Accenture’s Upcoming Q2 Earnings Preview

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) delivered better-than-expected second-quarter results, but shares dropped more than 8% intra-day today.

For the quarter, earnings per share came in at $2.82, narrowly surpassing the analyst estimate of $2.81. Revenue reached $16.7 billion, marking an 8.5% increase in local currency, and exceeding the $16.63 billion consensus forecast.

While overall bookings totaled $20.9 billion, falling 3.2% year-over-year and missing the $21.69 billion estimate, generative AI-related deals contributed $1.4 billion, reflecting the growing role of AI-driven transformation in client strategies.

The company’s gross margin declined to 29.9% from 30.9% a year earlier, missing expectations of 31.2%, but operating margin improved to 13.5%, up from 13% last year, highlighting operational efficiencies.

Looking ahead, Accenture narrowed its full-year EPS guidance to $12.55-$12.79, tightening its prior range of $12.43-$12.79, with analysts expecting $12.72. The company raised its revenue growth forecast to 5%-7%, improving on its previous projection of 4%-7%.

• Jefferies maintains a "Hold" rating on Accenture (NYSE:ACN) with a raised price target from $355 to $385.
• Goldman Sachs increases Accenture's price target from $420 to $430, maintaining a "Buy" rating, optimistic about the company's revenue results and guidance.
• Accenture's current stock price is $366.37, with a market capitalization of approximately $229.16 billion and a trading volume of 967,971 shares on the NYSE.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services company that provides consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. It operates in various industries, including communications, media, and technology. Accenture competes with firms like IBM and Deloitte. On December 20, 2024, Jefferies maintained its "Hold" rating for Accenture, with the stock priced at $366.37. Jefferies also raised its price target from $355 to $385.

Goldman Sachs analyst James Schneider has a more optimistic view, increasing Accenture's price target from $420 to $430 and maintaining a "Buy" rating. Schneider believes Accenture will sustain its post-earnings gains due to stronger revenue results and guidance. Despite foreign exchange pressures, Schneider sees significant secular tailwinds for Accenture.

Accenture's stock price is currently $366.37, reflecting a decrease of 1.56% or $5.79. The stock has traded between $362 and $370.70 today. Over the past year, it reached a high of $387.51 and a low of $278.69. Accenture's market capitalization is approximately $229.16 billion, with a trading volume of 967,971 shares on the NYSE.

Jefferies' decision to maintain a "Hold" rating suggests a cautious approach, while Goldman Sachs' "Buy" rating indicates confidence in Accenture's future performance. The differing price targets reflect varying expectations for the company's growth and ability to navigate current market conditions.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is a leading global professional services company, providing a wide range of services in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. The company operates in over 120 countries and serves clients across various industries. Accenture competes with other major consulting firms like IBM, Deloitte, and Capgemini.

On December 19, 2024, Accenture reported earnings per share (EPS) of $3.59, surpassing the estimated $3.42. This positive performance reflects the company's ability to manage costs and drive profitability. The actual revenue of approximately $17.69 billion also exceeded the estimated $17.15 billion, showcasing strong demand for Accenture's services.

The company's first-quarter 2025 earnings report further highlights its robust financial health. Accenture's revenue exceeded expectations, driven by improved performance across its segments. This success led to a surge in the company's stock price, as highlighted by Investopedia, and an upward revision of its full-year revenue growth forecast.

Accenture's financial metrics indicate strong market confidence. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 44 suggests high expectations for future earnings growth. The price-to-sales ratio of about 4.78 and enterprise value to sales ratio of 4.73 reflect the company's valuation in relation to its sales, indicating investor willingness to pay a premium for Accenture's shares.

The company's enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio of approximately 26.68 shows how many times the operating cash flow is covered by its enterprise value. With an earnings yield of about 2.27%, Accenture offers a modest return on its earnings relative to its share price. The debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.20 suggests a conservative use of debt, while a current ratio of about 1.47 indicates a healthy level of liquidity to cover short-term liabilities.

• Goldman Sachs sets a price target of $430 for Accenture (NYSE:ACN), indicating a potential upside of 15.54%.
• Accenture's collaboration with the federal government highlighted as a key growth driver.
• The stock's trading range over the past year showcases its resilience and growth potential.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is a global professional services company that provides a range of services in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. It serves clients in more than 120 countries and is known for its strong presence in the consulting industry. Accenture competes with other major firms like IBM and Deloitte in the consulting and technology services sector.

On December 19, 2024, James Schneider from Goldman Sachs set a price target of $430 for Accenture (NYSE:ACN). At the time, the stock was priced at $372.16, suggesting a potential upside of 15.54%. This optimistic outlook reflects confidence in Accenture's strategic initiatives and market position. The stock's recent performance, with a 7.06% increase or $24.55 rise, supports this positive sentiment.

Accenture's CEO, Julie Sweet, has emphasized the company's collaboration with the federal government. This partnership is crucial, especially with potential changes under the new administration. Such collaborations can significantly impact Accenture's growth and revenue streams, aligning with the positive price target set by Goldman Sachs.

The stock has shown volatility, trading between $363.19 and $376.91 during the day. Over the past year, it reached a high of $387.51 and a low of $278.69. This range indicates the stock's resilience and potential for growth, aligning with the 15.54% upside suggested by the new price target.

Accenture's market capitalization is approximately $232.78 billion, reflecting its strong market presence. With a trading volume of 5,238,199 shares on the NYSE, investor interest remains high. This robust market activity supports the positive outlook and potential for future growth in line with the new price target.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) shares surged over 4% in pre-market on Thursday following the company's release of better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and an optimistic outlook for fiscal 2025.

The consulting and outsourcing giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.79 for the quarter, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $2.78. Revenue grew 3% year-over-year to $16.4 billion, surpassing the Street estimate of $16.35 billion.

Accenture's new bookings for the quarter totaled $20.1 billion, marking a 21% year-over-year increase, with $1 billion coming from generative AI projects. For fiscal 2024, the company achieved a record $81.2 billion in new bookings, reflecting a 13% annual increase.

Julie Sweet, Accenture’s chair and CEO, highlighted the company’s resilience and ability to adapt, emphasizing the success of their scalable and evolving business model.

Looking ahead, Accenture forecasts revenue growth of 3% to 6% in local currency for fiscal 2025 and anticipates full-year earnings per share between $12.55 and $12.91, representing 5% to 8% growth from 2024.

In addition, the company announced a 15% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 per share and approved an extra $4 billion for its share repurchase program.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) is gearing up to release its quarterly earnings report on Thursday, September 26, 2024, before the market opens. This announcement is highly anticipated by investors and analysts alike, as it provides a snapshot of the company's financial health and operational performance. Accenture, a global professional services company, offers a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. It operates in a competitive landscape, going head-to-head with other consulting giants such as Deloitte, PwC, and McKinsey & Company. The earnings per share (EPS) estimate set by Wall Street analysts for this quarter is $2.77, with projected revenue of approximately $16.38 billion.

The EPS estimate of $2.77 represents a year-over-year increase of 2.2%, indicating a positive growth trajectory for Accenture. This growth is further underscored by the expected revenue of $16.33 billion for the quarter, marking a 2.2% rise from the same quarter in the previous year. Such financial metrics are crucial for investors as they reflect the company's ability to grow its earnings and expand its operations amidst the competitive and ever-evolving global market.

Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate has been revised upwards by 0.6%, a testament to the analysts' growing confidence in Accenture's performance. This positive reassessment is likely influenced by the company's strategic initiatives and its ability to adapt to market demands, including the application of Generative AI (GenAI) for large-scale transformations. These technological advancements not only enhance Accenture's service offerings but also position it as a leader in innovation within the consulting industry.

Accenture's history of exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 2.9%, further bolsters expectations for a strong performance in the upcoming earnings report. Such a track record of earnings surprises plays a significant role in shaping investor expectations and can lead to positive stock price movements if the trend continues.

Given the company's solid financial indicators and the optimistic projections by analysts, there is a high probability that Accenture will beat earnings expectations for the fourth quarter. This potential outcome is supported by Accenture's strategic use of technology, its consistent growth in bookings, and its ability to deliver innovative solutions to its clients. As the earnings report date approaches, investors and market watchers will be keenly observing how Accenture's financial performance aligns with these expectations.

UBS analysts upgraded Accenture (NYSE:ACN) to Buy from Neutral, setting a new price target of $400 on the stock.

The analysts highlighted the potential for multiple expansion as the market begins to anticipate accelerated revenue growth driven by AI opportunities. While there are concerns about the pace of IT spending, the analysts believe Accenture's shift towards cloud services, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and now Generative AI will support higher and more sustainable growth.

The analysts’ evaluation of Accenture's top 10 alliance partners indicates a positive trend for revenue acceleration over the next year. They noted that the current stock price does not fully reflect the potential of Generative AI, with Accenture already securing approximately $2 billion in GenAI bookings by Q3/24, compared to $300 million in the fiscal year ending August 2023.

Additionally, the analysts expect GenAI adoption to accelerate as clients recognize the value from initial experimentation, potentially scaling even faster than Accenture's cloud business, which grew from $1 billion in revenue in 2012 to $32 billion, representing about 50% of total revenue in 2023.