Patni Computer Systems Ltd (PTI) reported earnings per ADS of 38 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 34 cents for the third quarter of 2009.   Revenues during the quarter were higher by 3.3% sequentially to $167.2 million from $161.9 million in the preceding quarter. Revenue growth was driven by volume growth of 3.0% (including higher number of days) and 0.3% due to currency impacts. Number of active clients was 283 at quarter end as compared to 294 in the second quarter of 2009.   Gross margin was at 37.1% or $62.0 million against 34.7% or $56.2 million in the previous quarter. Gross profit adjusted for extraordinary items is at $60.9 million at 36.4% during the quarter. Improvement in gross margin is primarily on account of higher utilization and impact of cost rationalization measures.   Sales and marketing expenses during the quarter were $14.2 million at 8.5% ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 3, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Ford Motor Company (F), Wipro Limited (WIT), General Electric Company (GE), Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation (CTSH) and Infosys Technologies Limited (INFY).

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Here are highlights from Monday’s AnalystBlog:

Ford Turns Impressive Profit

Ford Motor Company (F) returned to profitability in the third quarter of the year by posting a net income of $873 million or 26 cents per share, easily clearing the Zacks Consensus Estimate loss of 15 cents per share

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Wipro Limited (WIT) announced second quarter of fiscal year 2010 results. Total revenue for quarter ended Sep 30, 2009, was Rs 69.18 billion ($1.44 billion), representing an increase of 6% over the same period last year. Net income for the quarter ended Sep 30, 2009, was Rs 11.71 billion ($243 million), representing an increase of 21% from the same period last year. Earnings per share for the quarter ended Sep 30, 2009, were Rs 8.04 (17 cents), representing an increase of 20% over the same period last year. This exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents per share.  IT Services business segment recorded revenue of Rs 49.98 billion ($1039 million) for the quarter ended Sep 30, 2009, representing an increase of 5% over the same period last year. EBIT for this segment was Rs 11.80 billion ($245 million) for the quarter ended Sep 30, 2009, representing an ...

Wipro Technologies, the IT services business of Wipro Ltd. (WIT) announced that it has entered into a five year agreement with BP Plc. (BP) to provide IT Applications Development and Maintenance services for BP’s Fuels Value Chain and Corporate businesses across the globe.

Wipro has been selected as a strategic partner after an arduous selection procedure, which assessed the company on its IT capabilities, domain knowledge of the Oil and Gas sector and proven past record of operational transformation.

Wipro will support BP in IT standardization, simplification and achievement of corporate efficiency. This agreement significantly expands the scope of partnership between Wipro and BP to additional business segments and newer geographies in future.

Through this agreement, Wipro will provide benefits of scale and efficiency by utilizing its proven global delivery model, which will look at delivering services from locations across the globe for BP.

Wipro has enjoyed a compounded annual revenue growth

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