HCL Technologies Ltd. that accounts for about 55% of the consolidated revenues of HCL Technologies and its subsidiaries has posted a 1% sequential growth in topline and a 7% decline in net profits for 2QFY02. The decline in net profits is due to operating margins falling and a lower other income figure. On a YoY basis, the revenues have declined by 4%, while the drop in bottomline is steeper at 12%. The operating margins have decline very sharply compared to 2QFY01. The figure has reduced from 52% as compared to 44% in 2QFY02.

(Rs m)	1QFY02	2QFY02	Change
Sales	1,780	1,791	0.6%
Other Income	388	337	-13.1%
Expenditure	926	987	6.6%
Operating Profit (EBDIT)	854	804	-5.8%
Operating Profit Margin (%)	48.0%	44.9%
Interest	-	-
Depreciation	78	78	0.3%
Profit before Tax	1,164	1,063	-8.7%
Tax	77	51	-33.5%
Profit after Tax/(Loss)	1,087	1,012	-6.9%
Net profit margin (%)	61.05%	56.48%
Diluted number of shares	285.4	285.4
Diluted Earnings per share*	15.3	14.2
P/E (x)		17.5
*(annualised)

At the current market price of Rs 248, the stock is trading at a P/E multiple of 18x its 2QFY02 estimated earnings. The results indicate that the tough market environment is taking a toll on the company’s financials. However, the markets track the company’s consolidated numbers, which are not available as yet. The expectations are based on the consolidated numbers. We will update the story as soon as we get the consolidated numbers.