Stocks Decline Amid Growing Concerns Over AI.

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

ACN-1.41%

HEI.A-1.57%

GEV-0.59%

Source: Barron's

Updated: Dec 18 2025

0mins

Source: Barron's

Market Trends: Stocks experienced a decline midweek, indicating a downward trend in the market.
AI Impact: The drop in stock prices has been attributed to concerns surrounding artificial intelligence developments.

ACN

$281.07+Infinity%1D

Analyst Views on ACN

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

10 Buy

6 Hold

0 Sell

Moderate Buy

Current: 285.090

Low

251.00

Averages

295.67

High

330.00

Current: 285.090

Low

251.00

Averages

295.67

High

330.00

Berenberg

Buy

initiated

$313

2026-01-22

New

Reason

Berenberg

Price Target

$313

AI Analysis

2026-01-22

New

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.