TCS Posts Modest Revenue Beat as AI Demand Lifts North America Growth

Tata Consultancy Services reported a slim third-quarter revenue beat on Monday, driven by artificial intelligence-led demand, with its key North America market returning to growth for the first time in two years.

Consolidated revenue for India’s largest software services firm rose 4.9% year-on-year to 670.87 billion rupees ($7.44 billion) for the quarter ended December 31, slightly above analysts’ estimate of 666.76 billion rupees, according to LSEG data. The traditionally weak December quarter benefited from increased AI spending by clients, with AI services generating about $1.8 billion annually and accounting for roughly 5.8% of total revenue.

Chief Executive K Krithivasan said strong deal momentum and growing leadership in AI underpin the company’s outlook. “Based on the client conversations, strong deal momentum and the leadership we are gaining in AI, we are confident of a good calendar year 2026,” he said during a post-earnings analyst call.

North America, which contributes nearly half of TCS’s revenue, posted growth for the first time since the July–September 2023 quarter, signaling a potential bottoming out of the slowdown. Five of the company’s eight geographic regions recorded growth, led by the Middle East and Africa with an 8.3% increase, followed by Continental Europe at 3.5%.

Despite these gains, caution persists across India’s $283 billion IT services industry as clients remain wary of non-essential technology spending amid macroeconomic uncertainty in the United States. Analysts cited ongoing concerns around tariffs and proposed $100,000 visa fees as additional headwinds. Ambarish Shah of Systematix said North America’s recovery is likely to be gradual as structural weaknesses continue.

TCS noted that softer performance in banking and financial services and retail was largely due to year-end seasonality, with an expected recovery from the current quarter. The company’s total order book stood at $9.3 billion, down from $10.2 billion a year earlier.

Quarterly net profit fell 14% to 106.57 billion rupees, missing analysts’ expectations of 130.24 billion rupees. The decline was attributed to one-time restructuring costs linked to layoffs, the impact of India’s new labour codes enacted in November 2025, and other legal expenses.

The Mumbai-based firm declared a dividend of 11 rupees per share, along with a special dividend of 46 rupees per share. TCS shares listed in Mumbai closed 1.3% higher ahead of the results.