Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Mid-tier Indian IT Firms Outperform Giants Amidst Global Tech Spending Slowdown
Imagine two groups of companies that help other businesses with their computers and technology.
One group is the really big, famous companies, and the other group is a bit smaller, like the 'mid-tier' ones.
Even though companies around the world are spending less money on technology right now, the smaller, mid-tier Indian IT companies are growing faster than the big ones.
This is happening for the second year in a row!
The smaller companies are good at changing quickly and focusing on new things like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
They also tend to work with medium-sized businesses, which are growing faster than the very largest ones.
Plus, they are managing to make more money while hiring fewer people.
Some of the smaller companies have even seen their stock prices go up, while the big companies' stock prices have mostly gone down.
Mid-tier Indian IT firms are projected to achieve faster growth, stronger margins, and healthier order books than their larger counterparts in FY26.
Companies like LTIMindtree, Coforge, Mphasis, Persistent Systems, and Hexaware have demonstrated stronger first-half performance compared to giants like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro.
Mid-tier firms' agility, focus on AI and engineering-driven opportunities, and concentration on faster-growing mid-sized clients are key drivers of their success.
These firms are achieving higher operating margins and reduced employee additions, indicating efficient cost management and leaner operations.
Despite global tech spending headwinds and AI-led pricing deflation, mid-tier IT companies are outpacing the industry average with promising growth prospects.
- Who
- Mid-tier Indian IT firms (LTIMindtree, Coforge, Mphasis, Persistent Systems, Hexaware Technologies) and large Indian IT firms (TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra).
- What
- Mid-tier IT firms are expected to outperform large IT firms in revenue growth, margins, and order books in FY26, despite weak global tech spending and challenges like AI-led pricing deflation and visa uncertainties.
- When
- For the second consecutive year (FY26), with performance data from the first half of FY26 (April-September 2025).
- Where
- India's IT services sector, with a significant focus on the US market (largest market for Indian IT services companies).
- Why
- Mid-tier firms' agility in pivoting to AI-led and engineering opportunities, leaner delivery structures, focus on mid-sized clients, and ability to manage costs have contributed to their superior performance.
Mid-tier IT Firms
Large IT Firms
Growth Rate
Mid-tier IT Firms
Expected to outpace sector giants in FY26 with faster growth, healthier order books.
Large IT Firms
Facing muted demand and slower growth, with some reporting revenue declines.
Agility and Focus
Mid-tier IT Firms
More agile in pivoting to AI-led and engineering opportunities, less weighed down by legacy programs and large deals.
Large IT Firms
Slower to adapt due to legacy transformation programs and large, slow-moving deals.
Client Segment
Mid-tier IT Firms
Often focus on mid-sized clients ($1-10 billion) which are growing twice as fast as large-sized firms.
Large IT Firms
Primarily focused on large-sized clients, a segment with slower growth.
Hiring Trends
Mid-tier IT Firms
Significantly reduced hiring, adding fewer employees compared to the previous year, with some even cutting roles.
Large IT Firms
Managed to increase profitability with moderate hiring, though not always accelerating growth.
- Mid-Tier Firms Mentioned
- LTIMindtree, Coforge, Mphasis, Persistent Systems, Hexaware Technologies
- Large Firms Mentioned
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra
- Mid-Tier Revenue Growth (H1 FY26)
- LTIMindtree: 5%, Coforge: 36.8%, Mphasis: 6.1%, Persistent Systems: 18.1%, Hexaware: 7%
- Large Cap Growth Acceleration (H1 FY26)
- Infosys: 4.26%, HCL Technologies: 5.98%
- Mid-Tier Operating Margins (H1 FY26)
- LTIMindtree: 15.9%, Coforge: 14%, Mphasis: 15.3%, Persistent Systems: 16.3%, Hexaware: 15%
- Mid-Tier Employee Addition (H1 FY26)
- 7,036 (down 38% YoY)
- Stock Performance (Year-to-date FY26)
- Mid-tiers LTIMindtree, Coforge, Mphasis, Persistent Systems gained; Large caps generally fell.