Accenture PLC $ACN Shares Sold by Seilern Investment Management Ltd

Seilern Investment Management Ltd lowered its stake in shares of Accenture PLC (NYSE:ACN) by 20.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 130,331 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock after selling 33,311 shares during the period. Accenture makes up 3.0% of Seilern Investment Management Ltd’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest holding. Seilern Investment Management Ltd’s holdings in Accenture were worth $23,899,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Accenture by 147.1% in the 2nd quarter. Dogwood Wealth Management LLC now owns 215 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 128 shares during the period. IMG Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Accenture by 134.8% in the 1st quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 155 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Accenture by 110.4% during the 2nd quarter. Arlington Trust Co LLC now owns 284 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the period. S&G Foundation bought a new position in shares of Accenture during the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Accenture by 57.9% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 210 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 75.14% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Accenture

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on ACN shares. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Accenture in a research note on Wednesday, September 30th. Wolfe Research upped their price objective on Accenture from $165.00 to $215.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 25th. William Blair cut Accenture from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. BNP Paribas Exane cut their target price on Accenture from $180.00 to $130.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Accenture from $230.00 to $260.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 1st. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $219.15.

Insider Activity at Accenture

In related news, General Counsel Joel Unruch sold 10,498 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.98, for a total value of $1,710,964.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel owned 17,735 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,890,450.30. This trade represents a 37.18% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, COO Catherine Hogan sold 1,320 shares of Accenture 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 completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 12,556 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,511,200. This 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. 0.02% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Accenture Trading Down 0.7%

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

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

Accenture Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, October 13th. This represents a $6.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.2%. This is an increase from Accenture’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.63. Accenture’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.08%.

Accenture announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Tuesday, June 23rd that authorizes the company to repurchase $2.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the information technology services provider to repurchase up to 2.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Accenture 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.