Wipro Limited (ADR) (WIT), Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (CTSH): Should You Buy This IT Company?

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Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ:CTSH) has also invested in new SMAC technologies which are expected to generate revenue of $500 million in FY13. The company is also building on its consultancy expertise to help its customers transform their businesses.

The immigration bill impacted Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ:CTSH) more than its competitors as it has the highest number of clients and employees on visa in the US. Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ:CTSH) has the lowest margin in comparison to its peers. So the bill will further put downward pressure on its margins.

Infosys Ltd ADR (NYSE:INFY)’ share has seen an upward movement since announcing the return of Narayan Murthy as executive chairman. Recent quarters have been turbulent for Infosys Ltd ADR (NYSE:INFY) as it continuously lagged behind its major competitors TCS and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ:CTSH) on the growth front. Management’s guidance for FY13 is below the industry’s estimates.

Narayan Murthy has his task cut out to stop this downturn and move Infosys Ltd ADR (NYSE:INFY) in the orbit of TCS and Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp (NASDAQ:CTSH). During the company’s annual meeting he discussed  the future strategy of Infosys Ltd ADR (NYSE:INFY).

He discussed revamping the sales force team and providing them with more resources to clinch new clients. Infosys Ltd ADR (NYSE:INFY) has also changed its strategy on pricing going forward. The company announced that it will have flexible pricing strategy to make it more competitive. The company also plana to increase its consultancy business services, which has higher margins than IT services. The return of Narayan Murthy, and his past success record will help Infosys Ltd ADR (NYSE:INFY) to come back on track.

Company P/S ratio Op. Margin 1 yr. Fwd. P/E
Infosys 3.26 25.97% 13.50
Cognizant 2.50 18.41% 13.77
Wipro 2.59 18.06% 14.47

The operating margin for Wipro is low compared to its peers in the industry. The one year forward P/E is high compared to its peers. So the stock at the current price seems overvalued.

Conclusion:

Wipro has been lagging behind its peers since the recession. The company has made changes in leadership which were not quite successful. The company has been slow in deals conversion.

With the weak guidance provided by the management for FY13, and the salary hike will further pressure operating margins in the coming quarters, we believe the company will keep under-performing its peers over the next few quarter.

I recommend  you avoid this stock.

Ash Sharma has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Ash is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.

The article Should You Buy This IT Company? originally appeared on Fool.com is written by Ash Sharma.

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