12:05 PM EDT, 03/19/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Accenture ( ACN ) raised its 2026 expectations on Thursday amid strong demand for the consulting firm's artificial intelligence solutions, saying its guidance does not assume the worst-case scenario regarding the Middle East conflict.

For fiscal 2026, the company now anticipates adjusted per-share earnings of $13.65 to $13.90. The new range reflects a higher mid-point than that based on the prior $13.52 to $13.90 outlook. Analysts in a FactSet survey are looking for $13.86.

Full-year revenue is pegged to rise 3% to 5% in local currency, compared with the company's previous guidance that called for 2% to 5% growth.

"We're accelerating our critical work with clients to scale advanced AI across their enterprise, and we're seeing strong AI-driven growth," Chief Executive Julie Sweet said in a statement. "Our new strategic acquisitions will further strengthen our capabilities and expand our scale to help clients create value and achieve AI-based transformation."

Shares of Accenture ( ACN ) were up 5.8% in Thursday trade, but the stock has slid 23% so far this year.

For the ongoing quarter, Accenture ( ACN ) expects revenue of $18.35 billion to $19 billion, while analysts are projecting $18.74 billion. In local currency terms, the top line is anticipated to grow 1% to 5%, it said.

"Our range for (the third quarter) and the full year reflect our best view today of the potential impact of the (Middle East) conflict in (the second half)," Chief Financial Officer Angie Park told analysts during an earnings call. "It does not take into account a significant escalation or the occurrence of major economic disruption."

Accenture ( ACN ) has around 3,000 employees in the Middle East, with the region accounting for about $1 billion, or 1%, of fiscal 2025 revenue, Park said, according to a FactSet transcript.

The US-Israel war with Iran is now into its third week. Iran has struck energy infrastructure across the Middle East, including a key liquefied natural gas export facility in Qatar on Wednesday, in retaliation to Israel attacking its South Pars gas field, according to reports.

"Our colleagues are safe, and we are providing them with all the support we can," she told analysts. "Currently, we are not seeing any significant financial impact. While we know the environment is more uncertain given the conflict, we always call it like we see it and based upon the information we have today, we are increasing key elements of our full year guidance."

Accenture ( ACN ) posted EPS of $2.93 for the second quarter ended Feb. 28, up from $2.82 a year earlier and above the IFRS consensus of $2.82. Revenue rose to $18.04 billion from $16.66 billion and exceeded analysts' $17.84 billion estimate. New bookings grew 6% in US dollars and 1% in local currency to a record $22.11 billion.

"We see AI as a tailwind because it is helping us win more today and take market share, and it is creating new opportunities for growth over time," Sweet said on the call.

Price: 206.64, Change: +11.49, Percent Change: +5.89