On Friday, Susquehanna adjusted its outlook for Infosys Technologies (NYSE:NS:INFY), lowering the stock price target to $14 from $15 while maintaining a Negative rating on the stock. The firm cited the company's disappointing fourth-quarter results for the fiscal year 2024, which ended in March, and provided muted guidance for the future.
Infosys reported a downturn in short-duration work, a trend that has been observed among its peers, leading to less than stellar performance in the recent quarter. Despite this slowdown, the company did achieve a record in 12-month Total Contract Value (TCV). Susquehanna's analyst noted that Infosys might pivot to growth if discretionary spending stabilizes, but due to the current lack of visibility, the firm remains cautious.
The financial services sector saw a significant decline, dropping by 8.5% year-over-year on a constant currency basis, which included a one-time impact of $45 million to $50 million from a scope change with a large client. Retail also softened, decreasing by 3.7%, compared to a slight increase in the last quarter and a more robust growth in the previous period.
Still, there were some positive performances in other sectors. The high-tech and manufacturing sectors experienced growth of 9.7% and 8.7%, respectively. Additionally, the communications sector improved by 4.5% year-over-year, and the energy, utilities, resources & services, as well as life sciences sectors, held steady with increases of 3.3% and 1.0%, respectively.
Geographically, North America's performance dipped by 2.2% in constant currency, while Europe saw a growth of 4.9%. The changes in these verticals reflect the varied impact of the current economic environment on Infosys's business segments.
InvestingPro Insights
Following Susquehanna's revised outlook on Infosys Technologies, current InvestingPro data provides additional context for investors considering the stock. Infosys has a market capitalization of $69.94 billion, with a P/E ratio sitting at 22.15, suggesting a relatively high valuation in the current market.
Despite the recent price target cut, Infosys's dividend yield stands at 2.21%, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders, having raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Moreover, the company's low price volatility and status as a prominent player in the IT Services industry might offer some stability in turbulent markets.
InvestingPro Tips indicate that Infosys is trading at a high P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, which investors should weigh against the company's long-term record of maintaining dividend payments for 25 consecutive years.
Moreover, with the stock currently in oversold territory according to the RSI, there may be potential for a rebound. For those looking for more detailed analysis, there are over 15 additional InvestingPro Tips available, which can provide further insights into Infosys's performance and outlook.
For investors seeking a comprehensive investment tool, InvestingPro offers in-depth metrics and tips. Use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get an additional 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, and explore the full range of insights that could help navigate the complexities of the market.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.