<b>Infosys Q3: </b> Consolidated net surges 52%

For the second quarter in succession, Infosys Technologies has recorded an over 50 per cent growth in consolidated net profit.

Moreover, this time around it has even weathered a rupee appreciation of 3.8 per cent to register a net profit of Rs 983 crore, growing 51.5 per cent during the third quarter ended December 31, 2006, compared with the same period last year.

Its topline clocked Rs 3,655 crore, growing 44.4 per cent over the corresponding third quarter last year.

The infotech services major registered sequential growth of 5.8 per cent in net profit and a 5.9 per cent sequential increase in the topline.

Revenues (US generally accepted accounting principles) for the quarter aggregated $821 million, up 46.9 per cent from $559 million for the same quarter in the previous year.

The sequential growth prompted the company to once again revise its guidance for the full year. It now expects to become an over $3 billion company (Rs 13,910-13,919 crore) in 2006-07, a growth rate of 46.1-46.2 per cent year on year.

Moreover, given its projected growth rate, its net profit will be around Rs 3,700 crore by 2006-07. Ironically, its consolidated revenue in March 2003 was Rs 3,640 crore.

The earnings per share increased to Rs 17.64 from Rs 11.85 for the corresponding quarter in the previous year, recording year on year growth of 48.9 per cent. Its earnings per share guidance is Rs 66.63, growing 48 per cent year on year for 2006-07.