Accenture Plc Ireland Stock Price, News & Analysis

Accenture (ACN) reported strong Q1 FY25 results with revenues of $17.7 billion, up 9% in USD and 8% in local currency. New bookings reached $18.7 billion, including $1.2 billion in Generative AI bookings. Consulting revenues were $9.0 billion while managed services reached $8.6 billion.

The company reported GAAP EPS of $3.59, a 16% increase year-over-year, and operating margin of 16.7%. Accenture raised its fiscal 2025 revenue growth outlook to 4-7% in local currency and updated its GAAP EPS guidance to $12.43-$12.79. The quarterly cash dividend increased 15% to $1.48 per share.

Growth was broad-based across all markets and industry groups, with notable performance in Health & Public Service (+13%) and Products (+12%) sectors.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has announced plans to acquire IQT Group, an Italian engineering managed services provider specializing in large infrastructure projects. The acquisition will merge Accenture's generative AI and digital capabilities with IQT Group's infrastructure expertise to enhance net-zero project execution.

IQT Group, based in Rovigo, Italy, focuses on designing and supervising net-zero infrastructure projects for electricity generation and transmission. The company's more than 450 consultants and engineers will join Accenture's Industry X infrastructure and capital projects practice in Italy. IQT Group has been actively supporting Italy's clean energy transition under the EU's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

This acquisition follows Accenture's strategic expansion in infrastructure services, including recent acquisitions of Anser Advisory, Comtech, and BOSLAN. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the deal awaits antitrust clearance.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has launched an on-demand Generative AI Scholars Program, powered by Stanford Online content. The program offers over 40 hours of self-paced learning, combining Stanford faculty expertise with Accenture industry insights.

The curriculum features bite-sized learning modules, industry case studies, and checkpoint assessments, covering topics like technical fundamentals, foundation models, prompt engineering, and responsible AI. The program is hosted on the Accenture LearnVantage platform and was inspired by the success of the Foundation Models Scholar Program previously delivered to 150 Accenture leaders.

This initiative aims to equip business and technology leaders with practical generative AI skills while addressing technical and societal challenges. Upon completion, participants receive an Accenture-issued certificate.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire AOX, a German embedded software specialist for automotive manufacturers and suppliers. The acquisition aims to enhance Accenture's capabilities in helping automotive clients develop software-defined vehicles. AOX, with over 50 skilled professionals, specializes in complex system architectures and high-performance software development. The company will integrate into Accenture's Industry X engineering team, strengthening their position in automotive software development from chip to cloud. AOX's expertise in high-performance computing and real-time operating systems will help automakers transition from traditional software engineering to integrated scalable architectures, enabling faster market entry and improved software features.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has announced it will host a conference call on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. EST to discuss its first-quarter fiscal 2025 financial results. The company will release its earnings report before the call. The conference will be accessible via phone and webcast through the company's Investor Relations website. A replay will be available until March 19, 2025, through both the website and phone access.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has nominated two new directors to join its Board following the annual general meeting on February 6, 2025: Masahiko Uotani, chairman and CEO of Shiseido, and Jennifer Nason, Global Chair of Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan. Uotani brings expertise in consumer goods, marketing, and digital transformation, while Nason contributes extensive knowledge in banking, technology, and telecommunications from her 40-year career. If elected, Uotani will serve on the Finance Committee, and Nason will join both the Finance and Compensation, Culture & People Committees. The Board would comprise 11 directors following their addition.

Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has acquired Award Solutions, a Texas-based provider of training and consulting services in advanced wireless and network technologies. Award Solutions, established in 1997, specializes in 5G, IoT, and cloud-based solutions training. The company's team of 29 professionals will join Accenture LearnVantage, enhancing their technology learning and training services. Award Solutions offers specialized in-person, virtual, and self-paced training programs to global telecom and technology providers, focusing on technologies like AI, automation, and network virtualization. The acquisition aims to strengthen Accenture's capabilities in providing customized training programs for network professionals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Accenture has made a strategic investment in Cresta, an AI platform developer for contact centers, through Accenture Ventures. The partnership will integrate Cresta's AI capabilities into Accenture's AI Refinery™️ platform. Research indicates companies applying generative AI to customer initiatives can achieve 25% higher revenue over five years compared to those focused solely on productivity.

Cresta's AI solutions provide real-time agent coaching, insights, and virtual agents to improve performance and customer satisfaction. The platform has been adopted across retail, financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare sectors. Cresta was recently named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™, receiving top scores across 15 criteria.

Accenture has announced new generative AI-powered cybersecurity services and capabilities to enhance business resilience. The company reports a 223% increase in deepfake-related tool trading on dark web forums in Q1 2024 compared to Q1 2023. New services include Secure AI Solutions, Deepfake Protection, Business Cyber Crisis Recovery, and Quantum Security Suite. The company is expanding its global network with new Cyber Future Centers and has grown its cybersecurity workforce by over 30% to more than 25,000 professionals in 2024. Core cybersecurity services powered by Accenture mySecurity aim to achieve 30-40% cost reduction through modernization and automation.