Accenture Q4 Beats; Forecasts Strong 2012

Accenture Plc's (ACN.N) quarterly results beat Wall Street estimates and the technology outsourcing and consulting firm guided 2012 earnings above analysts' expectations.

The company also increased its semi-annual cash dividend 50 percent, to 67.5 cents per share, and approved $5 billion of additional share repurchase authority.

Grand Canal Harbour, Ireland-based Accenture expects full-year earnings of $3.80-$3.88 per share, above analysts' average expectation of $3.76 per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Fourth-quarter net income was 91 cents per share, ahead of analysts expectations of 88 cents a share.

Revenue rose 23 percent to $6.7 billion, beating Wall Street's view of $6.5 billion.