Accenture plc’s short interest significantly increased in November (NYSE: ACN). On November 15, 5,160,000 shares were shorted, a 5.1% increase from the 4,910,000 shares shorted on October 31. Currently, 0.8 percent of the stock is being sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume of 2,170,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is 2.4 days.
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) published its most recent quarterly results report on September 22. The IT services firm reported $2.60 in EPS for the quarter, $0.03 higher than the $2.57 average estimate. The company’s revenue for the quarter was $15.42 billion, as opposed to analysts’ expectations of $15.41 billion. Accenture’s net margin and return on equity were 11.7 and 31.6 percent, respectively. Revenue for the business climbed 14.9% from the prior year. The company reported $2.20 in profits per share at the same time the year prior. According to experts in equity research, Accenture will post average profits per share of 11.34 for the current fiscal year.
Accenture’s stock price dropped $2.70 to $300.13 on Friday. The company’s trading volume was 1,744,558 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,755,06. The stock’s 200-day and 50-day simple moving averages are $284.92 and $275.23. The company has a market value of $189.26 billion, a PE ratio of 28.02, a PEG of 2.79, and a beta of 1.22. Accenture’s 52-week high and low are $417.37 and $242.95, respectively.
ACN has been the subject of recent analyst reports in some detail. Susquehanna Bancshares lowered their target price on shares of Accenture from $460.00 to $360.00 in a research note released on Friday, September 23. StockNews.com started tracking shares of Accenture in a research report on Wednesday, October 12. They said that investors should “purchase” the shares. The Royal Bank of Canada dropped its price target on shares of Accenture from $357.00 to $335.00 in a research note published on Friday, September 23. However, they kept their “outperform” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of Accenture and decreased their price objective on the stock from $364.00 to $320.00 in a research note on Friday, September 23. Not to mention, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded its “overweight” rating and decreased its price objective on shares of Accenture from $329.00 to $306.00 in a research report on Friday, October 14. Nine experts have rated the company as a buy, while ten have advised purchasing it. According to Bloomberg, Accenture now has a consensus target price of $337.60 and an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy.”
The company also declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid out on November 15. Those who bought shares on October 13 received a dividend of $1.12 per share. This one has a $4.48 annual dividend yield of 1.49%. This is an increase from Accenture’s most recent quarterly dividend of $0.97. The ex-dividend date for this payment was on Wednesday, October 12. Accenture’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 41.83%.
In related Accenture news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the company’s stock on Friday, October 14. Averaging $254.99 per share, the shares were sold for a total price of $1,593,687.50. Following the transaction, the insider owns 153,393 company shares, valued at approximately $39,113,681.07. You can access the SEC filing where the transaction was described by clicking this link. In related Accenture news, insider Jean-Marc Ollagnier sold 6,250 shares of the company’s stock on Friday, October 14. Averaging $254.99 per share, the shares were sold for a total price of $1,593,687.50. Following the transaction, the insider owns 153,393 company shares, valued at approximately $39,113,681.07. You can access the SEC filing where the transaction was described by clicking this link. Joel Unruh, the company’s general counsel, also sold 556 shares of the business’s stock on Monday, October 24. The shares were sold at an average price of $273.81 for a total transaction value of $152,238.36. Following the sale, the general counsel now controls 37,320 shares of the company, with a market value of approximately $10,218,589.20. The disclosure for this sale is available here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 41,030 company stock for a total transaction value of $10,924,406. Insiders own 0.07% of the company’s stock.
