Cognizant, Aptech, BEL & LT Overseas Q4 results

CORPORATE SCORECARD

Cognizant Technologies has announced 60 per cent increase in net income to $75.4 million for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007, from $47.2 million for the corresponding period last year.

Revenues during the first quarter increased to $460.3 million, up 61 per cent from $285.5 million in the first quarter of 2006. Cognizant achieved a higher GAAP operating margin of 18.2 per cent in the first quarter, from 18 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Excluding a stock-based compensation expense of $7.4 million in the first quarter, the company's non-GAAP operating margin was 19.8 per cent, in line with the company's target of 19 to 20 per cent.

In its second quarter outlook, Cognizant anticipates revenues to touch at least $500 million. Calendar and fiscal 2007 revenues are now anticipated to reach at least $2.07 billion.

Aptech bottom line zooms 336%

Aptech, a global learning solutions company, has posted a net profit (PAT) of Rs 6.80 crore, up 336 per cent, compared with Rs 1.56 crore recorded in the previous comparable quarter. Net revenues jumped 40 per cent to touch Rs 50.94 crore (Rs 36.36 crore).

Its global systemwide booking (including franchisee revenues) of Rs 341.38 crore grew 103 per cent in the period.

In this quarter, the company captured 32.10 per cent market share (according to IDC) in the IT training & education market in China, retaining the highest market share for the fifth consecutive year. Its domestic retail business grew 65 per cent while the international retail business grew 122 per cent.

BEL profit rises 27% to Rs 357 cr

Premier defence PSU Bharat Electronics (BEL) today reported over 27 per cent growth in net profit to Rs 357.12 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, compared with Rs 280.91 crore in the same period a year ago.

The total income (net of excise) of the company has increased to Rs 1,791.60 crore for the January-March quarter, registering an increase of around 13 per cent over Rs 1,589.24 crore for the corresponding period last year, BEL informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

For the year ended March 31, BEL posted a net profit of Rs 713.86 crore compared with Rs 583.01 crore for the year ended March 31, 2006.

The total income (net of excise) of the firm rose to Rs 4,081.67 crore for the 12 months ended March 31, compared with Rs 3,615.46 crore for the same period ended March 31, 2006.

LT Overseas profit grows 82%

Rice processor LT Overseas today said it had registered 82 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 20.59 crore for 2006-07 compared with the previous year.

The company's total revenue grew by 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 485.51 crore in 2006-07, the company said in a release.

"The packaged rice foods segment offers huge potential owing to the increasing dependence of household on organised retail for their daily needs," LT Overseas Managing Director V K Arora said. The company processes and exports rice under its flagship brand 'Dawaat'.