As global markets navigate a mixed landscape of fluctuating economic indicators, investors are increasingly seeking stability amid the uncertainty.
In this environment, dividend stocks stand out as a potential source of reliable income, offering consistent returns even when broader market conditions remain volatile.
Just like dividend stocks are gaining popularity, another thing that saw a comeback is the IT sector.
After a subdued start to 2024 and five consecutive quarters of challenging macroeconomic conditions, India-centric IT services firms are showing signs of recovery.
This revival has been supported by a growing order pipeline, increased IT spending globally, and the sector's strategic pivot towards digital transformation and cloud solutions.
The resurgence of the IT sector, coupled with the increasing popularity of dividend stocks offers a potentially lucrative investing opportunity.
In this article, we rank the top dividend-paying IT sector stocks based on dividend yield.
First on the list is Xchanging Solutions.
Trading at Rs 118 on 3 January 2024, Xchanging Solutions leads the list with a dividend yield of 14.3%.
This makes it one of the most attractive IT stocks for dividend-focused investors.
| Mar-20 | Mar-21 | Mar-22 | Mar-23 | Mar-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend per share (Adj.) (Rs) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Dividend payout ratio (%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,764.80 |
| Dividend Yield (%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 |
Xchanging Solutions has declared four dividends since July 2023. In FY24, the company announced two interim dividends of Rs 15 each, followed by a final dividend and a special dividend of Rs 2 each.
This brought the total dividend payout for the year to Rs 34 per share.
Xchanging Solutions, founded in 2001, is a prominent player in the technology and business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, primarily serving the insurance and financial sectors.
Going forward the company plans to enhance customer satisfaction and service quality.
For more details, see the Xchanging Solutions company fact sheet and quarterly results.
Next on the list is Accelya Solutions.
With the company's shares trading at Rs 1,538 as of 3 January 2025, Accelya Solutions has a dividend yield of 4.2%.
The company has a strong track record of rewarding shareholders, with dividends. Its dividend yields were as high as 7% in FY22.
| Jun-20 | Jun-21 | Jun-22 | Jun-23 | Jun-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend per share (Adj.) (Rs) | 10 | 52 | 62 | 65 | 65 |
| Dividend payout ratio (%) | 17.2 | 183.9 | 121.5 | 76.6 | 103.4 |
| Dividend Yield (%) | 1.1 | 4.5 | 7 | 4.9 | 3.8 |
Looking at the long-term picture, Accelya Solutions has maintained an average dividend payout ratio of 100.5% over the past five years, with an average dividend yield of 4.3%.
Accelya Solutions has declared 32 dividends since 2002.
Accelya is a leading global software provider for the airline industry, serving over 200 airlines with an open, modular software platform that enables innovative airlines to drive growth and take control of their retailing.
Going forward, the company is focused on expanding its footprint in emerging markets while strengthening its presence in established regions.
Further, it's looking to enhance collaborations to deliver integrated solutions.
For more details, see the Accelya Solutions company fact sheet and quarterly results.
Next on the list is Ksolves India.
Trading at Rs 999 on 3 January 2025, Ksolves India has a dividend yield of 2.9%.
The company has been a consistent dividend payer since 2021. It has declared 13 dividends since 2021.
| Mar-20 | Mar-21 | Mar-22 | Mar-23 | Mar-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend per share (Adj.)*(Rs) | 0 | 5 | 5.8 | 15.5 | 19.5 |
| Dividend payout ratio (%) | 0 | 66.3 | 42.9 | 74.3 | 67.7 |
| Dividend Yield (%) | 0 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 1.7 |
Over the past 5 years, the company has maintained an average dividend yield of 2.5%.
In the past 12 months alone, the company has announced an equity dividend of Rs 28.5 per share.
Ksolves India stands out as a technology solutions provider, offering expertise in AI/ML integration, big data analytics, and enterprise application development.
The company delivers a comprehensive suite of products and services aimed at boosting business efficiency and driving digital transformation.
Going forward, the company aims to broaden its offerings in cutting-edge technologies.
For more details, see the Ksolves India company fact sheet and quarterly results.
Next on the list is HCL Tech.
With HCL Tech's share price at Rs 1,966, the stock has a dividend yield of 2.8%.
| Mar-20 | Mar-21 | Mar-22 | Mar-23 | Mar-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend per share (Adj.)*(Rs) | 10 | 10 | 42 | 48 | 52 |
| Dividend payout ratio (%) | 24.5 | 24.3 | 84.3 | 87.7 | 89.8 |
| Dividend Yield (%) | 2.3 | 1 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 3.4 |
Over the past five years, HCL Tech's average dividend payout stands at 62.1%. while the dividend yield stands at 2.9%.
The company has a record of rewarding its shareholders with dividends. It has declared 91 dividends since 2000.
Over the past five years, HCL Tech's average dividend payout stands at 62.1%. While the dividend yield stands at 2.9%.
For FY25 HCL Technologies has already paid three interim dividends worth Rs 42 per share.
The IT company will also consider the payment of a 4th interim dividend on 13 January for FY25.
HCL Technologies is a leading player in the IT space and is known for its strong presence in software development, digital transformation, and cloud services.
HCL Tech is looking to increase its market share, driven by its growing infrastructure management practice and strong order book.
For more details, see the HCL Tech company fact sheet and quarterly results.
Last on the list is Tech Mahindra.
Currently trading at Rs 1,685, the stock has a dividend yield of 2.6%.
| Mar-20 | Mar-21 | Mar-22 | Mar-23 | Mar-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend per share (Adj.)*(Rs) | 13.4 | 40.2 | 40.4 | 44.9 | 36.1 |
| Dividend payout ratio (%) | 33.5 | 90.3 | 70.1 | 90.6 | 147.3 |
| Dividend Yield (%) | 2.7 | 4.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 3.2 |
Over the past five years, the stock has maintained an average dividend yield of 3.6%.
The company has an impressive five-year average dividend payout ratio of 86.4%.
Tech Mahindra has declared 28 dividends since 2007.
Tech Mahindra is an IT services company offering a wide range of services, including infrastructure, cloud, engineering, application, data analytics, and network and testing services.
The company has a client base spread across various industries, including communications, manufacturing, banking, finance, insurance, technology, and media and entertainment.
Looking ahead, the company plans to broaden its partnerships to enhance its expertise in quantum computing.
Additionally, it is working to expand its presence in vital sectors such as banking, financial services, insurance, and healthcare.
For more details, see the Tech Mahindra company fact sheet and quarterly results.
Investing in dividend-paying IT stocks could be a lucrative option, especially with the ongoing revival of India's IT sector. The sector is expected to maintain its growth momentum in 2025, driven by strong global demand and rising domestic IT spending.
India's IT exports are projected to reach US$ 210 bn in the 2024-25 financial year, representing 18% of the total global IT outsourcing spending, according to an HSBC Global Research report.
This indicates a significant growth opportunity for Indian IT companies, especially those with strong financials and a reliable dividend track record.
Additionally, domestic IT spending is expected to increase by 11.2% year-on-year, with an estimated total of nearly US$ 160 billion by 2025, according to Gartner's forecast.
This growth in IT spending, both globally and within India, could provide sustained revenue for leading IT firms, making them well-positioned to offer attractive dividend payouts.
However, it's important to note that the performance of dividend-paying IT stocks could be impacted by factors such as global economic slowdowns, regulatory changes, or unforeseen disruptions in the technology sector, which may affect their ability to sustain high dividend payouts.
Therefore, it's crucial to evaluate individual companies' dividend history.
Investors should also evaluate the company's fundamentals, corporate governance, and the valuations of the stock as key factors when conducting due diligence before making investment decisions.
If you want to dig deeper, use Equitymaster's stock screener to check high dividend yield stocks and the best dividend stocks to buy.
Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. Learn more about our recommendation services here...
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