Accenture Shares Plunge Amid $900M Trading Volume as Tariff Ruling and Treasury Yields Spook Investors

Accenture (ACN) shares closed 1.46% lower on September 2, 2025, with a trading volume of $0.90 billion, as broader market indices also declined amid renewed concerns over trade policy and rising Treasury yields. The stock's decline followed a federal court ruling that most of former President Trump's global tariffs were unlawful, creating uncertainty around potential refunds and fiscal impacts. Additionally, the 10-year Treasury yield rose above 4.2%, intensifying worries about stretched equity valuations and investor caution ahead of the upcoming jobs report and Federal Reserve rate decision.

Analysts noted that Accenture's stock, which has historically shown limited volatility with only seven moves exceeding 5% in the past year, reacted meaningfully to the day's developments. This suggests the market viewed the trade policy uncertainty as a significant short-term risk, despite the company's strong balance sheet and 7.26% year-over-year revenue growth. The stock has fallen 26.6% year-to-date and trades at a forward P/E of 19.04, a premium to its industry average of 16.76.

Looking ahead, Accenture is expected to report earnings on September 25, with projected EPS of $2.98—a 6.81% increase from the prior year. Analysts highlight the importance of upcoming revisions to earnings estimates, which have historically correlated with near-term share price momentum. The company’s recent acquisition of NeuraFlash, aimed at enhancing Salesforce and AI capabilities, and its investment in CLIKA for edge AI expansion, are seen as strategic moves to bolster long-term growth.

Investor activity in Accenture shares remained mixed. Institutional investors including Trexquant Investment LP and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased holdings, while others like Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB and APG Asset Management N.V. reduced stakes. These transactions reflect ongoing uncertainty about the stock's short-term trajectory despite its strong fundamentals.

Backtest results indicate that investors who held $1,000 worth of Accenture shares for five years would now have an investment valued at $1,036, underscoring its relatively stable but unremarkable long-term performance. The stock’s current valuation and technical indicators suggest a cautious outlook, with key support and resistance levels to monitor ahead of its upcoming earnings report.