Software provider EPAM lifts annual forecasts on AI-driven demand
Shares of the company, which provides a wide range of IT services including consulting, cloud and AI transformation and software engineering, rose more than 5 per cent in premarket trading after it also topped estimates for second-quarter results.
Despite global economic tensions companies are still spending on software services to ramp up their AI offerings and integrate AI within their operations, driving demand at EPAM.
EPAM saw strong demand from clients in industries such as financial services, software, healthcare and consumer goods in the quarter, posting revenue increases across major industry verticals, as well as across geographies.
"As our clients prioritize their AI-readiness and preparatory actions, they are increasingly turning to us to build out their data and AI foundation," said Chief Revenue Officer Balazs Fejes, who is taking over as CEO from September.
Newtown, Pennsylvania-based EPAM now expects annual revenue growth at between 13 per cent and 15 per cent, up from its previous forecast of 11.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent. Analysts on average were expecting 2025 revenue to increase 13.4 per cent, according to data compiled by LSEG.
EPAM projected adjusted earnings per share in the range of $10.96 to $11.12 for the year, compared with its prior forecast of $10.70 to $10.95. Analysts were estimating $10.85 per share.
The company's third-quarter revenue forecast of $1.37 billion to $1.38 billion also came in above estimates. Adjusted profit is expected to be in the range of $2.98 to $3.06 per share, also ahead of market expectations.
For the second quarter ended June 30, EPAM's revenue jumped 18 per cent to $1.35 billion, beating estimates of $1.33 billion. Excluding one-off items, per-share profit was $2.77, above estimates of $2.61.
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