Accenture Q3 EPS Tops Estimates by $0.21; Raises FY26 EPS Guidance to 13.52–13.90
Accenture reported Q3 EPS of $3.94, beating the $3.73 consensus by $0.21 on revenue of $18.74 billion, surpassing estimates of $18.51 billion and delivering 5.7% year-over-year growth. The company set FY2026 EPS guidance at 13.52–13.90.
1. Institutional Buying by Deprince Race & Zollo
Deprince Race & Zollo Inc. increased its stake in Accenture PLC by 36.4% during the third quarter, acquiring an additional 23,406 shares to bring its total to 87,681. At quarter-end, this position was valued at $21.62 million, reflecting the firm’s confidence in the information technology services provider’s growth prospects. Other institutional moves included Aprio Wealth Management boosting its holding by 2.1% to 1,640 shares and Texas Bank & Trust Co adding 35 shares to reach 8,181. Overall, 75.14% of Accenture’s equity is held by institutional investors and hedge funds, underlining its appeal among large-scale asset managers.
2. Insider Selling Activity
Insider transactions show significant reductions: Manish Sharma sold 6,902 shares for proceeds totaling $1.73 million, reducing his direct holding by 78.8% to 1,860 shares, while CEO Ryoji Sekido disposed of 2,500 shares for $623,675, a 64.3% decrease to 1,390 shares owned post-sale. Combined insider sales for the quarter amounted to 33,319 shares worth $8.34 million, with insiders now holding a mere 0.02% of the company’s stock, signaling profit-taking at the executive level.
3. Q3 Earnings Beat and FY26 Guidance
In its latest quarterly report, Accenture delivered earnings per share of $3.94, surpassing consensus estimates by $0.21, while revenue reached $18.74 billion, beating forecasts by $230 million and marking a 5.7% year-over-year increase. The firm reported a net margin of 10.76% and a return on equity of 26.65%. Management set full-year 2026 EPS guidance in a range of 13.520 to 13.900, indicating confidence in continued margin expansion and revenue growth driven by digital and cloud services demand.
4. Analyst Rating and Price Target Updates
Research firms have been active on Accenture: Mizuho trimmed its price objective from 348.00 to 309.00 while maintaining an outperform rating; BNP Paribas Exane lowered its target from 300.00 to 255.00 with a neutral stance; Rothschild & Co Redburn increased its objective from 250.00 to 255.00; Deutsche Bank raised its target from 235.00 to 265.00 with a hold rating; and Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c-) rating. Of 28 analysts covering the company, one rates it as strong buy, fifteen as buy, eleven as hold and one as sell, resulting in a consensus ‘Moderate Buy’ rating with an average target of 298.29.