Technology | Sector Update
Technology
Accenture 3QFY14: Encouraging kick-off to FY15
Pricing stable v/s 2Q; order bookings strong
ACN’s 3QFY14 revenue at USD7.74b grew 7.5% YoY, above the consensus estimate of
USD7.55b and its guided band of USD7.4-7.65b. Growth improved from 1-2% in the
first two quarters, as order book conversion improved.
For 4QFY14, the company gave a revenue guidance of USD7.45-7.7b, implying a YoY
range of 5.1% to +8.6% which compares with consensus estimate of USD7.56b.
ACN had new order bookings worth USD8.8b in 3Q, on the back of record 2Q, which
saw USD10.1b bookings. Consulting bookings grew 10% YoY, on the back of 4.5% in
2Q, while outsourcing bookings grew 2.2% YoY, on the back of a tough 2Q compare of
17% growth.
The company expects full year bookings to be at the higher end of USD33-36b
guidance. The ask rate to meet the higher end suggests that ACN could better the
same, going by historical 4Q bookings performance.
The pricing environment remained stable during the quarter relative to 2QFY14. There
has been no further deterioration, and on the contrary, there were also some
instances of pricing uptick. However, it remains early to call it a trend. Last quarter,
Accenture had cited incrementally higher pressure in the pricing environment,
especially in Application Services.
Takeaways for Indian IT – encouraging growth trends
Accenture’s results highlight multiple positive overtures for Indian IT, corroborating
the traction in the demand environment for IT Services:
Order bookings remained healthy even on high base of previous quarters and
Accenture remains on track to book orders at the higher end of USD33-36b
guidance. 7 USD100m+ bookings during the quarter imply healthy outsourcing
demand while traction in Consulting booking reflects the adoption of Digital
Technologies.
Last quarter, Accenture called out pricing pressure in Applications outsourcing
amid high competitive intensity in traditional outsourcing deals. Citation of
stable environment QoQ, and also sporadic instances of price increases (though
not a secular trend) are incrementally positive
Accenture upped its hiring guidance for the full year from 60,000 to 65,000. The
increase in additions is broad-based across practices.
Also, attrition rate increased to 14%, the highest in 11 quarters. This could also
be a reflection of increasing demand for talent amid healthy growth
expectations.
Ashish Chopra
(Ashish.Chopra@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5424
Siddharth Vora
(Siddharth.Vora@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 3982 5585
Investors
2014
26 June
are advised to refer through disclosures made at the end of the Research Report.
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