Infosys Q4 profit up 21 per cent

Infosys, which listed on the markets in 1993, also announced a bonus issue in the ratio of one share for every held.

Infosys Technologies Ltd reported a 20.6 per cent rise in its quarterly net profit on Friday, bolstered by a strong growth in orders from overseas clients.

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Nasdaq-listed Infosys, the showpiece of India's globally feted export-focused software sector, posted a net profit of Rs 6.73 billion in the three months ended March, versus a revised 5.58 billion a year ago.

Infosys also announced a bonus issue, its ninth, in the ratio of one share for every held.

The Bangalore-based firm, which counts ABN AMRO Bank as one of its clients, has been instrumental in raising the global profile of India's software industry, that depends on a growing army of low-cost, English-speaking engineers.

The sector's software services revenues are expected to cross $23 billion in the year ended March 2006, up more than 30 per cent over last year as companies sign longer-term and large-sized contracts.

Infosys, which listed on the Indian markets in June 1993, was the only stock in the 30-issue main index to post a fall in the past quarter. It declined 0.5 per cent against the stellar 20 per cent gain on the benchmark.