BANGALORE, INDIA:Infosys Technologies has posted revenue of Rs 5635 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 showing a growth of 24.1 per cent year-on-year basis. Net profit after tax has grown 29.1 per cent, which was Rs. 1,613 crore for the same period quarter.

Earnings per share increased to Rs. 28.16 from Rs. 21.83 in the corresponding quarter in the previous year.

For the year 2008-09, the company posted a total income of Rs 21,693 crore recording 30 per cent growth. Net profit after tax before exceptional item was Rs. 5,988 crore for the year ended March 31, 2009 with 28.5 per cent growth over previous year.

Earnings per share before exceptional item increased to Rs.104.60 from Rs. 81.53 compared to previous year.

The net profit for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2009 includes a reversal of tax provisions pertaining to earlier period amounting to Rs. 15 crore and Rs. 108 crore, respectively (Rs. 20 crore and Rs. 121 crore for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2008).

Excluding this reversal, the earnings per share for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2009 would have been Rs. 27.90 and Rs. 102.71 (Rs. 21.49 and Rs. 79.42 for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2008 respectively) resulting in a YoY growth of 29.8 per cent and 29.3 per cent, respectively, said the company.

On a sequential quarter basis, the net profit has dropped by 1.7 per cent  while its topline was also down by 2.7 per cent, a clear indication of tough times ahead for the Indian software services sector.

"Many of our clients are impacted by the financial crisis and are looking to us to help them reduce their expenses and optimize their businesses," said S. Gopalakrishnan, CEO and managing director.

"Our services, solutions and business model are well suited to help them in this environment. We are focusing on enhancing our business and investing smartly for the future," he added.

"The pricing for the quarter declined by 3 per cent," said S.D. Shibulal, chief operating officer. "Although the pricing environment continues to be challenging, we believe our Global Delivery Model provides value to our clients as they focus on bringing in efficiencies in their cost structures."

During the quarter, Infosys applied for an aggregate of four patents in the U.S. and India. With this, Infosys has an aggregate of 200 patent applications (pending) in both countries and has been granted two patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Cash and cash equivalents, including investments in liquid mutual funds and certificate of deposits, as on March 31, 2009 was Rs. 10,993 crore (Rs. 8,307 crore as on March 31, 2008).

"We improved our operating margins during fiscal 2009 despite a very difficult global economic environment combined with highly volatile currency markets," said V. Balakrishnan, chief financial officer. "We have a strong balance sheet with cash and cash equivalents of over $ 2 billion."

During the quarter, Infosys and its subsidiaries added 4,935 employees (gross). The net addition during the quarter was 1,772.

"The year ahead would be challenging on the people front," said T. V. Mohandas Pai, Member of the Board and Head – HRD and Education and Research.

"Our continuous investment in capability development, training and certification would make us more competitive. We have tightened our performance management system to create a more focused workforce," he added.

The Board of Directors recommended a final dividend of Rs.13.50 per share (270 per cent on par value of Rs. 5 per share) for the financial year 2009.