Syntel Reports 4th Quarter 2012 Financial Results [Professional Services Close - Up]

Syntel, Inc., a global information technology services and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) company, announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year, ended December 31, 2012.

In a release on February 18, the Company reported the following fourth quarter financial highlights:

Syntel's revenue for the fourth quarter increased nine percent to $187.8 million, compared to $172.4 million in the prior-year period, and increased one percent sequentially from $186.4 million in the third quarter of 2012. During the fourth quarter, Applications Outsourcing accounted for 76 percent of total revenue, with Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) at 15 percent, e-Business contributing seven percent and TeamSourcing at two percent.

The Company's gross margin was 45.2 percent in the fourth quarter, compared to 42.1 percent in the prior-year period and 45.5 percent in the third quarter of 2012. Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses were 15 percent of revenue in the fourth quarter, compared to 11.4 percent in the prior-year period and 15.6 percent in the previous quarter.

The fourth quarter income from operations was 30.2 percent of revenue as compared to 30.7 percent in the prior-year period and 29.9 percent in the third quarter. The sequential rise in operating margin primarily reflects the impact of currency-related balance sheet translations and, to a lesser extent, lower marketing costs.

Net income for the fourth quarter was $49.9 million or $1.19 per diluted share, compared to $44 million or $1.05 per diluted share in the prior-year period and net income of $51.5 million or $1.23 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2012.

Full Year 2012 Financial Highlights

Revenue for 2012 increased 13 percent to $723.9 million, from $642.4 million in 2011. The Company's 2012 operating margin was 29.3 percent, compared to 21.5 percent in 2011. Net income for the year was $185.5 million compared to $122.9 million in 2011. EPS for 2012 increased 50.7 percent to $4.44 per diluted share from $2.94 per diluted share in 2011. Year-over-year margins and earnings were impacted by currency fluctuations, wage increases, and costs associated with investments in hiring and infrastructure, among other factors.

During 2012, Syntel spent $32.3 million in CAPEX, largely in support of campus infrastructure, paid $106.2 million in regular and special dividends ($2.55 per share), and finished the year with cash and short-term investments of $421.3 million. The Company added 19 new clients during the year and ended 2012 with 21,407 employees globally.

Operational Highlights

"Our fourth quarter results reflect solid execution in a rapidly evolving business environment," said Syntel CEO and President Prashant Ranade. "While we faced some challenges this quarter, healthy growth in our recurring revenue businesses and improving business efficiency helped us navigate through them."

"We will maintain our customer centricity and drive growth in the verticals we serve with our domain-led solutions," said Ranade. "We are optimistic about the opportunities before us, given our positioning within the end markets we serve and our high-quality customer relationships."

"We continue to see an expanding role for global delivery in the years ahead and plan to invest in our capabilities to provide innovative solutions, which will help us garner growth that meets or exceeds overall market growth."

2013 Guidance

Based on current visibility levels and an exchange rate assumption of 53 Indian Rupees to the dollar, the Company currently expects 2013 revenue of $780 to $810 million and EPS in the range of $4.15 to $4.45.

More information:

www.syntelinc.com

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