Figurines with computers and smartphones are seen in front of HCLTech logo in this illustration taken, February 19, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
BENGALURU (Reuters) -HCLTech, India's third-largest IT services company, posted slightly lower-than-estimated fourth-quarter revenue on Tuesday, but projected growth opportunities to emerge from the global macro overhang.
The company expects "large opportunities" as clients use generative AI and other technologies to reduce costs in the tariff-driven environment, CEO C Vijayakumar said in a post-earnings conference.
"As I look beyond the uncertain short-term, I strongly believe there will be strong growth opportunities emerging out of the market," he said.
However, HCLTech expects the tariff-led turmoil to impact retail and manufacturing verticals and spill over to the other segments after fully kicking in.
The company's consolidated revenue rose 6.1% to 302.46 billion rupees ($3.6 billion) in the fourth fiscal quarter. Analysts on average expected revenue of 302.75 billion rupees, according to data compiled by LSEG.
It expects revenue growth to be in the range of 2% to 5% for fiscal 2026 that started on April 1.
"The street expectations on HCLTech's guidance were really low after Infosys' tepid number last week. HCLTech has delivered guidance (that) looks the best among peers in a conservative environment overall," said Piyush Pandey, lead IT analyst at Centrum Broking.
Industry leader Tata Consultancy Services missed its quarterly earnings estimates and warned about clients delaying decision-making in discretionary projects. Larger peer Infosys has forecast flat to 3% revenue growth for fiscal year 2026.
HCLTech's quarterly net profit rose 8.1% to 43.07 billion rupees, compared with analysts' mean estimate of 43.56 billion rupees.
Deal wins for the quarter stood at $3 billion, compared with $2.1 billion a year ago.
Four of the company's seven segments grew during the quarter, with the telecom and media vertical expanding by 24.3%.
HCLTech shares closed 0.1% lower on Tuesday while the sub-index of IT stocks that ended 0.57% lower that day.
($1 = 85.1710 Indian rupees)
(Reporting by Sai Ishwarbharath B; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Shreya Biswas)
