Core Viewpoint - Accenture plc is maintaining a strong position in the consulting industry, with positive earnings expectations and a strategic acquisition aimed at enhancing its capabilities in large capital projects [1][2][3][5]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Accenture is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings of $2.96 per share, an increase from $2.66 per share in the same period last year [2]. - The anticipated quarterly revenue is $17.35 billion, up from $16.41 billion a year ago, indicating strong performance and strategic initiatives [2]. Group 2: Stock Performance - On September 24, 2025, UBS maintained a "Buy" rating for Accenture, adjusting the price target from $363 to $315, with the stock price at $235.50 [1][5]. - Accenture's shares experienced a slight increase of 0.1%, closing at $239.99, but reflected a decrease of 1.87% or $4.49 from the previous day [4]. Group 3: Strategic Initiatives - Accenture plans to acquire the French advisory firm Orlade Group to enhance its management capabilities for large capital projects, particularly in sectors like nuclear energy, transportation, defense, and space [3][5].

Core Viewpoint - Accenture plc is a leading global professional services company facing challenges in the current market, but recent analyst upgrades suggest potential for recovery and growth in the future [2][4][6]. Group 1: Company Overview - Accenture offers a diverse range of services including strategy and consulting, technology and operations, and interactive services, with expertise in application services, data management, digital transformation, and cybersecurity [1]. - The company competes with major firms such as IBM and Deloitte in the professional services industry [1]. Group 2: Stock Performance and Analyst Insights - The consensus price target for Accenture's stock has declined from $363.11 a year ago to $282 last month, reflecting changing market conditions or company performance [2]. - Despite the decline, Wedbush analyst Moshe Katri recently set a price target of $350, indicating renewed confidence in Accenture's potential [2][6]. - Accenture's share price has dropped by 25%, yet it is considered fairly valued with limited potential for significant gains unless AI-driven growth accelerates [3]. Group 3: Earnings Expectations and Guidance - Accenture is preparing to announce its fourth-quarter earnings results, with expectations of modest year-over-year growth but a decline in sales compared to the previous quarter [3][6]. - The company has reported increasing AI bookings, but these are not sufficient to offset weaknesses in new bookings and challenges with federal contracts [3]. - Management has provided guidance for continued revenue and earnings growth, supported by record-high free cash flow per share and rising earnings per share (EPS) [5]. Group 4: Industry Outlook - The tech sector is projected to maintain growth, with total earnings expected to rise by 11.8% and revenues by 12.5% in the third quarter of 2025, reflecting the sector's strength [4]. - The recent upgrade to a "Buy" rating by Wedbush suggests that market pessimism regarding Accenture may be overdone, given the company's strong fundamentals and accelerating revenue growth [4].

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming India's $283 billion IT industry, influencing both new deals and existing contracts [1] - Companies are increasingly revisiting contracts to seek greater AI-driven savings, with expectations for renegotiations to rise [2][3] Group 1: Impact on Contracts and Pricing - Cognizant's CFO indicated that historically, about 15-20% of contracts are renegotiated annually, with similar discounts typically passed to customers; this is expected to increase to 25% in the AI context, with productivity savings expectations rising to 20-25% [2] - Infosys' CFO noted that while generative AI may reduce project costs, the savings will likely be reinvested into new initiatives, indicating a shift in how savings are utilized [4] - Mid-sized firms like Hexaware Technologies are also experiencing cost compression in IT operations and software development due to AI, affecting both new and renewed deals [9] Group 2: Market Dynamics and Growth Projections - Analysts predict that AI will limit growth in the IT services market to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5%-3% from 2024 to 2029, driven by client hesitance to invest amid rapid AI advancements [12] - AI-led productivity gains are expected to impact existing IT services revenues by approximately 20% over FY25-30, while new growth opportunities may emerge later [12] Group 3: Workforce Implications - Major IT firms are already laying off employees due to productivity improvements driven by AI, with TCS announcing a reduction of 2% of its workforce, equating to 12,200 employees [13][14] - HCL Technologies has also indicated workforce reductions, particularly among employees not deployable on new projects, reflecting a broader trend in the industry [13][15] Group 4: Financial Performance - Cognizant, Infosys, and TCS reported fiscal-year revenues of $19.74 billion, $19.28 billion, and $30.18 billion respectively, with growth rates between 2% and 3.85% [7] - Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, share prices of TCS and Infosys have decreased by 10.5% and 8.5%, while shares of Cognizant and HCL Technologies have increased by 8.8% and 28.7% respectively [8]

Accenture plc ACN will release earnings results for the fourth quarter before the opening bell on Thursday, Sept. 25.Analysts expect the Dublin, Ireland-based company to report quarterly earnings at $2.96 per share, up from $2.66 per share in the year-ago period. Accenture projects to report quarterly revenue of $17.35 billion, compared to $16.41 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.Accenture said it plans to buy French advisory firm Orlade Group to strengthen its management of large ...

Group 1 - Accenture plans to establish a new campus in Andhra Pradesh, India [1] - The initiative aims to create approximately 12,000 new jobs in the region [1]

Our thoughts on the potential implications for our coverage US IT Services (Covered by James Schneider): We believe Cognizant faces the largest relative risk among our US coverage from this policy (with ~2,500 H-1B approvals in 2025 according to USCIS), implying higher incremental labor costs and margin pressure if petition levels are maintained over the next 12 months. We see minimal impact for Accenture and IBM at ~1,500 approvals each in 2025. India IT Services (Covered by Manish Adukia) India IT Service ...

Key Takeaways Accenture projects Q4 EPS of $2.98 and revenues of $17.3B, signaling year-over-year growth.GenAI bookings hit $1.5B in Q3, while revenues surpassed $700M, fueling client reinvention.ACN ended Q3 with $9.6B in cash and rising managed services demand.Accenture plc (ACN) is set to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results on Sept. 25, before market open.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $2.98 per share, suggesting 6.8% growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported level. The co ...

Core Insights - Analysts forecast Accenture (ACN) to report quarterly earnings of $2.98 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.8% [1] - Expected revenues are projected to be $17.33 billion, indicating a 5.6% increase compared to the same quarter last year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, suggesting stability in analysts' assessments [1] Revenue Estimates - Consulting revenues are expected to reach $8.57 billion, a year-over-year increase of 3.8% [4] - Managed Services revenues are projected at $8.75 billion, reflecting a 7.5% year-over-year change [4] - Product revenues are anticipated to be $5.22 billion, indicating a 5.4% increase from the prior year [5] - Health & Public Service revenues are forecasted at $3.77 billion, showing a 4.2% year-over-year growth [5] - Financial Services revenues are expected to reach $3.06 billion, reflecting a 6.6% increase [6] - Communications, Media & Technology revenues are projected at $2.86 billion, indicating a 4.1% year-over-year change [6] - Geographic Revenue from the Americas is expected to be $8.72 billion, reflecting a 9.4% increase [6] - Asia Pacific revenues are projected at $2.43 billion, indicating a decline of 13.3% year-over-year [7] - EMEA revenues are expected to reach $6.11 billion, reflecting an 8.3% increase [7] New Bookings - Total New Bookings are projected to be $20.97 billion, up from $20.15 billion year-over-year [7] - Managed Services New Bookings are expected at $12.02 billion, compared to $11.55 billion in the same quarter last year [8] - Consulting New Bookings are forecasted at $8.95 billion, up from $8.59 billion in the same quarter last year [8] Stock Performance - Over the past month, Accenture shares have recorded a return of -7.5%, contrasting with the S&P 500 composite's +4% change [8]

Group 1 - Major market movers include Micron Technology Inc. after the close on Tuesday [1] - Accenture plc Class A (Ireland) is set to report pre-market [1] - Costco Wholesale Corporation will report after the close on Thursday, noted for having the highest earnings density [1] Group 2 - Next Monday will focus on the leisure sector, with Carnival Corporation and Carnival Plc ADS reporting pre-market [1]

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Accenture has announced its intent to acquire French Orlade Group ("Orlade†). ...