Accenture (NYSE:ACN) shares surged over 4% in pre-market on Thursday following the company’s release of better-than-expected fourth-quarter results and an optimistic outlook for fiscal 2025.
The consulting and outsourcing giant reported adjusted earnings per share of $2.79 for the quarter, slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $2.78. Revenue grew 3% year-over-year to $16.4 billion, surpassing the Street estimate of $16.35 billion.
Accenture’s new bookings for the quarter totaled $20.1 billion, marking a 21% year-over-year increase, with $1 billion coming from generative AI projects. For fiscal 2024, the company achieved a record $81.2 billion in new bookings, reflecting a 13% annual increase.
Julie Sweet, Accenture’s chair and CEO, highlighted the company’s resilience and ability to adapt, emphasizing the success of their scalable and evolving business model.
Looking ahead, Accenture forecasts revenue growth of 3% to 6% in local currency for fiscal 2025 and anticipates full-year earnings per share between $12.55 and $12.91, representing 5% to 8% growth from 2024.
In addition, the company announced a 15% hike in its quarterly dividend to $1.48 per share and approved an extra $4 billion for its share repurchase program.