Cognizant Pitching On Utility- Based Delivery Models

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation has today announced its first quarter 2015 financial results.

Highlights—First Quarter 2015 

• First quarter revenue of $2.91 billion was up 20.2% from the year-ago period and up 6.2% sequentially.
• GAAP diluted EPS was $0.62, up from $0.57 in the year-ago period.
• Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.71, up from $0.62 in the year-ago period.
• Net headcount addition for the quarter was approximately 6,200.

Revenue for the first quarter of 2015 rose to $2.91 billion, up 20.2% from $2.42 billion in the first quarter of 2014. GAAP net income was $382.9 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, compared to $348.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2014. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.71 compared to $0.62 in the first quarter of 2014. GAAP operating margin for the quarter was 17.2%. Non-GAAP operating margin was 19.8%, within the Company’s target range of 19-20%. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP operating results and diluted EPS are included at the end of this release.

“The clients we serve are experiencing tremendous change in their businesses and are increasingly turning to Cognizant to navigate that change,” said Francisco D’Souza, Chief Executive Officer of Cognizant. “The investments we have made in digital, automation, utility-based delivery models, consulting and industry-specific expertise are clearly paying off.  Given how fast the landscape is changing, clients typically don’t have the skillsets to manage this transformation in-house and are turning to Cognizant to help them re-architect their core business and organizational models. As a result, we’re building deeper relationships with CEOs and boards, CIOs, and business and functional leaders to help them transform their businesses into digital enterprises.”

“The Cognizant approach of helping clients from setting strategy, to implementing and maintaining technology, to transforming and running business operations is enabling us to establish greater mindshare and market leadership,” said Gordon Coburn, President. “It’s evident across all geographies and industries that businesses are being forced to manage growth, innovation and scale while simultaneously managing costs. The shift to a digital enterprise is driving greater demand for our traditional services and solutions as clients find the need to keep pace with the speed and scale of innovation and maintain their competitive advantage.”

2015 Outlook—Second Quarter and Full Year

The Company is providing the following guidance: 

• Second quarter 2015 revenue expected to be at least $3.01 billion.
• Second quarter 2015 non-GAAP diluted EPS expected to be at least $0.72.
• Fiscal 2015 revenue expected to be at least $12.24 billion, up at least 19.3% compared to 2014.
• Fiscal 2015 non-GAAP diluted EPS expected to be at least $2.93.

“Our strong revenue performance this quarter versus our guidance was driven primarily by organic growth of our core businesses and is a reflection that our strategy and offerings are resonating with our clients,” said Karen McLoughlin, Chief Financial Officer. “In addition, we are pleased to increase our full year revenue and EPS guidance to reflect the over-performance during the first quarter.”