The professional services firm's valuation spiked as much as 23% at Thursday's market open after quarterly results defied expectations that artificial intelligence would cannibalize consulting hours. The rally follows a surge in demand from corporate clients seeking help implementing generative AI, reversing a year of investor concern that automation tools would replace the human-led advisory services the consultancy provides.

Accenture reported fourth-quarter revenue of $18.7B, beating estimates of $18.03B, and earnings per share of $3.29 against an expected $3.18. Operating margins expanded to 15.3% from 11.6% a year earlier, and the firm returned a record $11.5B to shareholders for the full year on total revenue of $74.2B. For fiscal 2027, the company projects revenue growth of 3% to 6% in local currency and GAAP diluted EPS between $14.39 and $14.81.