We recently compiled a list of the 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) stands against the other consulting stocks.
After the market rebounded in 2021 post-pandemic, the US consulting industry now faces a complex and uncertain landscape. Rising inflation, increased costs, talent shortages, and supply chain disruptions amid a volatile geopolitical climate are challenging the sector. Despite these hurdles, 66% of clients plan to increase their use of consultants over the next year. However, clients are becoming more cautious, opting for smaller, tactical projects to address immediate issues rather than engaging in lengthy, expensive transformation initiatives. This approach allows them to assess the impact of their investments before committing further. According to the 2023 report by Source Global Research, consulting firms must now deliver results within tighter timeframes amid heightened competition for smaller, sequential project components. Clients are increasingly seeking innovative and data-driven solutions, reflecting a desire for new and novel approaches throughout the project lifecycle. This shift highlights the need for consulting firms to adapt and excel in an environment where macroeconomic challenges have dampened post-pandemic optimism.
In 2021, the US experienced significant growth as clients invested in growth initiatives, buoyed by optimism and capital following the pandemic. However, by the end of 2022, the mood shifted due to rising inflation, energy prices, and political tensions, which hindered business operations and growth opportunities. Clients remain cautious, anticipating a potential global recession. Nevertheless, some clients remain hopeful, with around a third believing that current macroeconomic factors could positively impact their organizations. With technology being a top priority for clients, it’s no surprise that technology firms are leading the market. Clients are investing heavily in technology, which translates into significant consulting spend. Over the past year, two of the top three consulting areas were technology-related: 77% of clients invested in technology strategy and 71% in technology implementation. Productivity improvement, which often involves technology, ranked second at 73%. Although the market is crowded, technology firms are benefiting the most. Clients prefer these firms for their specialized technology solutions, which they believe offer more reliable outcomes compared to other providers, even if it means higher costs.
Uncertainty in the global economy is causing significant disruption in the US consulting industry, with firms dealing with project cancellations and clients pushing for lower fees, reported Financial Times. The report by Source Global Research highlights a major reassessment of consultants by US clients due to economic concerns. Over 75% of professional services buyers have cancelled or scrapped projects, and two-thirds have paused most existing work. The report forecasts 11% revenue growth in 2023, consistent with 2022, but notes increasing pressure on consultants’ fees, with clients now expecting lower rates compared to before the pandemic. Clients are more focused on getting value for money, with only about 50% believing firms provide value above their fees. Areas such as cybersecurity, HR consulting, and M&A for private equity firms are experiencing slowdowns. While IT consulting remains strong, it is targeted at projects that deliver quick financial benefits. The decline in hiring, initially observed in the Big Four accounting and consulting firms, has extended to smaller players as well. According to a survey by investment bank William Blair, job postings by US specialty consultants were down 57% in June 2023 compared to the previous year and have fallen below pre-pandemic levels. At the Big Four, job postings have decreased by 80% year-on-year.
There is one long-term trend that we haven’t talked yet affecting consulting firms positively. The rise of generative AI, a powerful new technology that can create realistic text and images, has sparked a gold rush for consulting firms. Companies like Reckitt Benckiser, unsure of how to leverage this technology, are turning to consultants for guidance. This has led to a surge in revenue for these firms, with some like McKinsey seeing 40% of their business coming from AI-related work. Consulting firms are among the early winners of the AI revolution which is why we believe this may be a good time to invest in consulting stocks. However, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than consulting companies but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
Our Methodology
We leveraged Insider Monkey’s comprehensive database of 920 prominent hedge funds to identify the top 14 consulting stocks with the highest level of hedge fund investment as of Q1 2024. These stocks are listed in order of increasing hedge fund ownership, providing insight into the most popular consulting stocks among elite investors.
A team of data experts gathered around a computer monitor analyzing customer data.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) is a professional services company offering a wide range of services globally, including strategy and consulting, technology and operations, and industry-specific solutions. The company provides various services such as application management, intelligent automation, data analytics, digital commerce, infrastructure management, and cloud services, as well as business process outsourcing and technology innovation. Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) also offers specialized services like engineering and R&D digitization, supply chain management, and sustainability services, and has collaborations with companies like Salesforce to develop industry-specific cloud solutions.
On July 22 the breaking news emerged that Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) has agreed to acquire Camelot Management Consultants, a German consulting firm specializing in SAP, supply chain, data, and analytics. This acquisition aims to strengthen Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) capabilities in building intelligent and resilient supply chains, leveraging SAP and AI. Camelot’s expertise in supply chain management, analytics, and data strategy will enhance Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) offerings, helping clients adopt AI-driven solutions. With over 700 professionals and a strong presence in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other countries, Camelot will bring significant value to Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) global client base. The acquisition will further solidify Accenture’s position as a leading provider of SAP and AI-driven supply chain solutions, enabling clients to build more efficient and responsive supply chains.
In the first quarter of 2024, the number of hedge funds with positions in Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) fell to 57 from 58, according to Insider Monkey’s database, which tracks 920 hedge funds. The combined value of these holdings is approximately $2.40 billion. During this period, Guardian Capital’s GuardCap Asset Management became the largest shareholder among these hedge funds.
Polen Focus Growth Strategy stated the following regarding Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) in its Q2 2024 investor letter:
“Autodesk and Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) were also notable absolute detractors in the quarter. For Accenture, the past year has proven to be a weak backdrop for the IT services industry as enterprises rationalize their IT budgets and defer spending on discretionary, shorter-cycle deals. Accenture has not been immune to this broader weakness, as evidenced by slowing growth in recent quarters. However, we would note that later in the quarter, the stock responded very positively to results that showcased AI bookings growing rapidly, though still a small portion of overall bookings. Additionally, as we head into 2025, growth comparisons should ease considerably.”
Overall ACN ranks 1st on our list of the best consulting stocks to buy. You can visit 14 Best Consulting Stocks to Buy Now to see the other consulting stocks that are on hedge funds’ radar. While we acknowledge the potential of ACN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter timeframe. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
