Cognizant Q4 net income rises 2.1%, forecasts stronger growth for 2025

Nasdaq-listed IT services major Cognizant met its revenue guidance for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2024. The company guided for revenue growth for 2025 in the range of 3.5 per cent to 6 per cent in constant currency. The guidance is stronger than 2024, reflecting improving market conditions. 

Cognizant’s revenue guidance for 2025 is higher than the growth it reported in 2024. Revenue for the full year 2024 grew 1.9 per cent in constant currency. The company’s fourth quarter revenue came in at $5.1 billion up 6.7 per cent year-on-year. The company managed to meet the higher end its guidance for growth.

Cognizant follows January-December financial calendar. 

The company’s net income grew 2.1 per cent to $558 million, compared to $546 million in same quarter 2023. Net income was down 4.1 per cent sequentially. 

“I am deeply grateful to our employees for their commitment to our strategic priorities and rigorous execution, which drove fourth quarter revenue growth to the high end of our guidance range. We exited the year with momentum — closing a record 29 large deals during the year — highlighting the effectiveness of our strategy,” said Ravi Kumar S, Chief Executive Officer.

Bookings in the fourth quarter increased 11 per cent year-over-year. On a trailing-twelve-month basis, bookings increased 3% year-over-year to $27.1 billion, which represented a book-to-bill of approximately 1.4x. During the quarter, Cognizant signed ten large deals, which are deals with total contract value of $100 million or greater.

In terms of growth drivers, North America grew 8.4 per cent YoY for the Q4 CY24. Europe was up 1.3 per cent and rest of world grew 3.9 per cent. 

In terms of verticals, health sciences grew 10.4 per cent, financial services was up 2.8 per cent and communications, media and technology was up 0.4 per cent. The firm’s products and resources segment grew 11.3 per cent. 

Jatin Dalal, Chief Financial Officer, said “We expect that our improved cost structure, achieved through the successful completion of our NextGen program, will help us sustain our pace of strategic investments in support of profitable growth. Our initial 2025 guidance calls for 3.5% to 6.0% constant currency revenue growth and 20 to 40 basis points of full-year Adjusted Operating Margin expansion.”

Cognizant’s Q4 headcount was down by 3,300 compared to Q3 FY24. The total headcount for the year was at 336,800. In Q3 too the company had reported a decrease of 6,500. 

“In 2024, we accelerated investments in our AI-led platforms and added new capabilities with the acquisitions of Thirdera and Belcan, further strengthening and diversifying our portfolio. Our focus on client centricity, agility, and innovation is helping clients unlock the next wave of hyper productivity and enterprise-grade generative AI adoption.”

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M&M Q3 Preview: Profit may zoom up to 32% YoY to Rs 3,249 cr; revenue 22%

Automobile giant Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) will announce its December quarter of financial year 2025 (Q3FY25) results on Friday, February 7, 2025.  

M&M is expected to report strong performance for Q3FY25, driven by solid growth across its automotive and tractor segments.  

Analysts predict a revenue increase of approximately 21 per cent Y-o-Y, with a healthy rise in tractor revenues (up 26 per cent Y-o-Y) and automotive sales (up 19 per cent Y-o-Y).  

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) is expected to grow around 39 per cent, benefiting from a better product mix and improved operating efficiencies. Positive responses to new model launches and higher tractor volumes are likely to contribute to margin expansion. 

Overall, M&M is on track to deliver a strong quarter with improved profitability across its business segments.

On the bourses, at 1:50 PM, M&M share price was trading 1.27 per cent higher at Rs 3,137.20 per share. In comparison, BSE Sensex was trading 0.49 per cent lower at 77,889.05. 

Given this, here’s what top brokerage expect from M&M in Q3 results: 

Nomura 

Analysts at Nomura forecast a 21 per cent Y-o-Y increase in M&M’s revenue for Q3FY25, driven by a 17 per cent Y-o-Y growth in automotive volumes and a 20 per cent Y-o-Y rise in tractor volumes. 

Ebitda is expected to rise 38 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 4,478.7 crore, while PAT is predicted at Rs 2,879 crore, up 17 per cent Y-o-Y.  

Ebitda margin is expected to increase by 26bps Q-o-Q to 14.6 per cent. The overall revenue projection is Rs 30,689.3 crore. 

Elara Capital 

Elara Capital analysts expect Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) to report a revenue of Rs 30,801.4 crore for Q3FY25, reflecting a 21.8 per cent Y-o-Y growth. The growth is likely driven by strong responses to new model launches and an improved product mix, with tractor sales making up 36 per cent of total volume. 

Ebitda is forecasted at Rs 4,497 crore, up 39 per cent Y-o-Y, while recurring PAT is estimated at Rs 3,129.4 crore, up 27.5 per cent Y-o-Y.  

Kotak Institutional Equities 

Kotak Institutional Equities estimates M&M’s revenues to rise 21 per cent Y-o-Y in Q3FY25, driven by a 26 per cent Y-o-Y growth in the tractor segment (with a 20 per cent increase in volumes) and a 19 per cent Y-o-Y growth in the automotive segment, fuelled by a 17 per cent increase in volumes.  

Ebitda margin is expected to improve 200bps Y-o-Y due to a richer segment mix and operating leverage benefits. Automotive Ebit margin is estimated at 9 per cent, while the tractor segment Ebit margin is predicted to improve by 310bps Y-o-Y to 18.6 per cent. 

The expected revenue is Rs 30,519.7 crore, Ebitda is Rs 4,511.4 crore (up 39.4 per cent Y-o-Y), and adjusted PAT is Rs 3,248.5 crore, up 32.4 per cent Y-o-Y.

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IndiGo to lease Boeing 787-9 from Norse Atlantic for long-haul expansion

Budget-carrier IndiGo has signed a lease agreement with Norway-based Norse Atlantic Airways for a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the Norwegian airlines said in a press release on Thursday. The aircraft is expected to begin operations in March 2025, marking a key step in IndiGo’s efforts to expand its long-haul international services.  

“This contract represents an important milestone for Norse as we partner with one of the largest and most reputable airlines in the world. We look forward to support IndiGo’s long haul services, and to deliver an exceptional travel experience to their customers” said Bjorn Tore Larsen, CEO and founder of Norse Atlantic Airways.

Under the agreement, Norse Atlantic will provide the aircraft, pilots, and maintenance services, while IndiGo will deploy its own cabin crew. The initial lease term is for six months, with the possibility of an extension up to 18 months, subject to regulatory approvals. Both airlines are also exploring further collaboration, potentially involving additional aircraft. 

Norse Atlantic Airways has said it signed a wet lease agreement with IndiGo. However, a report by Reuters claimed that the agreement was for a damp lease. 

Damp vs wet lease agreements

A wet lease is an arrangement in which one airline (the lessor) provides an aircraft along with its crew, maintenance, and insurance to another airline (the lessee).

A damp lease falls between a wet lease and a dry lease. In a damp lease, the lessor supplies the aircraft, maintenance, insurance, and some crew members, while the lessee provides the remaining crew. In contrast, a dry lease only includes the aircraft, with no crew or additional services provided. 

IndiGo’s fleet and international expansion

Currently, IndiGo flies to 38 international destinations and plans to add two more by March 2025.

At the end of 2024, IndiGo had 14 jets on damp lease—two from Turkish Airlines and 12 from Qatar Airways. The airline is expected to lease up to six Boeing 787s from Norse Atlantic, according to earlier reports. IndiGo will also take delivery of its first Airbus A321XLR in 2025, a single-aisle aircraft capable of non-stop flights from India to Western Europe.

IndiGo aims to capture a larger share of India’s international travel market, currently dominated by Gulf carriers offering one-stop flights. The airline deploys about 28 per cent of its capacity on international routes, serving destinations from Baku to Bali. 

To support its long-haul ambitions, IndiGo has placed a firm order for 30 Airbus A350-900s, with an option for 70 more, expected for delivery from 2027.

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