Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the quarter was $16.7 billion, reflecting an 8.5% increase in local currency and a 5% increase in U.S. dollars [17][14] - Operating margin was 13.5%, a decrease of 20 basis points compared to the adjusted operating margin from the previous year [20][15] - Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $2.82, representing a 2% growth over the adjusted EPS from the same quarter last year [21][15] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $2.7 billion, with a cash balance of $8.5 billion at the end of the quarter [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consulting revenues were $8.3 billion, up 3% in U.S. dollars and 6% in local currency [17] - Managed services revenue was $8.4 billion, reflecting an 8% increase in U.S. dollars and 11% in local currency, driven by double-digit growth in technology managed services [18][17] - New bookings totaled $20.9 billion, with consulting bookings at $10.5 billion and managed services bookings at $10.4 billion [16][15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Americas, revenues grew 11% in local currency, led by banking and capital markets, industrial, health, and consumer goods retail [18] - EMEA revenues increased by 8% in local currency, driven by public service, life sciences, and consumer goods [19] - Asia Pacific revenue grew 1% in local currency, with growth in insurance and utilities, partially offset by declines in chemicals and natural resources [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on large-scale transformations for clients, with a strong emphasis on Gen AI as a catalyst for reinvention [6][23] - Significant investments were made in strategic areas, including over $250 million across six strategic acquisitions [8] - The company aims to increase its data and AI workforce to approximately 80,000 by the end of FY 2026 [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted an elevated level of uncertainty in the global economic and geopolitical environment, but remains confident in the fundamentals of the industry [11][12] - The company expects revenue growth in the range of 5% to 7% in local currency for the full fiscal year 2025 [39] - Operating margin is expected to expand by 10 to 20 basis points for the fiscal year [40] Other Important Information - The company has been recognized as one of the world's most ethical companies for the eighteenth consecutive year [8] - A transformative hospitality skilling program was launched in India in collaboration with Marriott International [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are clients hitting the pause button on new initiatives? - Management indicated that there has been no overall change in client activity, with some discussions focusing on accelerating initiatives [45][46] Question: What was the growth rate in U.S. Federal revenue? - Specific growth rates for U.S. Federal revenue were not provided, but management expressed confidence in the overall positioning of the business [47][48] Question: How is the margin outlook changing? - The decrease in gross margin was attributed to higher subcontractor costs and business optimization actions, with expectations for a slight expansion in operating margin for the year [54][55] Question: How are budgets being set in the current environment? - Management noted that there has not been a meaningful increase in budgets for services, with discretionary spending remaining constrained [64][66] Question: How is the company managing its workforce mix? - The company added over 2,000 employees in Q2 and continues to manage its supply and demand effectively, maintaining a utilization rate of 91% [92]