Infosys to focus on small buys

Infosys,which is sitting on a cash pile of nearly $3 billion,may look at buying companies in the consulting,back office,healthcare and utilities segments,Balakrishnan said.

“We look at small,niche acquisitions which will help us to penetrate certain geographies much faster,grow certain verticals much faster,grow certain services much faster,” Balakrishnan said.

Infosys,which is targeting companies with revenue of about $400 million to $500 million,may acquire firms in Germany and France to expand its presence in Europe,he said.

Balakrishnan also said he is comfortable with margins in the near term,but they could be weighed down by a stronger rupee.

India’s nearly $60 billion outsourcing sector has taken a hit from the global economic downturn as its core financial clients slammed the brakes on technology spending and demanded sharp price cuts.

Nasdaq-listed Infosys has seen pricing drop about 5 percent over the last six months.

Shares in Infosys,which the market values at nearly $30 billion,were up 0.9 per cent at 2,447 rupees on Wednesday in the main Mumbai market,which was up 0.75 per cent.