Accenture Plc (ACN) Maintains 'Buy' Rating at Stifel Amid Market Challenges

Accenture Plc (ACN) is rated as a 'Buy' by Stifel despite market challenges. The company's management quality is impressive, and its fiscal year 2026 consensus estimates are reasonable, if not beatable. Accenture delivered 4% YoY organic growth in its fiscal third quarter, with earnings per share up 13%. The company provides a wide range of services, including consulting, technology, and operations, to help clients transform their businesses using digital technologies like cloud, AI, and data.

Accenture Plc (ACN) has been consistently rated as a 'Buy' by Stifel, reflecting the company's robust management quality and reasonable consensus estimates for fiscal year 2026. Despite market challenges, Accenture delivered 4% year-over-year (YoY) organic growth in its fiscal third quarter, with earnings per share (EPS) increasing by 13%. The company's strong performance can be attributed to its extensive range of services, which include consulting, technology, and operations, all aimed at helping clients transform their businesses through digital technologies like cloud, AI, and data.

One of the key drivers of Accenture's growth is its strategic acquisition of Maryville Consulting Group, a U.S.-based technology firm specializing in product-driven growth strategy, digital operations, and technology business management (TBM). This acquisition added over 100 professionals to Accenture's team, enhancing its ability to align clients' tech investments with business outcomes, particularly amidst rising demand for AI adoption and next-gen computing [1].

Moreover, Accenture's expanded collaboration with Microsoft to co-develop advanced generative AI-powered cybersecurity solutions further underscores the company's commitment to integrating AI and cybersecurity. This partnership aims to counter evolving AI-driven threats through innovations in security operations, data protection, cyber migration, and identity management [1].

Accenture's financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 were impressive, with the company reporting $17.7 billion in revenue, a 7.6% year-over-year increase. This growth was primarily driven by the growing demand for its AI and digital services. Additionally, Accenture's expanding partnership portfolio includes a new collaboration with British American Tobacco (BAT) to transform BAT's global operations and supply network [1].

ePlus Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUS), a leading provider of technology solutions, also reported strong financial results for the first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year. The company's consolidated net sales increased by 19.0% to $637.3 million, with services revenues increasing by 48.8% to $116.3 million. Gross billings increased by 14.3% to $952.8 million, and consolidated gross profit increased by 16.8% to $148.2 million [2].

ePlus's management commented that the company's strong financial performance is a testament to its team's disciplined execution in a highly dynamic environment. The company's services business continues to be a standout, increasing nearly 50% in the quarter. ePlus's strategic initiatives, such as the sale of its domestic financing business, have also contributed to its financial success [2].

In conclusion, both Accenture Plc and ePlus Inc. have shown remarkable resilience and growth despite market challenges. Accenture's strategic acquisitions and partnerships, along with ePlus's strong financial performance and strategic initiatives, position these companies well for future growth.

References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/accenture-plc-acn-boosts-ai-151440058.html
[2] https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/eplus-reports-first-quarter-fiscal-year-2026-financial-results-2025-08-07