Contact: Lambert by LLYC Jennifer Hurson, 845-507-0571, [email protected] SOURCE Belcan About Belcan Belcan, a Cognizant company, is a global supplier of design, software, manufacturing, supply chain, information technology, and digital engineering solutions to the aerospace, defense, space, government services, automotive, and industrial markets. Belcan engineers better outcomes for customers – from jet engines, airframe, and avionics to heavy vehicles, automobiles, and cybersecurity. Belcan takes a partne ...

Core Viewpoint - Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. is considering a public listing on Indian stock exchanges, which would position it as India's second-largest listed IT services company, following Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) [1][2] Company Strategy - Cognizant's board and management are evaluating opportunities to enhance shareholder value, including a potential primary offering and secondary listing in India, with legal and financial advisors involved [2][3] - The company ended the previous year with $19.74 billion in revenue and has a significant workforce in India, with over two-thirds of its 241,500 employees based there [2] Market Valuation - The motivation behind the potential India listing is attributed to better valuation opportunities in the Indian market, where Cognizant's price-to-earnings ratio is around 13, compared to 22-23 for local firms like TCS and Infosys [4][5] Industry Context - Cognizant's potential listing follows the upcoming public listing of Carlyle-backed Hexaware Technologies Ltd. in February 2025, indicating a trend of American firms seeking to tap into the Indian market [6] Financial Performance - Cognizant reported better-than-expected performance for the July-September period, with revenue of $5.42 billion, reflecting a 3.24% sequential increase and a 7.36% year-over-year growth, surpassing analyst estimates [7][8] - The company raised its full-year revenue guidance to $21.05-$21.1 billion, indicating a projected annual growth of 6.6%-6.9%, up from a previous range of 4.7%-6.7% [11] Growth Dynamics - Cognizant's organic growth has improved as reliance on acquisitions has decreased, with year-on-year growth rates of 8.2%, 7.2%, and 6.5% in the first three quarters of the year [12][13] - The Belcan acquisition contributed significantly to growth in earlier quarters, but its impact has diminished, suggesting a shift towards more sustainable growth strategies [13][14] Operational Insights - The company's net profit declined by over half sequentially to $274 million due to higher one-time income tax expenses [15] - Operating margin increased by 40 basis points to 16%, attributed to a depreciating Indian rupee and disciplined expense management [16] Workforce and Hiring Practices - Cognizant's employee count rose to 349,800, an increase of 6,000 from the previous quarter, amidst scrutiny over hiring practices in the US [17][18] - The company has reduced its dependency on visas and increased local hiring, mitigating potential impacts from recent US policy changes [19][20]

Summary of Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH) Conference Call Industry Overview - The IT services market has been significantly disrupted by AI over the past two years, affecting nearly every value chain globally [4][5] - Cognizant identifies three vectors of AI market opportunity: 1. Unlocking productivity in value chains 2. Industrializing AI across tech stacks 3. Agentification of value chains [4][6] Core Insights - **Current Focus on AI**: Most clients are currently focused on vector one, which involves using AI to enhance productivity and optimize costs. This has led to an increase in cost optimization deals [5][8] - **Future Expectations**: Cognizant anticipates a shift towards vector two (industrialization of AI) in the coming quarters, which is expected to present a larger market opportunity than vector one [6][40] - **Large Deals Performance**: Cognizant has consistently won 4 to 6 large deals each quarter, with a focus on $100 million plus deals. The company is also targeting mega deals worth $500 million or more [12][14] - **Sector-Specific Trends**: - Financial services are showing signs of recovery with increased discretionary spending, while healthcare remains cautious due to macroeconomic factors [15][19][22] - The company is expanding its presence in underpenetrated markets such as healthcare providers and communications [25][26] Financial Performance - Cognizant has seen a rebound in financial services, achieving year-on-year growth for four consecutive quarters [21] - The healthcare segment remains strong, with Cognizant's platforms covering approximately two-thirds of the US insured population [23][24] - The company is focused on maintaining healthy margins while growing revenue, emphasizing large deal governance and execution [55][56] AI and Pricing Models - The transition to AI is expected to change pricing models from traditional time and material to hybrid models that focus on value and outcomes [42][43] - While vector one pricing remains competitive, vectors two and three are anticipated to command premium pricing due to the need for specialized skills [59][60] M&A Strategy - Cognizant is actively seeking acquisition opportunities to access underpenetrated markets, build missing capabilities, or expand into new geographies [76] Cultural Insights - Cognizant's culture remains centered on client-centricity, which has been a consistent differentiator throughout its evolution [68][72] Conclusion - Cognizant is navigating a transformative period in the IT services industry, driven by AI advancements and shifting market dynamics. The company is strategically positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities while maintaining a focus on growth and client satisfaction.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue grew by 8.2% year over year in constant currency to $5.1 billion, driven by the Belcan acquisition and organic growth in Health Sciences and Financial Services [6][25] - Adjusted Operating Margin improved by 40 basis points year over year to 15.5%, on track to achieve full year guidance of 20 to 40 basis points of expansion [8][33] - Adjusted EPS grew 10% year over year, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of year over year growth [8][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Health Sciences revenue increased over 11% year over year in constant currency, with broad-based growth across payer, provider, and life sciences [7][28] - Financial Services segment grew 6.5% year over year in constant currency, with healthy discretionary spending as clients invested in cloud and data modernization [7][28] - Products and Resources segment growth was driven by Welch, but faced weak demand due to discretionary spending pressures [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America revenue grew 10% year over year in constant currency, driven by Belcan and large deals [30] - Europe revenue increased by 3% year over year in constant currency, supported by life sciences and financial services clients [31] - The Rest of the World saw a 7% year over year increase in constant currency, driven by large deals in Communications, Media, and Technology [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is investing heavily in AI-powered software-led engineering, integrating expertise in embedded software and IoT with capabilities from recent acquisitions [10][19] - Strategic imperatives include amplifying talent, scaling innovation, and accelerating growth, with a focus on AI and embedded engineering [16][19] - The company aims to build resilience and durability by developing leadership and talent, strengthening operational discipline, and rebooting innovation [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The macro environment changed sharply in early April, leading to elevated uncertainty, but the company sees opportunities related to productivity and efficiency [9][26] - Management remains optimistic about capturing demand in Financial Services and believes the current environment presents opportunities for cost optimization [27] - The company expects revenue growth of 5% to 6.5% year over year in constant currency for the second quarter of 2025 [35][36] Other Important Information - The company had four large deals in the first quarter, including a mega deal valued at over $500 million [8][26] - Free cash flow for the first quarter was $393 million, with plans to redeploy proceeds from the sale of an office complex in India [35] - The company plans to return approximately $1.7 billion to shareholders in 2025, including $1.1 billion in share repurchases and $600 million in dividends [39] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on bookings and pipeline shifts - Management noted that productivity gains from leveraging AI are leading to new deals and opportunities for consolidation, particularly in financial services [43][44] Question: Impact of April slowdown on decision-making - Management indicated that the slowdown is primarily seen in the Products and Resources segment, while Financial Services remains strong [56][57] Question: Comfort level regarding backlog coverage - Management expressed confidence in the backlog coverage, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.3x and healthy demand in applications, AI, and cybersecurity [76] Question: Gross margin trends and expectations - Management highlighted that cost discipline will drive operating margin outcomes, with utilization and productivity improvements being key factors [78] Question: Sustainability of current growth and market position - Management emphasized the need for consistency in performance and expressed confidence in sustaining growth through a broad-based portfolio and strong market position [85][86]

Core Insights - Cognizant reported strong financial performance in Q1 2025, with revenue of $5.115 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.5% and 8.2% in constant currency [3][9][40] - The company achieved a GAAP operating margin of 16.7%, up 210 basis points from the previous year, and an adjusted operating margin of 15.5%, which increased by 40 basis points year-over-year [3][9][40] - GAAP diluted EPS rose to $1.34, a 22% increase year-over-year, while adjusted diluted EPS increased by 10% to $1.23 [3][9][40] Financial Performance - Revenue growth was driven by recent acquisitions, contributing approximately 400 basis points to overall revenue growth [3][44] - The company returned $364 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in Q1 2025, with a planned return of $1.7 billion for the full year [5][11] - Bookings for the trailing twelve months increased by 3% year-over-year to $26.7 billion, with a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 1.3x [6][9] Operational Highlights - The first quarter performance demonstrated strong operational rigor amid elevated uncertainty, with revenue exceeding guidance and adjusted operating margin expansion [5][9] - The company expects second quarter revenue to be between $5.14 billion and $5.21 billion, representing growth of 5.9% to 7.4% [15] - Full-year 2025 revenue guidance remains unchanged at $20.5 billion to $21.0 billion, with expected growth of 3.9% to 6.4% [15] Strategic Initiatives - Cognizant is focusing on AI-led transformation, leveraging its differentiated AI and platform capabilities to assist clients in navigating macroeconomic challenges [2][14] - Recent client agreements and partnerships include collaborations with Boehringer Ingelheim, Citizens Financial Group, and Docusign, aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies and driving innovation [16][20] - The company plans to establish a Cognizant Immersive Learning Center in Chennai, India, to train 100,000 individuals annually, reflecting its commitment to workforce development [20]

Core Insights - Belcan, LLC has been awarded Supplier of the Year by GE Aerospace, recognizing its excellence in safety, quality, delivery, innovation, and partnership among over 250 suppliers [1][2] - The award was presented at the GE Supplier Symposium Awards Dinner on March 5, 2025, marking the first symposium in over five years [2] - Belcan has maintained a partnership with GE Aerospace for over 55 years, built on trust and industry expertise [3] Company Overview - Belcan, a Cognizant company, provides design, software, manufacturing, supply chain, IT, and digital engineering solutions across various sectors including aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial markets [4] - The company has a global presence with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, and additional offices in the UK, Poland, Mexico, and India, allowing it to support GE Aerospace effectively [3][4] - Belcan focuses on delivering adaptable, integrated, and value-added solutions, earning customer trust for over 60 years [4]