NASDAQ$CTSH

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp · Q1 2021 earnings

Q1 2021 earnings · · Investor relations

Briefing

Reported revenue growth of 4.2% year-over-year and digital revenue up ~15% year-over-year.

Cognizant's Q1 2021 results showed revenue of $4.4 billion, a 4.2% increase year-over-year. Digital revenue grew by approximately 15% and now accounts for 44% of the total revenue. The company increased its 2021 revenue growth guidance to 7.0-9.0%.

  • Revenue of $4.4 billion grew 4.2% year-over-year (2.4% in constant currency).
  • ~$700 million was deployed on acquisitions, share repurchases, and dividends in Q1 2021.
  • Digital revenue increased by ~15% year-over-year, representing 44% of the total revenue, up from 39% in the prior year period.
  • 2021 revenue growth guidance was increased to 7.0-9.0%, or 5.6-7.6% in constant currency.

Headline financials

Total Revenue

$4.4B

Previous: $4.23B+4.2%
EPS (adj)

$0.97

Previous: $0.96+1.0%
Capital Expenditures

-$88M

Previous: -$112M+21.4%
Free Cash Flow

$417M

Previous: $255M+63.5%
Net Income

$505M

Previous: $367M+37.6%
Operating Income

$669M

Previous: $579M+15.5%
Gross Profit

$1.64B

Previous: $1.48B+10.8%
Cash & Equivalents

$1.97B

Previous: $3.89B-49.2%
Total Assets

$16.7B

Previous: $17.4B-4.4%
Stock-Based Comp

$62M

Previous: $55M+12.7%

Revenue & EPS history

Cognizant · Revenue · Quarterly

$4.4B

Q1 2021+4.2%vs Q1 2020
Beat estimate in 13 of 16 quarters(81%)
ActualEstimate

Revenue by segment

Cognizant · $4.4B total across 4 segments · Q1 2021

  • Financial Services
    $1.46B+0.5%
  • Health Sciences
    $1.29B+7.9%
  • Products and Resources
    $998M+4.6%
  • Communications, Media and Technology
    $657M+5.0%

Forward guidance

The Company provided the following guidance: •Second quarter revenue is expected to be $4.42-$4.46 billion, or growth of 10.5-11.5% (8.0-9.0% in CC). This assumes an estimated positive 250 basis points foreign exchange impact. •Full year 2021 revenue is expected to be $17.8-$18.1 billion, or growth of 7.0-9.0% (5.5-7.5% in CC). This assumes an estimated positive 150 basis points foreign exchange impact. •Full year 2021 Adjusted Operating Margin2 is expected to be in the range of 15.2-15.7% •Full year 2021 Adjusted Diluted EPS2 is expected to be in the range of $3.90-$4.02

Tailwinds

  • Second quarter revenue is expected to be $4.42-$4.46 billion, or growth of 10.5-11.5% (8.0-9.0% in CC).
  • Assumes an estimated positive 250 basis points foreign exchange impact for Q2 revenue.
  • Full year 2021 revenue is expected to be $17.8-$18.1 billion, or growth of 7.0-9.0% (5.5-7.5% in CC).
  • Assumes an estimated positive 150 basis points foreign exchange impact for full year revenue.
  • Full year 2021 Adjusted Operating Margin is expected to be in the range of 15.2-15.7%

Historical earnings impact

How earnings announcements have historically affected this stock's price.

Avg. return before/after earnings

Based on 20 quarterly earnings reports · overlaid with Q1 2021

Historical avgQ1 2021

+0.0%

Avg return

Earnings day

-0.3%

Avg return

5 days after

+1.2%

Avg return

30 days after

50%

36 / 72 earnings

Positive

+12.6%

Q4 2019

Best reaction

-17.9%

Q1 2019

Worst reaction

Earnings price reactions
QuarterReport dateReaction (Day 0)+5 days+30 days
Q1 2026+1.3%-5.2%+1.8%
Q4 2025+2.5%+0.1%-11.1%
Q3 2025+5.6%+7.2%+14.6%
Q1 2025+2.3%+5.5%+10.1%
Q4 2024+4.2%+5.1%-0.4%
Q3 2024-1.2%-0.8%+6.6%
Q2 2024+0.6%-5.4%+2.6%
Q1 2024+0.9%+1.1%+0.7%
Q4 2023+0.5%-0.6%-0.2%
Q3 2023-1.3%+2.8%+9.8%
Q2 2023+7.0%+8.3%+8.9%
Q1 2023+5.9%+3.8%+7.4%
Q4 2022-0.9%-1.9%-9.2%
Q3 2022-16.9%-14.0%-0.2%
Q2 2022-1.8%-0.7%-5.0%
Q1 2022-9.7%-6.5%-9.8%
Q4 2021-0.4%+1.5%+2.8%
Q3 2021-1.8%-1.0%-0.4%
Q2 2021+6.9%+6.6%+11.7%
Q1 2021-7.5%-8.9%-12.0%
Q4 2020-6.7%-5.2%-7.9%
Q3 2020-3.2%-3.5%+6.8%
Q2 2020+10.4%+8.6%+8.1%
Q1 2020-0.7%-7.6%+0.4%
Q4 2019+12.6%+9.4%-8.2%
Q3 2019+0.8%+2.7%+6.1%
Q2 2019+1.7%-5.0%-6.0%
Q1 2019-17.9%-18.9%-14.2%
Q4 2018+2.5%+2.5%-0.1%
Q3 2018-0.3%+0.4%+1.6%
Q2 2018-5.2%-4.9%-4.5%
Q1 2018-8.1%-6.8%-4.9%
Q4 2017+1.7%+4.8%+14.6%
Q3 2017-1.7%-1.2%-5.7%
Q2 2017+3.9%+2.6%+3.4%
Q1 2017+5.8%+5.3%+11.1%
Q4 2016+7.8%+7.2%+9.2%
Q3 2016+5.4%+3.6%+9.6%
Q2 2016-0.8%-2.1%-0.7%
Q1 2016+5.6%
Q4 2015-10.6%
Q3 2015-1.4%
Q2 2015+6.0%
Q1 2015+3.1%
Q4 2014+4.6%
Q3 2014+8.6%
Q2 2014-11.2%
Q1 2014-2.4%
Q4 2013-1.6%
Q3 2013+4.4%
Q2 2013+0.5%
Q1 2013+5.5%
Q4 2012+3.2%
Q3 2012-3.1%
Q2 2012+0.3%
Q1 2012-13.4%
Q4 2011-0.9%
Q3 2011-1.1%
Q2 2011-6.6%
Q1 2011+1.0%
Q4 2010-0.8%
Q3 2010-2.0%
Q2 2010+0.5%
Q1 2009+6.2%
Q1 2010-1.2%
Q4 2009-0.1%
Q4 2007-0.1%
Q3 2009+3.3%
Q3 2008+3.3%
Q2 2009-0.1%
Q2 2008-0.1%
Q4 2008-0.1%

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