Consulting and outsourcing firm Accenture Plc (ACN) late Thursday posted better-than-expected second quarter earnings results and boosted its full-year outlook.

The Dublin, Ireland-based company reported fiscal second quarter net income of $643.9 million, or 97 cents per share, compared with $503 million, or 75 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Revenue rose 12% from last year to $6.8 billion.

On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of 86 cents per share, on lower revenue of $6.65 billion.

Looking ahead, the company raised its full-year 2012 earnings outlook to a range of $3.82 to $3.90 per share, up from a prior outlook of $3.76 to $3.84. Analysts currently expect $3.80 per share for the year.

Accenture shares rose 73 cents, or +1.2%, in premarket trading Friday.

The Bottom Line
Shares of Accenture (ACN) have a 2.13% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $63.52. The stock has technical support in the $58-$60 price area. The stock is trading at all-time highs.

Accenture Plc (ACN) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

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