Accenture PLC's stock rose by 3.00% as it reached a 20-day high. This movement comes amid mixed market conditions, with the Nasdaq-100 down 0.52% and the S&P 500 slightly up by 0.01%.
The surge is attributed to Accenture's announcement of its acquisition of UK-based AI firm Faculty, which aims to enhance its AI capabilities and market competitiveness. This strategic acquisition will integrate over 400 AI professionals into Accenture's workforce, significantly boosting its ability to deliver secure AI solutions for clients. The integration of Faculty's decision intelligence platform is expected to improve decision-making processes, particularly in the life sciences sector, thereby enhancing client service quality.
This acquisition positions Accenture favorably in the rapidly evolving AI market, reflecting its commitment to innovation and the growing demand for advanced AI solutions. The move is anticipated to have positive implications for Accenture's future revenue and market share.
Wall Street analysts forecast ACN stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ACN is 295.67 USD with a low forecast of 251.00 USD and a high forecast of 330.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
16 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast ACN stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for ACN is 295.67 USD with a low forecast of 251.00 USD and a high forecast of 330.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
10 Buy
6 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 275.800
Low
251.00
Averages
295.67
High
330.00
Current: 275.800
Low
251.00
Averages
295.67
High
330.00
Berenberg
Buy
initiated
$313
2026-01-22
Reason
Berenberg
Price Target
$313
AI Analysis
2026-01-22
initiated
Buy
Reason
Berenberg initiated coverage of Accenture with a Buy rating and $313 price target. The firm says the company's "premium positioning" in the IT services sector's AI-led transformation is underpinned by is its scale, first-mover advantages and deep ecosystem partnerships. This enables Accenture to secure large, multi-year enterprise transformation deals, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Berenberg expects the company to sustain its market share momentum.
Citi
Buy
downgrade
$7 -> $4
2026-01-09
Reason
Citi
Price Target
$7 -> $4
2026-01-09
downgrade
Buy
Reason
Citi lowered the firm's price target on Accendra Health to $4 from $7 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares as part of the firm's 2026 outlook note on the health tech and distribution group. 2025 proved to be another challenging year for health tech, with nearly one-third of the group down greater than 25%, but the firm is "cautiously optimistic" looking ahead to 2026, the analyst tells investors.
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Baird
Eric Coldwell
Outperform
downgrade
$7 -> $5
2026-01-06
Reason
Baird
Eric Coldwell
Price Target
$7 -> $5
2026-01-06
downgrade
Outperform
Reason
Baird analyst Eric Coldwell lowered the firm's price target on Accendra Health to $5 from $7 and keeps an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm updated its model following the closing of the sale of PHS and its rebranding from Owens & Minor to Accendra Health.
Truist
initiated
$317
2026-01-06
Reason
Truist
Price Target
$317
2026-01-06
initiated
Reason
Truist initiated coverage of Accenture with a Buy rating and $317 price target. Accenture provides a relatively attractive, though not risk-free, way to gain exposure to enterprise modernization driven by GenAI, offering mid-single-digit growth and stable margins at a reasonable valuation that is discounted versus its history, the analyst tells investors in a research note. Despite near-term cannibalization concerns, strategic partnerships and a strong track record of adapting legacy revenue position patient investors for potential upside, the firm says.
About ACN
Accenture plc is a global professional services company. It is engaged in providing a range of services and solutions across strategy and consulting, technology, operations, Industry X and Song. Its services include application services, artificial intelligence, automation, business process outsourcing, business strategy, change management, cloud, customer experience, data and analytics, ecosystem partners, finance consulting, Industry X, infrastructure, marketing, mergers and acquisitions, operating models, security, supply chain management, sustainability, technology consulting, technology innovation, and zero-based budgeting (ZBB). It specializes in the SAP business technology platform that designs digital products and experiences for enterprise customers, including custom portals and Web solutions and mobile applications. It provides clients with quantitative and qualitative risk management and compliance services. It specializes in advisory, management services and cybersecurity.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
