Core Insights - Accenture has issued a clear ultimatum to its employees: those who cannot master AI skills will face "optimization" or layoffs, as the company fully commits to AI integration [1][3][4] AI as a Fundamental Component - AI is now considered an essential part of everything the company does, including client consulting, internal processes, and new business exploration [2][3] - Employees are required to undergo rapid retraining and skill transformation to remain relevant within the organization [3] Employee Strategy - Accenture is implementing a dual strategy of large-scale training and decisive layoffs: - 550,000 employees have already been trained in foundational generative AI skills, with a global push for AI application courses [4] - Employees unable to transition quickly will be let go, with a focus on those for whom retraining is not feasible [4] - The company has initiated an $865 million business optimization plan to cover severance and related costs, with a workforce reduction of over 11,000 employees in the past three months [4][5] Talent Expansion - Despite layoffs, Accenture is significantly expanding its AI talent pool, planning to increase the number of AI and data professionals from 40,000 in 2023 to 77,000 by 2025 [5] Financial Performance - The company's revenue for fiscal year 2025 is projected at $69.7 billion, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase [6] - Accenture's net profit stands at $7.8 billion, a 5% increase, with generative AI and intelligent agent revenue reaching $2.7 billion, tripling from the previous year [10] Strategic Focus - The core strategy revolves around skill enhancement, balancing employee training with the need to optimize the workforce [6] - Accenture views AI not just as a technological trend but as a significant revenue driver, with increasing demand from clients for advanced AI implementation [7][8] Industry Implications - Accenture's aggressive approach may signal a broader industry trend where more companies will prioritize AI as a central element of workforce restructuring and business transformation [9]

TD Cowen将埃森哲的目标价从313美元下调至295美元，仍维持"买入"评级。(格隆汇) ...

高盛将埃森哲的目标价从370美元下调至330美元，仍维持"买入"评级。(格隆汇) ...

Core Viewpoint - RBC Capital has lowered the price target for Accenture (ACN) to $285 from $372 while maintaining an Outperform rating, citing mixed initial FY26 estimates as a primary reason for stock price pressure [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Accenture delivered solid Q4 results, but the initial FY26 guidance was mixed compared to prior estimates, contributing to stock price pressure [1] - Bookings have returned to year-over-year growth, with Gen AI bookings exceeding $1.8 billion, indicating a shift from proof of concept to production for more projects [1] Group 2: Valuation Adjustments - RBC is adjusting its earnings model, reducing the forward earnings multiple from 26 times to 20 times, which is a discount to the share's historical average but aligns with similar growth peers [1]

Core Insights - Accenture's fourth-quarter earnings exceeded expectations and highlighted the company's strategic reorganization related to artificial intelligence (AI) [1] - The company initiated a six-month business optimization program, incurring charges of up to $865 million, which includes divestitures of previously acquired companies [1] Group 1: Business Optimization Program - The program focuses on three main strategies: investing in upskilling employees, exiting individuals where reskilling is not feasible, and identifying areas for operational efficiencies [2] - Accenture anticipates savings of over $1 billion from this program, which will be reinvested into the business and its workforce [2] - The company aims to increase overall headcount by 2026 despite the current exits [2] Group 2: Upskilling and AI Adoption - Accenture is committed to upskilling its employees, referred to as "reinventors," to better utilize AI in enterprise settings [3] - There is a recognized need for new skills among the workforce to effectively implement AI, as many companies face challenges with fragmented processes and siloed organizations [3] - Accenture reported 37 new clients with quarterly bookings exceeding $100 million in the fourth quarter, contributing to a total of 129 such bookings for the year, indicating significant demand for its services [3]

Accenture (NYSE: ACN ) is in an interesting spot. The company just finished a strong fiscal 2025 with revenue up 7 percent and earnings up 8 percent. That shows it still has the scale andWith over 15 years of experience in the markets and a degree in economics, I focus on breaking down companies with clarity and discipline. My goal is to give individual investors a straightforward, honest view—what’s working, what isn’t, and where the risks and opportunities actually are. I don’t chase narratives. I follow ...

Core Insights - Accenture has reported a strong fiscal 2025 with revenue growth of 7 percent and earnings growth of 8 percent, indicating its robust market position and operational scale [1] Financial Performance - Revenue increased by 7 percent in fiscal 2025 [1] - Earnings rose by 8 percent during the same period [1]

Core Insights - Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is currently highlighted as a significant AI stock, with analysts expressing optimism about its upcoming quarterly report, expecting steady performance and potential upside due to a stable foreign exchange environment and a de-risked setup [1]. Price Target Adjustments - Evercore ISI analyst Amit Daryanani has adjusted the price target for Accenture to $300.00 from $330.00 while maintaining an Outperform rating [1]. - Following earnings, the price target was further lowered to $280.00 from $300.00, still with an Outperform rating [2]. Earnings Performance - Accenture reported revenue of $17.6 billion and EPS of $3.03, surpassing street expectations of $17.4 billion and $2.98 respectively, indicating modest upside [3]. - New bookings totaled $21.3 billion, reflecting a 6% increase, while generative AI bookings saw significant growth at $1.8 billion, an 80% year-over-year increase [3]. Geographic Growth - The company experienced approximately 4.5% constant currency growth, driven by around 5% growth in the Americas (8% excluding public AFS headwinds), 6% in APAC, and 3% in EMEA [3]. FY26 Guidance - For FY26, Accenture's revenue guidance indicates a growth of 4-7%, aligning with buy-side expectations but slightly below the street's expectation of 5.8% [3]. - EPS guidance is set between $13.52 and $13.90, bracketed around the street expectation of $13.78 [3]. - Growth is anticipated to be balanced across consulting and managed services in the low to mid-single-digit range [3]. - Discretionary spending is expected to decline modestly at the low end of the guidance and remain flat at the high end [3]. - EBIT margins are projected to expand, with AI project pricing expected to be accretive rather than dilutive [3]. - Headcount is expected to grow across all regions, with capital expenditures increasing year-over-year by $400 million to support hiring and a return to office initiatives [3].

Core Insights - Accenture plc reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2025 results with earnings of $3.03 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $2.96 [1] - The company achieved sales of $17.60 billion, slightly exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $17.36 billion [1] Fiscal 2026 Projections - Accenture projected fiscal 2026 sales between $71.07 billion and $73.16 billion, compared to a consensus estimate of $69.43 billion [2] - The expected GAAP EPS for fiscal 2026 is between $13.19 and $13.57, exceeding the analyst consensus of $12.88 [2] - The company anticipates adjusted EPS for fiscal 2026 to be between $13.52 and $13.90 [2] - For the first quarter, Accenture expects sales of $18.10 billion to $18.75 billion, against an analyst estimate of $18.451 billion [2] - The company plans to return at least $9.3 billion in cash to shareholders in fiscal year 2026 [2] Analyst Reactions - Following the earnings announcement, several analysts adjusted their price targets for Accenture [3] - JP Morgan maintained an Overweight rating but lowered the price target from $302 to $290 [5] - Guggenheim maintained a Buy rating and cut the price target from $305 to $285 [5] - Baird maintained an Outperform rating and reduced the price target from $350 to $330 [5] - RBC Capital maintained an Outperform rating and lowered the price target from $372 to $285 [5] - TD Cowen maintained a Buy rating and cut the price target from $313 to $295 [5] Stock Performance - Following the earnings report, Accenture shares gained 3% to $239.54 [2]

Core Viewpoint - Accenture's stock has experienced a significant decline in 2025, with a total return of approximately -33% as of September 25, leading to a historically low valuation multiple, presenting a potential recovery opportunity, particularly in its GenAI business [1][2]. Financial Performance - In Q4, Accenture reported revenues of $17.60 billion, reflecting a 7.3% increase year-over-year, surpassing analyst expectations of $17.34 billion [2][3]. - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $3.03, an 8.6% growth, exceeding the anticipated $2.98, but the stock fell nearly 3% due to weak fiscal 2026 guidance [3][4]. Guidance and Market Sentiment - For fiscal 2026, Accenture projects revenue growth of 2% to 5% in local currency and adjusted EPS of $13.71 at the midpoint, slightly below analyst expectations of $13.78 [3][4]. - Despite a slight EPS beat, the market reacted negatively to the guidance, reflecting ongoing low sentiment towards the stock [4][11]. Booking Metrics - New bookings totaled $21.3 billion in Q4, a 6% increase in U.S. dollars, indicating stabilization after previous declines in bookings [6][7]. - GenAI bookings grew impressively to $1.8 billion from $1.5 billion in Q3, totaling $5.9 billion for fiscal 2025, outperforming IBM's $5.5 billion in the same period [8]. Operating Margins - Accenture's adjusted operating margin increased by 10 basis points in Q4 and for the full year, which, while modest, is better than expected given the stock's decline [9]. Analyst Outlook - Analysts project a 12-month stock price forecast of $321.33, indicating a potential upside of 38.39%, although recent updates suggest a more conservative average target of $291, implying around 25% upside [10][11]. - The current market consensus suggests Accenture is undervalued, but sentiment remains low due to ongoing restructuring and concerns about the impact of GenAI on future business [11][12]. Restructuring and Challenges - Accenture is undergoing significant restructuring, expecting combined charges of $865 million in Q4 and fiscal Q1 2026, as it shifts its workforce towards GenAI capabilities [12]. - There are concerns that advancements in GenAI could lead clients to rely more on these tools rather than consulting Accenture, posing a long-term risk [13][14].