Service companies deploy AI automation to defend margins

Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Accenture to $175 from $130 on September 14, sending the shares up more than 6% in afternoon trading even as the firm reiterated its Equal weight rating. UBS maintained a Buy rating with a $275 price target, citing confidence in Accenture's AI positioning and acquisition strategy, while Wells Fargo downgraded the stock to Equal Weight on concerns that macroeconomic pressures could weigh on fiscal 2027 growth expectations. Accenture has formed a joint business group with Google Cloud to deploy AI engineers across enterprise clients, and it continues to add specialized capabilities through acquisitions. Hedge fund holdings in Accenture rose to 69 in the second quarter from 64 in the first, with Pzena Investment Management increasing its stake 114% to more than 5.1 million shares, AQR Capital Management raising its position 245% to roughly 3.7 million shares, and Greenhaven Associates establishing a new position of around 3.4 million shares. Short interest, however, rose almost 9% from the previous reading to 3.81% of the public float as of August 31, with five days to cover.

Meta Platforms acquired AI startup Stilla.ai on September 9, a move aimed at strengthening its agentic AI capabilities and opening new monetization beyond advertising. The company plans to integrate Stilla.ai's team and technology into Meta Business Agent, which helps businesses interact with customers across its platforms. Longer term, Meta envisions customers using AI agents to inquire about products, discuss pricing, and potentially complete purchases without leaving its ecosystem, creating an AI-driven commerce layer across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Meta cautioned that Stilla.ai remains a small startup and the deal is unlikely to materially affect revenue or earnings per share in the near term, with infrastructure, product development, and integration needed before meaningful transaction-related revenue emerges. According to the Insider Monkey Database, 254 hedge funds held positions in Meta during the second quarter, down from 262 at the end of the first quarter, while short interest stood at approximately 1.13% of outstanding shares, or roughly 28.81 million shares, as of August 31.