Morgan Stanley bullish on Infosys stock—broad-based recovery signals strength

EditorEmilio Ghigini
Published 01/17/2025, 02:21 AM
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On Friday, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) reaffirmed its confidence in Infosys (NS:INFY) Ltd. (INFO:IN) (NYSE: INFY) stock, maintaining an Overweight rating and a price target of INR 2,150.00. The firm's analysts highlighted several positive developments in the company's recent performance, including broad-based recovery signs and strong free cash flow generation. According to InvestingPro data, Infosys maintains a "GREAT" financial health score, with notably low price volatility - one of 12+ key insights available to subscribers.

The third quarter financial results revealed that Infosys is witnessing an improvement in discretionary spending sentiment, not just in the U.S. Banking and Financial Services (BFS) sector but also in the European BFS and U.S. retail/Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) segments. This shift suggests a more widespread recovery than in previous quarters.

Moreover, Infosys reported an uptick in net new large deal wins in the third quarter compared to the second, indicating a strengthening in their large deal pipeline. Although these wins are still below the six-quarter average, the trend is seen as a positive sign for future growth.

Despite facing margin headwinds due to a higher component of third-party items, Infosys managed to deliver robust margins at 21.3%, achieving double-digit EBIT growth. The company maintains a healthy gross profit margin of 29.52% on revenues of $18.84 billion, according to recent InvestingPro data. This performance underscores the company's ability to maintain profitability amidst cost pressures.

Additionally, Infosys demonstrated exceptional free cash flow (FCF) generation, with FCF to net income ratio reaching 123% in the third quarter and 109% for the first nine months of the fiscal year 2025. These figures represent some of the strongest cash flows the company has seen in several years, emphasizing its financial health and operational efficiency.

The analyst's reiteration of the Overweight rating reflects a positive outlook on Infosys's stock, as the company continues to navigate the competitive landscape with strong financial metrics and strategic deal wins. The company has maintained dividend payments for 25 consecutive years, though InvestingPro's Fair Value analysis suggests the stock is currently trading slightly above its intrinsic value. For detailed insights and comprehensive analysis, investors can access the full Pro Research Report, available for Infosys and 1,400+ other top stocks.

In other recent news, Infosys has seen significant activity from financial analysts and has expanded its partnership with Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Inc. for AI innovation. Jefferies has lifted Infosys' stock price target to INR2,250 and increased its earnings estimates by 2-3%, reflecting confidence in the company's performance and growth potential.

Morgan Stanley maintained an Overweight rating, predicting revenue growth and potential performance surprises. ICICI Securities upgraded Infosys stock from Add to Buy, reflecting a positive outlook on the company's potential to capitalize on increased discretionary spending.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) Limited also revised its stance on Infosys, elevating the stock from a 'Reduce' rating to an 'Add' status. BMO Capital Markets increased the price target for Infosys from $23.00 to $25.00. These are recent developments that provide investors with a snapshot of Infosys' performance and strategic moves.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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