Accenture plcWeak Q3 revenue guidance due to macro uncertainty and client hesitancy in discretionary spending.

Accenture reported second-quarter revenue of $18.72 billion, up 5.6% year-on-year and in line with analyst estimates, but its shares dropped sharply after the company issued a weaker-than-expected revenue forecast for the next quarter. The company guided for third-quarter revenue of $18.08 billion, below the $18.5 billion consensus, citing macro uncertainty and geopolitical headwinds, particularly from the Middle East conflict, which weighed on consulting revenues by approximately $100 million. CEO Julie Sweet noted that client hesitancy in discretionary spending and the deferral of large managed services contracts into next year contributed to the cautious outlook. Despite these challenges, Accenture highlighted strong demand for AI-driven solutions, with over 100 clients initiating advanced AI engagements, and announced acquisitions of Dragos, runZero, and NetRise to build an integrated operational technology security platform. The company also launched Accenture Edge, a new offering targeting mid-market firms with $300 million to $3 billion in revenue, as it seeks to offset softness in large enterprise spending.
Accenture plcWeak Q3 revenue guidance due to macro uncertainty and client hesitancy in discretionary spending.