Shares of Infosys Ltd rose on Thursday, August 14, after the company announced it had acquired a 75% stake in Versent Group, a Telstra Group subsidiary, forming a joint venture to drive AI-powered cloud and digital transformation for Australian businesses. Infosys shares were trading 1.6% higher at ₹1,449.3 on the NSE at 10 a.m.
Telstra will retain a 25% stake, while Infosys takes operational control of the Melbourne-based firm. The deal is valued at AUD 233.25 million (approximately ₹1,300 crore), excluding bonuses and incentives. The JV will combine Telstra’s network strengths, Versent’s digital expertise, and Infosys’ global AI and cloud capabilities, including its Topaz platform, Cobalt suite, and cybersecurity offerings.
Brokerage firm Nomura said the deal deepens Infosys’ strategic relationship with Telstra and enhances its position in Australia. Morgan Stanley noted the acquisition supports Infosys’ local expansion and sees the price as fair. With high single-digit margins expected, the joint venture is unlikely to affect Infosys’ earnings per share.
