Accenture plc · Earnings release · 8-K Exhibit 99

EX-99 2 q1fy26earnings8-kexhibit.htm NEWS RELEASE OF ACCENTURE, DATED DECEMBER 18, 2025 Document Accenture Reports First-Quarter Fiscal 2026 Results Accenture delivers strong new bookings and revenue growth at the top of the company's guided range, with strong profitability and free cash flow; Confirms outlook for fiscal 2026 revenue growth, and adjusted operating margin and EPS NEW YORK; December 18, 2025 — Accenture (NYSE: ACN) reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 ended November 30, 2025. All comparisons are to the first quarter of fiscal 2025, unless noted otherwise. Accenture Chair and CEO Julie Sweet "I am very pleased with our $21 billion in new bookings, T1including 33 clients with quarterly bookings greater than $100 million.

We delivered revenue growth of 5% in local currency, at the top of our guided range, while continuing to gain market share. We also strengthened our leadership in advanced AI and T2deepened our ecosystem partnerships to help clients realize value. These results reflect our strategy to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients. On behalf of our leadership team, I want to thank our clients, ecosystem partners and people who make these results possible." First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Key Metrics • New bookings of $20.9 billion, an increase of 12% in U.S. dollars and 10% in local currency • T3Advanced AI new bookings of $2.2 billion • Revenues of $18.7 billion, an increase of 6% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency • GAAP operating margin of 15.3%, a decrease of 140 bps compared to operating margin of 16.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025; T4adjusted 1 operating margin expanded 30 basis points to 17.0% • GAAP diluted earnings per share of $3.54 , a 1% decrease from GAAP diluted earnings per share of $3.59 in the first quarter of fiscal 2025; adjusted earnings per share increased 10% to $3.94 • Free cash flow of $1.5 billion • T5Total cash returned to shareholders of $3.3 billion, reflecting $2.3 billion in repurchases or redemptions of 9.5 million shares, and cash dividend payments of $1.0 billion, or $1.63 per share, a 10% increase Fiscal 2026 Business Outlook Highlights • G1Company continues to expect full-year revenue growth to be 2% to 5% in local currency.

T6Excluding an estimated 1% impact from its U.S. federal business, company continues to expect revenue growth to be 3% to 6% in local currency • G2Now expects GAAP operating margin to be 15.2% to 15.4%, an expansion of 50 to 70 basis points; G3continues to expect adjusted operating margin to be 15.7% to 15.9%, an expansion of 10 to 30 bps • G4Now expects GAAP diluted earnings per share to be in the range of $13.12 to $13.50, an 8% to 11% increase; G5continues to expect adjusted EPS to be in the range of $13.52 to $13.90, a 5% to 8% increase 1 Adjusted financial measures presented in this release are non-GAAP financial measures that exclude business optimization costs recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 as further described in this release. 1 Q1 FY26 Financial Review New Bookings New bookings for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 were $20.94 billion, an increase of 12% in U.S. dollars and 10% in local currency compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2025. • Consulting new bookings were $9.88 billion. • Managed Services new bookings were $11.06 billion.

Revenues Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 were $18.74 billion, an increase of 6% in U.S. dollars and 5% in local currency, and were at the top of the company's guided range of $18.1 billion to $18.75 billion, or 1% to 5% growth in local currency. Revenues for the quarter reflect a foreign-exchange impact of positive 1.4%, compared with the positive 1% impact previously assumed. Revenues by Type of Work Revenues (in billions) Increase (Decrease) from Q1 FY25 U.S. Dollars Local Currency Consulting $9.41  4  % 3  % Managed Services $9.33  8  % 7  % Total $18.74   6   % 5   % Revenues by Geographic Market Revenues (in billions) Increase (Decrease) from Q1 FY25 U.S.

Dollars Local Currency Americas $9.08  4  % 4  % EMEA $6.94  8  % 4  % Asia Pacific $2.73  7  % 9  % Total $18.74   6   % 5   % Revenues by Industry Group Revenues (in billions) Increase (Decrease) from Q1 FY25 U.S. Dollars Local Currency Communications, Media & Technology $3.10  9  % 8  % Financial Services $3.60  14  % 12  % Health & Public Service $3.80  0 % (1) % Products $5.74  6  % 4  % Resources $2.50  3  % 2  % Total $18.74   6   % 5   % Amounts in tables may not total due to rounding. 2 Q1 FY26 Financial Review Operating Margin and Operating Income • GAAP operating margin (operating income as a percentage of revenues) for the quarter was 15.3%, compared to GAAP operating margin of 16.7% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

Adjusted operating margin was 17.0% for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. • GAAP operating income for the quarter decreased 3% to $2.87 billion compared with GAAP operating income of $2.95 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adjusted operating income was $3.18 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of revenues) for the quarter was 33.1% compared to 32.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the quarter were $3.02 billion, or 16.1% of revenues, compared with $2.87 billion, or 16.2% of revenues, for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The company's GAAP effective tax rate for the quarter was 24.5%, compared with 21.6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2025.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the adjusted effective tax rate was 23.9%. GAAP net income for the quarter was $2.24 billion, compared with $2.32 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, adjusted net income was $2.49 billion. Earnings Per Share • GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter were $3.54, a 1% decrease from $3.59 for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. • Adjusted EPS for the quarter increased 10% to $3.94, which excludes $0.40 for business optimization costs. Year over Year Increase in Adjusted Earnings Per Share First Quarter Fiscal 2025 GAAP EPS $3.59 Higher revenue and operating results $0.29 Higher non-operating income $0.11 Lower share count $0.06 Lower net income attributable to noncontrolling interests $0.01 Higher effective tax rate $(0.12) First Quarter Fiscal 2026 Adjusted EPS $3.94 3 Q1 FY26 Financial Review Cash Flow First Quarter Fiscal 2026 (in billions) First Quarter Fiscal 2025 (in billions) Operating Cash Flow $1.66 $1.02 Less: Property & Equipment Additions $0.16 $0.15 Free Cash Flow $1.51 $0.87 Amounts in table may not total due to rounding.

Days services outstanding, or DSOs, were 51 days at November 30, 2025, compared with 47 days at August 31, 2025 and 50 days at November 30, 2024. Accenture's total cash balance at November 30, 2025 was $9.6 billion, compared with $11.5 billion at August 31, 2025. Dividend • On November 14, 2025, a quarterly cash dividend of $1.63 per share was paid to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 10, 2025. ◦ These cash dividend payments totaled $1.0 billion. • Accenture plc has declared another quarterly cash dividend of $1.63 per share for shareholders of record at the close of business on January 13, 2026. ◦ This dividend, which is payable on February 13, 2026, represents a 10% increase over the quarterly dividend rate of $1.48 per share in fiscal 2025.

Share Repurchase Activity • During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Accenture repurchased or redeemed 9.5 million shares for a total of $2.3 billion, including 9.1 million shares repurchased in the open market. • Accenture's total remaining share repurchase authority at November 30, 2025 was approximately $5.6 billion. • At November 30, 2025, Accenture had approximately 616 million total shares outstanding. 4 Business Outlook Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Outlook Revenues $17.35B – $18.0B Revenue Growth (Local Currency) 1% – 5% Foreign-Exchange Impact on Results Approximately positive 3.5% Full Year Fiscal 2026 Outlook As of December 18, 2025 As of September 25, 2025 Revenue Growth (Local Currency) 2% – 5% approx. 3% – 6% excluding an estimated 1% impact from its U.S. federal business 2% – 5% approx. 3% – 6% excluding an estimated 1% to 1.5% impact from its U.S. federal business Foreign-Exchange Impact on Results approx. +2% approx. +2% GAAP Operating Margin * 15.2% – 15.4% 50 bps – 70 bps expansion over FY25 15.3% – 15.5% 60 bps – 80 bps expansion over FY25 Adjusted Operating Margin 15.7% – 15.9% 10 bps – 30 bps expansion over FY25, excluding $308 million and $615 million for business optimization costs in Q1 FY26 and Q4 FY25, respectively 15.7% – 15.9% 10 bps – 30 bps expansion over FY25, excluding an estimated $250 million for business optimization costs in Q1 FY26 Annual Effective Tax Rate (GAAP and Adjusted) 23.5% – 25.5% 23.5% – 25.5% GAAP Diluted EPS * $13.12 – $13.50 8% – 11% increase over FY25 $13.19 – $13.57 9% – 12% increase over FY25 Adjusted EPS $13.52 – $13.90 5% – 8% increase over FY25, excluding $0.40 and $0.78 for business optimization costs in Q1 FY26 and Q4 FY25, respectively $13.52 – $13.90 5% – 8% increase over FY25, excluding an estimated $0.33 per share for business optimization costs in Q1 FY26 Operating Cash Flow $10.8B – $11.5B $10.8B – $11.5B Property & Equipment Additions     $1.0B $1.0B Free Cash Flow $9.8B – $10.5B $9.8B – $10.5B Capital Return     at least $9.3B at least $9.3B *Updated from outlook provided in previous quarter 5 Conference Call and Webcast Details Accenture will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m.

EST today to discuss its first quarter fiscal 2026 financial results. To participate in the teleconference, please dial +1 (877) 883-0383 [+1 (412) 317-6061 outside the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada] and enter access code 1422495 approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start of the call. The conference call will also be accessible live via webcast on the Investor Relations section of the Accenture website at accenture.com. A replay will be available on this website following the call. About Accenture Accenture is a leading solutions and services company that helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed across the enterprise, bringing together the talent of our approximately 784,000 people, our proprietary assets and platforms, and deep ecosystem relationships.

Our strategy is to be the reinvention partner of choice for our clients and to be the most client-focused, AI-enabled, great place to work in the world. Through our Reinvention Services we bring together our capabilities across strategy, consulting, technology, operations, Song and Industry X with our deep industry expertise to create and deliver solutions and services for our clients. Our purpose is to deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity, and we measure our success by the 360° value we create for all our stakeholders. Visit us at accenture.com. Non-GAAP Financial Information This news release includes certain non-GAAP financial information as defined by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G.

Pursuant to the requirements of this regulation, reconciliations of this non-GAAP financial information to Accenture's financial statements as prepared under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are included in this press release. Financial results "in local currency" are calculated by restating current-period activity into U.S. dollars using the comparable prior-year period's foreign-currency exchange rates. Accenture's management believes providing investors with this information gives additional insights into Accenture's results of operations. While Accenture's management believes that the non-GAAP financial measures herein are useful in evaluating Accenture's operations, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Accenture provides full-year revenue guidance on a local-currency basis and not in U.S. dollars because the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations could vary significantly from the company's stated assumptions. Forward-Looking Statements Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "aspires," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "positioned," "outlook," "goal," "target," and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture's results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and geopolitical conditions and the effects of these conditions on the company's clients' businesses and levels of business activity; Accenture's business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the company's solutions and services including through the adaptation and expansion of its solutions and services in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the company's results of operations; risks and uncertainties related to the development and use of AI, including advanced AI, could harm the company's business, damage its reputation or give rise to legal or regulatory action; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the company's business, the utilization rate of the company's professionals and the company's results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from 6 security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with its ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the company's results of operations could be adversely affected; Accenture's ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; Accenture's profitability could materially suffer due to pricing pressure, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accenture's level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the company's effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accenture's results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Accenture's debt obligations could adversely affect our business and financial condition; as a result of Accenture's geographically diverse operations and our strategy to continue to grow in our key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accenture's business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accenture's work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; Accenture's global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accenture's solutions or services infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the "Risk Factors" heading in Accenture plc's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accenture's expectations. Rachel Frey Accenture Media Relations +1 917 452 4421 rachel.frey@accenture.com Alexia Quadrani Accenture Investor Relations +1 917 452 8542 alexia.quadrani@accenture.com 7 Accenture plc Consolidated Income Statements (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2025 % of Revenues November 30, 2024 % of Revenues REVENUES: Revenues $ 18,742,125  100.0  % $ 17,689,545  100.0  % OPERATING EXPENSES: Cost of services 12,545,007  66.9  % 11,866,716  67.1  % Sales and marketing 1,874,932  10.0  % 1,811,109  10.2  % General and administrative costs 1,140,947  6.1  % 1,063,243  6.0  % Business optimization costs 307,541  1.7  % —  —  % Total operating expenses 15,868,427   14,741,068   OPERATING INCOME 2,873,698   15.3   % 2,948,477   16.7   % Interest income 106,223  76,027  Interest expense (65,365) (30,042) Other income (expense), net 53,114  (39,217) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 2,967,670   15.8   % 2,955,245   16.7   % Income tax expense 725,774  639,055  NET INCOME 2,241,896   12.0   % 2,316,190   13.1   % Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2,083) (2,170) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – other (1) (28,252) (35,126) NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCENTURE PLC $ 2,211,561   11.8   % $ 2,278,894   12.9   % CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE: Net income attributable to Accenture plc $ 2,211,561  $ 2,278,894  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. (2) 2,083  2,170  Net income for diluted earnings per share calculation $ 2,213,644   $ 2,281,064   WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES: Basic 619,307,086  625,676,922  Diluted 626,043,040  634,656,410  EARNINGS PER SHARE: Basic $ 3.57  $ 3.64  Diluted $ 3.54  $ 3.59  Cash dividends per share $ 1.63  $ 1.48  (1) Comprised primarily of noncontrolling interest attributable to the noncontrolling shareholders of Avanade, Inc. (2) Diluted earnings per share assumes the exchange of all Accenture Canada Holdings Inc. exchangeable shares for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares on a one-for-one basis.

The income effect does not take into account "Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — other," since those shares are not redeemable or exchangeable for Accenture plc Class A ordinary shares. 8 Accenture plc Summary of Revenues (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Percent Increase (Decrease) U.S. Dollars Percent Increase (Decrease) Local Currency November 30, 2025 November 30, 2024 GEOGRAPHIC MARKETS Americas $ 9,080,059  $ 8,733,095  4  % 4  % EMEA 6,935,233  6,411,952  8  4  Asia Pacific 2,726,833  2,544,498  7  9  Total Revenues $ 18,742,125   $ 17,689,545   6   % 5   % INDUSTRY GROUPS Communications, Media & Technology $ 3,102,457  $ 2,857,885  9  % 8  % Financial Services 3,602,372  3,168,835  14  12  Health & Public Service 3,796,837  3,812,609  —  (1) Products 5,741,241  5,425,317  6  4  Resources 2,499,218  2,424,899  3  2  Total Revenues $ 18,742,125   $ 17,689,545   6   % 5   % TYPE OF WORK Consulting $ 9,414,567  $ 9,045,228  4  % 3  % Managed Services 9,327,558  8,644,317  8  7  Total Revenues $ 18,742,125   $ 17,689,545   6   % 5   % Accenture plc Operating Income by Geographic Market (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended    November 30, 2025 November 30, 2024 Operating Income Operating Margin Operating Income Operating Margin Increase (Decrease) Americas $ 1,527,335  17  % $ 1,377,234  16  % $ 150,101  EMEA 900,491  13  1,035,977  16  (135,486) Asia Pacific 445,872  16  535,266  21  (89,394) Total Operating Income $ 2,873,698   15.3   % $ 2,948,477   16.7   % $ (74,779) 9 Accenture plc Reconciliation of Operating Income, as Reported (GAAP) to Operating Income as Adjusted (Non-GAAP) (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended    November 30, 2025 November 30, 2024 As Reported (GAAP) Business Optimization (1) Adjusted (Non-GAAP) Operating Margin (Non-GAAP) As Reported (GAAP) Operating Margin (GAAP) Increase (Decrease) (Non-GAAP) Americas $ 1,527,335  $ 66,749  $ 1,594,084  18  % $ 1,377,234  16  % $ 216,850  EMEA 900,491  169,811  1,070,302  15  1,035,977  16  34,325  Asia Pacific 445,872  70,981  516,853  19  535,266  21  (18,413) Total Operating Income $ 2,873,698   $ 307,541   $ 3,181,239   17.0   % $ 2,948,477   16.7   % $ 232,762   (1) T7Costs recorded in connection with business optimization actions initiated during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 and completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily for employee severance.

Accenture plc Reconciliation of Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share, as Reported (GAAP), to Net Income and Diluted Earnings Per Share, as Adjusted (Non-GAAP) (In thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2025 November 30, 2024 As Reported (GAAP) Business Optimization (1) Adjusted (Non-GAAP) As Reported (GAAP) Operating Income $ 2,873,698  $ 307,541  $ 3,181,239  $ 2,948,477  Operating Margin 15.3  % 1.7  % 17.0  % 16.7  % Income before income taxes 2,967,670  307,541  3,275,211  2,955,245  Income tax expense 725,774  57,232  783,006  639,055  Net Income $ 2,241,896   $ 250,309   $ 2,492,205   $ 2,316,190   Effective tax rate 24.5  % 18.6  % 23.9  % 21.6  % Diluted earnings per share (2) $ 3.54   $ 0.40   $ 3.94   $ 3.59   (1) Costs recorded in connection with business optimization actions initiated during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 and completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2026, primarily for employee severance. (2) The impact of the business optimization costs on diluted earnings per share are presented net of related taxes.

The income tax effect was negative $0.09 for the three months ended November 30, 2025. This includes both the current and deferred income tax impact and was calculated by using the relevant tax rate of the country where the costs were recorded. 10 Accenture plc Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands of U.S. dollars) November 30, 2025 August 31, 2025 ASSETS (Unaudited) CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,649,405  $ 11,478,729  Short-term investments 5,906  5,945  Receivables and contract assets 16,006,709  14,985,073  Other current assets 2,404,674  2,430,942  Total current assets 28,066,694   28,900,689   NON-CURRENT ASSETS: Contract assets 188,147  180,362  Investments 803,000  721,260  Property and equipment, net 1,558,316  1,566,374  Lease assets 2,758,958  2,740,321  Goodwill 22,621,663  22,536,416  Other non-current assets 8,701,685  8,749,475  Total non-current assets 36,631,769   36,494,208   TOTAL ASSETS $ 64,698,463   $ 65,394,897   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Current portion of long-term debt and bank borrowings $ 113,676  $ 114,484  Accounts payable 2,971,647  2,695,589  Deferred revenues 5,494,732  6,073,170  Accrued payroll and related benefits 7,937,214  8,084,214  Lease liabilities 729,244  729,003  Other accrued liabilities 2,650,008  2,655,637  Total current liabilities 19,896,521   20,352,097   NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES: Long-term debt 5,031,646  5,034,169  Lease liabilities 2,327,433  2,305,210  Other non-current liabilities 5,520,581  5,462,454  Total non-current liabilities 12,879,660   12,801,833   Total Accenture plc shareholders' equity 30,867,503   31,195,446   Noncontrolling interest 1,054,779  1,045,521  Total Shareholders' Equity 31,922,282   32,240,967   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 64,698,463   $ 65,394,897   11 Accenture plc Consolidated Cash Flows Statements (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended November 30, 2025 November 30, 2024 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 2,241,896  $ 2,316,190  Depreciation, amortization and other 581,791  569,340  Share-based compensation expense 468,992  470,425  Change in assets and liabilities/other, net (1,628,582) (2,333,469) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 1,664,097   1,022,486   CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of property and equipment (156,582) (152,205) Purchases of businesses and investments, net of cash acquired (373,794) (241,560) Proceeds from the sale of businesses and investments, net of cash transferred 22,633  5,270  Other investing, net 2,868  2,971  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (504,875) (385,524) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares 466,199  477,367  Purchases of shares (2,330,593) (898,264) Proceeds from (repayments of) debt, net —  4,129,200  Cash dividends paid (1,009,816) (925,558) Other financing, net (36,840) (30,997) Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (2,911,050) 2,751,748   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (77,496) (87,124) NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (1,829,324) 3,301,586   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period 11,478,729  5,004,469  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 9,649,405   $ 8,306,055   12