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For the third quarter of 2026, Cognizant expects revenues between $5.6 billion and $5.68 billion. This implies reported growth of 3.4-4.9% and growth between 3.8% and 5.3% at cc, including an inorganic contribution of roughly 200 basis points.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is currently pegged at $5.65 billion, indicating growth of 4.3% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark for earnings is currently pegged at $1.46 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The figure indicates a 5% increase from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
Cognizant’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the trailing four quarters, missing in the remaining one, delivering an average surprise of 3.64%.
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Let us see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement.
Factors Likely to Have Influenced CTSH Q3 Performance
Cognizant is expected to have benefited from strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-led transformation, continued momentum in Financial Services, the ramp-up of large deals and incremental revenues from acquisitions in the third quarter of 2026. Growing adoption of AI-powered software engineering, cloud modernization, cybersecurity and business process services is likely to have supported performance.
Financial Services is expected to have remained Cognizant’s strongest growth engine, benefiting from robust demand across banking, capital markets and insurance. In the second quarter, Financial Services revenues increased 12% year over year to $1.73 billion, marking the second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. This momentum is likely to have continued into the third quarter, supported by modernization projects, growing demand for AI-enabled operations and increased adoption of outcome-based solutions.
Cognizant’s healthy large-deal pipeline and the conversion of previously secured contracts into revenues are expected to have supported third-quarter results. The company signed seven large deals, each exceeding $100 million in total contract value, during the second quarter, including three new client relationships. Trailing 12-month bookings increased 5% year over year to $29.1 billion, representing a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 1.3.
Increasing enterprise adoption of generative AI, agentic AI and automation is likely to have driven demand for Cognizant’s AI engineering, digital transformation and managed services offerings. The company reported more than 8,000 AI engagements in the second quarter, with more than 40% of its software development work becoming AI-assisted. Its Cognizant AI Delivery Operating System, Neuro AI platforms and context engineering capabilities are helping enterprises modernize legacy systems, automate workflows and improve operational efficiency.
Expanding alliances with Google Cloud, Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft and ServiceNow are also likely to have strengthened Cognizant’s competitive positioning and supported new business opportunities. Cognizant’s acquisitions of Astreya and 3Cloud are expected to have supported third-quarter revenues.
What Our Model Says
According to the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here.
Cognizant currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.05% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks to Consider
Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in their upcoming releases:
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
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CTSH Set to Report Q3 Earnings: What's in the Cards for the Stock?
Key Takeaways
Cognizant (CTSH - Free Report) is scheduled to release third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29.
For the third quarter of 2026, Cognizant expects revenues between $5.6 billion and $5.68 billion. This implies reported growth of 3.4-4.9% and growth between 3.8% and 5.3% at cc, including an inorganic contribution of roughly 200 basis points.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter revenues is currently pegged at $5.65 billion, indicating growth of 4.3% from the figure reported in the year-ago quarter. The consensus mark for earnings is currently pegged at $1.46 per share, unchanged over the past 30 days. The figure indicates a 5% increase from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.
Cognizant’s earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the trailing four quarters, missing in the remaining one, delivering an average surprise of 3.64%.
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Price and EPS Surprise
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation price-eps-surprise | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Quote
Let us see how things have shaped up for the upcoming announcement.
Factors Likely to Have Influenced CTSH Q3 Performance
Cognizant is expected to have benefited from strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-led transformation, continued momentum in Financial Services, the ramp-up of large deals and incremental revenues from acquisitions in the third quarter of 2026. Growing adoption of AI-powered software engineering, cloud modernization, cybersecurity and business process services is likely to have supported performance.
Financial Services is expected to have remained Cognizant’s strongest growth engine, benefiting from robust demand across banking, capital markets and insurance. In the second quarter, Financial Services revenues increased 12% year over year to $1.73 billion, marking the second consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. This momentum is likely to have continued into the third quarter, supported by modernization projects, growing demand for AI-enabled operations and increased adoption of outcome-based solutions.
Cognizant’s healthy large-deal pipeline and the conversion of previously secured contracts into revenues are expected to have supported third-quarter results. The company signed seven large deals, each exceeding $100 million in total contract value, during the second quarter, including three new client relationships. Trailing 12-month bookings increased 5% year over year to $29.1 billion, representing a book-to-bill ratio of approximately 1.3.
Increasing enterprise adoption of generative AI, agentic AI and automation is likely to have driven demand for Cognizant’s AI engineering, digital transformation and managed services offerings. The company reported more than 8,000 AI engagements in the second quarter, with more than 40% of its software development work becoming AI-assisted. Its Cognizant AI Delivery Operating System, Neuro AI platforms and context engineering capabilities are helping enterprises modernize legacy systems, automate workflows and improve operational efficiency.
Expanding alliances with Google Cloud, Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft and ServiceNow are also likely to have strengthened Cognizant’s competitive positioning and supported new business opportunities. Cognizant’s acquisitions of Astreya and 3Cloud are expected to have supported third-quarter revenues.
What Our Model Says
According to the Zacks model, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat, which is the case here.
Cognizant currently has an Earnings ESP of +0.05% and a Zacks Rank #3. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Stocks to Consider
Here are some companies worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings in their upcoming releases:
Shopify (SHOP - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +10.11% and has a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Shopify shares have climbed 3.2% year to date (YTD). Shopify is set to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Nov. 3.
Intel (INTC - Free Report) has an Earnings ESP of +2.22% and a Zacks Rank #1 at present.
Intel shares have appreciated 153.1% YTD. Intel is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 29.
Amphenol (APH - Free Report) currently has an Earnings ESP of +1.72% and has a Zacks Rank #2.
Amphenol shares have jumped 15% YTD. Amphenol is slated to report its third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 28.