Accenture Reports Very Strong First-Quarter Results and Raises Business Outlook for Fiscal 2022
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) reported strong financial results for Q1 FY2022, with revenues of $15.0 billion, a 27% increase year-over-year. Diluted EPS rose 20% to $2.78. Operating income increased 29% to $2.43 billion, with an operating margin of 16.3%. New bookings hit a record $16.8 billion, up 30%. The quarterly cash dividend was increased by 10% to $0.97 per share. Accenture raised its full-year revenue growth outlook to 19% to 22% in local currency, projecting EPS between $10.32 and $10.60.
- Revenues increased by 27% YOY to $15.0 billion.
- Diluted EPS rose 20% to $2.78, up 28% from adjusted EPS.
- Operating income grew 29% to $2.43 billion with an operating margin of 16.3%.
- Record new bookings of $16.8 billion, a 30% increase YOY.
- Quarterly dividend increased by 10% to $0.97 per share.
- Raised full-year revenue growth guidance to 19% to 22% in local currency.
- Gross margin slightly decreased from 33.1% to 32.9%.
- Free cash flow declined to $349 million from $1.51 billion last year.
- Days services outstanding increased from 38 days to 42 days.
-- Revenues are
-- EPS are
-- Operating income increases
-- New bookings are a record
-- Company declares quarterly cash dividend of
-- Accenture raises its business outlook for fiscal 2022; now expects full-year revenue growth of
Q1 FY22 Earnings Infographic (Graphic: Business Wire)
Diluted earnings per share were
Operating income was
New bookings for the quarter were a record
“Our goal is to create 360° value for all our stakeholders and reflects our growth strategy, our core values and our culture of shared success — succeeding not only financially, but in dimensions of value such as inclusion and diversity, reskilling, sustainability and experience. And today, we are launching our integrated 360° Value Reporting Experience, a new way to share the value we create in all directions.”
Financial Review
Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 were
-
Consulting revenues for the quarter were
, an increase of$8.39 billion 33% inU.S. dollars and32% in local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Outsourcing revenues were
, an increase of$6.57 billion 21% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Diluted EPS for the quarter were
-
a
increase from higher revenue and operating results; and$0.64 -
a
increase from a lower share count;$0.01
partially offset by
-
a
decrease from a higher effective tax rate; and$0.03 -
a
decrease from higher income attributable to noncontrolling interests.$0.01
Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of revenues) for the quarter was
Operating income for the quarter increased
The company’s effective tax rate for the quarter was
Net income for the quarter was
Operating cash flow for the quarter was
Days services outstanding, or DSOs, were 42 days at
Accenture’s total cash balance at
New Bookings
New bookings for the first quarter were a record
-
Consulting new bookings were a record
, or$9.4 billion 56% of total new bookings. -
Outsourcing new bookings were
, or$7.4 billion 44% of total new bookings.
Revenues by Geographic Market
Revenues by geographic market were as follows:
-
North America : , an increase of$6.91 billion 26% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Europe : , an increase of$5.10 billion 29% inU.S. dollars and28% in local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Growth Markets:
, an increase of$2.96 billion 28% inU.S. dollars and30% in local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Revenues by
Revenues by industry group were as follows:
-
Communications, Media & Technology:
, an increase of$3.08 billion 32% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Financial Services:
, an increase of$2.92 billion 24% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Health & Public Service:
, an increase of$2.73 billion 23% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Products:
, an increase of$4.28 billion 34% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021. -
Resources:
, an increase of$1.95 billion 17% in bothU.S. dollars and local currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2021.
Returning Cash to Shareholders
Accenture continues to return cash to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases.
Dividend
On
Share Repurchase Activity
During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, Accenture repurchased or redeemed 2.4 million shares for a total of
Accenture’s total remaining share repurchase authority at
At
Business Outlook
Second Quarter Fiscal 2022
Accenture expects revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 to be in the range of
Fiscal Year 2022
Accenture’s business outlook for the full 2022 fiscal year now assumes that the foreign-exchange impact on its results in
For fiscal 2022, the company now expects revenue growth to be in the range of
Accenture continues to expect operating margin for the full fiscal year to be in the range of
The company continues to expect its annual effective tax rate to be in the range of
The company now expects GAAP diluted EPS to be in the range of
For fiscal 2022, the company now expects operating cash flow to be in the range of
The company continues to expect to return at least
360° Value Reporting
Accenture’s goal is to create 360° value for our clients, people, shareholders, partners, and communities. To enhance transparency and provide a comprehensive view for all stakeholders, we have combined our financial and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting into a digital-first experience. To access our goals, progress and performance, please visit the Accenture 360° Value Reporting Experience (Accenture.com/reportingexperience).
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Accenture will host a conference call at
A replay of the conference call will be available online at accenture.com beginning at
About Accenture
Accenture is a global professional services company with leading capabilities in digital, cloud and security. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries, we offer Strategy and Consulting, Interactive, Technology and Operations services — all powered by the world’s largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. Our 674,000 people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, serving clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, people, shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at accenture.com.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This news release includes certain non-GAAP financial information as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G. Pursuant to the requirements of this regulation, reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial information to Accenture’s financial statements as prepared under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are included in this press release. Financial results “in local currency” are calculated by restating current-period activity into
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “likely,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” “positioned,” “outlook” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Accenture’s business and operations, and the extent to which it will continue to do so and its impact on the company’s future financial results are uncertain; Accenture’s results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company’s clients’ businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture’s business depends on generating and maintaining ongoing, profitable client demand for the company’s services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company’s results of operations; if Accenture is unable to match people and skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company’s business, the utilization rate of the company’s professionals and the company’s results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accenture’s ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key alliance partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company’s results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture’s profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture’s level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture’s results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; Accenture might be unable to access additional capital on favorable terms or at all and if the company raises equity capital, it may dilute its shareholders’ ownership interest in the company; as a result of Accenture’s geographically diverse operations and its growth strategy to continue to expand in its key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture’s business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture’s global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accenture’s work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture’s services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture’s results of operations and share price could be adversely affected if it is unable to maintain effective internal controls; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
% of
|
|
|
|
% of
|
||||||
REVENUES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Revenues |
|
$ |
14,965,153 |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
11,762,185 |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Cost of services |
|
10,048,364 |
|
|
67.1 |
% |
|
7,863,889 |
|
|
66.9 |
% |
||
Sales and marketing |
|
1,454,425 |
|
|
9.7 |
% |
|
1,227,176 |
|
|
10.4 |
% |
||
General and administrative costs |
|
1,028,070 |
|
|
6.9 |
% |
|
780,451 |
|
|
6.6 |
% |
||
Total operating expenses |
|
12,530,859 |
|
|
|
|
9,871,516 |
|
|
|
||||
OPERATING INCOME |
|
2,434,294 |
|
|
16.3 |
% |
|
1,890,669 |
|
|
16.1 |
% |
||
Interest income |
|
6,050 |
|
|
|
|
10,685 |
|
|
|
||||
Interest expense |
|
(11,183) |
|
|
|
|
(8,854) |
|
|
|
||||
Other income (expense), net |
|
(23,029) |
|
|
|
|
94,367 |
|
|
|
||||
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
2,406,132 |
|
|
16.1 |
% |
|
1,986,867 |
|
|
16.9 |
% |
||
Income tax expense |
|
586,402 |
|
|
|
|
464,810 |
|
|
|
||||
NET INCOME |
|
1,819,730 |
|
|
12.2 |
% |
|
1,522,057 |
|
|
12.9 |
% |
||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in Holdings Inc. |
|
(1,934) |
|
|
|
|
(1,700) |
|
|
|
||||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – other (1) |
|
(26,772) |
|
|
|
|
(20,081) |
|
|
|
||||
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE PLC |
|
$ |
1,791,024 |
|
|
12.0 |
% |
|
$ |
1,500,276 |
|
|
12.8 |
% |
CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Net income attributable to |
|
$ |
1,791,024 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,500,276 |
|
|
|
||
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in Holdings Inc. (2) |
|
1,934 |
|
|
|
|
1,700 |
|
|
|
||||
Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation |
|
$ |
1,792,958 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,501,976 |
|
|
|
||
EARNINGS PER SHARE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic |
|
$ |
2.83 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.37 |
|
|
|
||
Diluted |
|
$ |
2.78 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.32 |
|
|
|
||
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Basic |
|
632,280,932 |
|
|
|
|
634,271,482 |
|
|
|
||||
Diluted |
|
644,922,661 |
|
|
|
|
646,879,735 |
|
|
|
||||
Cash dividends per share |
|
$ |
0.97 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.88 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Comprised primarily of noncontrolling interest attributable to the noncontrolling shareholders of |
(2) |
Diluted earnings per share assumes the exchange of all |
Summary of Revenues (In thousands of (Unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
Percent
|
|
Percent
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
$ |
6,907,215 |
|
|
$ |
5,480,963 |
|
|
26 |
% |
|
26 |
% |
|
|
5,100,068 |
|
|
3,967,408 |
|
|
29 |
|
|
28 |
|
||
Growth Markets |
|
2,957,870 |
|
|
2,313,814 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
30 |
|
||
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
14,965,153 |
|
|
$ |
11,762,185 |
|
|
27 |
% |
|
27 |
% |
INDUSTRY GROUPS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Communications, Media & Technology |
|
$ |
3,083,605 |
|
|
$ |
2,333,645 |
|
|
32 |
% |
|
32 |
% |
Financial Services |
|
2,917,720 |
|
|
2,346,291 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
24 |
|
||
Health & Public Service |
|
2,730,034 |
|
|
2,211,889 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
23 |
|
||
Products |
|
4,281,587 |
|
|
3,206,125 |
|
|
34 |
|
|
34 |
|
||
Resources |
|
1,952,207 |
|
|
1,664,235 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
17 |
|
||
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
14,965,153 |
|
|
$ |
11,762,185 |
|
|
27 |
% |
|
27 |
% |
TYPE OF WORK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
Consulting |
|
$ |
8,392,409 |
|
|
$ |
6,332,572 |
|
|
33 |
% |
|
32 |
% |
Outsourcing |
|
6,572,744 |
|
|
5,429,613 |
|
|
21 |
|
|
21 |
|
||
Total Revenues |
|
$ |
14,965,153 |
|
|
$ |
11,762,185 |
|
|
27 |
% |
|
27 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Operating Income |
|
Operating
|
|
Operating
|
|
Operating
|
|
Increase |
||||||||
|
$ |
1,244,417 |
|
|
18 |
% |
|
$ |
888,809 |
|
|
16 |
% |
|
$ |
355,608 |
|
|
744,856 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
629,430 |
|
|
16 |
|
|
115,426 |
|
|||
Growth Markets |
445,021 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
372,430 |
|
|
16 |
|
|
72,591 |
|
|||
Total Operating Income |
$ |
2,434,294 |
|
|
16.3 |
% |
|
$ |
1,890,669 |
|
|
16.1 |
% |
|
$ |
543,625 |
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
Three Months Ended |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
As Reported
|
|
As Reported
|
Investment
|
|
Adjusted
|
||||||||
Income before income taxes |
$ |
2,406,132 |
|
|
$ |
1,986,867 |
|
$ |
(119,700) |
|
|
$ |
1,867,167 |
|
Income tax expense |
586,402 |
|
|
464,810 |
|
(22,906) |
|
|
441,904 |
|
||||
Net Income |
$ |
1,819,730 |
|
|
$ |
1,522,057 |
|
$ |
(96,794) |
|
|
$ |
1,425,263 |
|
Effective tax rate |
24.4 |
% |
|
23.4 |
% |
|
|
23.7 |
% |
|||||
Diluted earnings per share |
$ |
2.78 |
|
|
$ |
2.32 |
|
$ |
(0.15) |
|
|
$ |
2.17 |
|
(1) Represents gains related to our investment in Duck Creek Technologies.
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
ASSETS |
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
||||
CURRENT ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
5,637,117 |
|
|
$ |
8,168,174 |
|
Short-term investments |
|
6,968 |
|
|
4,294 |
|
||
Receivables and contract assets |
|
11,120,401 |
|
|
9,728,212 |
|
||
Other current assets |
|
1,857,166 |
|
|
1,765,831 |
|
||
Total current assets |
|
18,621,652 |
|
|
19,666,511 |
|
||
NON-CURRENT ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Contract assets |
|
41,612 |
|
|
38,334 |
|
||
Investments |
|
325,714 |
|
|
329,526 |
|
||
Property and equipment, net |
|
1,654,065 |
|
|
1,639,105 |
|
||
Lease assets |
|
3,157,065 |
|
|
3,182,519 |
|
||
|
|
12,395,904 |
|
|
11,125,861 |
|
||
Other non-current assets |
|
7,478,731 |
|
|
7,193,987 |
|
||
Total non-current assets |
|
25,053,091 |
|
|
23,509,332 |
|
||
TOTAL ASSETS |
|
$ |
43,674,743 |
|
|
$ |
43,175,843 |
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Current portion of long-term debt and bank borrowings |
|
$ |
9,089 |
|
|
$ |
12,080 |
|
Accounts payable |
|
2,210,163 |
|
|
2,274,057 |
|
||
Deferred revenues |
|
4,006,078 |
|
|
4,229,177 |
|
||
Accrued payroll and related benefits |
|
6,445,109 |
|
|
6,747,853 |
|
||
Lease liabilities |
|
738,285 |
|
|
744,164 |
|
||
Other accrued liabilities |
|
1,823,283 |
|
|
1,701,536 |
|
||
Total current liabilities |
|
15,232,007 |
|
|
15,708,867 |
|
||
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Long-term debt |
|
55,884 |
|
|
53,473 |
|
||
Lease liabilities |
|
2,674,020 |
|
|
2,696,917 |
|
||
Other non-current liabilities |
|
4,774,174 |
|
|
4,619,472 |
|
||
Total non-current liabilities |
|
7,504,078 |
|
|
7,369,862 |
|
||
|
|
20,353,199 |
|
|
19,529,454 |
|
||
Noncontrolling interests |
|
585,459 |
|
|
567,660 |
|
||
Total shareholders’ equity |
|
20,938,658 |
|
|
20,097,114 |
|
||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
$ |
43,674,743 |
|
|
$ |
43,175,843 |
|
(Unaudited) |
||||||||
|
|
Three Months Ended |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Net income |
|
$ |
1,819,730 |
|
|
$ |
1,522,057 |
|
Depreciation, amortization and other |
|
500,865 |
|
|
468,200 |
|
||
Share-based compensation expense |
|
365,691 |
|
|
311,321 |
|
||
Change in assets and liabilities/other, net |
|
(2,155,415) |
|
|
(698,733) |
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
|
530,871 |
|
|
1,602,845 |
|
||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Purchases of property and equipment |
|
(181,671) |
|
|
(93,115) |
|
||
Purchases of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired |
|
(1,735,028) |
|
|
(503,843) |
|
||
Proceeds from the sale of businesses and investments |
|
87 |
|
|
149,002 |
|
||
Other investing, net |
|
4,031 |
|
|
1,549 |
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
(1,912,581) |
|
|
(446,407) |
|
||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares |
|
409,130 |
|
|
338,891 |
|
||
Purchases of shares |
|
(845,366) |
|
|
(768,895) |
|
||
Cash dividends paid |
|
(613,208) |
|
|
(558,052) |
|
||
Other financing, net |
|
(20,016) |
|
|
(11,395) |
|
||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
(1,069,460) |
|
|
(999,451) |
|
||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents |
|
(79,887) |
|
|
21,686 |
|
||
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
|
(2,531,057) |
|
|
178,673 |
|
||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period |
|
8,168,174 |
|
|
8,415,330 |
|
||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period |
|
$ |
5,637,117 |
|
|
$ |
8,594,003 |
|
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211216005263/en/
Accenture Media Relations
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Accenture Investor Relations
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Source: Accenture
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