Cognizant doubles share buyback target to $2 billion in 2026 to assuage investors
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp has doubled its share buyback programme to $2 billion in 2026, with the flexibility to buy shares worth as much as $3.45 billion as the Nasdaq-listed company looks to instill investors with confidence after its stock was battered this year.The board of directors authorized the increase in the share repurchase target from $1 billion originally planned for 2026, the company said in a statement 18 May. The repurchase is expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2026.“Our plan to increase the amount of share repurchases reflects our strong conviction in the long-term opportunity AI creates and our critical role in it as an AI builder,” S Ravi Kumar, chief executive officer of Cognizant, said in the statement.
“We believe a fundamental shift in the IT services is underway, one that strengthens Cognizant's position for future growth. We believe our current share price significantly undervalues those prospects.”At least one analyst considered the move an effort to please shareholders at a time automation tools were eating into the business of IT services companies.“Ravi Kumar cited his strong conviction in the long-term opportunity AI offers and Cognizant’s critical role as an AI builder.
However, what many investors want to see are indicators for AI-led transformation, outcome-based models, and a pivot away from labour arbitrage,” said Thomas Reuner, principal analyst at Pierre Audoin Consultants. “The disconnect between these views goes beyond margin expectations.
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