Accenture Ready to Launch IPO

Accenture, the consultancy firm that split off from Arthur Andersen, is primed for its initial public offering [1], scheduled for Wednesday of this week.

The firm hopes to gain about $1.6 billion from investors who will purchase up to 20 percent of the consultancy giant for $13 to $15 per share.

Analysts are predicting the IPO will turn into a good long-term investment, in spite of a lackluster economy and the somewhat disappointing performance of shares in KPMG Consulting, which went public earlier this year.

KPMG Consulting, trading as KCIN, closed last Friday at $14.45, down nearly 20 percent from its initial offering price of $20 per share.