Wipro(WIT) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IT Services revenue for Q3 was $2.63 billion, reflecting a sequential growth of 0.1% and a year-on-year decline of 0.7% [9] - Total Contract Value (TCV) of bookings was $3.5 billion, with operating margins at 17.5%, an expansion of 0.7% quarter-on-quarter and 1.5% year-on-year, marking a 12-quarter high [10][24] - Earnings per share (EPS) and net income grew 24% year-on-year and 5% sequentially, driven by margin expansion and better treasury returns [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Capco business saw improved demand with order book growing 9% year-on-year and revenue growing 11% year-on-year [10] - Health sector grew 6.7% sequentially and 4.5% year-on-year, while BFSI sector declined by 1.9% quarter-on-quarter but grew 3.4% year-on-year [12] - Technology and Communications sector declined 0.6% quarter-on-quarter and 5.3% year-on-year [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Americas 1 grew 3.9% sequentially and 3.7% year-on-year, primarily driven by health and technology sectors [11] - Europe declined 2.7% sequentially and 4.6% year-on-year, while APMEA declined 2.1% sequentially and 8% year-on-year [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on AI-driven innovation and has closed 17 large deals worth $1 billion across various markets and sectors [13] - Emphasis on large accounts and expanding into new business lines, with a sequential growth of 7.3% in top accounts [16] - Investment in AI education with 50,000 employees holding advanced AI certification, and a commitment to building a diverse and high-performance culture [20][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism for 2025, with a gradual recovery in discretionary spending and strong demand in the Americas [8][36] - Guidance for Q4 is a sequential growth of -1% to +1% in constant currency terms, reflecting current visibility [27] Other Important Information - The Board approved increasing the payout percentage to 70% or above of net income over a three-year period, effective FY '26, and declared an interim dividend of INR6 per share [26][27] - The company is actively hiring, planning to recruit 10,000 to 12,000 people in the next fiscal year [102] Q&A Session Summary Question: On deal wins and future growth trajectory - Management noted a robust large deal pipeline, particularly in BFSI and EMR segments, and emphasized that large deals are lumpy and seasonal [31][33] Question: Discretionary spending trends - Positive signs in discretionary spending were noted in the BFSI segment, with a healthy overall pipeline [35][37] Question: Margin expansion despite wage hikes - Margin expansion was attributed to improved execution, utilization, and conscious reductions in overheads [38][42] Question: Growth outlook and guidance rationale - Management explained that guidance is based on visibility and reflects improved execution and demand environment [51][53] Question: Specific sector performance outlook - BFSI was impacted by furloughs but is expected to see budget upticks, while healthcare budgets may grow at a slower pace [60][62] Question: Non-top 10 client performance - The company remains focused on both hunting and mining opportunities across all client segments [72][73] Question: Future hiring plans - The hiring engine is active, with plans for significant recruitment in the upcoming fiscal year [102] Question: Capital allocation strategy - The company prefers both dividends and buybacks, with a commitment to a 70% payout over three years [111]