Indicators are positive, but pandemic is not over yet: HCL Tech CEO C Vijayakumar

In an interview with ET, HCL Tech president and CEO C Vijayakumar said although demand for digital technologies is accelerating, the chief matter of concern is that the Covid-19 pandemic is still raging. Vijayakumar also said HCL Tech had no immediate plans for a buyback unlike some of its peers and is instead giving out a higher dividend. Edited Excerpts:

ON ‘CAUTIOUS’ OPTIMISM

All the indicators of demand and demand pipeline, deal closures, etc, are looking positive. But, keep in mind we’re still in the middle of this pandemic and even last week some geographies announced lockdowns. So, while we believe we can navigate it because a lot of work is getting done remotely, that’s just one element we have to keep in mind before we become extremely optimistic about everything.