Persistent Systems declares Rs 22 interim dividend for FY26 as Q3 earnings soften

Persistent Systems has announced an interim dividend of Rs 22 per share for FY26, signalling continued shareholder focus even as quarterly profit softens. The Board of Directors cleared the payout, which applies to equity shares with a face value of Rs 5 each for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.

The company reported a mixed Q3FY26 performance, with profit easing but revenue improving. Consolidated net profit for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, fell 6.8% sequentially to Rs 439.45 crore, compared with Rs 471.47 crore in the previous quarter, while operating margins also came under pressure.

For investors tracking the dividend, the record date is Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Shareholders on the books that day will be eligible for the interim dividend of Rs 22 per equity share. Persistent Systems stated that, in line with SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015, the dividend will be credited within 30 days from the date of its declaration.

The announced distribution is categorised as an interim dividend for the fiscal year running from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. With this move, Persistent Systems starts FY26 with a cash return to shareholders despite a weaker profit print in Q3, highlighting a willingness to maintain capital distribution.

Revenue trends differed from profit performance in Q3FY26. Revenue from operations rose 5.5% quarter-on-quarter to Rs 3,778.21 crore, up from Rs 3,580.72 crore in Q2FY26. However, operating profit, measured as EBIT, declined 7% sequentially to Rs 542.75 crore, compared with Rs 583.74 crore in the previous quarter.

The shift in profitability also showed up in margins. EBIT margin narrowed from 16.3% in Q2FY26 to 14.4% in the December 2025 quarter. This indicates higher costs or pricing pressures despite rising revenue, a trend that investors in Persistent Systems may track while assessing the sustainability of future dividends and earnings.

Order booking remained important for visibility amid the changing margin profile. For the quarter ended December 31, 2025, Persistent Systems reported Total Contract Value of $674.5 million and Annual Contract Value of $501.9 million. These figures highlight the scale of ongoing business commitments and help frame growth expectations for upcoming quarters.

Metric	Q3FY26	Q2FY26	Change QoQ
Net profit (Rs crore)	439.45	471.47	-6.8%
Revenue from operations (Rs crore)	3,778.21	3,580.72	+5.5%
EBIT (Rs crore)	542.75	583.74	-7.0%
EBIT margin	14.4%	16.3%	-190 bps
TCV (USD million)	674.5	-	-
ACV (USD million)	501.9	-	-

Persistent Systems dividend, Q3 results and stock target price view

Alongside the dividend announcement and Q3 results, technical views on the stock remain cautious. "Persistent Systems stock price is bearish on the Daily charts with strong resistance at 6394. A Daily close below support of 6176 could lead to a target of 5766 in the near term," commented A R Ramachandran, part-time SEBI-registered Research Analyst, Tips2trades.

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For finance readers, the key takeaways are a Rs 22 interim dividend, softer profit, better revenue momentum and lower margins, with healthy order inflow and a cautious technical outlook. Together, these factors present a balanced picture of Persistent Systems’ financial standing as FY26 progresses.