Accenture PLC Company Profile (NYSE:ACN)

Accenture PLC trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "ACN."

Accenture PLC announced a semiannual dividend on Friday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, April 13th will be given a dividend of $1.21 per share on Monday, May 15th. This represents a yield of 2.03%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 11th. This is an increase from Accenture PLC's previous semiannual dividend of $1.02. View Accenture PLC's Dividend History.

Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, June, 22nd. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the Thomson Reuters' consensus estimate of $1.52. The firm earned $8.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $8.82 billion. Accenture PLC had a net margin of 9.92% and a return on equity of 43.96%. The business's revenue was up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.41 earnings per share. View Accenture PLC's Earnings History.

Accenture PLC is scheduled to release their next quarterly earnings announcement on Thursday, October, 5th 2017. View Earnings Estimates for Accenture PLC.

21 brokers have issued 1-year price objectives for Accenture PLC's stock. Their forecasts range from $110.00 to $140.00. On average, they expect Accenture PLC's stock price to reach $130.56 in the next year. View Analyst Ratings for Accenture PLC.

Here are some recent quotes from research analysts about Accenture PLC stock:

• 1. According to Zacks Investment Research, "The leading outsourcing and consultancy services provider, Accenture has outperformed the broader market in the last one year time frame. We are positive about Accenture’s latest product additions in the analytics application space, given the increasing demand for digital solutions. Moreover, Accenture’s strategy of growing through acquisitions is encouraging. The acquisitions have enabled Accenture to enter new markets, diversify and broaden its product portfolio, and maintain its leading position. Nonetheless, Accenture’s recent announcement of creating 15K new jobs by 2020 and investment plan of $1.4 billion for employee training and opening of 10 innovation centers across the U.S. cities may dent its bottom-line results in our opinion. Furthermore, increasing competition from peers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment may deter its growth to some extent." (5/30/2017)
• 2. Cantor Fitzgerald analysts commented, "The initial Digital phase involving customers is maturing. (Click Here for Our Most Recent ACN Note). Digital began with a focus on customers and servicing or interfacing with the customer. Consumers drove the demand. The customer phase continues, but is evolving from the basic servicing of the customer to the full experience. Accenture has acquired capabilities to help them enhance the client experience, which is the next stage of focus for consumers on the Digital front. Digital engagements differ from the traditional Accenture engagements in that they start small and grow rather than being one large project." (5/29/2017)
• 3. Cowen and Company analysts commented, "A mostly in-line quarter and increases to the low-end of revenue/EPS guides were not enough to satisfy elevated Street expectations. However, an optimistic 2H17 outlook, with broad-based momentum across its business and an expected recovery in 2 of 3 pressured verticals supports sustainable and balanced growth. With leading strength in Digital, Accenture remains a long-term top pick." (3/27/2017)
• 4. BMO Capital Markets analysts commented, "ACN missed our/consensus CC rev growth estimates for the second straight quarter. In addition, we thought bookings were weak. However, we believe 2H growth will accelerate from improvement in Energy/Chemicals, easier comps, and more M&A help. We think Accenture is executing a sound and reasonable strategy. However, with approximately 5% organic CC revenue growth, we don't believe multiple expansion is warranted. Further, as we have stated previously, we think margin expansion will be limited, given the growth of digital business and current headcount in GDN relative to total headcount." (3/24/2017)
• 5. Deutsche Bank AG analysts commented, "ACN reported 2Q17 revs of $8,318m (4.7% Y/Y, ~6% cc) below our est. of $8,369m while EPS of $1.33 beat st. and our est. of $1.30 driven by a lower tax rate ($0.04 benefit). Despite weaker than expected revenues and bookings, ACN believes cc rev growth will improve in 2H17 partly driven by a pick-up in acquisitions. Bookings of $9.2bn (-3% Y/Y) missed st. and our est. of $10.1bn but are expected to be stronger in 2H17 and y-o-y headcount growth inflected slightly up in 2Q17, which bodes well for a slight reacceleration in revenues, in our view. Although consulting moderated in 2Q17 to 5%cc from 7% cc in 1Q17, the company expects growth to improve to mid- to high-single-digits in 2H17 driven by an improvement in strategy and consulting. In addition, 2 of the 3 industries (Energy, Chemicals/ Nat Resources, Communications) which have had negative growth are also expected to turn positive in 2H17. Due to the $0.03 EPS beat, the anticipated rebound in revs, and a lower tax rate, we are raising our FY17/18/19 EPS est. by $0.09/$0.14/$0.11 to $5.91/$6.47/$7.09, respectively and as a result, increasing our TP to $133. Maintain Buy." (3/24/2017)

Some companies that are related to Accenture PLC include International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Automatic Data Processing (ADP), Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH), Vmware (VMW), NetEase (NTES), Infosys Limited (INFY), Wipro Limited (WIT), CGI Group (GIB), Palo Alto Networks (PANW), Total System Services (TSS), Gartner (IT), VeriSign (VRSN), CDW Corporation (CDW), Amdocs Limited (DOX), Akamai Technologies (AKAM), Jack Henry & Associates (JKHY), F5 Networks (FFIV) and Fortinet (FTNT).

Accenture PLC's management team includes the folowing people:

• Pierre Nanterme, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
• David P. Rowland, Chief Financial Officer
• Gianfranco Casati, Group Chief Executive - Growth Markets
• Daniel T. London, Group Chief Executive - Health & Public Service Operating Group
• Richard A. Lumb, Group Chief Executive - Financial Services Operating Group
• Jean-Marc Ollagnier, Group Chief Executive - Resources Operating Group
• Robert E. Sell, Group Chief Executive - Communications, Media & Technology Operating Group
• Julie Spellman Sweet, Group Chief Executive - North America
• Alexander M. van't Noordende, Group Chief Executive - Products Operating Group
• Johan G. Deblaere, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive - Europe

Accenture PLC's stock is owned by a number of of institutional and retail investors. Top institutional investors include Vanguard Group Inc. (7.84%), BlackRock Inc. (6.58%), Capital Research Global Investors (4.61%), State Street Corp (3.99%), Bank of New York Mellon Corp (1.93%) and Northern Trust Corp (1.53%). Company insiders that own Accenture PLC stock include Chad T Jerdee, Daniel T London, David Rowland, Ellyn Shook, Gianfranco Casati, Johan Deblaere, Julie Spellman Sweet, Marjorie Magner, Pierre Nanterme, Richard Lumb, Richard P Clark, Robert E Sell, 'T Noordende Alexander M Van and Wulf Von Schimmelmann. View Institutional Ownership Trends for Accenture PLC.

Accenture PLC's stock was sold by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including FMR LLC, Bank of New York Mellon Corp, Westpac Banking Corp, Wells Fargo & Company MN, PNC Financial Services Group Inc., State Street Corp, Marshall Wace North America L.P. and Bank of Nova Scotia. Company insiders that have sold Accenture PLC stock in the last year include Chad T Jerdee, Daniel T London, David Rowland, Ellyn Shook, Gianfranco Casati, Johan Deblaere, Julie Spellman Sweet, Pierre Nanterme, Richard Lumb, Richard P Clark and Robert E Sell. View Insider Buying and Selling for Accenture PLC.

Accenture PLC's stock was purchased by a variety of institutional investors in the last quarter, including Janus Henderson Group PLC, BT Investment Management Ltd, BlackRock Inc., Vanguard Group Inc., Independent Franchise Partners LLP, Capital Research Global Investors, Cooke & Bieler LP and Capital International Investors. View Insider Buying and Selling for Accenture PLC.

Shares of Accenture PLC can be purchased through any online brokerage account. Popular online brokerages include Vanguard Brokerage Services, TD Ameritrade, E*TRADE, Scottrade, Fidelity and Charles Schwab.

One share of Accenture PLC stock can currently be purchased for approximately $127.59.