Accenture Q4 beats; forecasts strong 2012

(Reuters) - 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.

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

(Reporting by Bijoy Koyitty and Siddharth Cavale in Bangalore; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)