-- Revenues increase 7% in U.S. dollars and 9%
in local currency to $11.4 billion --
-- EPS are $2.09, a 7% increase --
-- Operating income increases 8% to $1.77
billion, with operating margin of 15.6%, an expansion of 20 basis
points --
-- New bookings are $10.3 billion, with
consulting bookings of $6.0 billion and outsourcing bookings of
$4.3 billion --
-- Company declares quarterly cash dividend of
$0.80 per share, a 10% increase over the equivalent quarterly rate
last year --
-- Accenture updates business outlook for
fiscal 2020, including narrowing its range for full-year revenue
growth to 6-8% in local currency from 5-8% previously, and its
range for EPS to $7.66-$7.84 from $7.62-$7.84 previously --
Accenture (NYSE: ACN) reported financial results for the first
quarter of fiscal 2020, ended Nov. 30, 2019, with revenues of $11.4
billion, an increase of 7 percent in U.S. dollars and 9 percent in
local currency over the same period last year.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191219005072/en/
Accenture 1QFY20 Earnings Infographic
(Graphic: Business Wire)
Diluted earnings per share were $2.09, an increase of 7 percent
from the first quarter last year.
Operating income was $1.77 billion, an 8 percent increase over
the same period last year, and operating margin was 15.6 percent,
an expansion of 20 basis points.
New bookings for the quarter were $10.3 billion, with consulting
bookings of $6.0 billion and outsourcing bookings of $4.3
billion.
Julie Sweet, Accenture’s chief executive officer, said, “We are
very pleased with our strong first-quarter financial results and
the continued momentum across our business. With 9 percent revenue
growth in local currency, we again gained significant market share.
We also delivered strong profitability and cash flow, and returned
$1.2 billion in cash to shareholders while continuing to invest
significantly in our business.
“Our strong, broad-based results across industries and
geographic markets reflect the diversity and scale of Accenture’s
business around the world. With our unparalleled technology
capabilities, deep industry and function expertise, focus on
continuous innovation, and incredibly talented people, we are
uniquely positioned to continue driving value for our clients and
all our stakeholders.”
Financial Review
Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 were $11.36
billion, compared with $10.61 billion for the first quarter of
fiscal 2019, an increase of 7 percent in U.S. dollars and 9 percent
in local currency, above the company’s guided range of $10.9
billion to $11.2 billion. The foreign-exchange impact for the
quarter was approximately negative 2 percent, consistent with the
assumption provided in the company’s fourth-quarter earnings
release.
- Consulting revenues for the quarter were $6.38 billion, an
increase of 7 percent in U.S. dollars and 9 percent in local
currency compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2019.
- Outsourcing revenues were $4.98 billion, an increase of 7
percent in U.S. dollars and 9 percent in local currency compared
with the first quarter of fiscal 2019.
Diluted EPS for the quarter were $2.09, compared with $1.96 for
the first quarter last year. The $0.13 increase in EPS
reflects:
- a $0.17 increase from higher revenue and operating
results;
- a $0.06 increase from higher non-operating income; and
- a $0.01 increase from a lower share count;
partially offset by
- an $0.11 decrease from a higher effective tax rate.
Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of revenues) for the
quarter was 32.1 percent, compared with 31.1 percent for the first
quarter last year. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A)
expenses for the quarter were $1.88 billion, or 16.6 percent of
revenues, compared with $1.67 billion, or 15.7 percent of revenues,
for the first quarter last year.
Operating income for the quarter increased 8 percent, to $1.77
billion, or 15.6 percent of revenues, compared with $1.63 billion,
or 15.4 percent of revenues, for the first quarter of fiscal
2019.
The company’s effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.6
percent, compared with 19.8 percent for the first quarter last
year.
Net income for the quarter was $1.38 billion, a 6 percent
increase from $1.29 billion for the first quarter last year.
Operating cash flow for the quarter was $787 million, and
property and equipment additions were $95 million. Free cash flow,
defined as operating cash flow net of property and equipment
additions, was $692 million. For the same period last year,
operating cash flow was $1.03 billion; property and equipment
additions were $78 million; and free cash flow was $950
million.
Days services outstanding, or DSOs, were 43 days at Nov. 30,
2019, compared with 40 days at Aug. 31, 2019 and 42 days at Nov.
30, 2018.
Accenture’s total cash balance at Nov. 30, 2019 was $5.8
billion, compared with $6.1 billion at Aug. 31, 2019.
New Bookings
New bookings for the first quarter were $10.3 billion and
reflect a negative 1 percent foreign-currency impact compared with
new bookings in the first quarter last year.
- Consulting new bookings were $6.0 billion, or 58 percent of
total new bookings.
- Outsourcing new bookings were $4.3 billion, or 42 percent of
total new bookings.
Revenues by Operating Group
Revenues by operating group were as follows:
- Communications, Media & Technology: $2.25 billion, compared
with $2.13 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, an
increase of 5 percent in U.S. dollars and 7 percent in local
currency.
- Financial Services: $2.19 billion, compared with $2.12 billion
for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 3 percent in
U.S. dollars and 6 percent in local currency.
- Health & Public Service: $1.97 billion, compared with $1.75
billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 12
percent in U.S. dollars and 13 percent in local currency.
- Products: $3.22 billion, compared with $2.93 billion for the
first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 10 percent in U.S.
dollars and 12 percent in local currency.
- Resources: $1.73 billion, compared with $1.65 billion for the
first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 5 percent in U.S.
dollars and 7 percent in local currency.
Revenues by Geographic Region
Revenues by geographic region were as follows:
- North America: $5.29 billion, compared with $4.86 billion for
the first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 9 percent in both
U.S. dollars and local currency.
- Europe: $3.79 billion, compared with $3.71 billion for the
first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 2 percent in U.S.
dollars and 7 percent in local currency.
- Growth Markets: $2.28 billion, compared with $2.04 billion for
the first quarter of fiscal 2019, an increase of 12 percent in U.S.
dollars and 13 percent in local currency.
Returning Cash to
Shareholders
Accenture continues to return cash to shareholders through cash
dividends and share repurchases.
Dividend
As previously disclosed, the company has moved from a
semi-annual to a quarterly schedule for dividend payments in fiscal
2020. On Nov. 15, 2019, a quarterly cash dividend of $0.80 per
share was paid to shareholders of record at the close of business
on Oct. 17, 2019. These cash dividend payments totaled $508
million.
Accenture plc has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.80
per share for shareholders of record at the close of business on
Jan. 16, 2020. This dividend is payable on Feb. 14, 2020.
In fiscal 2019, the company paid semi-annual cash dividends of
$1.46 per share, equivalent to quarterly payments of $0.73 per
share. The quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share this year
represents a 10 percent increase over the equivalent quarterly rate
in fiscal 2019.
Share Repurchase Activity
During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, Accenture repurchased
or redeemed 3.8 million shares for a total of $729 million,
including approximately 3.3 million shares repurchased in the open
market.
Accenture’s total remaining share repurchase authority at Nov.
30, 2019 was approximately $3.0 billion.
At Nov. 30, 2019, Accenture had approximately 635 million total
shares outstanding.
Business Outlook
Second Quarter Fiscal 2020
Accenture expects revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2020
to be in the range of $10.85 billion to $11.15 billion, 5 percent
to 8 percent growth in local currency, reflecting the company’s
assumption of a negative 1 percent foreign-exchange impact compared
with the second quarter of fiscal 2019.
Fiscal Year 2020
Accenture’s business outlook for the full 2020 fiscal year
continues to assume that the foreign-exchange impact on its results
in U.S. dollars will be negative 1 percent compared with fiscal
2019.
For fiscal 2020, the company now expects revenue growth to be in
the range of 6 percent to 8 percent in local currency, compared
with 5 percent to 8 percent previously.
Accenture continues to expect operating margin for the full
fiscal year to be in the range of 14.7 percent to 14.9 percent, an
expansion of 10 to 30 basis points from fiscal 2019.
The company continues to expect its annual effective tax rate to
be in the range of 23.5 percent to 25.5 percent.
The company now expects diluted EPS to be in the range of $7.66
to $7.84, compared with $7.62 to $7.84 previously.
For fiscal 2020, the company continues to expect operating cash
flow to be in the range of $6.35 billion to $6.75 billion; property
and equipment additions to be $650 million; and free cash flow to
be in the range of $5.7 billion to $6.1 billion.
Conference Call and Webcast
Details
Accenture will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EST today to
discuss its first-quarter financial results. To participate, please
dial +1 (877) 692-8955 [+1 (234) 720-6979 outside the United
States, Puerto Rico and Canada] approximately 15 minutes before the
scheduled start of the call. The conference call will also be
accessible live on the Investor Relations section of the Accenture
Web site at www.accenture.com.
A replay of the conference call will be available online at
www.accenture.com beginning at 10:30 a.m. EST today, Dec. 19, and
continuing until Thursday, Mar. 19, 2020. The replay will also be
available via telephone by dialing +1 (866) 207-1041 [+1 (402)
970-0847 outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada] and
entering access code 7450880 from 10:30 a.m. EST today, Dec. 19,
through Thursday, Mar. 19, 2020.
About Accenture
Accenture is a leading global professional services company,
providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy,
consulting, digital, technology and operations. Combining unmatched
experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries
and all business functions — underpinned by the world’s largest
delivery network — Accenture works at the intersection of business
and technology to help clients improve their performance and create
sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 505,000 people
serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives
innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us
at www.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 U.S. dollars using the
comparable prior-year period’s foreign-currency exchange rates.
Accenture’s management believes providing investors with this
information gives additional insights into Accenture’s results of
operations. While Accenture’s management believes that the non-GAAP
financial measures herein are useful in evaluating Accenture’s
operations, this information should be considered as supplemental
in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial
information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accenture provides
full-year revenue guidance on a local-currency basis and not in
U.S. dollars because the impact of foreign exchange rate
fluctuations could vary significantly from the company’s stated
assumptions.
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
include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture’s results of
operations could 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 keep its supply of
skills and resources in balance 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 could face legal,
reputational and financial risks if the company fails to protect
client and/or company data from security breaches or cyberattacks;
the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and
Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; 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 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; Accenture’s results of
operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations
in foreign currency exchange rates; 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; Accenture’s business could be
materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal
liability; Accenture’s work with government clients exposes the
company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting
environment; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational
challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to
achieve its business objectives; 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 might
not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating
businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses;
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; 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;
many of Accenture’s contracts include fees subject to the
attainment of targets or specific service levels, which could
increase the variability of the company’s revenues and impact its
margins; 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;
Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity
related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks,
uncertainties and other factors discussed under the “Risk Factors”
heading in Accenture plc’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K
and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as
of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to
update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or
to conform such statements to actual results or changes in
Accenture’s expectations.
ACCENTURE PLC CONSOLIDATED
CASH FLOWS STATEMENTS (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30, 2019
% of Revenues
November 30, 2018
% of Revenues
REVENUES:
Revenues
$
11,358,958
100.0
%
$
10,605,546
100.0
%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services
7,711,199
67.9
%
7,308,121
68.9
%
Sales and marketing
1,191,123
10.5
%
1,070,016
10.1
%
General and administrative costs
689,373
6.1
%
598,397
5.6
%
Total operating expenses
9,591,695
8,976,534
OPERATING INCOME
1,767,263
15.6
%
1,629,012
15.4
%
Interest income
27,419
19,631
Interest expense
(5,474
)
(4,505
)
Other income (expense), net
11,439
(33,654
)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
1,800,647
15.9
%
1,610,484
15.2
%
Income tax expense
425,479
319,160
NET INCOME
1,375,168
12.1
%
1,291,324
12.2
%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling
interest in Accenture Canada Holdings Inc.
(1,741
)
(1,888
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling
interests – other (1)
(16,459
)
(14,716
)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE
PLC
$
1,356,968
11.9
%
$
1,274,720
12.0
%
CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER
SHARE:
Net income attributable to Accenture
plc
$
1,356,968
$
1,274,720
Net income attributable to noncontrolling
interest in Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2)
1,741
1,888
Net income for diluted earnings per share
calculation
$
1,358,709
$
1,276,608
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
-Basic
$
2.13
$
2.00
-Diluted
$
2.09
$
1.96
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
-Basic
635,722,309
638,877,445
-Diluted
649,389,444
652,151,450
Cash dividends per share
$
0.80
$
1.46
_________
(1)
Comprised primarily of noncontrolling interest attributable to
the noncontrolling shareholders of Avanade, Inc.
(2)
Diluted earnings per share assumes the exchange of all Accenture
Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares for Accenture plc Class A
ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis. The income effect does not
take into account “Net income attributable to noncontrolling
interests — other,” since those shares are not redeemable or
exchangeable for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares.
ACCENTURE PLC SUMMARY OF
REVENUES (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited)
Percent Increase U.S.
Dollars
Percent Increase Local
Currency
Three Months Ended
November 30, 2019
November 30, 2018 (1)
OPERATING GROUPS
Communications, Media & Technology
$
2,245,448
$
2,134,576
5%
7%
Financial Services
2,189,913
2,120,162
3
6
Health & Public Service
1,968,837
1,754,490
12
13
Products
3,216,705
2,928,510
10
12
Resources
1,733,533
1,651,539
5
7
Other
4,522
16,269
n/m
n/m
Total
$
11,358,958
$
10,605,546
7%
9%
GEOGRAPHY
North America
$
5,287,812
$
4,856,302
9%
9%
Europe
3,789,657
3,713,832
2
7
Growth Markets
2,281,489
2,035,412
12
13
Total
$
11,358,958
$
10,605,546
7%
9%
TYPE OF WORK
Consulting
$
6,377,251
$
5,967,372
7%
9%
Outsourcing
4,981,707
4,638,174
7
9
Total
$
11,358,958
$
10,605,546
7%
9%
_________
(1)
Effective September 1, 2019 we revised the reporting of our
geographic regions for the movement of one country from Growth
Markets to Europe. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to
conform with the current period presentation.
OPERATING INCOME BY OPERATING
GROUP (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30, 2019
November 30, 2018
Operating Income
Operating Margin
Operating Income
Operating Margin
Increase (Decrease)
Communications, Media & Technology
$
391,157
17%
$
387,021
18%
$
4,136
Financial Services
316,232
14
360,848
17
(44,616
)
Health & Public Service
251,992
13
197,435
11
54,557
Products
521,978
16
437,585
15
84,393
Resources
285,904
16
246,123
15
39,781
Total
$
1,767,263
15.6%
$
1,629,012
15.4%
$
138,251
ACCENTURE PLC CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
November 30, 2019
August 31, 2019
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
5,810,537
$
6,126,853
Short-term investments
3,303
3,313
Receivables and contract assets
8,577,386
8,095,071
Other current assets
1,214,878
1,225,364
Total current assets
15,606,104
15,450,601
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Contract assets
58,071
71,002
Investments
278,765
240,313
Property and equipment, net
1,386,440
1,391,166
Lease assets
3,154,501
—
Goodwill
6,300,004
6,205,550
Other non-current assets
6,386,827
6,431,248
Total non-current assets
17,564,608
14,339,279
TOTAL ASSETS
$
33,170,712
$
29,789,880
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt and bank
borrowings
$
3,698
$
6,411
Accounts payable
1,581,112
1,646,641
Deferred revenues
2,986,524
3,188,835
Accrued payroll and related benefits
4,652,038
4,890,542
Lease liabilities
710,787
—
Other accrued liabilities
1,265,249
1,329,467
Total current liabilities
11,199,408
11,061,896
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt
15,935
16,247
Lease liabilities
2,651,651
—
Other non-current liabilities
3,702,510
3,884,046
Total non-current liabilities
6,370,096
3,900,293
TOTAL ACCENTURE PLC SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
15,167,138
14,409,008
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
434,070
418,683
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
15,601,208
14,827,691
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
$
33,170,712
$
29,789,880
ACCENTURE PLC CONSOLIDATED
CASH FLOWS STATEMENTS (In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30, 2019
November 30, 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES:
Net income
$
1,375,168
$
1,291,324
Depreciation, amortization and other
399,458
211,685
Share-based compensation expense
274,929
246,516
Change in assets and liabilities/other,
net
(1,262,644
)
(722,017
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities
786,911
1,027,508
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING
ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment
(95,063
)
(77,691
)
Purchases of businesses and investments,
net of cash acquired
(109,848
)
(200,417
)
Proceeds from the sale of businesses and
investments
39,200
441
Other investing, net
(182
)
4,799
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities
(165,893
)
(272,868
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary
shares
300,400
266,182
Purchases of shares
(729,211
)
(788,327
)
Cash dividends paid
(508,381
)
(932,838
)
Other financing, net
(11,032
)
(7,185
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
(948,224
)
(1,462,168
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
and cash equivalents
10,890
9,958
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS
(316,316
)
(697,570
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period
6,126,853
5,061,360
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of
period
$
5,810,537
$
4,363,790
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191219005072/en/
Stacey Jones Accenture Media Relations +1 (917) 452-6561
stacey.jones@accenture.com Angie Park Accenture Investor Relations
+1 (703) 947-2401 angie.park@accenture.com
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