Accenture expects strong Q1 as Delta variant delays return-to-work plans

Accenture expects current-quarter revenue to come in between $13.90 bn and $14.35 bn, topping Wall Street estimates of $13.51 bn, according to Refinitiv IBES data

IT consulting firm Accenture on Thursday forecast first-quarter revenue above analysts' estimates, expecting strong demand for its cloud and security services as companies delay return to offices due to the Delta variant.
 

Shares of the Dublin, Ireland-based company, which has benefited from pandemic-related restrictions as more enterprises took their businesses online, rose nearly 3% in premarket trading. The shares have gained nearly 28% this year.
 

Demand for IT consulting services has been on the rise as the surging Delta variant of the coronavirus pushed several companies to extend their work from home policies and adopt hybrid work models.
 

Accenture, which