FTI Consulting Appoints Dr. Xi Chen to Compass Lexecon
FTI Consulting announced that Dr. Xi Chen, Professor and Andre Meyer Faculty Fellow at the Department of Technology, Operations and Statistics at the New York University Stern School of Business, has affiliated with its subsidiary Compass Lexecon. Dr. Chen, who is based in New York, is an award-winning expert in machine learning, artificial intelligence, quantitative economics and digital platforms. He has collaborated on major AI and platform-related projects with Google, Meta, Adobe, Bloomberg, Alibaba and JPMorganChase, covering digital markets, algorithmic recommendation, privacy and financial forecasting. In his role at Compass Lexecon, Dr. Chen will work closely on issues central to today's litigation landscape, including digital market competition, online advertising auctions, dynamic and personalized pricing, recommender systems, algorithmic fairness and privacy, generative and agentic AI, and the economics of digital assets, blockchain and tokenization of real-world assets.
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- Executive Appointment: FTI Consulting has appointed Scott Davidson as Senior Managing Director in the Aviation Business Transformation practice, leveraging nearly 20 years of aviation industry experience to support clients in implementing sustainable business plans and enhancing operational resilience and financial performance.
- Professional Background: Prior to joining FTI Consulting, Davidson was a partner at a global management consulting firm focusing on various engagements for aviation clients, and he spent over a decade at Seabury Consulting, gaining extensive industry knowledge.
- Technology-Driven: Davidson will utilize emerging technologies to help clients improve customer experience and financial performance, indicating FTI Consulting's ongoing investment in top talent to address the rapidly changing challenges in the aviation sector.
- Market Positioning: FTI Consulting generated $3.70 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2024 and employs over 8,100 people, showcasing its global leadership in crisis and transformation, further solidifying its market influence in the aviation industry.
- Surge in Workload: The General Counsel Report reveals that 87% of legal leaders report an accelerating increase in risk and demand, resulting in significant workload growth across over 20 areas, highlighting the complexities and unpredictabilities faced by the legal industry.
- Technological Adoption: 39% of respondents have integrated artificial intelligence and generative AI into their strategies, a 10% increase from last year, indicating a growing reliance on technology within legal departments to enhance efficiency and tackle complex challenges.
- Increased Regulatory Activity: 30% of respondents noted a rise in regulatory activity this year, with 57% reporting higher costs associated with disputes and investigations, underscoring the financial pressures legal departments face in navigating new regulations and compliance requirements.
- Cross-Department Collaboration: This year's report includes insights from C-level technology leaders, emphasizing the dynamic relationship between legal departments and other business units, reflecting the critical role legal leaders play in technology and business governance.
- Rising Default Risks: Over 75% of respondents expect loan defaults and workouts to increase slightly (58%) or substantially (19%) in 2026, indicating heightened concerns about economic prospects and a strong focus on lending risks in the market.
- Weak Economic Growth Outlook: Approximately 40% of respondents anticipate real GDP growth to be stagnant (28%) or negative (12%) in 2026, contrasting sharply with last year's 62% optimistic outlook, highlighting increasing worries about future economic conditions.
- Concerns Over AI Investments: While 53% of respondents believe AI will improve information flow, 21% view an AI investment crash as the most underestimated financial market risk for 2026, reflecting a complex attitude towards new technologies and their potential risks.
- Shifts in Fed Rate Expectations: Nearly 75% of respondents expect the targeted Fed Funds rate to end 2026 between 3%-4%, indicating diminished expectations for aggressive rate cuts, which reflects a cautious stance on monetary policy in the market.
- 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.







