Accenture Shares Climb On Strong Q4, Positive Outlook, $9.5 Bln Return Plan

(RTTNews) - Shares of Accenture plc were climbing around 18 percent in pre-market activity on the NYSE after the Irish professional services company reported Thursday strong growth in fourth-quarter earnings, revenues and bookings, with improved performance in all industry groups and regions.

Further, the firm issued positive outlook for first quarter and fiscal 2027. Accenture also said it expects to return at least $9.5 billion in cash to shareholders during fiscal 2027.

Looking ahead for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the company expects revenues between $18.95 billion and $19.60 billion, representing a growth of 2 percent to 6 percent in local currency.

For fiscal 2027, Accenture expects earnings per share of $14.39 to $14.81, a 6 percent to 9 percent increase from fiscal 2026, and a 3 percent to 6 percent increase over adjusted earnings per share. The company expects full-year revenue growth of 3 percent to 6 percent in local currency.

For fiscal 2026, the company reported earnings per share of $13.56 and adjusted earnings per share of $13.97, with revenues of $74.2 billion.

In the fourth quarter, net income attributable to Accenture was $1.99 billion for the quarter, compared with $1.41 billion in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025. Earnings per share reached $3.29, representing a 46 percent increase from $2.25 last year.

The prior year's adjusted net income was $1.94 billion, or $3.03 per share, which excludes a $0.78 decrease related to business optimization costs.

Operating margin of 15.3 percent increased 370 basis points.

Revenues for the quarter totaled $18.68 billion, up 6 percent from $17.60 billion in the prior-year quarter, or 7 percent growth in local currency.

Consulting revenues of $9.28 billion grew 6 percent year-over-year and Managed Services revenues grew 7 percent to $9.40 billion.

Among regions, Americas generated revenues of $9.43 million, up 7 percent from last year, and EMEA revenues grew 6 percent to $6.58 billion. The increase was 3 percent in Asia Pacific region to $2.67 billion.

New bookings reached $22.17 billion, an increase of 4 percent in U.S. dollars and 5 percent in local currency compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025.

Further, Accenture declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.71 per share, representing a 5 percent increase over last year, for shareholders of record at the close of business on October 13. The dividend is payable on November 13.

In pre-market activity on the NYSE, the shares were jumping around 17.70 percent, trading at $216.00, extending the 3.53 percent increase on Wednesday's regular trading close.

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