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Infosys stock upgraded by Macquarie with a 34.5% higher price target

EditorEmilio Ghigini
Published 07/19/2024, 04:40 AM
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On Friday, Infosys (NS:INFY) Ltd. (INFO:IN) (NYSE: INFY) stock experienced a change in rating, with an upgrade from Underperform to Neutral. The adjustment was accompanied by a significant raise in the price target, which moved to INR 1,560.00 from the previous INR 1,160.00. This revision reflects a 34.5% increase in the price target for the global consulting and IT services firm.

The upgrade by the Macquarie firm is based on improved financial indicators, specifically lower Unbilled Days Sales Outstanding (DSOs). This metric often indicates how efficiently a company is managing its accounts receivable and billing for services rendered. A decrease in unbilled DSOs suggests that Infosys is facing reduced risks of significant cost overruns, which can impact profitability.

The analyst retained the USD revenue estimates, acknowledging that one-off aids contributed to a revenue beat in the first quarter. Despite these aids, the firm's outlook on revenue remains unchanged. This suggests that the previous concerns that may have led to the Underperform rating have been mitigated, leading to a more stable view of the company's financial health.

The valuation of Infosys has been adjusted to reflect a forward price-to-earnings (PE) ratio of 22 times the fiscal year 2026 estimates. The new target price is set with this valuation in mind, marking an increase from the earlier valuation based on 17 times the September 2025 estimated PE. This change in valuation multiples indicates a more optimistic view of the company's earnings potential and reduced execution risks.

The revised rating and price target suggest that Infosys is now seen as a less risky investment than previously thought. The company's ability to manage its billing processes more effectively has provided a basis for this improved perspective, although the firm's revenue outlook remains consistent with prior estimates.

In other recent news, Infosys has been the subject of several positive developments. The company's first-quarter results exceeded expectations, showcasing robust revenue growth of 3.6% quarter-over-quarter. This performance led to an upward adjustment of its FY25 growth guidance to 3-4% year-over-year.

Various investment banking firms, including Jefferies, BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, CLSA, and Kotak, have responded by raising their price targets for Infosys. Jefferies, for instance, increased its price target to INR2,040, citing signs of recovery in the financial services sector and strong deal wins.

Infosys' strong performance has also led to revised earnings estimates. Jefferies raised its earnings estimates for the company by 3-4%, while Goldman Sachs, CLSA, and Kotak adjusted their Earnings Per Share (EPS) estimates upwards for fiscal years 2025-2027. Morgan Stanley projects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% for Infosys' earnings from FY24 through FY27.

Additionally, Infosys has been active in securing strategic partnerships. A notable initiative is their collaboration with Sector Alarm (NASDAQ:ALRM) to modernize the latter's enterprise systems using cloud technology.

Infosys' CEO, Mr. Salil Parekh, has also reached a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, though the specifics remain undisclosed. These are among the recent developments that underline Infosys' growth trajectory and strategic initiatives.

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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