Cognizant Raises Share Repurchase Target to $2 Billion
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 18 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp's stock rose by 5.01% as it crossed above the 5-day SMA, reflecting positive investor sentiment.
The company has raised its share repurchase target for 2026 from $1 billion to $2 billion, indicating strong confidence in future cash flows. This increase in the buyback program is expected to enhance investor trust and boost stock performance. Additionally, Cognizant plans to complete $1 billion in repurchases during the second quarter of 2026, further solidifying its capital management strategy.
This proactive approach to capital returns, combined with the company's strategic acquisition plans, positions Cognizant favorably in the market, likely leading to increased shareholder value and confidence in its growth trajectory.
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Analyst Views on CTSH
Wall Street analysts forecast CTSH stock price to rise
15 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 53.850
Low
80.00
Averages
87.18
High
100.00
Current: 53.850
Low
80.00
Averages
87.18
High
100.00
About CTSH
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation engineers modern businesses. Its services include artificial intelligence (AI) and other technology services and solutions, consulting, application development, systems integration, quality engineering and assurance, application maintenance, infrastructure and security as well as business process services and automation. Its segments include Health Sciences (HS), Financial Services (FS), Products and Resources (P&R), and Communications, Media and Technology (CMT). HS segment consists of healthcare providers and payers, and life sciences companies. FS segment includes banking, capital markets, payments and insurance companies. P&R segment includes manufacturers, automakers, retailers, consumer goods companies, and travel and hospitality companies, as well as businesses providing logistics, energy and utility services. CMT segment includes global communications, media and entertainment, education, information services and technology companies.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Cognizant Launches AI Agents to Tackle Healthcare Authorization Bottlenecks
- AI Agent Implementation: Cognizant's new headless API model treats AI agents as first-tier consumers of the TriZetto Unify platform, with the Electronic Prior Authorization solution aimed at addressing administrative bottlenecks in U.S. healthcare, which is expected to significantly enhance service efficiency.
- Reduction in Physician Burden: A recent survey by the American Medical Association found that 95% of physicians believe prior authorization delays necessary care, and the introduction of AI agents is projected to alleviate the 13 hours per week that physicians spend on these requests, thereby reducing the workload on healthcare staff.
- Compliance and Governance: The new system adheres to industry-standard healthcare interoperability protocols, ensuring that AI agents operate within regulated environments, complying with the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule effective in 2026, thus driving automation in the healthcare sector.
- Platform Expansion and Future Plans: Cognizant aims to extend agent-ready access across the broader TriZetto Unify roadmap over the coming year, supporting over 200 million healthcare members in the U.S. and processing more than $500 billion in annual healthcare spending, further solidifying its leadership position in the healthcare technology space.
See More
Cognizant Launches AI Agents to Streamline Healthcare Authorization Process
- AI Agent Implementation: Cognizant's new headless API model treats AI agents as first-tier consumers of the TriZetto Unify platform, with the Electronic Prior Authorization solution addressing the 95% of physicians who report delays in authorization, thereby enhancing patient access to care.
- Efficiency Gains: The introduction of AI agents allows physicians and their staff to reclaim an average of 13 hours per week, reallocating this time to complex cases that require clinical judgment, significantly reducing administrative burdens and improving healthcare service efficiency.
- Compliance and Governance: The new platform ensures that AI agents operate within compliance boundaries, aligning with the 2026 CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule, demonstrating Cognizant's strategic commitment to advancing automation in the healthcare sector.
- Market Impact: The TriZetto platform supports over 200 million healthcare members and processes more than $500 billion in annual healthcare spending, with Cognizant planning to expand agent-ready access over the coming year, further solidifying its leadership position in the healthcare technology space.
See More
Cognizant AI Forum 2026 Scheduled for June 5, 2026
- Forum Focus: Cognizant will host the AI Forum on June 5, 2026, aimed at bridging the gap between AI investments and enterprise value, focusing on achieving comprehensive AI impact.
- Executive Presentations: The morning keynote will feature CEO Ravi Kumar S and CFO Jatin Dalal, expected to provide deep insights into enterprise AI strategies, enhancing attendees' understanding of AI applications.
- Live Webcast: The keynote session will be webcast live, starting at approximately 9:30 AM Eastern and lasting about one hour, allowing global audiences to participate and access the latest information.
- Replay Availability: Following the event, a replay of the webcast will be available on Cognizant's Investor Relations page, ensuring that investors who could not attend live can access the relevant content.
See More
Cognizant Announces $500 Million Stock Buyback
- Buyback Program Initiation: Cognizant Technology Solutions has entered into agreements with Truist Bank and BNP Paribas to repurchase $500 million of its Class A common stock under an accelerated share repurchase program, demonstrating the company's confidence in its stock value.
- Expected Share Count: The firm anticipates receiving approximately 7.8 million shares on Wednesday, with the final number of shares determined based on the volume-weighted average price of its stock less a discount, a mechanism that helps optimize repurchase costs.
- Strategic Plan Update: This buyback is part of Cognizant's updated 2026 share repurchase plan announced on May 18, indicating the company's proactive strategy in capital management aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
- Positive Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on Nasdaq, Cognizant's shares rose by 0.52%, trading at $51.56, reflecting a positive market response to the company's buyback plan and further boosting investor confidence.
See More
Cognizant Announces Accelerated $500M Share Buyback
- Buyback Plan Update: Cognizant has entered into an accelerated buyback agreement with Truist and BNP Paribas to repurchase approximately 7.8 million shares for $500 million, demonstrating the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance shareholder returns.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the announcement, Cognizant's shares rose 0.5% in premarket trading, reflecting investor approval of the buyback plan, which may further bolster market expectations for the company's future performance.
- Background of Buyback: This buyback is part of Cognizant's updated plan announced on May 18, indicating the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value through capital management in the current economic environment, thereby strengthening its competitive position.
- Strategic Implications: By executing this buyback plan, Cognizant not only reduces the number of shares outstanding but also enhances earnings per share, further solidifying its market position in the technology consulting industry and attracting more investor interest.
See More
Cognizant Announces $500 Million Share Repurchase
- Repurchase Overview: Cognizant has entered into accelerated share repurchase agreements with Truist Bank and BNP Paribas to repurchase a total of $500 million of Class A common stock, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value.
- Share Quantity and Delivery: Approximately 7.8 million shares are set to be delivered to Cognizant on May 21, 2026, with the final number of shares to be repurchased determined based on the volume-weighted average stock price, ensuring flexibility and market adaptability in the repurchase process.
- Strategic Implications: This repurchase is part of Cognizant's updated 2026 share repurchase plan, indicating the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence in a rapidly changing environment.
- Market Reaction Expectations: By implementing this repurchase plan, Cognizant not only aims to enhance earnings per share but also potentially increases investor confidence in the company's future growth prospects, which could positively impact its stock price.
See More
Cognizant Launches AI Agents to Tackle Healthcare Authorization Bottlenecks
- AI Agent Implementation: Cognizant's new headless API model treats AI agents as first-tier consumers of the TriZetto Unify platform, with the Electronic Prior Authorization solution aimed at addressing administrative bottlenecks in U.S. healthcare, which is expected to significantly enhance service efficiency.
- Reduction in Physician Burden: A recent survey by the American Medical Association found that 95% of physicians believe prior authorization delays necessary care, and the introduction of AI agents is projected to alleviate the 13 hours per week that physicians spend on these requests, thereby reducing the workload on healthcare staff.
- Compliance and Governance: The new system adheres to industry-standard healthcare interoperability protocols, ensuring that AI agents operate within regulated environments, complying with the CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule effective in 2026, thus driving automation in the healthcare sector.
- Platform Expansion and Future Plans: Cognizant aims to extend agent-ready access across the broader TriZetto Unify roadmap over the coming year, supporting over 200 million healthcare members in the U.S. and processing more than $500 billion in annual healthcare spending, further solidifying its leadership position in the healthcare technology space.
See More
Cognizant Launches AI Agents to Streamline Healthcare Authorization Process
- AI Agent Implementation: Cognizant's new headless API model treats AI agents as first-tier consumers of the TriZetto Unify platform, with the Electronic Prior Authorization solution addressing the 95% of physicians who report delays in authorization, thereby enhancing patient access to care.
- Efficiency Gains: The introduction of AI agents allows physicians and their staff to reclaim an average of 13 hours per week, reallocating this time to complex cases that require clinical judgment, significantly reducing administrative burdens and improving healthcare service efficiency.
- Compliance and Governance: The new platform ensures that AI agents operate within compliance boundaries, aligning with the 2026 CMS Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule, demonstrating Cognizant's strategic commitment to advancing automation in the healthcare sector.
- Market Impact: The TriZetto platform supports over 200 million healthcare members and processes more than $500 billion in annual healthcare spending, with Cognizant planning to expand agent-ready access over the coming year, further solidifying its leadership position in the healthcare technology space.
See More
Cognizant AI Forum 2026 Scheduled for June 5, 2026
- Forum Focus: Cognizant will host the AI Forum on June 5, 2026, aimed at bridging the gap between AI investments and enterprise value, focusing on achieving comprehensive AI impact.
- Executive Presentations: The morning keynote will feature CEO Ravi Kumar S and CFO Jatin Dalal, expected to provide deep insights into enterprise AI strategies, enhancing attendees' understanding of AI applications.
- Live Webcast: The keynote session will be webcast live, starting at approximately 9:30 AM Eastern and lasting about one hour, allowing global audiences to participate and access the latest information.
- Replay Availability: Following the event, a replay of the webcast will be available on Cognizant's Investor Relations page, ensuring that investors who could not attend live can access the relevant content.
See More
Cognizant Announces $500 Million Stock Buyback
- Buyback Program Initiation: Cognizant Technology Solutions has entered into agreements with Truist Bank and BNP Paribas to repurchase $500 million of its Class A common stock under an accelerated share repurchase program, demonstrating the company's confidence in its stock value.
- Expected Share Count: The firm anticipates receiving approximately 7.8 million shares on Wednesday, with the final number of shares determined based on the volume-weighted average price of its stock less a discount, a mechanism that helps optimize repurchase costs.
- Strategic Plan Update: This buyback is part of Cognizant's updated 2026 share repurchase plan announced on May 18, indicating the company's proactive strategy in capital management aimed at enhancing shareholder value.
- Positive Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on Nasdaq, Cognizant's shares rose by 0.52%, trading at $51.56, reflecting a positive market response to the company's buyback plan and further boosting investor confidence.
See More
Cognizant Announces Accelerated $500M Share Buyback
- Buyback Plan Update: Cognizant has entered into an accelerated buyback agreement with Truist and BNP Paribas to repurchase approximately 7.8 million shares for $500 million, demonstrating the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance shareholder returns.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the announcement, Cognizant's shares rose 0.5% in premarket trading, reflecting investor approval of the buyback plan, which may further bolster market expectations for the company's future performance.
- Background of Buyback: This buyback is part of Cognizant's updated plan announced on May 18, indicating the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value through capital management in the current economic environment, thereby strengthening its competitive position.
- Strategic Implications: By executing this buyback plan, Cognizant not only reduces the number of shares outstanding but also enhances earnings per share, further solidifying its market position in the technology consulting industry and attracting more investor interest.
See More
Cognizant Announces $500 Million Share Repurchase
- Repurchase Overview: Cognizant has entered into accelerated share repurchase agreements with Truist Bank and BNP Paribas to repurchase a total of $500 million of Class A common stock, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value.
- Share Quantity and Delivery: Approximately 7.8 million shares are set to be delivered to Cognizant on May 21, 2026, with the final number of shares to be repurchased determined based on the volume-weighted average stock price, ensuring flexibility and market adaptability in the repurchase process.
- Strategic Implications: This repurchase is part of Cognizant's updated 2026 share repurchase plan, indicating the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence in a rapidly changing environment.
- Market Reaction Expectations: By implementing this repurchase plan, Cognizant not only aims to enhance earnings per share but also potentially increases investor confidence in the company's future growth prospects, which could positively impact its stock price.
See More
