New Delhi, Oct. 5 -- Accenture Plc expects to return less money to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in the current fiscal year than it did in the previous year, marking the second year-over-year decline in shareholder returns for the world's largest IT and consulting firm since it went public in 2001.

According to company management, Accenture is expected to return at least $9.5 billion to shareholders in the current fiscal year to August 2027, below the $11.5 billion returned in the previous fiscal year. Of the latter, $4 billion consisted of dividends, while the remaining $7.5 billion came from share repurchases. The lower shareholder payout comes even as Dublin-headquartered Accenture has outlined a higher acquisition...