Accenture shares jump as Q4 results beat own guidance

(Sharecast News) - Accenture shares surged nearly 20% in New York on Thursday after the consulting giant reported stronger fourth-quarter earnings and forecast further revenue growth in the new financial year. For the fourth quarter ended 31 August, revenue rose 6% year on year to $18.7bn, or 7% in local currencies, while new bookings increased 4% to $22.2bn.

GAAP operating income rose sharply, with the operating margin improving to 15.3% from 11.6% a year earlier, while diluted earnings per share jumped 46% to $3.29. On an adjusted basis, EPS was 9% higher year on year.

Chief executive Julie Sweet said Accenture had exceeded the top end of its fourth-quarter revenue guidance and recorded a quarterly high of 141 client bookings worth at least $100m each.

Full-year revenue came in at $74.2bn, up 6% in dollar terms and 5% in local currencies, while bookings reached $84.5bn. Adjusted EPS rose 8% to $13.97, and free cash flow totalled $11.6bn.

Looking ahead, Accenture said it expects fiscal 2027 revenue growth of 3% to 6% in local currencies, with GAAP diluted EPS of $14.39 to $14.81, representing growth of 6% to 9%.

The company also plans to return at least $9.5bn to shareholders during the year, after returning a record $11.5bn in fiscal 2026 through dividends and share repurchases.

The stock was up 19.2% at $218.20 by 1549 BST.