TCS vs Sonata Software Q4 FY26

TC

TCS

Q4 FY26 · Information Technology

TCS exited Q4 with 1.2% sequential constant-currency growth after three quarters of sequential recovery, while rupee revenue rose 9.6% YoY to ₹70,698 crore. The quarter's signal is not just headline growth, but demand stabilization: $12 billion TCV, three mega deals, and client additions across every revenue band after roughly two years. AI is becoming a commercial wedge, with annualized AI revenue above $2.3 billion, but management also admitted traditional service lines may taper as AI productivity benefits are passed to clients. Operating margin held at 25.3% in Q4, helped by currency and operating levers, while wage hikes and build-partner-acquire investments will pressure FY27. Outlook is cautiously constructive: deal momentum and AI demand are improving, but macro/geopolitical risk, BFSI caution, elevated SG&A, and uncertain AI cannibalization timelines limit conviction.

Guidance read

FY27 growth: normal first-half seasonality, no quantified target for FY27: Management expects FY27 to start with a normal Q1/Q2 seasonal pattern and is positive on international growth, but refused to quantify growth. AI revenue expected to outrun traditional-services taper for multi-year: AI revenue is expected to grow faster and eventually overcompensate for tapering traditional services revenue, but management could not predict the timing. Wage hikes: 150-200 bps margin headwind expected for Q1 FY27: Wage hikes are expected to create a 150-200 bps margin headwind in the next quarter. Medium-term margin aspiration: 26-28% for multi-year: Longer term, management wants margins to move toward 26-28%, while continuing investment in build, partner, and acquire initiatives.

Risk read

Key risks include AI cannibalization may arrive before AI revenue offset — AI-led productivity may cannibalize traditional services revenue before AI revenue fully offsets the decline.; FY26 constant-currency decline keeps recovery burden high — FY26 constant-currency revenue declined 2.4%, and an analyst flagged a 5-6 percentage point growth gap versus the closest competitor.; SG&A investment may be structurally higher — SG&A may stay structurally elevated because partnership, recruitment, training, and new-business investments are now flowing through the cost base.; Geopolitical exposure could broaden through secondary effects — Management framed geopolitical impact as limited to Middle East and travel/transportation, but acknowledged secondary supply-chain disruption could broaden the hit..

Promise ledger

Of 2 tracked promises, management 0 met, 0 close, 2 missed.

SO

Sonata Software

Q4 FY26 · Information Technology

Sonata Software reported Q4 FY26 consolidated revenue of ₹2,536.2 crore, down 3.1% YoY, impacted by domestic headwinds from a large client moving to direct billing. International services revenue grew 6% QoQ in constant currency to $82.4 million, with EBITDA margin expanding 70 bps QoQ to 20.2% driven by AI-led productivity gains and utilization of 91.8%. PAT for international services grew 40.6% QoQ to ₹84.2 crore. The company won two large deals in Q4, including a core banking modernization with a global fintech. AI pipeline reached $280 million, contributing 18% of total order book. Management remains cautiously optimistic on gradual growth improvement, but macro uncertainty and elongated client decision cycles persist. Key risk: sustainability of TMT vertical upturn and potential further contraction in BFSI clients.

Guidance read

International services EBITDA margin to remain at similar levels: Management expects to maintain current EBITDA margin (~20.2%) in the near term, with potential investments for growth. Domestic business to return to growth trajectory in FY27: After covering the loss from a large client moving to direct billing, domestic business is expected to resume historical growth rates within one to two quarters. AI pipeline to drive gradual improvement in growth over medium term: Management remains cautiously optimistic on growth, expecting gradual improvement driven by AI and digital transformation initiatives.

Risk read

Key risks include Sustained macro uncertainty and elongated client decision cycles — Management noted that client decision cycles remain elongated due to macroeconomic challenges, which could delay deal closures and revenue conversion.; Potential further contraction in BFSI vertical — Despite a large deal win, management acknowledged that some large BFSI clients may continue to contract spending, impacting growth.; Sustainability of TMT vertical upturn — Management expressed caution on the recent upturn in the TMT vertical, noting that it may not be sustainable and needs to be monitored.; Domestic business margin pressure from new customer acquisitions — New customer wins in domestic business may initially come at low or zero margins, though management believes this is manageable through mix and upselling..

Promise ledger

Scorecard data is being built as historical quarters are processed.