Boston-based management, economic and financial consulting service Charles River Associates (CRA) has reported $2.1 million in net income for the third quarter, down from $2.6 million during the same period a year ago.

Net income for the third quarter was $2.1 million compared with net income of $2.6 million in the same period a year ago, according to a statement.

CRA ended the third quarter with cash and equivalents and short-term investments of $86.6 million, compared with $80 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2010.

"Our third-quarter results built upon the momentum we began to see in the second quarter of this year and reflect additional progress in reaching our goals for this fiscal year," said Paul Maleh, CRA’s president and CEO. "We secured several large strategy engagements, with notable revenue contributions by our GIC and Marakon practices. Although our litigation portfolio was impacted by the usual summer seasonality, we continue to see signs of performance trending upward."