Company valuation · Technology
CTSH: Buy with a $80.58 price target
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp Class A. Borrowing is lower relative to earnings, but year-to-date profit is lower.
- Model target · USD
- $80.58 For 2027-09-14
- Model rating
- Buy Reviewed 2026-09-16
- Reference weekly close
- $60.00 2026-09-11 · USD
Investment view
Borrowing is lower relative to earnings, but year-to-date profit is lower.
Target and reference price
Target for 2027-09-14: $80.58 USD, +34.3% versus the $60.00 weekly close on 2026-09-11. Price return only; dividends, fees and tax excluded.
Price and earnings
Over 1 year (2025-09-12 to 2026-09-11), price changed -13.3% and trailing EPS changed +10.2%. A wider gap changes the earnings multiple; it does not establish fair value.
Supporting evidence
Net debt / EBITDA: 0.3× for CTSH, against 0.5× across 12 comparable peers.
Over one year, the stock changed -13.3% against -30.7% for Technology (XLK). The gap is +17.5 percentage points. These are price returns, before dividends.
Risks to the case
Across 2 completed quarters since 2025-12-31, net income was 1,298.0m versus 1,308.0m in the matching prior-year periods (USD). Check whether the latest quarter changes that direction.
Dividends and buybacks totalled 2,712.0m versus 2,598.0m of cash after capital spending over four quarters. Existing cash or borrowing can fund a difference.
What to monitor
The latest quarterly margin changed +0.4 percentage points from a year earlier. Check sales volumes, pricing and unusual gains in the next filing.
Recheck the valuation gap alongside profitability and growth after new results. A discount alone does not establish value.
Compare the stock and the market fund over the same dates. Look for a change in relative performance as results arrive.
Valuation assumptions
Starting annual sales growth: 5.38%.
Long-term operating margin: 15.27%.
About this assessment
Review recorded on 2026-09-16. This is a dated summary of an automated company valuation. The full report includes the financial evidence, alternative scenarios and review history. Consult the latest report before using an earlier target. Automated model research, not personal investment advice. Targets depend on assumptions; returns are not guaranteed.