Sector Update | 2 July 2020
Technology
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Resilience and adaptability – the key themes!
Expect structural increase in technology intensity over long term
TCS Annual Report 19-20
Infosys Annual Report
19-20
Analysis of FY20 Annual/Sustainability Reports of TCS, Infosys and Wipro
reiterates our confidence in their resilience. This is epitomized by their handling
of (1) the logistical nightmare of enabling work from home (WFH) for nearly a
million employees, (2) productivity, (3) governance/security, and (4) client
business continuity.
Our channel checks also corroborate that Indian IT was more resilient compared
to internal IT teams, captives of clients and some global vendors.
The ARs acknowledged dislocation across verticals and slowdown in
discretionary spends in the near term. However, they also hinted at higher
spending on areas like collaboration tools, cyber security, cloud adoption, etc.
In many verticals, digital channels evolved from being secondary, nice-to-have
options to primary channels, and in some instances – the only channels. (a)
Accelerated digital rollouts, and (b) M&A led IT integration spends are
anticipated in the near term.
Further, clients focusing on their own resilience and shift in consumer
preferences should translate into a structural increase in technology intensity
over the long term. Focus should be on initiatives like automation, remote
working and legacy technology optimization.
Infosys’ AR brings out an interesting analogy that enterprises are life-like,
responsive and evolving beings. While the next few months should be difficult,
these companies are confident that the deep relationships with customers,
partners, enviable scale and diversified mix should help them navigate better.
In addition, the steady expansion of the addressable market through the launch
of new services, products and platforms should be of help now.
They also continue to make differentiated investments to strengthen their
offerings in digital, cloud, engineering, cyber security, etc.
TCS, Infosys and Wipro foresee a long lasting impact on their established ways
of work. While Wipro indicated that 100% of the workforce is not expected to
return to office, TCS called out its bold new vision of 25x25, centered on WFH.
TCS has also indicated that there are pockets in which it witnessed improved
velocity, throughput and productivity in WFH. It added further that clients are
discovering that productivity is as good, if not better, in the new way of working.
Immediate emphasis will be on operational cost optimization initiatives.
Companies are looking at levers like automation, pyramid correction, onsite-
offshore mix, sub-contractor and travel costs, deferring wage revisions etc.
Liquidity, cash and WC management are stated to be the other key focus areas.
Talent diversity was one of the key talking points of the ARs/sustainability
reports. Efforts to make the workplace more inclusive for (a) women, and (b)
the LGBTQ community were elaborated upon.
Adapting well to the new normal imposed by COVID-19
Wipro Annual Report
19-20
Sustainable employment practices continued to be a key differentiator
Sudheer Guntupalli – Research analyst
(Sudheer.Guntupalli@MotilalOswal.com); +91 22 5036 2749
Research analyst: Mohit Sharma
(Mohit.Sharma@MotilalOswal.com); +91226129 1531/
Heenal Gada
(Heenal.Gada@MotilalOswal.com); +91225036 2654
Motilal Oswal research is available on www.motilaloswal.com/Institutional-Equities, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, Factset and S&P Capital.
Investors
2 July 2020
are advised to refer through important disclosures made at the last page of the Research Report.
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