Accenture PLC $ACN Stock Sold by VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al reduced its stake in Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN) by 27.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 243,028 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock after selling 92,700 shares during the quarter. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al’s holdings in Accenture were worth $44,564,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Accenture by 147.1% in the second quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 215 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 128 shares during the period. IMG Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Accenture by 134.8% during the first quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 155 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the period. Foresight Capital Management Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Accenture in the third quarter valued at $31,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC grew its stake in shares of Accenture by 110.4% in the second quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 284 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Finally, S&G Foundation purchased a new stake in shares of Accenture in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.14% of the company’s stock.

Accenture Stock Up 4.3%

Shares of Accenture stock opened at $257.93 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Accenture PLC has a 52-week low of $118.15 and a 52-week high of $291.09. The company has a market capitalization of $152.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a 50 day moving average of $202.76 and a 200 day moving average of $192.43.

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

Accenture Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.71 per share. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. This is a positive change from Accenture’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, October 13th. Accenture’s payout ratio is currently 50.44%.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In other news, CEO Julie Sweet acquired 12,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $245.99 per share, for a total transaction of $3,001,078.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 48,910 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,031,370.90. This represents a 33.23% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Melissa Burgum sold 811 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $202,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 9,820 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,455,000. This trade represents a 7.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 8,675 shares of company stock worth $2,047,563 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.02% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ACN has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Citigroup raised their target price on Accenture from $135.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, August 24th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on Accenture from $193.00 to $201.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Accenture from $179.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Accenture from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 21st. Finally, Robert W. Baird lowered shares of Accenture from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and raised their price objective for the company from $245.00 to $252.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 21st. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seventeen have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Accenture has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $221.07.

Key Stories Impacting Accenture

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?

Accenture Company Profile

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.