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Infosys keeps its stock options open as pay and profits jostle
MUMBAI: If numbers talk, Infosys’ latest update spoke in more than one tone. Infosys has approved a fresh stock incentive grant for CEO and MD Salil Parekh, even as its December quarter showed pressure on margins despite steady revenue growth. Based on recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the board cleared time-based Restricted Stock Units with a market value of Rs 3 crore, to be granted from February 1, 2026, under the company’s 2015 Stock Incentive Compensation Plan. The number of RSUs will be determined by the market price prior to the grant date, with the exercise price fixed at the par value of Rs 5 per share.
Alongside this, Infosys allotted 6,914 equity shares of face value Rs 5 each following the exercise of stock units by employees. Of these, 70 shares were issued under the 2015 Incentive Compensation Plan and 6,844 shares under the Infosys Expanded Stock Ownership Program 2019. As a result, the company’s issued and subscribed share capital rose to Rs 2,027.34 crore, comprising 405.47 crore equity shares.
Financially, the December quarter painted a nuanced picture. Consolidated revenue came in at Rs 45,479 crore, up 8.9 percent year-on-year and 2.2 percent sequentially. Operating profit declined 6.3 percent year-on-year to Rs 8,355 crore, dragging operating margin down to 18.4 percent from 21.3 percent a year ago. Net profit after non-controlling interests stood at Rs 6,654 crore, down 2.2 percent year-on-year, while basic EPS slipped to Rs 16.17.
For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, Infosys reported revenue of Rs 1,32,248 crore, an 8.3 percent increase year-on-year. Net profit for the period rose 6.4 percent to Rs 20,939 crore, even as operating margin eased to 20 percent. Adjusted for the impact of newly notified Labour Codes, operating profit for the nine-month period stood at Rs 27,800 crore on a non-IFRS basis, with adjusted basic EPS at Rs 52.99.
The labour code notification resulted in a one-time adjustment of Rs 1,289 crore, reflecting higher gratuity and leave liabilities linked to past service costs. While the core business continues to grow, the quarter underlined a familiar industry reality: talent costs and regulatory changes are increasingly shaping the fine print behind headline growth.
Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
