Accenture Stock Rises as Earnings Beat Estimates and AI Drives Growth

Accenture Stock Rises as Earnings Beat Estimates and AI Drives Growth

Accenture (ACN) shares jumped 7% on Thursday after the company reported first-quarter earnings that surpassed expectations and raised its full-year revenue forecast.

The firm posted $17.7 billion in revenue, up from $16.2 billion a year ago and ahead of analysts' estimates of $17.1 billion. Net income rose to $2.28 billion ($3.59 per share), exceeding last year's $1.98 billion ($3.10 per share) and beating projections compiled by Visible Alpha.

Accenture credited the growth to increased demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services, which boosted bookings. The company raised its full-year revenue growth outlook to 4%-7%, up from a prior estimate of 3%-6%.

The stock's Thursday gains pushed it back into positive territory for the year, rebounding from losses earlier in the week.