Accenture shares jumped 22% on Thursday after the global consulting group said revenue growth could accelerate this year, easing market fears that artificial intelligence would hurt demand for its services. According to Sina Finance, the company said profit for the 12 months through August rose 8%, while fiscal-year revenue reached $74.2 billion, up 4% from a year earlier.

Chief Executive Julie Sweet said Accenture is taking market share from rivals in a difficult environment. She also said the company expects next fiscal-year revenue growth to improve, with this fiscal year's revenue growth target set at 3% to 6%.

Accenture said net profit for the fiscal year through August was $8.4 billion, up 8%, and that its global headcount topped 814,000 after adding more than 15,000 jobs in the past three months. The company said AI is helping lift revenue per employee.