Patni's Q1 Revenues up 31% at US$ 130 million (Rs. 5,776 million)

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India , 2006-04-26

Patni Computer Systems Limited (Patni), a global IT services provider, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March, 2006.

Performance Highlights

Sequential Quarter Review (Q1 2006 v/s. Q4 2005):

-- Revenues higher by 4.8% to US$ 129.85 million (Rs. 5,775.53 million) from US$ 123.90 million (Rs. 5,569.37 million).
-- Gross Profit increase 3.6% to US$ 46.09 million (Rs. 2,050.08 million) from US$ 44.51 million (Rs. 2,000.54 million).
-- Operating income at US$ 17.65 million (Rs. 784.97 million) compared to US$ 18.06 million (Rs. 811.85 million).
-- Net income at US$ 14.44 million (Rs. 642.48 million) compared to US$ 14.70 million (Rs. 660.93 million).

Corresponding Quarter Review (Q1 2006 v/s. Q1 2005):

-- Revenues increase 30.6% to US$ 129.85 million (Rs. 5,775.53 million) from US$ 99.44 million (Rs. 4,337.47 million).
-- Gross Profit higher by 17.4% at US$ 46.09 million (Rs. 2,050.08 million) compared to US$ 39.25 million (Rs. 1,712.02 million).
-- Operating income at US$ 17.65 million (Rs 784.97 million) compared to US $ 19.32 million (Rs 842.78 million).
-- Net income at US$ 14.44 million (Rs. 642.48 million) from US$ 15.64 million (Rs. 682.23 million).

Q1 2006 Business Analysis – sequential quarter perspective

-- Further client diversification as contribution from top client GE reduces to 16.5% from 17.7% in Q4 and 24.9% in Q1 2005. Overall, revenues from other clients in the top 10 increase by 3.9% sequentially.
-- Financial Services, Telecommunications and Product Engineering Services were the key growth areas in the current quarter.
-- Continued geographical diversification: 13.7% sequential growth from non-U.S. regions driven by Europe and Asia Pacific (ex-Japan).

Corporate Developments in Q1 2006:

-- Partnered with Mercer’s HR outsourcing business to support Mercer’s fully integrated solutions offering.
-- Strategic alliance with SAP India to jointly address the SMB market in India.
-- Global partnership to offer application development and migration services on the JBoss Enterprise Middleware Suite.
-- Won a multi-services contract with Disney Mobile for the development of consumer, retail and operational portals and end-to-end system testing.
-- Won a multi-million GBP multi-services telecom contract with The Carphone Warehouse, the UK's largest independent retailer of mobile communications.

Future Outlook:

-- Revenue growth momentum remains strong - CY2006 revenue guidance maintained at US$ 558-562 million. Full year earnings expected to be lower than the earlier estimate due to:
-higher than estimated compensation hike.
-productivity gains from internal efficiency initiatives to take longer than expected Q2 2006 revenues expected to grow by 6%; net income expected at US$ 11.0 million at an exchange rate of Rs. 44.60 to the US dollar.

Notes to this release:

Fiscal Year

Patni follows a January – December fiscal year. The current review covers the financial and operating performance of the Company for the first quarter ended 31 March, 2006.

U.S. GAAP

All figures in this release pertain to accounts presented as per U.S. GAAP unless stated otherwise.

Percentage analysis

Any percentage amounts, as set forth in this release, unless otherwise indicated, have been calculated on the basis of the U.S. Dollar amounts derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and not on the basis of any translated Rupee amount. Calculation of percentage amounts on the basis of Rupee amounts may lead to results that are different, in a material way, from those calculated as per U.S. Dollar amounts.

Convenience translation

We have translated the financial data derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for each period at the noon buying rate in the City of New York on the last business day of such period for cable transfers in Rupees as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The translations should not be considered as a representation that such US Dollar amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into Rupees at any particular rate, the rate stated elsewhere in this document, or at all. Investors are cautioned to not rely on such translated amounts.

Performance synopsis

In the first quarter of CY 2006 ended 31 March, 2006, Patni’s revenues were at US$ 129.85 million (Rs. 5,775.53 million), higher by 30.6% over US$ 99.44 million (Rs. 4,337.47 million) in Q1 2005. Gross profit was at US$ 46.09 million (Rs. 2,050.08 million), a rise of 17.4% from US$ 39.25 million (Rs. 1,712.02 million). Operating income and income before income taxes (PBT) reported during the quarter were at US$ 17.65 million (Rs. 784.97 million) and US$ 18.88 million (Rs. 839.82 million) respectively, 8.7% and 5.5% lower than the corresponding quarter last year. Net income was at US$ 14.44 million (Rs. 642.48 million), down 7.7% compared to US$ 15.64 million (Rs. 682.23 million) in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Diluted EPS for the quarter was at US$ 0.10 (Rs. 4.61).

Management comments

Commenting on the Q1 2006 performance, Mr. Narendra K Patni, Chairman and CEO, Patni Computer Systems Ltd., said, “Patni has delivered 4.8% sequential growth this quarter, ahead of our initial expectations. During the quarter, several of our client relationships showed encouraging expansion. We forged several new alliances and initiated many new business relationships. Given the visibility of existing relationships, and our expansion into new service lines, verticals and geographies, we reiterate our annual revenue growth guidance. We have transitioned to a gross compensation structure in the US during the current quarter. The costs relating to this transition is in excess of our initial estimates. Additionally, the compensation hike planned in the current year is higher than previously expected. We have been working on improving our operating efficiencies through an internal project called Propel. This initiative is helping in improving our operating efficiencies but gains will take longer than estimated earlier. Under these circumstances, we expect our full year earnings to be lower than the guidance provided earlier.

In Q2 2006, we expect revenue growth of 6% and after tax earnings of US$ 11 million, at an exchange rate of Rs. 44.60 to the US dollar. Traditionally, the second quarter of every year is lower for Patni in terms for earnings, given the increase in salaries and visa costs. Overall, we remain very confident about our business momentum.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Deepak Sogani, Chief Financial Officer, Patni, added: “In Q1 2006, Patni showed strong revenue growth on the back of volume expansion and an increase in the average realized rates. We negotiated rate revision within several ongoing relationships and were also successful in engaging new business at higher rates. We successfully continued the trend of revenue diversification, increasing the contribution from Europe, Asia Pacific, non-GE accounts, telecom and product engineering services. However, profitability has been impacted due to changes in the onsite compensation structure. Our utilization rates were also a slightly lower than budget, and we incurred extraordinary costs of about US$ 2.0 million during the quarter, including professional fees, ADR related forex loss and the prior period tax charges.”

Corporate developments

Mercer HR Services to establish offshore global operations center in partnership with Patni

Mercer HR Services plans to establish a global operations center in Noida, near New Delhi, to support continued global growth in fully integrated HR outsourcing solutions. Patni is partnering with Mercer in this initiative.

Patni partners with SAP to target the SMB sector in India

Patni and SAP India have entered into a strategic alliance to jointly address the SMB market in India. Under the SAP SMB Partner program, Patni will bundle the SAP license in their service offerings and will provide end-to-end mySAP ERP solutions.

Patni selected for multi-services telecom deal by The Carphone Warehouse

Patni won a multi-million GBP multi-services telecom contract with The Carphone Warehouse, the UK's largest independent retailer of mobile communications. Patni will support The Carphone Warehouse’s delivery platform encompassing fixed line, wireless and Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) capabilities for the pan-European market.

JBoss and Patni Establish Global Partnership to Drive Open Source Solutions

Patni entered into a global alliance to offer application development and migration services to enterprises deploying solutions on the JBoss Enterprise Middleware Suite (JEMS™). Patni will be fully equipped to provide the latest services and technologies based on the JEMS platform. JBoss and Patni will implement a Go-to-Market program that accelerates enterprise migration to JEMS.

Patni enters into IT Services Agreement with Disney Mobile

Patni entered into a multi-services contract with Disney Mobile - provider of a new mobile phone service designed just for families. Patni will be responsible for the development of consumer, retail and operational portals and end-to-end system testing across multiple vendors and technologies.

Management Discussion & Analysis of Performance

Revenues

Patni’s Q1 2006 revenues were higher by 4.8% sequentially to US$ 129.85 million (Rs. 5,775.53 million) from US$ 123.90 million (Rs. 5,569.37 million) in the preceding quarter. This exceeds the management’s guidance of US$ 126.4 million, or 2% expected sequential growth for the quarter. Growth was achieved across key clients, geographies, verticals and technology segments. Overall, there was expansion in billing volumes and realized rates showed improvement due to price revisions in some key relationships and gains from productivity of resources.

Revenues in Q1 2006 improved by 30.6% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Cost of revenues

Cost of revenues during Q1 2006 was at US$ 80.77 million (Rs. 3,592.80 million), up 5.5% sequentially from US$ 76.55 million (Rs. 3,440.81 million) in Q4 2005. The key variances since the preceding quarter were:

-- Higher onsite compensation – US$ 1.8 million impact from the transition of US onsite resources to a gross (of payroll taxes) compensation structure.
-- Lower utilization leading to higher salary cost of US$ 1.4 million.
-- ESOP compensation cost of US$ 0.4 million.

On a corresponding quarter comparison basis, cost of revenues was higher by 40.1% in Q1 2006 from US$ 57.67 million (Rs. 2,515.57 million) in Q1 2005.

Depreciation on direct assets

In Q1 2006, depreciation on direct assets was higher by 4.7% sequentially at US$ 2.98 million (Rs. 132.65 million) from US$ 2.85 million (Rs. 128.02 million) in Q4 2005. On a corresponding quarter basis, direct depreciation was higher by 18.4% from US$ 2.52 million (Rs. 109.88 million) in Q1 2005.

Gross profit

In Q1 2006, gross profit rose by 3.6% to US$ 46.09 million (Rs. 2,050.08 million) compared to US$ 44.51 million (Rs. 2,000.54 million) in the previous sequential quarter. Compared to the corresponding quarter last year, gross profit was higher by 17.4% from US$ 39.25 million (Rs. 1,712.02 million).

SG&A; expenses

In Q1 2006, SG&A; expenses increased by 12.9% over the sequentially preceding quarter to US$ 25.96 million (Rs. 1,154.47 million).

Sales and marketing expenses in the quarter under review increased by 5.8% at US$ 10.03 million (Rs. 446.25 million), compared to US$ 9.49 million (Rs. 426.39 million) in the previous sequential quarter. G&A; expenses were higher by 18.0% at US$ 15.92 million (Rs. 708.22 million) in Q1 2006 compared to US$ 13.49 million (Rs. 606.55 million) in Q4 2005.

The increase in SG&A; expenses was largely due to further recruitment and transition of onsite resources to a gross compensation structure (additional cost of US$ 0.4 million) and ESOP compensation costs (US$ 0.4 million). Apart from this, Patni’s indirect expenditure (G&A;) base expanded due to additional professional fee payments (higher by US$ 0.6 million) and annual corporate events (additional cost of US$ 0.5 million).

On a corresponding quarter basis, sales and marketing expenses have increased by 20.5% while G&A; expenses are up 44.5% from US$ 8.33 million and US$ 11.02 million respectively.

Depreciation on SG&A; assets

In Q1 2006, depreciation on Patni’s SG&A; assets was at US$ 1.36 million (Rs. 60.49 million), higher by 0.6% compared to the previous sequential quarter. Depreciation charged on SG&A; assets was higher by 70.6% over the corresponding quarter last year.

Provision for doubtful debts

In Q1 2006, a provision of US$ 0.13 million (Rs. 5.95 million) was made for doubtful debts compared to a provision reversal of US$ 0.23 million (Rs. 10.20 million) in Q4 2005.

Foreign exchange gain/loss

During the quarter, Patni recorded foreign exchange loss of US$ 0.99 million (Rs. 44.20 million) as against a loss of US$ 2.34 million (Rs 105.21 million) reported in Q4 2005.

Operating income

In Q1 2006, operating income was lower by 2.3% sequentially at
US$ 17.65 million (Rs. 784.97 million) compared to US$ 18.06 million (Rs. 811.85 million) in the preceding quarter. Operating income was 8.7% lower as compared to US$ 19.32 million (Rs. 842.78 million) in the corresponding quarter last year. Operating margin was at 13.6% in Q1 2006 compared to 14.6% in Q4 2005.

Other income

Other income (including interest and dividend income, net of interest expenses, profit / loss on sale of investments and other income) was at US$ 1.23 million (Rs. 54.85 million) in Q1 2006, higher by 100.0% from US$ 0.62 million (Rs. 27.70 million) in Q4 2005. In Q1 2006, Patni incurred a forex loss of about US$ 1 million on account of revaluation of ADR proceeds.

Other income was 85.8% higher than the corresponding quarter last year - US$ 0.66 million (Rs. 28.93 million).

Profit before tax

Profit before tax in Q1 2006 was US$ 18.88 million (Rs. 839.82 million), which was higher by 1.1% over the previous sequential quarter and lower by 5.5% over the corresponding quarter last year.

Income taxes

In Q1 2006, Patni provided US$ 4.44 million (Rs. 197.34 million) for taxation, 11.7% higher than US$ 3.97 million (Rs. 178.62 million) in Q4 2005. This rise is on account of prior year assessment demand of US$ 0.5 million in India. The income tax provision in Q1 2006 was 2.1% higher than the corresponding quarter last year.

Net income

Net income in Q1 2006 was lower by 1.8% at US$ 14.44 million (Rs. 642.48 million) compared to US$ 14.70 million (Rs. 660.93 million) in Q4 2005. Net income in Q1 2006 was lower by 7.7% compared to the corresponding quarter last year.

Earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share for Q1 2006 were at US$ 0.10 per share (Rs. 4.61 per share) compared to US$ 0.11 per share (Rs. 5.09 per share) in Q4 2005 and US$ 0.12 per share (Rs. 5.38 per share) in Q1 2005.

Balance Sheet/Cash Flow perspective

At the close of Q1 2006, cash and cash equivalents (including short term investments) were at US$ 284.20 million (Rs. 12,641.07 million) compared to US$ 290.60 million (Rs. 13,062.30 million) at the close of Q4 2005 and US$ 158.11 million (Rs. 6896.92 million) at the close of Q1 2005. During the quarter under review, US$ 11.28 million was used towards capital expenditure.

Revenue analysis

Top clients

During Q1 2006, revenues from Patni’s largest client GE reduced by 2.4% as compared to the previous sequential quarter. In Q3 2005, GE revenues had shown a spike on account of certain specific project opportunities, which partly flowed into Q4 2005 revenues. These revenues have since reverted to normalized levels. In addition, part of the erstwhile GE revenue base is now classified under Genworth since Q4 2005. Revenue contribution from GE was at 16.5% during Q1 2006 compared to 17.7% in Q4 2005 and 24.9% in Q1 2005.

Revenue contribution by top 10 clients was at 55.3% during Q1 2006 compared to 56.9% in Q4 2005 and 62.5% in Q1 2005. On a sequential quarter basis, revenue contribution from this segment was higher by 1.95%. On a last year’s corresponding quarter basis it was higher by 15.57%.

Revenues from clients outside the top 10 increased by 8.55% compared to the previous sequential quarter. Such revenues have also increased by 55.62% compared to the corresponding quarter last year –.

Active / million-dollar relationships

The number of million-dollar relationships remained unchanged at 61 in Q1 2006 as compared to Q4 2005. The number of active relationships moved from 199 in Q4 2005 to 206 in Q1 2006.

In the same quarter last year, Patni had 181 active customers and 46 million-dollar customers.

Client acquisition data

During Q1 2006, Patni acquired 20 new clients. The momentum of new client acquisition has remained healthy over the last few quarters and the focus is on the creation of strategic relationships with customers.

Vertical focus

Patni continues to achieve greater vertical diversification in its business. During Q1 2006, revenues from financial services, telecom and product engineering verticals were the key revenue drivers, growing by 6.3%, 13.7% and 7.9% respectively. These verticals have also expanded significantly compared to the corresponding quarter last year – by 33.5%, 81.4% and 112% respectively.

Patni’s objective is to create strong practices in key verticals and technologies. Over the last two years, new practices have been created in the areas of telecom, ISV and product engineering which have made a substantial contribution to growth.

Geographical contribution

During Q1 2006, U.S. revenues were higher by 3.1% sequentially and 26.6% over the corresponding quarter last year. Revenues from the U.S. contributed 83.0% of overall revenues in Q1 2006. Revenues from several other regions showed strong sequential expansion. Europe grew 21.2%, Japan 4.2% and Asia Pacific 31.0%. Overall, non-U.S. revenues grew by 13.7% in Q1 2006 as compared to Q4 2005.

Fixed price / T&M; contracts

In Q1 2006, revenues from fixed price contracts contributed 37.3% to overall revenues as compared to 39.3% in Q4 2005 and 40.2% in Q1 2005. FP revenues declined by 0.4% on a sequential quarter basis. T&M; project revenues were higher by 8.2% over the previous sequential quarter and by 36.7% over the corresponding quarter last year.

Volumes, utilization and attrition

In Q1 2006, offshore effort contribution was at 66.3% compared to 66.4% in the previous sequential quarter and 62.9% in the corresponding quarter last year.

Utilization was at 67.8% in Q1 2006 compared to 68.6% in Q4 2005. The Patni management has indicated a long-term utilization comfort range of 67-72%.

During quarter under review, attrition increased to 20.3% from 18.6% in Q4 2005 and 18.3% in Q1 2005.

About Patni Computer Systems Ltd:

Patni Computer Systems Limited (BSE: PATNI COMPUT, NSE: PATNI) is a global IT Services provider servicing Global 2000 clients. Patni caters to its clients through its industry-focused practices, including insurance, manufacturing, financial services, telecommunications, and its technology-focused practices.

With employee strength of over 12,000 and multiple offshore development facilities across eight cities, Patni has 23 international offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Patni has registered revenues of US$ 450.3 million for the year 2005.

Patni’s service offerings include application development, application maintenance and support, packaged software implementation, infrastructure management services, product engineering services, business process outsourcing and quality assurance services.

Committed to quality, Patni adds value to its client's businesses through well-established and structured methodologies, tools and techniques. Patni is an ISO 9001:2000 certified and SEI-CMMi Level 5 organization, assessed enterprise wide at P-CMM Level 3. In keeping with its focus on continuous process improvements, Patni adopts Six Sigma practices as an integral part of its quality and process frameworks.

For more information on Patni please visit http://www.patni.com

Attached Results and analysis tables
-- Consolidated Statement of Income (US$)
-- Consolidated Statement of Income (INR): based on convenience translation

Earnings Release over the wire services

-- Morning of April 26, 2006 (Night of April 25 2006 ET, afternoon of April 26 2006 Singapore local time)

Earnings Call Timing

-- 6:00-7:00 pm IST (8:30-9:30 am ET, 8:30-9:30 pm Singapore local time) on Wednesday, April 26 2006

India Toll

-- +91 22 2781 2277/ 5591 7977

Toll free dial-in for International Participants (Conference ID:8041701#)

-- US: 877-209-0463·
-- UK: 0800-917-4860·
-- Singapore: 800-101-1350·
-- Hong Kong: 800-901-700·
--Japan: 005-311-6020·
-- US / International Toll number: +1-706-643-0243

India Playback Facility

-- Available from 26 April – 29 April 2006 at:
+91-22-2788 0506/ 5591 7979

Playback Facility for US/ International Participants (Conference ID: 8041701#)

-- Available from 26 April – 28 April 2006 at:
US Toll-free: 800-642-1687
-- International Toll number: +1-706-645-9291

Audio webcast on www.patni.com

-- Available live and an archive of the event can be accessed till May 15, 2006.

Transcript of the call will be available within three working days at www.patni.com

Safe Harbor:

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in earnings, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Patni has made strategic investments, withdrawal of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, and unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

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Contact

Gurpreet Singh, Patni Computer Systems, +91(022) 6693 0500
[email protected]