Revenues Increase 11% to $4.08 Billion; EPS Rises 38% to $0.51
NEW YORK; July 7, 2005 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) today reported that net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, ended May 31, 2005, were $4.08 billion, the highest for any quarter in the company’s history and an 11 percent increase over the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.51.
The company reported its highest-ever net revenues from both consulting and outsourcing and achieved U.S. dollar growth across all three of its geographic regions and all five of its operating groups. Accenture’s balance sheet and cash position remain strong.
Financial Highlights
William D. Green, Accenture’s CEO, said, “Our strong third-quarter performance demonstrates that we are delivering value for both clients and shareholders. Top-line growth across all five operating groups contributed to the highest quarterly net revenues in our history. We significantly improved operating margins and achieved 13 percent operating margin year-to-date. Our pipeline continues to expand, and we are seeing solid momentum in all business metrics. Looking ahead, we are confident that we will achieve our financial objectives for the year.”
Financial Review
Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of net revenues) was 34.6 percent, compared with 35.4 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2004 and 30.8 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2005.
Selling, general and administrative costs were $804 million, or 19.7 percent of net revenues, compared with $732 million, or 19.8 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter last year.
Accenture recorded net reorganization benefits of $66 million in the third quarter of fiscal year 2005. This compares with net reorganization costs of $2 million in the third quarter last year.
Operating income was $672 million, or 16.5 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, compared with $573 million, or 15.5 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter last year. Excluding reorganization benefits and restructuring costs, operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2005 was $606 million, or 14.9 percent of net revenues, compared with $575 million, or 15.6 percent of net revenues, for the third quarter of fiscal 2004.
Accenture accrued $14 million of variable compensation expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, bringing the total accrual for fiscal 2005 to $64 million.
The company’s effective tax rate for the third quarter was 29.4 percent, compared with 34.8 percent for the same period last year. The 29.4 percent effective tax rate includes the effect of the reduction in the year-to-date tax rate from 32.3 percent to 31.1 percent primarily due to the reduction in reorganization liabilities.
Income before minority interest for the third quarter was $486 million, compared with $369 million for the same period last year.
Accenture’s total cash balance at May 31, 2005 was $2.77 billion, compared with $2.55 billion at Aug. 31, 2004 and $3.06 billion at Feb. 28, 2005. Cash combined with $704 million of fixed-income securities classified as investments on the company’s balance sheet was $3.48 billion at May 31, 2005, compared with $3.15 billion at Aug. 31, 2004 and $3.76 billion at Feb. 28, 2005.
For the three months ended May 31, 2005, operating cash flow was $594 million, and property and equipment additions were $70 million. Free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow net of property and equipment additions, was $524 million. Total debt at May 31, 2005 was $72 million.
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, operating cash flow was $1.32 billion, property and equipment additions were $187 million and free cash flow was $1.13 billion. For the nine months ended May 31, 2004, operating cash flow was $1.36 billion, property and equipment additions were $180 million and free cash flow was $1.18 billion.
Consulting and Outsourcing Net Revenues
Net Revenues by Operating Group
Net revenues for Accenture’s five operating groups were as follows:
Net Revenues by Geographic Region
Net revenues by geographic region were as follows:
Share Repurchase Activity
During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, Accenture repurchased $804 million of its shares. This comprised $283 million for purchases of 12.8 million Accenture Ltd Class A common shares and $521 million for 19.9 million Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares repurchased or redeemed from partners, retired partners and their permitted transferees. At May 31, 2005, Accenture had $2.2 billion of share repurchase authority remaining, of which $631 million remained for use in connection with the company’s open-market share purchase program. The balance was available for redemptions and purchases from Accenture’s partners, former partners, their permitted transferees and employees.
On June 7, 2005, Accenture closed a tender offer initiated during the third quarter of the fiscal year and purchased or redeemed 18.0 million Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares for $408 million. In addition, Accenture expects to purchase or redeem between $250 million and $350 million worth of its shares during the remainder of fiscal year 2005, through both open-market share purchases and its Share Management Plan transactions.
Business Outlook
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2005
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, Accenture expects net revenues to be in the range of $3.80 billion to $3.90 billion and GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $0.34 to $0.37.
Full Fiscal Year 2005
For the full fiscal year 2005, Accenture expects net revenue growth of approximately 13 percent in U.S. dollars and 9 percent in local currency, at the low end of its previously stated range. The company has revised its guidance for GAAP diluted earnings per share upward to the range of $1.52 to $1.55, which includes an expected benefit of $0.12 from reductions in reorganization liabilities.
Also for the full fiscal year 2005, Accenture now expects operating cash flow to be $1.80 billion to $2.00 billion; property and equipment additions to be $350 million; and free cash flow to be in the range of $1.45 billion to $1.65 billion. The company continues to expect the annual effective tax rate to be in the range of 31 percent to 33 percent. The company reiterated that it is targeting new bookings for fiscal year 2005 in the range of $18 billion to $20 billion, although given the uneven nature of bookings quarter-to-quarter, the company expects bookings to be at the low end of the range.
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Accenture will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. EDT today to discuss its third-quarter fiscal 2005 financial results. To participate, please dial +1 (888) 276-0007 [+1 (612) 332-1025 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 and via telephone by dialing +1 (800) 475-6701 [+1 (320) 365-3844 outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada] and entering access code 786167 from 9:45 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 7 through 11:59 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 21.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 115,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$13.67 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2004. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to our operations and results of operations, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in the Business section of our most recent annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press 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. Accenture discloses free cash flow (defined as operating cash flow net of property and equipment additions) as well as operating income excluding reorganization benefits and costs and restructuring costs because Accenture’s management believes doing so provides investors with additional information regarding Accenture’s results of operations. While Accenture’s management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures 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.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
2005
2004
% of Net Revenues
% of Net Revenues
REVENUES:
Revenues before reimbursements (Net revenues)
$4,078,573
100%
$ 3,686,662
100%
Reimbursements
419,037
10%
363,579
10%
Revenues
4,497,610
110%
4,050,241
110%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services:
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses
2,669,056
65%
2,379,787
65%
Reimbursable expenses
419,037
10%
363,579
10%
Cost of services
3,088,093
76%
2,743,366
74%
Sales and marketing
421,238
10%
391,233
11%
General and administrative costs
382,430
9%
340,549
9%
Reorganization (benefits) costs and restructuring costs
(66,099)
(2%)
1,936
0%
Total operating expenses
3,825,662
94%
3,477,084
94%
OPERATING INCOME
671,948
16%
573,157
16%
Gain on investments, net
4,672
0%
337
0%
Interest income
29,075
1%
16,436
0%
Interest expense
(6,373)
0%
(5,403)
0%
Other expense
(10,919)
0%
(18,705)
(1%)
Equity in losses of affiliates
—
0%
(70)
0%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
688,403
17%
565,752
15%
Provision for income taxes
202,392
5%
196,883
5%
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
486,011
12%
368,869
10%
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc
(178,677)
(4%)
(157,439)
(4%)
Minority interest – other (1)
(2,054)
0%
(1,021)
0%
NET INCOME
$ 305,280
7%
$ 210,409
6%
CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Net income
$305,280
$210,409
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2)
178,677
157,439
Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation
483,957
367,848
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic
$ 0.52
$ 0.38
Diluted
$ 0.51
$ 0.37
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
Basic
587,277,097
558,330,780
Diluted
951,945,669
1,000,536,090
[1]
Minority interest – other is comprised primarily of minority interest attributable to the minority shareholders of Avanade, Inc.
[2]
Diluted earnings per share assumes the redemption and exchange of all Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares, respectively, for Accenture Ltd Class A common shares, on a one-for-one basis.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
2005
2004
% of Net Revenues
% of Net Revenues
REVENUES:
Revenues before reimbursements (Net revenues)
$11,622,450
100%
$10,250,456
100%
Reimbursements
1,162,916
10%
1,056,577
10%
Revenues
12,785,366
110%
11,307,033
110%
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Cost of services:
Cost of services before reimbursable expenses
7,823,445
67%
6,743,224
66%
Reimbursable expenses
1,162,916
10%
1,056,577
10%
Cost of services
8,986,361
77%
7,799,801
76%
Sales and marketing
1,157,100
10%
1,100,492
11%
General and administrative costs
1,134,723
10%
996,038
10%
Reorganization (benefits) costs and restructuring costs
(94,868)
(1%)
22,976
0%
Total operating expenses
11,183,316
96%
9,919,307
97%
OPERATING INCOME
1,602,050
14%
1,387,726
14%
Gain on investments, net
19,305
0%
4,167
0%
Interest income
77,259
1%
42,046
0%
Interest expense
(18,989)
0%
(16,970)
0%
Other (expense) income
(16,092)
0%
586
0%
Equity in losses of affiliates
—
0%
(1,272)
0%
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
1,663,533
14%
1,416,283
14%
Provision for income taxes
517,359
4%
492,867
5%
INCOME BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST
1,146,174
10%
923,416
9%
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc
(429,046)
(4%)
(414,584)
(4%)
Minority interest – other (1)
(5,789)
0%
(994)
0%
NET INCOME
$ 711,339
6%
$ 507,838
5%
CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Net income
$711,339
$507,838
Minority interest in Accenture SCA and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2)
429,046
414,584
Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation
1,140,385
922,422
EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic
$ 1.21
$ 0.94
Diluted
$ 1.18
$ 0.92
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES:
Basic
589,530,351
541,048,400
Diluted
970,397,159
1,007,158,708
[1]
Minority interest – other is comprised primarily of minority interest attributable to the minority shareholders of Avanade, Inc.
[2]
Diluted earnings per share assumes the redemption and exchange of all Accenture SCA Class I common shares and Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares, respectively, for Accenture Ltd Class A common shares, on a one-for-one basis.
SUMMARY OF REVENUES
For the Three and Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
May 31,
May 31,
20052004Percent
Increase US$Percent Increase/
(Decrease)
Local Currency Percent of
Total 2005
Net Revenues
OPERATING GROUPS
Communication & High Tech
$ 1,036,972
$ 1,018,385
2%
(1%)
26%
Financial Services
909,421
752,600
21%
16%
22%
Government
577,248
547,616
5%
2%
14%
Products
932,680
811,548
15%
11%
23%
Resources
620,564
554,620
12%
7%
15%
Other
1,688
1,893
n/m
n/m
—
TOTAL Net Revenues
4,078,573
3,686,662
11%
7%
100%
Reimbursements
419,037
363,579
15%
-
-
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 4,497,610
$ 4,050,241
11%
-
-
GEOGRAPHY
Americas
$ 1,722,388
$ 1,637,380
5%
4%
42%
EMEA
2,086,121
1,784,519
17%
10%
51%
Asia Pacific
270,064
264,763
2%
—
7%
TOTAL Net Revenues
4,078,573
3,686,662
11%
7%
100%
Reimbursements
419,037
363,579
15%
-
-
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 4,497,610
$ 4,050,241
11%
-
-
Nine Months Ended
May 31,May 31,
20052004Percent
Increase US$Percent Increase/
(Decrease)
Local Currency Percent of
Total 2005
Net Revenues
OPERATING GROUPS
Communication & High Tech
$ 2,991,991
$ 2,828,207
6%
2%
26%
Financial Services
2,575,450
2,046,180
26%
19%
22%
Government
1,622,162
1,493,761
9%
5%
14%
Products
2,646,272
2,228,075
19%
14%
23%
Resources
1,781,449
1,647,515
8%
3%
15%
Other
5,126
6,718
n/m
n/m
—
TOTAL Net Revenues
11,622,450
10,250,456
13%
8%
100%
Reimbursements
1,162,916
1,056,577
10%
-
-
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 12,785,366
$ 11,307,033
13%
-
-
GEOGRAPHY
Americas
$ 4,806,624
$ 4,630,069
4%
3%
41%
EMEA
6,000,488
4,910,302
22%
13%
52%
Asia Pacific
815,338
710,085
15%
11%
7%
TOTAL Net Revenues
11,622,450
10,250,456
13%
8%
100%
Reimbursements
1,162,916
1,056,577
10%
-
-
TOTAL REVENUES
$ 12,785,366
$ 11,307,033
13%
-
-
n/m = not meaningful
OPERATING INCOME BY OPERATING GROUP (OG)
For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2005 and 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Operating Income as Reported
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Operating Income
Percent of OG
Net RevenuesOperating Income
Percent of OG Net Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$ —— Percent
Operating Groups
Communications & High Tech
$ 222,520
21%
$ 145,241
14%
$ 77,279
53%
Financial Services
163,218
18%
106,090
14%
57,128
54%
Government
69,181
12%
110,365
20%
(41,184)
(37%)
Products
117,381
13%
141,965
17%
(24,584)
(17%)
Resources
99,648
16%
69,496
13%
30,152
43%
Total Operating Income
671,948
16%
573,157
16%
98,791
17%
Non-GAAP Operating Income
(Operating Income Excluding Reorganization) (1)
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Non-GAAP
Operating IncomePercentof OG Net Revenues
Non-GAAP Operating Income
Percent of OG Net Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$ —— Percent
Communications & High Tech
$ 207,027
20%
$ 145,727
14%
$ 61,300
42%
Financial Services
147,929
16%
106,510
14%
41,419
39%
Government
59,555
10%
110,637
20%
(51,082)
(46%)
Products
101,445
11%
142,402
18%
(40,957)
(29%)
Resources
89,893
14%
69,817
13%
20,076
29%
Total Operating Income
605,849
15%
575,093
16%
30,756
5%
n/m = not meaningful
[1]
For the three months ended May 31, 2005, Accenture recorded net reorganization benefits of $66,099 primarily resulting from final determinations of certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001, allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $15,493; Financial Services $15,289; Government $9,626; Products $15,936; and Resources $9,755. For the three months ended May 31, 2004, Accenture recorded reorganization costs of $1,936 related to certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001, allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $486; Financial Services $420; Government $272; Products $437; and Resources $321. These amounts are excluded from the table.
OPERATING INCOME BY OPERATING GROUP (OG)
For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2005 and May 31, 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
(Unaudited)
Operating Income as Reported
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Operating Income
Percent of OG Net Revenues
Operating Income
Percent of OG Net Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US$ —— Percent
Operating Groups (OG)
Communications & High Tech
$ 510,345
17%
$ 279,761
10%
$ 230,584
82%
Financial Services
385,697
15%
271,909
13%
113,788
42%
Government
128,791
8%
247,539
17%
(118,748)
(48%)
Products
301,240
11%
371,817
17%
(70,577)
(19%)
Resources
275,977
15%
216,700
13%
59,277
27%
Total Operating Income
1,602,050
14%
1,387,726
14%
214,324
15%
Non-GAAP Operating Income
(Operating Income Excluding Reorganization and Restructuring) (1)
May 31, 2005
May 31, 2004
Non-GAAP
Operating IncomePercent of OG Net Revenues
Non-GAAP
Operating IncomePercent of OG Net Revenues
Increase (Decrease)
US —— Percent
Communications & High Tech
$ 487,696
16%
$ 285,535
10%
$ 202,161
71%
Financial Services
363,860
14%
276,997
14%
86,863
31%
Government
114,620
7%
250,903
17%
(136,283)
(54%)
Products
278,857
11%
376,851
17%
(97,994)
(26%)
Resources
262,149
15%
220,416
13%
41,733
19%
Total Operating Income
1,507,182
13%
1,410,702
14%
96,480
7%
n/m = not meaningful
[1]
For the nine months ended May 31, 2005, Accenture recorded net reorganization benefits of $94,868 primarily resulting from final determinations of certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001, allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $22,649; Financial Services $21,837; Government $14,171; Products $22,383; and Resources $13,828. For the nine months ended May 31, 2004, Accenture recorded restructuring costs of $107,256 related to the Company’s global consolidation of office space and net reorganization benefits of $84,280 primarily resulting from final determinations of certain reorganization liabilities established in connection with Accenture’s transition to a corporate structure in 2001. The net cost of $22,976 was allocated to the operating groups in the following amounts: Communications & High Tech $5,774; Financial Services $5,088; Government $3,364; Products $5,034; and Resources $3,716. These amounts are excluded from the table.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
May 31, 2005 and August 31, 2004
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
May 31, 2005
(Unaudited)August 31, 2004
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 2,773,031
$ 2,552,958
Short-term investments
422,397
285,288
Receivables from clients, net
1,884,160
1,662,211
Unbilled services
1,441,493
1,049,870
Other current assets
545,713
606,867
Total current assets
7,066,794
6,157,194
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Investments
310,174
340,121
Property and equipment, net
669,086
643,946
Other non-current assets
1,034,074
872,223
Total non-current assets
2,013,334
1,856,290
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 9,080,128
$ 8,013,484
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Short-term debt
$ 25,876
$ 36,715
Accounts payable
802,878
523,931
Deferred revenues
1,367,340
980,461
Accrued payroll and related benefits
1,444,242
1,508,126
Other accrued liabilities
1,378,253
1,389,556
Total current liabilities
5,018,589
4,438,789
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt
45,638
32,161
Other non-current liabilities
1,160,842
1,129,765
Total non-current liabilities
1,206,480
1,161,926
MINORITY INTEREST
1,083,923
940,963
EQUITY:
Shareholders’ equity
1,771,136
1,471,806
Total equity
1,771,136
1,471,806
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
$ 9,080,128
$ 8,013,484
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