Accenture (NYSE: ACN) reported Q1 EPS of $1.58, $0.09 better than the analyst estimate of $1.49. Revenue for the quarter came in at $8.5 billion versus the consensus estimate of $8.59 billion.

GUIDANCE:

Accenture sees FY2017 EPS of $5.64-$5.87, versus prior guidance of $5.75-$5.98 and the consensus of $5.92.

Pierre Nanterme, Accenture’s chairman and CEO, said, “We are pleased with our strong financial results for the first quarter. We delivered 7 percent revenue growth in local currency, which was broad-based across the dimensions of our business. We significantly expanded operating margin, delivered very strong earnings per share and free cash flow, and returned nearly $1.4 billion in cash to our shareholders.

“We continue to make significant investments in new and high-growth areas across Accenture – especially digital, cloud and security services, which together now account for more than 40 percent of total revenues and again grew at a very strong double-digit rate in the quarter. With the differentiated, high-value capabilities we are building, we remain confident in our ability to continue driving profitable growth, gaining market share and delivering value for our clients and shareholders.”

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