Core Insights - The article discusses Infosys Limited, an Indian IT services and consulting company, highlighting its performance and market position over the past two years [1]. Company Overview - Infosys Limited is noted for providing IT services and consulting, with a focus on small- to mid-cap companies, while also occasionally analyzing large-cap companies to provide a broader market perspective [1].

Core Viewpoint - Cognizant (CTSH) is currently viewed as a better value opportunity compared to Infosys (INFY) based on earnings outlook and valuation metrics [1][3]. Valuation Metrics - CTSH has a forward P/E ratio of 12.94, while INFY has a forward P/E of 21.19 [5]. - CTSH's PEG ratio is 1.39, indicating a more favorable growth expectation compared to INFY's PEG ratio of 2.80 [5]. - CTSH has a P/B ratio of 2.13, significantly lower than INFY's P/B of 6.13, suggesting that CTSH is undervalued relative to its book value [6]. Earnings Outlook - CTSH has experienced stronger estimate revision activity, indicating a more positive earnings outlook compared to INFY [7]. - The Zacks Rank for CTSH is 2 (Buy), while INFY holds a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell), further supporting the conclusion that CTSH is the superior option for value investors [3][7]. Value Grades - CTSH has earned a Value grade of A, while INFY has a Value grade of C, reflecting the relative attractiveness of their valuations [6].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company reported a revenue growth of 2.2% sequentially and 2.9% year-on-year in constant currency terms for Q2 FY 2026 [4][8] - Operating margins expanded by 20 basis points sequentially, reaching 21% [10][11] - Free cash flow stood at $1.1 billion, representing 131% of net profit, marking the sixth consecutive quarter above 100% [10][11] - Earnings per share (EPS) in rupee terms grew by 13% year-on-year to INR 17.6 [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Financial services and manufacturing verticals grew above 5% year-on-year in constant currency for both Q2 and H1 [9][13] - The company signed 23 large deals during the quarter, with significant contributions from financial services and manufacturing [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Europe experienced growth greater than 5% year-on-year in constant currency terms [9] - The company added 8,000 employees during the quarter, bringing total headcount to 332,000 [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a revenue growth guidance of 2%-3% for the financial year, with operating margin guidance remaining at 20%-22% [7][17] - Strategic focus on AI capabilities has positioned the company as a leading enterprise AI services provider, with over 2,500 generative AI projects [18][20] - The company is pursuing a joint venture with Versant in Australia, which is expected to close later this year [7][78] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted strong client focus on deploying AI for growth and cost-efficiency programs [4][5] - The company anticipates seasonal factors impacting growth in H2, with lower working days and higher furloughs expected [88] - Management expressed confidence in navigating the changing visa landscape through localization and nearshoring strategies [52][54] Other Important Information - The company announced an INR 18,000 crore buyback through a tender route at INR 1,800 per share, expected to be completed in Q3 [12] - The board approved an interim dividend of INR 23, which is 9.5% higher than the previous year's interim dividend [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Partnerships with companies building AI capabilities - Management confirmed ongoing partnerships with companies building AI capabilities, focusing on modernization as a significant growth opportunity [30][34] Question: Large deal margins and comfort level - Management stated that while they do not disclose margins separately, they maintain a disciplined approach to large deals to ensure margin profiles are preserved [36] Question: Changes in smaller deal activity - Management indicated no significant changes in smaller deal activity, with a consistent pipeline [39] Question: Impact of H1B visa changes on business model - Management noted that while there is no immediate change, the long-term model will adapt with increased localization and nearshoring [52][54] Question: AI's impact on revenue growth profile - Management highlighted that AI presents both growth opportunities and efficiency improvements, but the current focus is on cost reduction due to economic conditions [69][70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues for Q2 FY26 grew 2.2% sequentially and 2.9% year-on-year in constant currency terms, with quarterly revenues crossing $5 billion and $10 billion for the half year [3][6] - Operating margins expanded by 20 basis points sequentially to 21%, with H1 margins at 20.9% compared to 21.1% in H1 FY25 [7][9] - Free cash flow stood at $1.1 billion, representing 131% of net profit, marking the sixth consecutive quarter above 100% [8][9] - Earnings per share (EPS) in rupee terms grew by 13% year-on-year to INR 17.6 [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Financial services and manufacturing verticals grew above 5% year-on-year in constant currency terms for both Q2 and H1 [7][11] - The company signed 23 large deals during the quarter, with significant contributions from financial services, manufacturing, communication, and retail sectors [10][11] - The manufacturing segment faced trade and macro uncertainties, impacting discretionary spending, particularly in the automotive sector [11][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Four of the five large industry verticals and three of the four geographies grew year-on-year in constant currency terms [3] - Europe experienced growth greater than 5% year-on-year in constant currency terms [7] - The deal pipeline remains strong, with a focus on cost reduction and operational efficiency across various sectors [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has revised its revenue growth guidance for the financial year to 2% to 3% in constant currency terms, maintaining operating margin guidance at 20% to 22% [5][14] - Infosys is positioning itself as a leading enterprise AI services provider, with a focus on AI-driven initiatives and modernization projects [4][15] - The strategic approach includes a joint venture with Versent in Australia, aimed at enhancing service capabilities [5][6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macro uncertainties and highlighted strong client demand for AI and modernization initiatives [11][14] - The company anticipates seasonal factors impacting growth in H2, with lower working days and potential furloughs [14][68] - Management noted that while there is uncertainty in the environment, the overall pipeline and signing remain strong [11][44] Other Important Information - The company added 8,000 employees during the quarter, with a total headcount of 332,000 [8] - Cash and investments totaled $6.2 billion at the end of the quarter, with a yield on cash balance of 6.98% [9] - The company announced an INR 18,000 crore buyback plan and an interim dividend of INR 23, reflecting a 9.5% increase from the previous year [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Partnerships with companies building AI capabilities - Management confirmed ongoing partnerships with companies expanding AI capabilities, focusing on modernization as a significant growth opportunity [28][30] Question: Large deal margins and comfort level - Management stated that while they do not disclose margins separately, they maintain a disciplined approach to large deals to ensure margin profiles are preserved [31] Question: Smaller deal activity and average sizes - Management indicated no significant changes in smaller deal activity, with a consistent structure in deal sizes [33][34] Question: Impact of H1B visa changes on business model - Management noted that while there is uncertainty, they have been working on localization strategies to adapt to changes in the visa landscape [44][45] Question: AI's impact on revenue growth profile - Management highlighted that AI presents both growth opportunities and efficiency improvements, with a focus on cost reduction in the current economic environment [55][56] Question: Seasonal softness and employee additions - Management explained that the addition of employees was driven by demand visibility, despite anticipated seasonal softness in H2 [74]

Core Insights - Infosys reported strong financial performance with Q2 revenues reaching $5,076 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 2.9% and a sequential growth of 2.2% in constant currency [1][5][26] - The company achieved a total contract value (TCV) of large deal wins at $3.1 billion, with a net new win rate of 67% in Q2 [1][4] - Free cash flow (FCF) generation was robust at $1.1 billion, representing 131.1% of net profit [1][5] Financial Performance - For Q2, operating margin stood at 21.0%, showing a slight decline of 0.1% year-on-year but an increase of 0.2% sequentially [5][6] - Basic earnings per share (EPS) for Q2 was $0.20, marking a growth of 7.9% year-on-year [5][6] - For the first half of FY26, revenues grew by 3.3% year-on-year in constant currency, with reported revenues at $10,018 million, a growth of 4.3% year-on-year [2][5] Guidance and Strategic Focus - The revenue guidance for FY26 has been revised to a growth range of 2%-3%, while the margin guidance remains at 20%-22% [1][8] - CEO Salil Parekh emphasized the company's unique market positioning and relevance to clients, particularly in delivering value from AI [3] Client Engagement and Collaborations - Infosys has engaged in multiple strategic collaborations, including partnerships with ABN AMRO, Mastercard, and Telstra, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and digital transformation [7][9] - The company is actively involved in AI integration and IT transformation projects, showcasing its commitment to innovation and client-centric solutions [9] Awards and Recognitions - Infosys received several accolades, including recognition as one of the World's Best Companies 2025 and various awards for sustainability and employee satisfaction [13][19] - The company was also acknowledged as a leader in multiple categories by Gartner and IDC, highlighting its capabilities in digital transformation and AI services [19]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a revenue growth of 2.2% sequentially and 2.9% year-on-year in constant currency terms for Q2 [2][3] - Operating margin was reported at 21% [3] - The revenue growth guidance for the financial year was revised to 2% to 3% in constant currency terms, while the operating margin guidance remains at 20% to 22% for the full year [4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Large deals amounted to $3.1 billion, with 67% being new or net new work [3] - The company added 8,000 employees during the quarter [3] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong performance was noted in manufacturing and financial services, while retail continues to face constraints [10][21] - The company has seen good traction in its client base, particularly in financial services and manufacturing [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on deploying AI across enterprises for growth and cost efficiency [3][16] - There is a strong emphasis on scaling the team of forward-deployed engineers to support AI initiatives [3] - The company is actively looking at further acquisitions to enhance capabilities in various sectors [14][60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management acknowledged the uncertain global environment but expressed confidence in the guidance due to good traction observed [9][21] - The company is adapting to changes in the macroeconomic environment, with a focus on cost optimization and automation [29] Other Important Information - The company is strengthening its nearshore centers and local hiring strategies in response to stricter H-1B visa norms [44][46] - The recent mega deal worth $1.6 billion is with the UK NHS, focusing on a complete transformation supported by AI technologies [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on guidance and industry recovery - The management explained that the guidance reflects a typical seasonal pattern, with the second half of the year being slower than the first half, and noted good performance in manufacturing and financial services despite constraints in retail [9][10] Question: H-1B visa concerns - The management stated that the majority of employees in the U.S. do not require Infosys immigration support and emphasized a focus on local hiring and nearshore strategies [11][12][64] Question: AI revenue quantification - The management acknowledged the interest in AI projects and indicated that they are scaling up efforts in enterprise AI, but did not provide specific revenue figures [16][20] Question: Project Maximus impact - The management reported that Project Maximus has continued to deliver margin expansion despite headwinds, contributing positively to the operating margin [26] Question: Client contribution changes - The management noted that changes in client contributions are marginal and attributed them to project ramp-ups and ramp-downs [32] Question: Acquisitions and growth outlook - The management confirmed ongoing interest in acquisitions to fill capability gaps and enhance growth, particularly in sectors like digital and AI [14][60] Question: Voluntary attrition increase - The management acknowledged an increase in voluntary attrition compared to the previous year but did not provide specific reasons [71] Question: Nearshore strategy - The management highlighted the success of nearshore centers and local hiring initiatives, which are expected to scale further [46][44]

Core Insights - Indian IT firms Infosys, Wipro, and LTIMindtree exceeded quarterly revenue estimates, indicating improving demand as clients are more willing to invest in AI projects [1][2][4] - The positive results from these firms follow strong performance by Tata Consultancy Services, suggesting a recovery in the $283 billion IT sector after recent struggles due to reduced discretionary spending [2][5] Company Performance - Infosys reported better-than-expected profit and revenue for the second quarter, projecting full-year revenue growth of 2-3%, an increase from the previous forecast of 1-3% [4] - Wipro anticipates a revenue range of a 0.5% decline to a 1.5% increase for the third quarter, benefiting from clients' increasing interest in AI projects [4][5] - LTIMindtree also reported strong second-quarter revenue, particularly driven by the banking sector [6] Market Trends - There is a notable shift in client priorities towards AI and digital acceleration, with companies looking to implement AI solutions rather than just testing concepts [3][5] - Analysts view the recent quarterly results as a sign that the IT sector is stabilizing and regaining traction, particularly due to increased spending from financial services firms [5][6]

India's second-largest software services exporter Infosys narrowed its revenue growth forecast for the year on Thursday to 2%-3% from 1%-3%, even amidst slowing demand in a challenging macroeconomic e... ...

Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) Earnings Preview: Growth Amid ChallengesInfosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) is a prominent player in the global IT services sector, known for its innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. As the company prepares to release its quarterly earnings on October 16, 2025, analysts have set expectations for an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.20. This marks a 5.3% increase from the same period last year, reflecting the company's steady growth.Revenue for the quarter is projected to be appr ...

Core Viewpoint - Infosys Ltd's recent $1.6 billion NHS contract signals its competitive positioning against Cognizant Technology Solutions, potentially narrowing the revenue gap between the two companies [1][2]. Financial Performance - The revenue gap between Infosys and Cognizant decreased from $459 million at the end of the last fiscal year to $304 million by the end of the April–June quarter, with the new contract expected to reduce it further by $107 million [2]. - Analysts expect Infosys to achieve the fastest growth among the top five IT firms for the second consecutive quarter, driven by strong project delivery and minimal revenue leakages [3]. AI Strategy - Infosys is focusing on small AI models (SLMs) and has developed at least four tailored for various sectors, indicating a strategic push in AI capabilities [5]. - A dedicated 100-member steering committee has been established to identify AI opportunities, with AI now embedded in nearly all deals [6]. Growth Trajectory - The mega deal's revenue contribution is expected to ramp up next year, with management indicating growth from several large deals in the second quarter [8]. - Despite uncertainties regarding H-1B visas and potential outsourcing taxes, analysts predict the company's revenue guidance will remain unchanged at 1-3% for the full year [9]. Large Deals and Market Position - Infosys benefits from vendor consolidation trends, although macroeconomic uncertainties may impact discretionary spending [10]. - Strength in the financial services sector, which accounts for over 25% of revenue, is expected to help navigate uncertain demand [11]. AI Updates and Competitor Landscape - Investors are keen to see updates on AI initiatives, especially in light of significant investments by competitors like TCS and HCL in AI solutions [12]. - There is a focus on incremental revenue from AI-led solutions and whether Infosys will disclose specific AI revenue figures [13]. Operating Margins - Infosys has maintained operating margins of 20-21% through effective cost management and efficiency gains from AI initiatives [14]. - The company is leveraging its Project Maximus plan to sustain margins despite wage hikes and has reduced general and administrative expenses [14]. Global Capability Centers (GCC) Expansion - Infosys is enhancing its engagement with Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and has appointed dedicated leadership to this initiative [15]. - The company aims to not only source work from existing GCCs but also establish new ones, with management commentary on GCC engagements being closely monitored [16].