PERSISTENT - Persistent Systems Limited Share Price

In the October 14, 2025 earnings call, management provided a positive outlook for Persistent Systems, reflecting confidence in sustained growth and operational excellence. They reported a quarterly revenue of $406.2 million, marking a 4.2% increase quarter-on-quarter and a 17.6% increase year-on-year. This achievement extends the company's growth streak to 22 consecutive quarters. Additionally, the annualized revenue rate has exceeded $1.6 billion.

Key forward-looking points emphasized include:

1. Growth Target: Management is optimistic about reaching a revenue target of $2 billion by the end of FY27.

2. Order Book Health: The total contract value for the quarter was reported at $609.2 million, with new bookings contributing $350.8 million. The annual contract value reached $447.9 million, of which $254.4 million came from new bookings, indicating strong client engagement.

3. Client Metrics: Growth in revenue from major client tiers was notable"”top five clients saw a 23.4% increase, top ten clients 22.4%, and top twenty clients 22.7%. There is continuing diversification in client relationships, with an increase in clients exceeding various revenue thresholds.

4. Margin Strategy: The EBIT margin improved to 16.3%, with management indicating that wage hikes effective from October 1, 2025, may initially pressure margins but will be offset by strategic measures like offshoring and efficiency improvements.

5. Investment in AI: There is a strong emphasis on AI-driven growth strategies, positioning the company to capitalize on AI transformations for both operational capabilities and client offerings. Management has indicated proactive engagement with the top 100 clients, aiming to ensure they leverage AI capabilities effectively.

6. Geographic and Sectoral Growth: North America witnessed a 15.4% growth, while Europe saw a significant 37.9% increase. BFSI led sector growth at 30%, reinforced by numerous deal wins across multiple verticals.

Overall, management conveyed a focus on leveraging their technological advancements and operational improvements to drive future growth amidst challenging macroeconomic conditions.

Here are the major questions from the Q&A section of the earnings transcript along with their detailed answers:

1. Question: "I wanted to check on the TCV growth and its implications for next year's $2 billion target. How do you see the decline in new TCV affecting us?"

   Answer: "Out of the TCV of $609.2 million, $350.8 million is new business. While the ACV is strong with $254.4 million from new bookings, TCV reflects long-term contracts. We remain confident about future growth, as revenue realization will draw from both ACV bookings and TCV conversions unless macroeconomic conditions shift adversely."

2. Question: "What led to the strong margins improvement of 230 basis points YoY? Will you prioritize growth or further optimizing margins?"

   Answer: "We've seen good margin progress as planned. We're committed to maintaining balanced growth and investing in innovation. While we've enhanced our margins, we recognize that a changing environment calls for continued investment in growth. Thus, we'll strive for a combination of heightened margins while prioritizing continued growth."

3. Question: "What is driving the sustained high growth in BFSI and Europe, and are they interconnected?"

   Answer: "BFSI and Europe's growth isn't interlinked. The European growth is linked to significant deals we won, while BFSI growth stems from multiple wins, including large consolidation deals. These wins span various sub-sectors, indicating a broad-based growth rather than dependence on a few clients."

4. Question: "How does the current macro landscape affect demand and pipeline stability?"

   Answer: "The macroeconomic environment remains challenging, but we've adapted. Deal pipeline is broad-based across verticals like BFSI and hi-tech, indicating resilience. Demand is improving as clients adjust to changing conditions. We believe, with execution excellence, we can leverage this growth, especially as healthcare begins to rebound."

5. Question: "As clients seek productivity benefits from AI, is there a risk of pricing deflation?"

   Answer: "It's early to conclude AI is causing pricing deflation. We proactively engage clients, integrating AI-led offerings into renewals. Our strategy focuses on enhancing overall efficiency through AI, not just unit prices, which has prevented negative impacts on our realization."

6. Question: "Can you provide clarity on what's driving margin improvements in the tech segment specifically?"

   Answer: "Margin improvements in tech arise from successful AI-driven deal wins using platforms like SASVA. These allow us to optimize resources while enhancing project profitability and are central to achieving better realizations in competitive landscapes."

7. Question: "Do you foresee structural changes in headcount distribution, particularly in North America vs India?"

   Answer: "Changes are likely due to market conditions, but not dramatically. Our strategy remains consistent; we're focused on efficient project delivery, leveraging headcount as needed for client demands while ensuring sustainable operations without over-relying on H-1B staffing."

8. Question: "With recent strong deal wins, should we expect accelerated growth in the latter half of the year?"

   Answer: "While we won't provide explicit forecasts, the solid pipeline reflects strong positions for potential growth. We're optimistic but grounded, and our focus remains on maintaining execution and exploring market opportunities diligently."

This format provides clarity on the major points discussed and the respective responses in the call.