Infosys shares gain nearly 4% on share buyback; firm raises this fiscal's revenue growth forecast to 8.5-9%

New Delhi: Shares of Infosys on Monday rose by nearly 4 percent after the company approved a Rs 8,260-crore share buyback and also raised its revenue growth forecast. After a positive opening, shares of the company further gained 3.70 percent to Rs 709 on the BSE. At the NSE, shares of the company jumped 3.90 percent to Rs 710.20. [caption id=“attachment_4299991” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] India’s second largest IT firm Infosys on Friday reported a 30 percent drop in its December quarter net profit on higher expenses even as it approved a Rs 8,260-crore share buyback — the second in less than 13 months’ time. Its net profit slumped to Rs 3,610 crore in October-December 2018 from Rs 5,129 crore in the same period a year ago, the company said in a statement. In spite of the drop in quarterly profit, the company raised its revenue growth forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2019 to 8.5-9 percent in constant currency terms, from 6-8 percent previously. Revenue from operations rose 20.3 percent to Rs 21,400 crore. Infosys said it will buy back 10.32 crore shares, or 2.36 percent, for no more than Rs 800 per share — 17 percent higher than the closing price of Rs 683.70 per share on the BSE. Infosys also declared a special dividend of Rs 4 per share. Sanjeev Hota, AVP research at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said, Infosys’ performance surprised positively with strong top-line growth for the quarter, though margin performance missed the mark. “Increase in revenue guidance and better exit rate for FY19 provides comfort on double digit growth in FY20. Buyback quantum seems to be below than expectation, however, will support the stock performance in medium term,” he added.     To keep watching India’s No. 1 English Business News Channel – CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News – CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day.