Accenture PLC $ACN Stock: Seilern Investment Management Ltd Cuts Stake

Seilern Investment Management Ltd trimmed its position in shares of Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN) by 20.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 130,331 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock after selling 33,311 shares during the period. Accenture accounts for approximately 3.0% of Seilern Investment Management Ltd’s portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest holding. Seilern Investment Management Ltd’s holdings in Accenture were worth $23,899,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of ACN. Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in Accenture by 2.2% in the first 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 acquiring an additional 143,483 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Accenture by 120.0% during the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,482,150 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $690,475,000 after purchasing an additional 1,899,305 shares during the last quarter. Flossbach Von Storch SE bought a new stake in Accenture during the second quarter worth $309,873,000. Pzena Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 84.0% in the 1st quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 2,405,683 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $477,023,000 after purchasing an additional 1,097,961 shares in the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 24.3% in the 1st quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 2,384,954 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $472,913,000 after purchasing an additional 466,452 shares in the last quarter. 75.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Accenture Trading Down 0.7%

Shares of ACN traded down $1.59 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $213.28. 2,996,616 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,980,602. Accenture PLC has a fifty-two week low of $118.15 and a fifty-two week high of $291.09. The business has a 50-day moving average of $185.50 and a 200-day moving average of $173.65. The firm has a market capitalization of $142.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 1.34.

Accenture (NYSE:ACN) last issued its 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 return on equity of 26.53% and a net margin of 11.28%. The business had revenue of $18.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.03 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.03 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. Accenture has set its FY 2027 guidance at 14.390-14.810 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Accenture PLC will post 14.68 EPS for the current year.

Accenture Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 13th will be issued a dividend of $1.71 per share. This is an increase from Accenture’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. This represents a $6.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 13th. Accenture’s dividend payout ratio is 48.08%.

Accenture declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Tuesday, June 23rd that permits the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the information technology services provider to buy up to 2.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Share buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group set a $220.00 price objective on Accenture in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Citigroup increased their target price on shares of Accenture from $135.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 24th. Evercore set a $250.00 price target on shares of Accenture and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Robert W. Baird set a $245.00 price target on shares of Accenture in a report on Thursday, October 1st. Finally, Susquehanna raised their target price on shares of Accenture from $153.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Accenture currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $219.15.

Insider Activity

In other Accenture news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 10,498 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.98, for a total transaction of $1,710,964.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel owned 17,735 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,890,450.30. The trade was a 37.18% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, COO Catherine Hogan sold 1,320 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 8th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $2,511,200. This trade represents a 9.51% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 0.02% of the company’s stock.

Key Accenture News

Here are the key news stories impacting Accenture this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AI acquisition expands growth opportunities: Accenture acquired UK-based Sagacity Solutions, strengthening Accenture Song’s AI-powered customer intelligence capabilities across the UK and Ireland. The deal could help scale customer-reinvention services and support future revenue growth, although financial terms were not disclosed. Accenture acquires Sagacity Solutions
• Positive Sentiment: Results and outlook support the rally: Coverage of Accenture’s fourth-quarter results highlights revenue and earnings beats, along with fiscal 2027 guidance for approximately 3%–6% revenue growth. At least $11 billion of expected free cash flow and more than $9.5 billion targeted for dividends and buybacks strengthen the investment case. Accenture valuation and outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Valuation and style ratings are favorable: Zacks identified ACN as a highly ranked growth and value stock, while other analysis points to a forward P/E near 14.3 and an attractive free-cash-flow yield. These factors may encourage bargain-oriented investors. Zacks growth-stock analysis
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase adds shareholder support: Accenture was included among companies raising their dividends, reinforcing its capital-return appeal. Dividend increase analysis
• Neutral Sentiment: Options activity signals bullish speculation: Investors purchased 58,099 call options, roughly 248% above average volume. This indicates increased interest in upside exposure but does not guarantee continued gains.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sale is a minor caution: Accenture’s chief operating officer sold approximately $264,000 of stock. The transaction is relatively small compared with the company’s market value but may weigh modestly on sentiment. Accenture insider sale

Accenture Company Profile

Accenture plc (NYSE: ACN) is a global professional services company that helps organizations improve performance, modernize operations and respond to technological and market changes. Its services span strategy and consulting, technology, operations, and managed services, with expertise across industries including communications, financial services, health care, public service, retail, manufacturing and resources.

The company provides digital transformation, cloud migration, data and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, systems integration and technology implementation services.