Irish-incorporated Accenture posted a better-than-expected 8.6 per cent rise in quarterly net revenue, driven by demand for consulting services, particularly from customers in North America.

However, the mid-range of the company’s forecast for fourth-quarter revenue fell slightly below analysts’ average estimate.

The company said it expects fourth-quarter revenue of between $8.25 billion (€7.2bn) and $8.50 billion. Analysts were expecting revenue of $8.39 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Net revenue from Accenture’s consulting business, which accounts for a little more than half of total revenue, rose 12.4 per cent in the third quarter.

Outsourcing

Revenue from the company’s outsourcing business rose 4.2 per cent.

Excluding items, the company earned $1.30 per share.

Analysts on average had expected a profit of $1.41 per share and revenue of $8.34 billion.

The net income attributable to Accenture rose to $897.2 million, or $1.41 per share, in the third quarter ended May 31st, from $793.7 million, or $1.24 per share, a year earlier.

Net revenue, or revenue before reimbursements, rose to $8.43 billion from $7.77 billion.

Shares of the company, which is incorporated in Ireland, were up slightly at $119.95 in premarket trading on Thursday.