DUBLIN (dpa-AFX) - (Adds Outlook, share movement)

Shares of Accenture Plc (ACN) were trading down over 5 percent after the company
revised down its annual earnings guidance below analysts' estimates. Further,
the company expects its third-quarter revenue below the Street view.

For the full year, the company now expects net income per share of $11.41 to
$11.64 against its previous outlook of $11.41 to $11.76 per share. Excluding
items, earnings are now projected to be in the range of $11.97 to $12.20 per
share, versus previous guidance of $11.97 to $12.32.

Analysts, on average, expect the firm to earn $13.46 per share for the year.

For the year, Accenture now expects its revenue growth of 1 percent to 3
percent, compared with 2 percent to 5 percent guided previously.

For the third-quarter, Accenture expects revenue of $16.25 billion to $16.85
billion, or negative 1 percent to positive 3 percent, reflecting around negative
1 percent foreign-exchange impact .

Analysts, on average, forecast the company to post revenue of $17.01 billion for
the quarter.

Accenture intends to pay a quarterly cash dividend of $1.29 per share on May 15,
to shareholders of record as of April 11. This is a 15 percent increase from
$1.12 paid last year.

ACN was trading down by 5.64 percent at $359 in the pre-market trade on the New
York Stock Exchange.

For its second quarter, Accenture reported earnings that increased from the same
period last year and beat the Street estimates.

The company's earnings came in at $1.67 billion, or $2.63 per share. This
compares with $1.52 billion, or $2.39 per share, in last year's second quarter.

Excluding items, Accenture plc reported adjusted earnings of $1.80 billion or
$2.77 per share for the period.

Analysts on average had expected the company to earn $2.66 per share, according
to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude
special items.

The company's revenue for the quarter fell 0.1% to $15.80 billion from $15.81
billion last year.

Accenture plc earnings at a glance (GAAP) :

-Earnings (Q2): $1.67 Bln. vs. $1.52 Bln. last year.
-EPS (Q2): $2.63 vs. $2.39 last year.
-Revenue (Q2): $15.80 Bln vs. $15.81 Bln last year.

-Guidance:
Next quarter revenue guidance: $16.25 - $16.85 Bln
Full year EPS guidance: $11.97 - $12.20



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