Accenture Plc posted a better-than-expected 8.6 percent rise in quarterly net revenue, driven by demand for consulting services, particularly from customers in North America. However, the mid-range of the company's forecast for fourth-quarter revenue fell slightly below analysts' average estimate. Net revenue from Accenture's consulting business, which accounts for a little more than half of total revenue, rose 12.4 percent in the third quarter.
Revenue from the company's outsourcing business rose 4.2 percent. Excluding items, the company earned $1.30 per share. The net income attributable to Accenture rose to $897.2 million, or $1.41 per share, in the third quarter ended May 31, from $793.7 million, or $1.24 per share, a year earlier.
Net revenue, or revenue before reimbursements, rose to $8.43 billion from $7.77 billion.