HCL Technologies Q1 FY26: Shares Drop 4% on Soft Profit, Now What?

HCL Technologies saw its shares decline by nearly 4% after releasing its Q1 FY26 results, which came in below expectations. The dip was largely attributed to margin compression and weaker-than-expected profit figures.


Q1 FY26 Key Highlights

  • Net Profit declined by approximately 9.7% year-over-year to ₹3,843 crore, missing analysts’ estimates.
  • Revenue rose by 8% year-over-year to ₹30,349 crore, slightly ahead of expectations.
  • Operating Margin contracted to 16.3%, down 80 basis points from the previous quarter.
  • The company revised its FY26 EBIT margin guidance downward to 17–18% from the earlier 18–19%.
  • Order bookings stood at $1.81 billion, lower than $1.96 billion in the same quarter last year.

Market Reaction and Analyst Views

  • The stock fell 4% in intraday trade following the results.
  • Some analysts view this correction as a short-term reaction and maintain a “buy on dips” outlook with targets near ₹1,850.
  • However, others have expressed concern over the margin outlook and have adopted a more cautious stance.

Investment Outlook

HorizonRecommendationKey Considerations
Short-TermHold or CautiousMonitor margin trends and client demand
Medium-TermAccumulate on DipsPotential for upside if cost measures take effect
Long-TermHoldStrong revenue base and diversification, but watch margins

Factors to Monitor

  • Recovery in operating margins
  • Order inflow momentum in the next few quarters
  • Client spending behavior amid global macro uncertainties
  • Execution of cost optimization and restructuring plans

Conclusion

While HCL Technologies’ Q1 revenue growth remains solid, its margin pressure and lower profit raise short-term concerns. Investors with a long-term view may consider holding or selectively accumulating, while closely watching upcoming quarters for recovery signals.

Eqwires Research Analyst

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