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Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH)
NASDAQ:CTSH
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Cognizant (CTSH) AI Stock Analysis

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CTSH

Cognizant

(NASDAQ:CTSH)

Rating:74Outperform
Price Target:
$80.00
▲(14.29% Upside)
Cognizant's overall stock score is mainly supported by a strong earnings call outlook and solid financial performance. While valuation is attractive, technical analysis indicates bearish momentum, which moderates the score. Strategic growth through AI and solid financials are key strengths, but market momentum presents short-term risks.
Positive Factors
Bookings and Deals
Cognizant secured six large deals with significant total contract value, including two mega-deals, showcasing its strong position in the market.
Financial Performance
Management raised the full-year revenue and EPS outlook, indicating confidence in future financial performance.
Gen AI Development
Gen AI expertise has strengthened Cognizant's competitive positioning, resulting in recent deal wins in the CMT sector.
Negative Factors
Growth Expectations
Large deal momentum raises the low-end of the CY25 organic growth outlook by only +50bps to +1.5-3.5% y/y cc, which falls short of buyside expectations.
Investor Sentiment
Investors that are fundamentally bearish struggle to see meaningful top-line and margin upside, affecting longer-term sentiment.
Revenue Growth
Organic revenue growth has decelerated to 3%, leading to investor concerns about future growth rates.

Cognizant (CTSH) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Cognizant Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionCognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) is a multinational technology company that provides IT services, including digital, technology, consulting, and operations services. Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey, Cognizant operates primarily in the information technology services sector. The company serves a wide range of industries, including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications, offering solutions that help clients improve their business performance through technology.
How the Company Makes MoneyCognizant makes money primarily through its diverse range of IT services and consulting offerings. The company's revenue model is based on providing project-based and managed services, as well as ongoing maintenance and support contracts. Key revenue streams include consulting services, application development and management, digital strategy and solutions, and IT infrastructure services. Additionally, Cognizant generates revenue through long-term contracts with clients, often involving multi-year engagements that ensure a steady income stream. The company has also established significant partnerships with major technology providers, which enhance its service offerings and allow it to deliver integrated solutions to clients. Client retention and the expansion of existing contracts further contribute to Cognizant's earnings.

Cognizant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Service Line
Revenue by Service Line
Analyzes income from various service offerings, highlighting which areas drive growth and profitability, and where the company is focusing its strategic efforts.
Chart InsightsCognizant's Consulting and Technology segment is experiencing a strong rebound, with recent quarters showing accelerated growth, aligning with robust earnings call guidance. This growth is driven by significant bookings and large deals, reflecting strategic focus on AI and innovation. Outsourcing Services, however, shows more modest growth, potentially impacted by dynamic demand conditions. Despite challenges in health sciences, Cognizant's strategic initiatives in AI and large deals are expected to sustain momentum, with projected revenue growth of 4% to 6% for 2025, underscoring a positive outlook amidst a challenging environment.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Cognizant Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 30, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: -4.80%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a positive outlook with strong revenue and bookings growth, improved operating margins, and significant progress in AI-driven innovation and productivity. However, there are some challenges related to the demand environment and potential headwinds in health sciences. Despite these challenges, the company maintains a strong strategic focus and operational discipline.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Second quarter revenue grew 7.2% year-over-year in constant currency to $5.2 billion, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year organic growth.
Significant Bookings Increase
Q2 bookings grew 18% year-over-year, with a trailing 12 months growth of 6%. The company landed 6 large deals with TCV of $100 million or greater, including 2 mega deals valued around $1 billion each.
Adjusted Operating Margin Improvement
Adjusted operating margin improved by 40 basis points year-over-year to 15.6%, on track to achieve the 20 to 40 basis points margin expansion goal for 2025.
AI-Driven Innovation and Productivity
AI projects have shown significant uptake, with more than 2,500 early GenAI client engagements compared to 1,400 in Q1. Nearly 30% of code was AI-generated in Q2, significantly improving developer productivity.
Talent and Engagement Initiatives
Employee engagement scores remained well above industry benchmarks for the third year in a row, with ongoing investments in AI and emerging technology hubs.
Record Capital Return to Shareholders
Cognizant returned $521 million to shareholders in Q2 and plans to return $2 billion in total for the full year, an increase from the previously planned $1.7 billion.
Negative Updates
Limited Visibility and Demand Environment
The demand environment remains dynamic with limited visibility, although large deals have offset discretionary spending pressure.
Impact of U.S. Budget Bill
A onetime noncash tax expense of approximately $400 million is expected in Q3 due to changes in U.S. tax laws, although this is expected to reduce near-term cash taxes.
Headwinds in Health Sciences
The recent passage of the U.S. Budget Bill and changes to Medicaid are expected to weigh on near-term discretionary demand from payers and providers.
Company Guidance
During the Cognizant Technology Solutions second quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided a robust guidance, highlighting several key metrics. Revenue for the quarter grew 7.2% year-over-year in constant currency, reaching $5.2 billion. The quarter marked the fourth consecutive quarter of organic growth, led by Financial Services and Health Sciences, with bookings increasing by 18% year-over-year, translating to a trailing 12-month growth of 6%. The company secured six large deals with a total contract value (TCV) of $100 million or more, including two mega deals valued at around $1 billion each. This resulted in the TCV of large deals more than doubling year-over-year. Adjusted operating margin improved by 40 basis points to 15.6%, aligning with the company's goal of achieving a 20 to 40 basis point margin expansion for 2025. Headcount grew by approximately 2% sequentially, and the trailing 12-month voluntary attrition rate for tech services declined by 60 basis points to 15.2%. In terms of strategic initiatives, Cognizant highlighted its focus on AI, noting that 30% of its code was AI-generated during the quarter, up from 20% the previous quarter. The company is also expanding its talent base and investing in emerging technology hubs, while continuing to focus on AI-led productivity and innovation opportunities. Looking ahead, Cognizant expects full-year 2025 revenue growth of 4% to 6% in constant currency and aims for adjusted EPS growth of 7% to 10% year-over-year.

Cognizant Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Cognizant demonstrates strong financial performance with steady revenue growth of 3.8%, robust profitability, low leverage, and efficient cash flow management. Despite a slight decline in EBITDA margin, the company's overall financial health remains solid.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Cognizant's TTM revenue grew by approximately 3.8% compared to the previous year, indicating steady growth. The company maintains strong profitability, with a gross profit margin of 33.5% and a net profit margin of 11.9% in the TTM. Despite a slight decrease in EBITDA margin to 16.6% from 17.8%, the overall margins reflect healthy operations.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
Cognizant has a solid financial position with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08 and a high equity ratio of 75.8% as of the latest report. These metrics highlight financial stability and low leverage risk. The return on equity improved slightly to 15.9%, indicating efficient use of shareholders' equity.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
The company exhibits robust cash flow health, with a free cash flow growth rate of 24.8% in the latest TTM period. Operating cash flow to net income ratio stands strong at 1.05, demonstrating efficient cash generation relative to net earnings. Free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.94, indicating strong cash profitability.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue20.49B19.74B19.35B19.43B18.51B16.65B
Gross Profit6.87B6.78B6.69B6.98B6.90B5.98B
EBITDA3.81B3.52B3.35B3.60B3.41B2.68B
Net Income2.44B2.24B2.13B2.29B2.14B1.39B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets20.16B19.97B18.48B17.85B17.85B16.92B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.81B2.24B2.63B2.50B2.72B2.72B
Total Debt1.18B1.50B1.31B1.53B1.64B1.76B
Total Liabilities4.88B5.56B5.26B5.54B5.86B6.09B
Stockholders Equity15.29B14.41B13.23B12.31B11.99B10.84B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.28B1.83B2.01B2.24B2.22B2.90B
Operating Cash Flow2.56B2.12B2.33B2.57B2.50B3.30B
Investing Cash Flow-1.42B-1.65B-331.00M-106.00M-2.16B-1.24B
Financing Cash Flow-1.56B-915.00M-1.61B-1.94B-1.20B-2.01B

Cognizant Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price70.00
Price Trends
50DMA
75.97
Negative
100DMA
75.86
Negative
200DMA
77.92
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-2.01
Positive
RSI
38.30
Neutral
STOCH
48.57
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For CTSH, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 70 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 72.37, below the 50-day MA of 75.97, and below the 200-day MA of 77.92, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -2.01 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 38.30 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 48.57 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for CTSH.

Cognizant Risk Analysis

Cognizant disclosed 14 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Cognizant reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Cognizant Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$18.41B14.95116.13%5.89%54.53%
76
Outperform
$8.87B22.7111.36%9.73%-0.29%
75
Outperform
$68.59B21.1630.46%3.07%4.52%-0.22%
74
Outperform
$33.88B14.0916.69%1.74%6.34%12.16%
71
Outperform
$29.48B20.4116.50%3.05%-1.95%62.75%
70
Outperform
$153.32B19.5927.27%2.40%6.21%14.87%
61
Neutral
$36.30B7.26-7.27%1.97%7.74%-7.92%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
CTSH
Cognizant
70.00
-4.72
-6.32%
ACN
Accenture
247.01
-74.00
-23.05%
EPAM
Epam Systems
157.71
-43.64
-21.67%
IT
Gartner
238.69
-244.01
-50.55%
INFY
Infosys
16.56
-4.98
-23.12%
WIT
Wipro
2.73
-0.20
-6.83%

Cognizant Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Cognizant Reports Strong Q2 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Jul 30, 2025

Cognizant reported its second quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting an 8.1% year-over-year revenue increase to $5.25 billion, surpassing its guidance range. The company achieved a record $27.8 billion in bookings over the past 12 months, driven by two significant deals exceeding $1 billion each. Cognizant plans to return $2.0 billion to shareholders in 2025, reflecting confidence in its long-term strategy. The company continues to focus on AI and technology solutions, securing new contracts and partnerships to enhance its market position.

The most recent analyst rating on (CTSH) stock is a Buy with a $90.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cognizant stock, see the CTSH Stock Forecast page.

Shareholder Meetings
Cognizant Shareholders Re-elect Directors, Approve Proposals
Neutral
Jun 6, 2025

On June 3, 2025, Cognizant held its annual meeting of shareholders, where all directors were re-elected, and proposals on executive compensation and the appointment of an independent accounting firm were approved. However, a shareholder proposal regarding the improvement of special shareholder meetings was not approved, indicating a mixed reception to governance changes among stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (CTSH) stock is a Buy with a $90.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cognizant stock, see the CTSH Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Cognizant Announces Leadership Transition with New CAO
Neutral
May 28, 2025

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation announced that Robert Telesmanic will retire from his role as SVP, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer effective July 1, 2025. Alina Kerdman, who has been with the company since 2010, will succeed him in this role. Kerdman will receive a comprehensive compensation package, including a base salary, cash incentives, and stock units, as she transitions into her new position. Telesmanic will remain with the company as a special advisor until the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.

The most recent analyst rating on (CTSH) stock is a Buy with a $90.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Cognizant stock, see the CTSH Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 01, 2025