Info Edge reported a 14.4% year-on-year increase in total billings for the first quarter of FY26-27, led by a strong performance in its recruitment segment. While Naukri and 99acres showed recovery, the company's education vertical faced a decline due to changing search patterns. Investors are now focused on how the firm adapts its education business while maintaining growth in its core job and real estate portals.
Info Edge, the operator of job portal Naukri.com and real estate platform 99acres.com, has released its business update for the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year. The company reported total billings growth of 14.4% compared to the same period last year. This result has drawn attention from market analysts, including Nomura, which recently maintained a positive view on the stock.
Recruitment and Real Estate Performance
The recruitment division, which is the company's largest business, saw its billings increase by 17.5% year-on-year. This growth was driven largely by demand for specialized technology roles, which typically carry higher average revenue per user. The company’s focus on integrating artificial intelligence into its job-seeking tools, such as automated resume builders, appears to be supporting its competitive position.
Meanwhile, the 99acres.com real estate platform reported a 16.6% rise in billings. This recovery follows a challenging fourth quarter in the previous fiscal year, which the company had attributed to internal invoicing adjustments. The current performance suggests that the real estate platform is stabilizing as it continues to improve its operational efficiency.
Challenges in Education and Matrimony
While the core businesses performed well, other segments presented a mixed picture. The matrimonial portal, Jeevansathi, recorded a 14% year-on-year increase in billings. In contrast, the education vertical, Shiksha, saw a significant 22.8% decline. Analysts have noted that this downturn is largely linked to the rise of artificial intelligence in search technology, which has changed how users find educational information. The company is currently working on developing new products to move beyond its dependence on traditional search traffic, though this transition is still in the early stages.
Investor Monitorables
For investors, the primary area to track will be the company’s ability to adapt its education business to the shifting digital landscape. While the overall growth in billings indicates strong demand in the job market, the sustainability of this momentum will depend on broader hiring trends in the technology sector. Additionally, the performance of the company’s portfolio of equity investments remains a factor to watch, as any volatility in these assets can impact the firm's consolidated financial health. Management’s progress in diversifying its service offerings to counter the impact of AI on its search-based models will also be a key update for shareholders in upcoming quarters.