The latest episode of Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing, hosted by Tyler Crowe with contributors John Quass and Lou Whiteman, delves into Accenture's recent earnings surprise, new SEC rules for private assets, and a listener's portfolio allocation question.
The podcast kicks off discussing **Accenture's (ACN)** unexpected 19% stock jump following its fiscal 2026 earnings report. Revenue and earnings surpassed expectations, and fiscal 2027 guidance also came in slightly higher than Wall Street projections. John Quass noted that while Accenture is "not dead yet," its fiscal 2026 revenue growth in local currency was only 5%, with fiscal 2027 projected at 3% to 6%, indicating a potential deceleration. Lou Whiteman emphasized that expectations were "dismal," and the stock had dipped below 10 times expected earnings, making even modest positive news significant. The stock, now at 14 times earnings, is still considered "kind of cheap."
Further positive signs included a slight increase in operating margin to 15.8% and Accenture's consistent cash return to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Tyler Crowe highlighted that this "cash return story" is typical for Accenture, given its asset-light consulting model. The hosts then candidly addressed the "eating crow" moment, as Motley Fool services, including Hidden Gems and Rule Breakers, had recently sold or put Accenture on hold. Lou cautioned against reading too much into a single quarter's market reaction, citing the example of The Trade Desk's earlier "stunning rebound" that preceded an 80% decline.
The central question revolved around AI's impact on Accenture's business. John found it "extremely encouraging" that 65% of new bookings were "outcome-based fixed price projects," suggesting Accenture can deliver predictable costs for desired outcomes, a crucial differentiator in an AI-driven world where token burning and unpredictable costs are common. However, Lou raised ongoing concerns: the rising cost of talent (coders, AI experts) for Accenture, a business whose product *is* its talent. He also questioned if AI's efficiency could reduce billable hours, putting "downward pressure on revenue." The hosts agreed that AI's influence on consulting firms like Accenture remains a significant, challenging question for investors.
The second major segment focused on **new SEC rules regarding private assets**, reflecting a broader trend to bring private capital to retail investors. Tyler outlined three core changes:
1. **Upping performance fees:** Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) can now charge up to 20% performance fees, aligning with traditional hedge fund structures.
2. **New accredited investor definitions:** Beyond wealth or income, professional licenses could now qualify individuals as accredited investors, indicating competence.
3. **Flexibility for private funds:** More leeway on redemptions, rather than strict quarterly limits.
Tyler questioned if these proposals genuinely benefit individual investors or are "pro-business, pro-Wall Street." John expressed 100% support for shifting from a "wealth-based system to a knowledge-based system" for accreditation, arguing that personal circumstances and competence should outweigh arbitrary wealth thresholds. Lou, however, was more cynical, fearing these changes would allow Wall Street to sell less desirable private deals to retail investors, marketing them as opportunities like SpaceX or OpenAI but delivering "a Theranos or a WeWork." He suggested that the net effect might be adding "bags available to fill." Tyler shared frustration that public investors often miss out on the early, high-growth stages of companies like SpaceX and OpenAI, which now go public at multi-trillion-dollar valuations after numerous private funding rounds.
For investors considering private assets, Lou advised caution, warning that funds might prioritize long-term limited partners with the best deals, leaving retail investors with the "rest." He questioned if it's truly better for average investors to have access to early-stage companies, given the inherent risks. John emphasized the lack of disclosure in private deals, making business evaluation more challenging than with publicly traded companies. Tyler added the critical importance of understanding "term sheets," which are bespoke for private investments and can significantly impact investor outcomes.
Finally, the hosts tackled a **mailbag question from Barry** about portfolio construction: allocating 90% to 20-30 core stocks and 5-10% to speculative assets like crypto. John admitted his own speculative investments largely "went to zero," making him wary. He noted Motley Fool's advice for broad diversification, evolving from "at least 25 stocks" to Tom Gardner's recent suggestion of "at least 50" due to rapid disruption. John personally diversifies when buying but concentrates on holding winners. Lou, on the other hand, identified as "Team Barry," maintaining a core of about 20 "boring and reliable" stocks for retirement, alongside 50-60 smaller, more speculative positions. Tyler concluded that portfolio allocation is deeply personal and emotional, urging investors to discover what works for them over time, as there's no "one-size-fits-all" answer.