Huron Consulting poised to hit fresh record ahead of S&P SmallCap addition

** Shares of professional services firm Huron Consulting Group HURN.O up 4.5% at $202 premarket on Fri as it's set to be added to S&P SmallCap 600 Index .SPCY

** Stock rose for third straight session on Thurs, finishing up ~5.5% at fresh record high close of $193.35

** HURN to replace Supernus Pharmaceuticals SUPN.O in SPCY effective Mon, Nov 2, S&P Dow Jones Indices announced late Thurs

** SUPN slated to merge with Indivior Pharmaceuticals INDV.O to create a diversified central nervous system biopharma firm

** Stephens analyst Melissa Roberts said in a note she expects passive funds will need to purchase 2.1 mln HURN shares, which implies nearly 8 days of buying demand

** Chicago, Illinois-based HURN has ~15.9 mln shares outstanding for roughly $3 bln market cap

** Stock has rallied sharply from its 2026 intraday low of $84.88 hit on June 22, leaving it up ~12% YTD

** 3 analysts rate the stock "strong buy", 2 rate "buy"; median PT of $214 up from $194 a month ago, per LSEG