Core Viewpoint - Infosys is partnering with Anthropic to develop high-end enterprise-level AI solutions for various industries, starting with telecommunications [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The collaboration will initially focus on the telecommunications sector, where Anthropic will establish a dedicated center to build and deploy AI agents tailored to specific business needs [1] - The partnership aims to expand into other sectors, including financial services, manufacturing, and software development [1] Group 2: Technology Integration - Infosys's Topaz platform will integrate with Anthropic's Claude large model to automate complex workflows and accelerate software delivery [1] - The collaboration seeks to create AI solutions with autonomous execution capabilities for various industries [1]

Core Insights - Infosys and Anthropic have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at developing advanced enterprise AI solutions for various industries, starting with telecommunications and expanding to financial services, manufacturing, and software development [1] Group 1: Collaboration Details - The collaboration will utilize Anthropic's Claude models, including Claude Code, integrated with Infosys Topaz AI offerings to automate complex workflows and accelerate software delivery [1] - A dedicated Anthropic Center of Excellence will be established to focus on building AI agents tailored to industry-specific operations, beginning with telecommunications [1] Group 2: Industry Applications - In software development, Claude Code will assist teams in writing, testing, and debugging code, enhancing the speed from design to production [1] - In manufacturing, Claude will facilitate faster product design and simulation, reducing R&D timelines and allowing for more iterations before production [1] - In financial services, AI agents will enhance risk detection, automate compliance reporting, and personalize customer interactions based on comprehensive account histories [1] - In telecommunications, AI agents will modernize network operations and improve service delivery, addressing the complexities of a heavily regulated industry [1] Group 3: Leadership Perspectives - Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, emphasized the importance of domain expertise in bridging the gap between AI models and their application in regulated industries [1] - Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys, highlighted that the collaboration represents a strategic leap in advancing enterprise AI, aiming to unlock value and enhance organizational intelligence and resilience [1]

Core Insights - The SGA Emerging Markets Growth Strategy experienced a divergence from the market in Q4 2025, with the portfolio returning 0.8% (Gross) and 0.6% (Net), compared to the MSCI EM Net TR Index return of 4.7% and the MSCI EM Growth Net TR Index return of 3.3% [1] - For the full year 2025, the portfolio achieved returns of 23.8% (Gross) and 22.8% (Net), lagging behind the indexes which returned 33.6% and 34.3% respectively [1] - The portfolio anticipates annual revenue growth of 13% and earnings growth of 16% over the next three years [1] Company Focus: Infosys Limited - Infosys Limited (NYSE:INFY) was highlighted as a top contributor in Q4 2025, benefiting from steady execution, resilient recurring revenues, and strong performance in large-scale digital transformation projects [2][3] - As of February 11, 2026, Infosys's stock closed at $15.76 per share, with a one-month return of -16.26% and a twelve-month decline of 27.51% [2] - The company has a market capitalization of $63.76 billion [2] - Despite recent investor sentiment cooling towards India due to softening domestic demand and tariff uncertainties, Infosys's strong operating margins and client retention support robust free cash flow generation [3] - Concerns regarding potential disruptions from AI in outsourced IT services have affected Infosys shares, but the company is well-positioned to assist enterprises with AI deployment challenges [3] - The position in Infosys was trimmed to a below-average weight due to valuation considerations [3]

Core Insights - The increase in US visa fees is projected to raise operating expenses for Indian IT services firms by $100 million to $250 million, which is about 1% of their revenues [1][12] - Despite the higher costs, most large Indian IT firms can absorb these expenses without significant deterioration in their financial profiles due to their high profitability and robust financial positions [1][12] Financial Impact - The immediate margin impact on top-tier IT firms is expected to be modest, with the increase in operating expenses constituting around 1% of revenues and EBITA margin hit limited to around 100 basis points [5][12] - Indian IT majors have EBITA margins of 19%-26%, which exceed global peers' margins of 10%-17%, and many maintain substantial net cash positions, such as $7 billion at TCS and $4 billion at Infosys as of December 31, 2025 [6][12] Industry Dependency on H-1B Visas - The business model of the Indian IT industry relies heavily on H-1B visas, with the computer-related technology sector accounting for approximately 70% of such visas issued over the last five years [2][12] - Leading Indian IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys are among the top H-1B sponsors, indicating their reliance on this visa category [2][12] Challenges for Smaller Firms - Small and mid-sized companies may struggle to absorb the increased visa costs due to lower margins and limited liquidity, potentially compromising profitability or delaying investments in growth areas like AI and cloud [7][12] - This situation could lead to accelerated industry consolidation, as scale and financial strength become critical differentiators [7][12] Talent Shortages and Demand - Structural talent shortages in the US are expected to sustain demand for Indian IT services, with an estimated annual shortfall of around 200,000 workers in the US computer and IT sector [8][12] - Indian nationals account for 70%-75% of all H-1B visa approvals since 2020, and India produces about 2.5 million STEM graduates annually compared to 850,000 in the US [9][12] Investments in Automation and AI - Indian IT firms are increasing investments in automation and artificial intelligence to mitigate visa-related risks and improve efficiency, with many embedding generative AI to automate routine tasks [10][12] - This shift towards AI comes with near-term costs, as capital spending on AI infrastructure and employee training is expected to grow, putting pressure on free cash flow over the next 1 to 2 years [11][12]

Core Viewpoint - The Indian software sector is experiencing a decline due to increasing market concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on existing business models, with major companies like Infosys and TCS leading the downturn [1] Group 1: Market Impact - Infosys and TCS, the two largest software companies in India, saw their stock prices drop by over 4% on Thursday, contributing to a broader sell-off in the sector [1] - The Nifty IT index in India fell by as much as 4.6%, reaching its lowest level since October 1 of the previous year, with all 10 constituent stocks closing lower [1]

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Computers - IT Services sector should consider Epam (EPAM) and Infosys (INFY) for potential value opportunities, with a closer examination needed to determine which stock offers better value [1] Valuation Metrics - Epam has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Infosys has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - The forward P/E ratio for EPAM is 15.25, compared to INFY's 21.20, suggesting EPAM may be undervalued [5] - EPAM's PEG ratio is 1.80, while INFY's PEG ratio is 2.48, indicating EPAM has a more favorable growth valuation [5] - EPAM's P/B ratio stands at 2.86, significantly lower than INFY's P/B of 7.24, further supporting EPAM's valuation advantage [6] - Based on these metrics, EPAM receives a Value grade of B, while INFY is rated C, highlighting EPAM as the superior value option [6][7]

Core Insights - The launch of Anthropic's new legal tool for ClaudeAI has raised concerns about the potential impact on traditional software demand and job losses in the software sector [1][2][3] - Standard Chartered Bank's report indicates that a 10% reduction in software exports could lower GDP growth rates by 1 percentage point for economies like Ireland and India, which heavily rely on telecom, computing, and information services exports [1][2] - The Indian IT sector, employing approximately 5.5 million people, could face significant layoffs despite the affected industry's small labor force percentage [1][2] - Major software exporters such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, HCL Tech, and Tech Mahindra experienced stock declines between 5.8% and 8.1% during the peak of the sell-off [1][2] Industry Impact - The S&P 500 Software and Services Index has dropped by 7.5%, with a market capitalization loss of about $1 trillion since January 28 [2][3] - The increasing capabilities of AI tools like those developed by Anthropic may compress profit margins and lead to a decline in traditional software demand [2][3]

Core Insights - Infosys has extended its partnership with Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., and Sphere Entertainment Co., reinforcing its role as the Official Digital Innovation Partner for key properties including the New York Knicks and New York Rangers [1][2] - The Theater at Madison Square Garden has been renamed the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden, enhancing brand visibility and engagement for Infosys [1][2] Partnership Details - The partnership includes two branded locations: the Infosys Theater and the Infosys Suite Level, with brand integration across 18 suites [2] - Infosys will enhance fan engagement through digital innovations, utilizing its AI-first offering, Infosys Topaz, to improve the fan experience for the Knicks and Rangers [2] Venue Information - The Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden is a 5,600-seat venue recognized for hosting a variety of events, including concerts and sporting events, for nearly 60 years [3] - The venue has featured performances from notable artists and has been the site for significant sporting events, including the NBA and NFL Drafts [3] Company Background - Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. is a leader in live entertainment, operating renowned venues and delivering diverse experiences to millions of guests annually [4] - Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. manages professional sports teams, including the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and operates a training center [6] - Sphere Entertainment Co. focuses on immersive experiences and technology, including the MSG Networks that provide live sports content [7] Infosys Overview - Infosys is a global leader in digital services and consulting, with over 330,000 employees and operations in 63 countries, focusing on digital transformation powered by cloud and AI [8]

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are experiencing a pivotal moment with anticipation surrounding the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and earnings reports from major technology companies [1] - Premarket trading shows a mixed but generally upward trend, with S&P 500 Futures up 0.3% to 7,028.75 points and Nasdaq 100 Futures up 0.6% to 26,228.75 points, while Dow Jones Futures remain flat at 49,159.0 points [2] Semiconductor Industry - U.S. chip stocks are seeing notable gains, with Nvidia increasing by 1.7%, AMD rising by 1.4%, and Intel climbing 4.6%, reflecting strong investor confidence in AI and advanced computing [3] Major Market Indexes - The S&P 500 Index closed at a record high of 6,978.60 points, a 0.41% increase, driven by strength in chipmakers and AI infrastructure stocks, particularly Micron Technology, which announced a $24 billion investment in Singapore [4] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 49,003.41 points, down 0.83%, primarily due to weakness in the healthcare sector, with UnitedHealth Group forecasting a revenue decline for 2026 [5] - The Nasdaq Composite Index closed up 0.91% at 23,817.10 points, reaching a 2.75-month high, with nearly 30% year-over-year growth attributed to AI advancements [6] Upcoming Market Events - The Federal Reserve is expected to hold its key interest rate steady within the 3.5%-3.75% target range, following three consecutive rate cuts in late 2025, with a focus on the labor market and consumer spending [7] - Major earnings reports are anticipated from tech giants Meta Platforms and Microsoft, which will provide insights into the technology sector's health and AI investments [13] Company News - Infosys announced a strategic AI-focused collaboration, indicating ongoing investment in AI solutions [14] - Boeing's CEO outlined a turnaround plan after six consecutive annual losses, addressing operational challenges [14] - HSBC is scaling back its M&A and equities businesses in Europe, the UK, and the Americas to focus on Asian operations [14] - JetBlue Airways reported a significant Q4 loss and provided weaker-than-expected revenue guidance, raising concerns about profitability [14] - RTX Corporation delivered higher-than-expected Q4 results, showcasing strong growth across its business segments [14]

H-1B Visa Freeze - Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered a freeze on new H-1B visa petitions for state agencies and universities, emphasizing that jobs should be allocated to qualified Texans instead of immigrants [1][2] - The decision is based on reports of abuse in the federal H-1B visa program and aims to ensure that American jobs are prioritized for American workers [2][3] - State agencies and public institutions must obtain written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission to petition for new H-1B workers [4] Reporting Requirements - Agencies and universities are required to report by March on the number of new H-1B petitions and renewal requests submitted last year, as well as the number of H-1B visa holders they currently sponsor [5] Impact on Employment - The private sector employs the majority of H-1B visa holders, with Cognizant Technology Solutions, Infosys, and Oracle being the top three employers [6] - Abbott's order is expected to significantly impact public universities and hospitals, which employ hundreds of H-1B workers [7] Ban on China-linked Companies - In addition to the H-1B visa freeze, Abbott announced a ban on China-linked tech companies from state systems to prevent data harvesting and exploitation of state systems [8] - The ban targets 26 Chinese or China-linked companies, including Alibaba and Shein, to protect the privacy and security of Texans [9] - The restrictions were expanded following a threat assessment by the Texas Cyber Command [10]