EPAM Systems raised its annual earnings forecast for the third time this year as businesses spend more to modernize their systems for artificial intelligence, sending shares of the IT consultancy firm... ...

Core Insights - Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation reported strong financial results for Q3 2025, with earnings per share (EPS) of $1.39, exceeding estimates of $1.29, and a year-over-year increase of 11% in adjusted EPS [2][6] - The company's revenue reached $5.42 billion, marking a 7.4% increase from the previous year and surpassing expectations [2][6] - Cognizant's operating margin improved to 16.0%, reflecting a 140 basis point increase from the previous year, with adjusted operating margin also rising [3][6] Financial Performance - The decline in GAAP EPS to $0.56 was attributed to a one-time, non-cash income tax expense of $0.80 [2] - Trailing 12-month bookings reached $27.5 billion, indicating a 5% increase from the previous year, showcasing strong demand for services [3] - The company returned $1.5 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in 2025, with plans to return $2 billion by year-end [4] Guidance and Strategic Focus - Cognizant raised its 2025 constant currency revenue growth guidance to 6.0%-6.3%, surpassing prior guidance [4] - The adjusted operating margin guidance for 2025 is now approximately 15.7%, reflecting a 40 basis point expansion year-over-year [4] - CEO Ravi Kumar S emphasized a strategic focus on AI-led platforms and intellectual property as key drivers for future growth [5] Financial Metrics - The company has a P/E ratio of 13.70 and a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.077, indicating a strong financial position [5] - A current ratio of 2.41 suggests robust liquidity, ensuring the company can meet its short-term obligations [5]

Core Insights - Carrier Global (CARR) is set to report its third-quarter 2025 results on October 28, with expectations of adjusted EPS around $0.80 and sales near $6 billion, indicating mid-single-digit organic growth year-over-year [2][9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter earnings is currently at 55 cents per share, reflecting a 14% decrease over the past 30 days and a year-over-year decline of 33.73% [2][3] - Revenue estimates stand at $5.53 billion, suggesting a 7.62% year-over-year decline [3] Performance Influencers - Strong demand in the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sector and aftermarket services is anticipated to drive revenue growth in Q3 [4] - The integration of Viessmann Climate Solutions is expected to enhance heat pump volumes and expand sustainable energy solutions [5] - Aftermarket services have been experiencing double-digit growth, likely continuing in the upcoming quarter [5] - Currency movements are projected to provide a $200 million year-over-year benefit from foreign currency translation, alongside another $200 million from tariff-related pricing adjustments [6] Challenges - Declining residential sales in the Americas due to weaker consumer demand and high inventory levels, as well as ongoing softness in residential sales in China, are expected to challenge performance [7] - Unfavorable product and regional mix in Europe, along with tariff-related margin pressures, may further impact quarterly results [7] Earnings Outlook - The current Earnings ESP for Carrier Global is +1.72%, but it holds a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), indicating lower odds of an earnings beat [8]

Core Insights - Infosys Limited is investing ₹300 crore to establish a new campus in Mohali, covering 30 acres of land [1] - The first phase of construction will involve 3 lakh square feet, creating 2,500 new jobs [1] - A subsequent phase will develop an additional 4.80 lakh square feet [1] Company Expansion - Infosys has been operating in Mohali since 2017 and is now expanding its presence in the city [2] - The company has received strong support from the Punjab state government for this project [2] - Sameer Goel, head of the Mohali center, expressed satisfaction with the expansion and the support received [2] Government Initiatives - The Punjab state government has implemented initiatives that have attracted further investments, including a 45-day approval process for industrial projects [3] - The minister noted that there is a growing interest from investors to invest in Punjab [3]

Core Insights - Expedition Infrastructure Partners ("XIP") serves as a strategic institutional advisor to OTG Acquisition Corp. I, which has successfully raised $230 million in its initial public offering, targeting the rapidly growing Digital Infrastructure Services sector [1][6] - OTG aims to focus on established companies that provide essential products and services in IT infrastructure, power systems, connectivity, environmental controls, IT services, and engineering and construction, which are critical for next-generation data centers [2][6] - The digital infrastructure market is at a pivotal inflection point, with significant demand for computing power, connectivity, and energy management driven by artificial intelligence and data growth, presenting extraordinary opportunities for businesses in this ecosystem [3][6] Company Overview - OTG Acquisition Corp. I is a newly formed special purpose acquisition company focused on the expanding Digital Infrastructure Services sector, led by a management team with extensive investment, operational, and transactional expertise [6] - The company intends to identify and merge with an established, scalable business that provides mission-critical products and services supporting data centers and related infrastructure [6] - XIP will collaborate closely with OTG's board of directors to source and execute transactions in companies well-positioned to thrive in the evolving digital landscape [4]

Market Overview - Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced gains in early trade, driven by a global market rally and increasing expectations of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut next week [1][3] - The BSE Sensex rose by 287.93 points to reach 81,836.66, while the NSE Nifty increased by 84.25 points to 25,089.75 [1] Company Performance - Infosys saw a 1.50% increase after announcing its largest-ever share buyback program valued at ₹18,000 crore [1] - Other gainers included Tata Motors, Maruti, Mahindra & Mahindra, Axis Bank, and Larsen & Toubro, while Hindustan Unilever, HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, and Titan were among the laggards [2] Investment Sentiment - The global stock markets are showing resilience, bolstered by new records in the US market, with bullish sentiments driven by anticipated rate cuts from the Fed [3] - A significant rise in demand for consumer durables, particularly automobiles, is expected to dominate economic news post-September 22nd, providing positive sentiment to the market [3][4] Institutional Activity - Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth ₹3,472.37 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased stocks worth ₹4,045.54 crore [4] Oil Market - The global oil benchmark Brent crude decreased by 0.87% to $65.79 per barrel [4]

Demand Environment for IT Services - The overall demand for IT services has been evolving over the last 12 to 18 months, with a focus on value creation rather than just cost productivity [1][2] - Clients are increasingly discussing the importance of value creation in their conversations, indicating a shift in priorities [2]

Group 1 - CGI and Kesko have entered a strategic partnership to enhance digital transformation in the retail sector, covering a range of IT services including end-user services and cloud solutions [1][2] - Kesko aims to be a leader in digital services within the retail industry, focusing on automation and AI-based solutions to improve productivity and business renewal [2][3] - The partnership reflects a trend in the IT sector where companies like Kesko are forming close collaborations with partners to achieve shared business development goals [3] Group 2 - CGI leverages AI and data-driven strategies to enhance profitability for retail and consumer organizations by improving customer experiences and optimizing supply chain operations [4] - CGI reported a revenue of CA$14.68 billion for Fiscal 2024, highlighting its significant presence in the IT and business consulting market [4]