HCL Technologies Limited has announced a revision to the record date for its interim dividend, shifting it from January 16, 2026 to January 17, 2026. The change was necessitated by a trading holiday declared for Municipal Corporation Elections in Maharashtra.

Dividend Declaration and Initial Timeline

The Board of Directors of HCL Technologies declared an interim dividend during their meeting held on January 12, 2026. Initially, the company had set January 16, 2026 as the record date for determining eligible shareholders for the dividend distribution.

Record Date Adjustment Details

The revision became necessary after stock exchanges intimated the company about the need to shift the record date due to a trading holiday on January 15, 2026. The holiday was announced in connection with Municipal Corporation Elections in Maharashtra, prompting the one-day adjustment to the record date.

Payment Schedule Remains Unchanged

Despite the record date modification, HCL Technologies confirmed that the dividend payment date of January 27, 2026 will remain unchanged. This ensures that eligible shareholders will receive their dividend payments as per the originally announced timeline.

Regulatory Communication

Company Secretary Manish Anand communicated the change to both BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited through official correspondence dated January 12, 2026. The communication was made under Regulation 42, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for dividend-related announcements.

Impact on Shareholders

Shareholders who hold HCL Technologies shares as of the close of business on January 17, 2026 will be eligible to receive the interim dividend. The one-day shift in the record date provides clarity for investors and ensures proper settlement procedures following the trading holiday.

HCL Technologies delivered mixed Q3 results, with revenue growth offset by profitability pressures from regulatory provisions. The IT services major reported sequential revenue growth of 6% while facing headwinds from new labour code implementations that impacted bottom-line performance.

Financial Performance Overview

The company's Q3 financial metrics reflect both operational strength and regulatory compliance costs:

Revenue performance exceeded market expectations, coming in above the estimated ₹33,360 crore. However, net profit of ₹4,076 crore fell short of the polled estimate of ₹4,747 crore, primarily due to the substantial one-time labour code provision.

Labour Code Impact and Future Outlook

CEO and Managing Director C Vijayakumar addressed the labour code implications, stating the total impact stands at $109 million as a one-time cost arising from obligations mandated under the new regulations. The company has already incorporated the required provisions as part of the quarter's financial adjustments and does not anticipate further incremental costs, although some regulatory guidelines remain pending.

Looking ahead, HCL Technologies expects minimal ongoing costs from the labour code implementation, projecting an impact in the range of 10 to 20 basis points on future operations.

Workforce Expansion and Fresher Hiring

The company demonstrated strong commitment to talent acquisition, particularly in the fresher segment:

Despite a marginal net decline of 261 employees quarter-on-quarter, the company's total workforce remained relatively stable at 2,26,379. The significant increase in fresher hiring aligns with HCL Technologies' earlier guidance about substantially higher graduate recruitment this fiscal year.

Dividend Distribution

The board declared an interim dividend of ₹12 per share for the quarter, with key dates as follows:

• Record Date: January 16, 2026
• Payment Date: January 27, 2026
• 12-month Total Payout: ₹54 per share
• Distribution Ratio: 88.8% of net income

This dividend declaration maintains the company's robust shareholder return policy, representing an effective distribution of nearly 90% of net income over the trailing twelve months.

Market Performance

HCL Technologies shares closed at ₹1,667 on NSE ahead of the results announcement, registering a modest gain of 0.34%. The mixed quarterly performance, combining revenue growth with profit pressures from regulatory compliance, reflects the broader challenges facing the IT services sector as companies navigate evolving regulatory landscapes while maintaining operational momentum.