Cognizant Hosts Investor Day to Discuss Long-Term Growth Strategy for the Next Wave of AI-Driven Technology Transformation

Rhea-AI Summary

Cognizant (CTSH) is hosting an Investor Day to present its long-term growth strategy focused on AI-driven technology transformation. The company announced a significant $2 billion increase to its share repurchase authorization, bringing the total remaining authorization to approximately $3.1 billion. Additionally, Cognizant increased its 2025 share repurchase expectation by $500 million to $1.1 billion.

The company's strategy focuses on three key AI transformation vectors: enabling hyper-productivity across enterprises, industrializing AI, and agentifying the enterprise. The plan includes initiatives to amplify talent through upskilling, scale innovation via platform development, and accelerate growth in AI/gen AI, priority industries, and high-growth adjacencies.

Positive

• Authorized $2 billion increase in share repurchase program
• Increased 2025 share buyback target by $500 million to $1.1 billion
• Total remaining share repurchase authorization of $3.1 billion

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Cognizant's announcement of a $2 billion increase to its share repurchase authorization signals strong confidence in the company's financial outlook and strategy. This substantial capital return program - bringing the total authorization to approximately $3.1 billion - represents around 8.1% of Cognizant's current market capitalization.

The immediate $500 million boost to 2025's repurchase plan (now $1.1 billion total for the year) demonstrates management's commitment to near-term shareholder returns while still maintaining financial flexibility for strategic investments. This accelerated timeline for capital return suggests the leadership team views the current share price as undervalued relative to future growth potential.

This expanded buyback comes at a strategic inflection point as Cognizant positions itself for the AI-driven technology transformation wave. The company is explicitly balancing growth investments with shareholder returns - maintaining what they describe as a "balanced capital allocation framework" that includes both repurchases and strategic acquisition flexibility.

What's particularly noteworthy is the Board's willingness to significantly increase buyback authorization while simultaneously investing in AI capabilities. This indicates strong projected free cash flow and suggests leadership believes they can fund both growth initiatives and shareholder returns without compromising either objective.

The market typically responds positively to substantial buyback increases, especially when paired with strategic clarity around growth vectors. Cognizant's approach aligns with what investors increasingly expect from mature technology services firms - disciplined capital return combined with focused investments in emerging high-growth areas.

Technology Strategy Expert

Cognizant's articulated AI strategy reveals a sophisticated market approach structured around three distinct transformation vectors that address different enterprise needs. This three-pronged framework demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of how AI adoption actually unfolds within organizations.

The first vector - "enabling hyper-productivity across enterprises" - targets immediate efficiency gains through automation and AI augmentation of knowledge workers. This represents the most accessible entry point for AI adoption with the clearest ROI case for clients.

The second vector - "industrializing AI" - addresses the critical challenge of moving beyond experimentation to scale AI deployments, suggesting Cognizant is developing frameworks and platforms to standardize implementation.

Most intriguing is the third vector - "agentifying the enterprise" - which points to autonomous AI agent deployment, potentially the most transformative but challenging opportunity in enterprise AI. This indicates Cognizant is positioning for the next evolution in business process automation.

Cognizant's emphasis on upskilling and learning infrastructure acknowledges the critical talent dimension of AI services. The IT services market faces a fundamental shift where competitive advantage increasingly derives from AI expertise rather than labor arbitrage.

The company's statement about returning to the "Winner's Circle" with "improved relative revenue performance" suggests they've been underperforming peers in recent periods but now see AI as the catalyst to regain market leadership. Their explicit focus on "high-growth adjacencies" indicates a strategic expansion beyond traditional IT services into emerging technology domains where AI creates new service categories.

• Board approves $2 billion increase to share repurchase authorization 
• Company adds $500 million to 2025 share repurchase plan, bringing expected total to $1.1 billion

TEANECK, N.J., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --  Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) will today host an Investor Day, beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET. At the event, members of Cognizant's executive leadership team will outline the Company's progress against its strategic priorities and unveil its long-term growth strategy. Participants will also have an opportunity to hear from top clients and partners about Cognizant's differentiated capabilities supporting their AI journeys, and to experience demonstrations of several of Cognizant's AI-enabled platforms.

"Cognizant is well positioned to lead in the next wave of AI-driven technology transformation," said CEO Ravi Kumar S. "We have achieved significant progress over the past two years accelerating growth, becoming an employer of choice, and simplifying our operations. We believe we are now poised to build on this momentum and return to the Winner's Circle. We are confident that Cognizant's differentiated capabilities and strategic investments in AI and embedded engineering will enhance our ability to capture outsized growth in the expanding IT services market. Investor Day is an important opportunity to share our vision for the future and how we plan to create long-term shareholder value."

Kumar added, "Given our confidence in our strategy and future prospects, we are pleased to announce that the Board approved a $2 billion increase to our existing share repurchase authorization, and we now expect to repurchase $1.1 billion of shares in 2025, an increase of $500 million over our prior expectation."

At today's event, Cognizant will discuss:

• Management's strategy to drive a new phase of value creation 
  • Amplify talent through upskilling initiatives and expanding learning infrastructure
  • Scale innovation by building platforms and solutions for the AI era
  • Accelerate growth by leading in AI/gen AI, growing in priority industries and geographies and strengthening capabilities in high-growth adjacencies
• Significant market opportunity across the three vectors of AI transformation
  • Vector 1: Enabling hyper-productivity across enterprises
  • Vector 2: Industrializing AI
  • Vector 3: Agentifying the enterprise
• Investments in technology, domain expertise, partnerships, talent and operational modernization that position Cognizant to win in an expanding market and drive long-term growth
  
  
• Details on Cognizant's plans to grow market share and return to the Winner's Circle, including improved relative revenue performance, margin enhancements, and its balanced capital allocation framework, all of which the Company believes will drive shareholder value

Return of Capital to Shareholders

On March 24, 2025, the Board of Directors approved an increase of $2 billion to the amount authorized under the Company's existing stock repurchase program. With this increase, as of March 24, 2025, there is approximately $3.1 billion remaining under the share repurchase authorization. For 2025, the Company is increasing its share repurchase expectation by $500 million to $1.1 billion. The Company reiterates its long-term capital allocation framework, including the flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions. 

Webcast Information
Visit http://cognizantinvestorday2025.q4ir.com to view an agenda of the day and register to watch the live webcast. A replay of the event, along with investor day materials, will be available on the Company's Investor Relations website following the conclusion of the event. In-person attendance is by invitation only.

About Cognizant 
Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) engineers modern businesses. We help our clients modernize technology, reimagine processes, and transform experiences so they can stay ahead in our fast-changing world. Together, we're improving everyday life. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant. 

Investor Contact:
Tyler Scott, Vice President, Investor Relations
(551) 220-8246
tyler.scott@cognizant.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which is necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements include, but are not limited to, express or implied forward-looking statements relating to our strategy, strategic partnerships and collaborations, competitive position and opportunities in the marketplace, including projected growth in markets, investment in and growth of our business and our capital allocation strategies, the pace and magnitude of change and client needs related to generative AI, the nature and magnitude of our clients' information technology expenditures, the effectiveness of our recruiting and talent efforts and related costs, labor market trends, the anticipated amount of capital to be returned to shareholders and our anticipated financial performance, matters related to our recent acquisitions and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements. Existing and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the competitive and rapidly changing nature of the markets we compete in, our ability to successfully use AI-based technologies, the competitive marketplace for talent and its impact on employee recruitment and retention the ultimate benefits of our NextGen program, legal, reputational and financial risks resulting from cyberattacks, changes in governmental policy or the regulatory environment, including with respect to immigration, trade, competition, labor, technology, and taxes or otherwise, and the other factors discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law. 

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SOURCE Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation

FAQ

How much did Cognizant (CTSH) increase its share repurchase authorization in March 2025?

Cognizant increased its share repurchase authorization by $2 billion, bringing the total remaining authorization to approximately $3.1 billion.

What is Cognizant's (CTSH) expected share repurchase amount for 2025?

Cognizant plans to repurchase $1.1 billion of shares in 2025, an increase of $500 million over their prior expectation.

What are the three vectors of AI transformation in Cognizant's (CTSH) strategy?

The three vectors are: enabling hyper-productivity across enterprises, industrializing AI, and agentifying the enterprise.

How is Cognizant (CTSH) planning to drive growth in the AI era?

Cognizant plans to drive growth by leading in AI/gen AI, expanding in priority industries and geographies, strengthening capabilities in high-growth adjacencies, and scaling innovation through platform development.