We recently compiled a list of the Top 12 Stocks to Buy According to Bourgeon Capital. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) stands against the other stocks to buy according to Bourgeon Capital.
Bourgeon Capital Management LLC is an investment advisory firm headquartered in Darien, Connecticut. Founded in 1999 by seasoned financial professional John Aniblo Zaro, the firm specializes in actively managed, separate accounts with investment portfolios consisting primarily of stocks and bonds. In 2002, Bourgeon Capital expanded its leadership team when Michael Keohane joined SAC Capital to co-manage the firm’s long/short hedge fund. With a portfolio value of nearly $535.55 million by the end of December 2024, Bourgeon Capital is known for providing personalized investment strategies designed to manage risk while achieving long-term growth.
John Zaro, the firm’s founder and managing partner, has an extensive background in investment management spanning several decades. In addition to his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from Stanford University, he is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and an active member of the New York Society of Security Analysts.
John Zaro’s career in finance has been marked by influential roles at major financial institutions; it began at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC where he held the role of vice president from 1984 to 1991. Later, he served as a portfolio manager and vice president at J.P. Morgan Investment Management from 1991 to 1997 during which he managed substantial assets for clients. Just before establishing Bourgeon Capital, Zaro held the positions of Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director at Warburg Pincus Asset Management from 1997 to 1999. During his time there, he played a key role in shaping investment strategies for high-net-worth clients. With expertise in portfolio and alpha target management, Zaro was instrumental in refining investment processes for private clients and high-net-worth individuals.
With over two decades of experience, Zaro founded Bourgeon Capital with the vision of offering a more client-centric approach to wealth management. His goal has always been to foster strong, long-term relationships with clients through honest and strategic financial guidance. Bourgeon Capital continues to uphold this commitment, ensuring that each client’s investment strategy is tailored to their unique financial needs and aspirations.
In recognition of his accomplishments in wealth management, Morgan Stanley announced in 2022 that Zaro, then serving as a First Vice President and Financial Advisor at the firm’s Wealth Management office, was named to Forbes Magazine’s prestigious list of Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors. This ranking evaluates candidates based on various qualitative and quantitative factors, including industry experience, leadership experience, assets under management, revenue trends, and compliance records. The selection process also incorporates insights gained from extensive interviews.
Bourgeon Capital’s investment philosophy is centered on achieving consistent, long-term returns while minimizing volatility. The firm prioritizes risk management by employing strategies that aim to reduce extreme market fluctuations. A key approach under Zaro’s leadership has been investing excess cash in the bond market to capitalize on higher interest rates. This strategy reflects the firm’s commitment to balancing risk and reward while ensuring that clients’ investments align with their financial goals.
Our Methodology
The stocks discussed below were picked from Bourgeon Capital’s Q4 2024 13F filings. They are compiled in the ascending order of Bourgeon Capital’s stake in them as of December 31, 2024. In order to assist readers with more context, we have included the hedge fund sentiment regarding each stock using data from over 1000 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
A team of data experts gathered around a computer monitor analyzing customer data.
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders as of Q4: 79
Bourgeon Capital’s Equity Stake: $14.48 Million
Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN), headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a global professional services company specializing in IT consulting, digital transformation, and management solutions. Originally founded in 1989, the company has grown into a Fortune Global 500 leader, offering expertise in areas such as cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, finance, supply chain management, and sustainability. Serving industries ranging from aerospace and banking to healthcare and energy, Accenture leverages AI-driven solutions to enhance customer and employee experiences, drive brand loyalty, and optimize business operations.
The company traces its roots back to the early 1950s as the business and technology consulting arm of Arthur Andersen. One of its early milestones was a feasibility study for General Electric, leading to the first commercial installation of a UNIVAC I computer in the U.S. at GE’s Appliance Park in Kentucky. Over the decades, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) has continued to evolve, integrating advanced technologies and expanding its industry reach to help businesses navigate digital transformation and remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.
On February 12, 2025, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) announced its collaboration with SAP to provide personalized learning and training services aimed at upskilling and reskilling employees across various organizational levels. As one of the first global partners authorized to deliver SAP Learning programs, Accenture will integrate SAP’s partner-led training initiatives with its own expertise to foster a culture of continuous learning. This partnership offers businesses access to structured, instructor-led training and customized learning journeys, enhancing employees’ technical and industry-specific skills. The initiative is designed to optimize SAP solution adoption, improve decision-making, and increase workforce satisfaction, ultimately strengthening employee retention and organizational growth. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to earn an SAP-focused Nanodegree from Udacity through Accenture LearnVantage. Both companies are also working on leveraging AI-driven learning pathways to further personalize training, ensuring professionals are equipped with the latest SAP knowledge to drive business transformation.
Diamond Hill Large Cap Strategy stated the following regarding Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:
“We continue finding compelling new ideas, even as the bull market proceeds. In Q3, we initiated three new positions in Aon, Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) and Builders FirstSource. Accenture is a leading global IT services and consultancy business. We think the services it provides — which are differentiated and in specialty areas relative to many of its peers — are critical and will be in high demand in the technology ecosystem for years to come. This should contribute to stable prices and margins. We believe the market is undervaluing Accenture relative to the opportunity ahead of it and, consequently, were able to initiate a position in the quarter at a discounted share price.”
Overall ACN ranks 9th on our list of the stocks to buy according to Bourgeon Capital. While we acknowledge the potential for ACN as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ACN but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.