NEW YORK, Jan 22, 2026, 14:25 EST — During the regular session
- Accenture shares climbed roughly 1.6% in afternoon trading, building on gains from Wednesday’s rally
- Chosen alongside Palantir to develop next-gen AI data centers throughout EMEA
- Upcoming dates: Annual meeting on Jan. 28; earnings call set for March 19
Accenture’s stock climbed roughly 1.6% to $285.18 in Thursday afternoon trading. The consulting giant revealed it was chosen, along with Palantir Technologies, to develop and expand AI-focused data centers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. 1
This shift matters since investors are quick to factor in any sign that “AI spending” is moving beyond talk to actual projects demanding hardware, power, and the systems to support them — not just pilot programs.
For Accenture, the challenge is proving its claim as the firm that integrates major tech stacks can turn into bigger, repeat business as governments and regulated companies push to keep sensitive data within national borders.
UK-based Sovereign AI has tapped Accenture and Palantir to help build next-generation AI data centers across EMEA. The project will leverage Dell’s AI Factory and NVIDIA infrastructure, with Palantir’s “Chain Reaction” software serving as the operating layer for the rollout. “This collaboration will forge a new model for managing the expansion of safe, secure and resilient AI infrastructure,” Bryan E. Rich, a senior managing director at Accenture, said in a statement. 2
“Sovereign AI” refers to developing and operating AI systems that keep data, processing, and oversight strictly within a country’s legal framework — a concern that’s become more pressing in Europe amid tighter regulations and growing geopolitical tensions.
Dell climbed roughly 4.1% following the announcement. Nvidia and Palantir also edged higher, though their gains were more modest.
The broader U.S. market showed gains as well, with major index-tracking ETFs climbing roughly 0.8% to 0.9% in afternoon trading.
Accenture climbed 2.94% to close at $280.72 on Wednesday, ending a three-day losing streak. The broader market lifted alongside gains in IT services stocks. 3
Investors have been zeroing in on Accenture’s “bookings”—the value of new contracts secured—to gauge demand. The company’s latest earnings report showed fiscal first-quarter bookings at $20.9 billion, with “advanced AI” bookings making up $2.2 billion. 4
The near-term gains from the Sovereign AI project remain difficult to predict. The statement omitted financial details, and major infrastructure initiatives often face delays due to permits, power supply issues, and shifts in customer budgets.
Accenture’s annual general meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28, followed by its fiscal second-quarter earnings call on March 19. 5
Traders are watching closely for signs that the recent AI-infrastructure efforts are translating into actual bookings—and whether those gains hold up if clients pull back on spending once more.
