HCLTech Ltd.’s second-quarter revenue and operating income met estimates, with analysts largely bullish on the stock.
The management revised service revenue guidance to 4–5% (from 3–5%) while EBIT and revenue guidance were maintained.
The company net added employees, and attrition fell to 12.6%.
The company expressed confidence in AI-led growth and noted that over $100 million in revenue came from advanced AI, with nearly all Q2 deals including AI.
Out of the 47 analysts tracking HCLTech, 21 have a ‘buy’ rating on the stock, 19 recommend a ‘hold’, and seven suggest a ‘sell’, according to Bloomberg data. The average of 12-month analyst price targets is Rs 1,623, which implies a potential upside of 9%.
Macquarie has the highest price target of Rs 1,980, followed by Antique Stock Broking (Rs 1,775) and Phillip Securities (Rs 1,770).
Brokerages On HCLTech
CLSA
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Reiterate ‘Outperform’ with price target cut to Rs 1,660 from Rs 1,663.
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Continues to focus on an asset-light business model, in contrast to TCS.
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3-5% FY26 guidance band intact due to weakness in the software business.
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Re-rating from current levels depends on the EBIT margin recovering.
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Restructuring and Al to be overall revenue accretive.
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Seeing significant scope for existing revenue cannibalisation due to Al.
Nuvama
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Maintain ‘Hold’ and hike price target to Rs 1,650 from Rs 1,630 earlier.
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Valuations comparable to those of TCS and Infosys, hence limited upside potential.
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Sequential broad-based growth with improved margins.
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Strong client interest with AI force now deployed in 47 accounts (versus 35 QoQ).
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Wage hike cycle will commence in Q3 with a likely margin impact of 70–80 bps.
Motilal Oswal
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Reiterate ‘buy’ with a price target of Rs 1,800.
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The company is the fastest-growing in the large-cap IT services space.
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All-weather portfolio remains the best large-cap bet in an uncertain macro environment.
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Expect the company’s services business to grow at 4.5% constant currency.
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Good beat on margins, but expect short-term pressure.
Emkay
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Retains ‘Add’ on HCLTech with a price target of Rs 1,550.
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Benefits from Project Ascend, and a weak rupee, were partly negated by restructuring costs.
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Continued momentum in BFSI and operating performance.
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Softness is seen in software revenue.
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