UPDATE: Accenture FQ2 Profit Surges 71%

Accenture PLC

reported a 71% rise in its fiscal second-quarter earnings. Accenture expects current-quarter revenue of $7.25 billion to $7.5 billion, versus analysts' estimates of $7.6 billion. Accenture's quarterly profit surged to $1.1 billion, or $1.65 per share, from $643.9 million, or $0.97 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, it earned $1 per share, beating analysts' estimates of $0.97 per share. Its revenue climbed 3.2% to $7.49 billion. The company had earlier projected revenue of $6.9 billion to $7.15 billion. Its gross margin rose to 31.6% from 31.1%. Accenture shares dropped 2.51% to $73.00 in pre-market trading.