NEW YORK (Bloomberg) — Accenture Ltd., the world's second- largest technology-consulting firm, said fourth-quarter profit rose 37 percent after the company won more outsourcing contracts.

Net income increased to $434.8 million, or 67 cents a share, from $316.8 million, or 50 cents, a year earlier, Bermuda-based Accenture said yesterday in a statement.

That compares with the 66-cent average estimate of analysts in a Bloomberg survey. Sales rose 18 percent to $6.56 billion.

Oil and gas companies increased spending on Accenture's consulting services to help expand their businesses, said Tim Fox, a Boston-based analyst at Deutsche Bank.

Meanwhile finance industry customers farmed out more of their information technology to Accenture to cut costs, he said.

"The resources area has been strong for them," said Fox before the report. He recommends buying Accenture shares and said he doesn't own any.

Accenture rose 59 cents to $37.17 at 5.01 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.