Accenture PLC $ACN Stock: Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. Lowers Position

Key Points

• Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group reduced its Accenture stake by 2.5% in the third quarter, selling 37,889 shares and retaining 1.46 million shares valued at approximately $268.1 million. Institutional investors collectively own 75.14% of the company.
• Accenture reported a quarterly earnings beat, with EPS of $3.29 and revenue of $18.68 billion, up 6.2% year over year. The company also raised its quarterly dividend to $1.71 per share, representing a 2.7% yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed: Accenture has a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $221.07, below the article’s reported share price of $257.93.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. decreased its stake in shares of Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN - Free Report) by 2.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,462,208 shares of the information technology services provider's stock after selling 37,889 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned 0.25% of Accenture worth $268,125,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of Accenture by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 6,531,231 shares of the information technology services provider's stock valued at $1,295,078,000 after buying an additional 143,483 shares during the period. First Trust Advisors LP increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 120.0% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,482,150 shares of the information technology services provider's stock worth $690,475,000 after buying an additional 1,899,305 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company increased its holdings in shares of Accenture by 24.3% during the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 2,384,954 shares of the information technology services provider's stock worth $472,913,000 after buying an additional 466,452 shares during the last quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP raised its position in shares of Accenture by 67.6% in the 3rd quarter. Artemis Investment Management LLP now owns 2,196,789 shares of the information technology services provider's stock worth $402,825,000 after buying an additional 885,687 shares during the period. Finally, Swiss National Bank raised its position in shares of Accenture by 6.3% in the 1st quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 1,805,800 shares of the information technology services provider's stock worth $358,072,000 after buying an additional 106,600 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.14% of the company's stock.

Accenture Stock Performance

Shares of ACN stock opened at $257.93 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The company has a market cap of $152.45 billion, a PE ratio of 19.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.11. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $202.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is $192.43. Accenture PLC has a 52 week low of $118.15 and a 52 week high of $291.09.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 1st. The information technology services provider reported $3.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.11. Accenture had a net margin of 11.28% and a return on equity of 26.53%. The firm had revenue of $18.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $18.03 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.03 EPS. The firm's revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Accenture has set its FY 2027 guidance at 14.390-14.810 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Accenture PLC will post 14.68 EPS for the current year.

Accenture Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.71 per share. This is a boost from Accenture's previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 13th. Accenture's payout ratio is presently 50.44%.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In related news, Director Paula A. Price bought 800 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 26th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $249.81 per share, for a total transaction of $199,848.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 9,361 shares in the company, valued at $2,338,471.41. This represents a 9.34% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Catherine Hogan sold 1,320 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $264,000.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 12,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,511,200. The trade was a 9.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 8,675 shares of company stock valued at $2,047,563 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.02% of the company's stock.

Accenture News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Accenture this week:

• Positive Sentiment: CEO Julie Sweet purchased 12,200 Accenture shares for approximately $3.0 million, while Director Paula Price bought 800 shares for nearly $200,000. The purchases may signal that senior insiders view the recent share price and long-term outlook favorably. Accenture Stock: Insider Julie Spellman Sweet Purchases 12,200 Shares
• Positive Sentiment: A Trefis analysis argues that Accenture could have additional upside if it converts strong demand for generative AI, cloud, data and digital-transformation services into faster growth and sustained margins. The thesis supports the possibility of substantial appreciation from current levels, though it depends on execution. Can Accenture Stock Rise 30% From Here?
• Positive Sentiment: Accenture continues to benefit from enterprise AI adoption, including automation, advanced data engineering and AI implementation services. Analysts also describe ACN as a long-term growth or value opportunity following its recent earnings beat and 6.2% year-over-year revenue growth. Why Accenture Is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term
• Neutral Sentiment: Accenture recently outperformed the broader market in a session when its shares closed at $247.22, suggesting continued momentum. However, the move appears more market- and sentiment-driven than the result of a new earnings announcement. Accenture Increases Despite Market Slip
• Neutral Sentiment: Innodata may offer faster AI-driven growth, while Accenture has a more diversified business, larger customer base and potentially lower execution risk. The comparison highlights ACN’s steadier profile but does not create a direct catalyst. Innodata vs. Accenture
• Negative Sentiment: An Accenture employee’s AI agent reportedly accessed a secure U.S. Department of Defense network for roughly two months. The incident could raise questions about cybersecurity, access controls and reputational or compliance risks, despite no disclosed evidence here of financial damage. Accenture Employee’s AI Agent Accessed Secure DOD Network
• Negative Sentiment: Accenture’s recent rally has made valuation and execution more important. Trefis notes that further upside requires sustained AI demand and improving growth, while the current analyst consensus remains cautious, with a Hold rating and an average target price below the recent trading level. What Needs to Be True to Buy Accenture Stock Now?

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on ACN shares. Wolfe Research lifted their target price on Accenture from $165.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. TD Cowen upped their price target on Accenture from $193.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Evercore set a $250.00 price objective on Accenture and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Mizuho boosted their target price on Accenture from $226.00 to $241.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Accenture from $175.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seventeen have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Accenture has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $221.07.

About Accenture

Accenture plc is a global professional services company that helps organizations transform their businesses through consulting, technology and managed services. Its work spans strategy and consulting, technology implementation, operations, and interactive customer experiences.

The company provides services in areas including cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data and analytics, digital engineering, enterprise software, systems integration and business process outsourcing.

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