managers both load up. Still, the stock's year-to-date return through November 2025 was down approximately 13.92%, showing that even the big money has been reassessing the growth-versus-risk equation.

The real-time sentiment is a tug-of-war between strong fundamentals and a broader market reassessment. You see this clearest in the recent 13F filings (institutional holdings disclosures), where some funds are aggressively adding, and others are cutting bait.

• Major Buyers (Q2 2025): FMR LLC added 703,472 shares, a +571.4% increase.
• Major Sellers (Q2 2025): BROWN ADVISORY INC removed 349,222 shares, a -100.0% cut.
• BlackRock, Inc. holds over 3.0 million shares, valued at approximately $486 million as of June 2025.

Recent Market Reactions to Ownership Moves

The stock market is defintely reacting to two key signals: earnings strength and insider conviction. The most recent market reaction was a clear positive response to the company's Q3 2025 earnings report. The stock climbed 2.7% immediately following the October 23rd release, which reported record revenues of $956.2 million and a 41% increase in EPS to $2.60. That's a clean beat, and the market liked it.

Another powerful signal came just days later. When Steven Henry Gunby, the CEO, Chairman, and President, purchased 7,500 shares for an estimated $1.13 million in late October 2025, the stock jumped 4.3%. Insider buying, especially from the top executive, is often interpreted as a strong belief that the stock is undervalued, particularly since the purchase happened near the 52-week low. It's a concrete action that speaks louder than any press release.

This positive reaction was also bolstered by the Board's authorization of an additional $500 million for stock repurchases, signaling management's confidence in its cash flow and a commitment to enhancing shareholder value through a reduced share count. For a deeper dive into the firm's structure, you can check out FTI Consulting, Inc. (FCN): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money.

Analyst Perspectives and Key Investor Impact

Wall Street analysts are generally on the fence, with a consensus rating of 'Hold' as of late 2025, but their price targets still imply modest upside. The average price target is in the range of $169.00 to $175.50. Here's the quick math: with the stock trading lower, that target suggests a potential return of around 4% to 8% from the current price, which is reasonable for a mature, high-quality consulting firm.

Analysts see two main drivers for FTI Consulting's future, both tied to its core business of navigating complexity. First, ongoing global regulatory scrutiny and the need for sophisticated advice in areas like cybersecurity and financial crime are driving sustained demand for the Forensic & Litigation Consulting and Strategic Communications segments. Second, the company's investment in proprietary digital tools and senior talent is expected to capture higher-value, premium mandates, which should push net profit margins up from the current 6.8%.

The presence of large, long-term holders like Vanguard Group Inc and BlackRock, Inc. acts as a stabilizing force, suggesting these passive giants are comfortable with the company's strategic direction and capital allocation, including the recent stock buyback program.

Here is a snapshot of the 2025 fiscal year guidance, which is the foundation of the current analyst outlook:

What this estimate hides is the risk from compensation pressures in segments like Economic Consulting, which could challenge margin expansion, a key part of the bullish narrative. Still, the raised guidance and strong Q3 performance suggest the company is executing well against a backdrop of global uncertainty, which is exactly when their services shine.