Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Companies / Indian IT firms to show sales growth, outlook uncertain
BackBack

Indian IT firms to show sales growth, outlook uncertain

Indian IT firms to show sales growth, outlook uncertain

TCS Training center in Trivandrum (File photo Bloomberg )Premium

TCS Training center in Trivandrum (File photo Bloomberg )

New Delhi/Mumbai: Indian software services companies are set to report strong revenue growth when they kick off their quarterly earnings next week, but a slowing US economy and the debt crisis in Europe may crimp orders.

While the sluggish global economy poses a risk to pricing and new orders, a weak rupee may help boost margins of market leaders Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys.

TCS Training center in Trivandrum (File photo Bloomberg )

“We expect the results to be decent, but the focus will be on their guidance to get a sense of whether clients are postponing spends or expecting price cuts," said Mohit Mirchandani, head of equity at Religare Portfolio Management, which holds IT stocks in its portfolio of around $250 million.

Most of the clients of the companies, which manage computer networks and maintain IT operations for several Fortune 500 firms, usually set their annual budget for the next year by November.

Infosys, India’s No.2 software-services firm, will kick off earnings on Wednesday and some analysts expect the company will cut its 2011/12 dollar revenue growth target as demand tapers.

In April-June, the company’s new client additions were the lowest in at least four years and it had warned in July that it faced a volatile global economy that could slow client spending.

‘No dramatic surprises´

Tata Consultancy and Infosys are set to report earnings growth of 16.5% and 8.9% respectively for the three months ended September, thanks to a healthy deal pipeline.

They would also gain from an 8.8% drop in the rupee’s value against the dollar during the quarter.

Third-ranked Wipro, which reorganized its management earlier this year, is expected to see a marginal drop in earnings as salary increases and a $150 million acquisition it made in April pressure margins.

Nasdaq-listed Infosys, whose clients include Goldman Sachs and BT Group , sees the grim economic situation in Europe as its biggest concern and is diversifying into fast-growing markets such as China, its executive co-chairman told Reuters last month.

The CEO of larger rival Tata Consultancy has said overall spending in the United States and Europe would stay weak but there would be opportunities as customers embrace new technology.

“We don’t expect any dramatic surprises, but what one needs to watch out for is any reading of caution regarding demand going forward," said Harit Shah, IT sector analyst at Nirmal Bang Equities in Mumbai.

“We may see a bit of delay in budgets for FY13," he said.

Technology outsourcing and consulting company Accenture last week reported market-beating results and forecast a strong 2012, allaying fears of an industry-wide slowdown.

Oracle Corp, the world’s No.3 software maker, also forecast higher-than-expected earnings for its second quarter as well as robust software sales.

But India’s services sector contracted for the first time in more than two years in September as new business all but dried up and expectations weakened amid concern over a flagging world economy, a survey released this week showed.

Currency impact

JPMorgan expects Infosys’ margins for the September quarter to increase about 200 basis points from the previous quarter, and TCS’ by 50 basis points, due to rupee depreciation.

The rupee, which had suffered its biggest quarterly fall in nearly three years, will however lead to mark-to-market losses on currency hedges taken by the companies.

Investors will also watch hiring plans, seen as a key barometer for demand at these companies.

Shares in Infosys, valued at nearly $30 billion, have lost about 26% this year, TCS has shed 9% and Wipro has lost more than 30%.

The sector index is down about 24% year to date, and the broader market has dropped more than 21%.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Corporate news and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates & Live Business News.
More Less
Published: 07 Oct 2011, 05:51 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App