Info Edge shares jumped nearly 7% after reporting a 14.4% rise in Q1 standalone billings to ₹737 crore. The company also announced plans to acquire the remaining 45.36% stake in CodingNinjas to become its sole owner. Investors are tracking whether this ed-tech expansion complements its core recruitment business.
Info Edge shares saw a sharp move on the National Stock Exchange, rising nearly 6.8% to reach an intra-day high of ₹1,094. This momentum followed the company's disclosure of its business performance for the first quarter of the financial year. The stock recorded significantly higher trading volumes compared to the broader market, which saw only modest gains during the same session.
The company reported that standalone billings reached ₹737 crore for the quarter, compared to ₹644.20 crore in the same period a year ago. The core Recruitment Solutions division, which remains the primary revenue driver for the group, led this growth with an increase of 17.5%, contributing ₹552.70 crore to the total. While the real estate vertical, 99acres, and the matrimonial platform, Jeevansathi, recorded growth of 16.6% and 14.1% respectively, the education services segment under Shiksha saw a decline of 22.8%, reporting ₹34.60 crore in billings.
Strategic Consolidation in Ed-tech
Alongside the quarterly update, Info Edge confirmed its move to fully acquire CodingNinjas. The company plans to purchase the remaining 45.36% equity stake at a price of ₹5,340.23 per share. This investment of approximately ₹39.91 crore will transform CodingNinjas into a wholly owned subsidiary. By moving to full ownership, the company intends to integrate the platform more closely into its existing ecosystem of services, aiming to build a stronger presence in the technical education and upskilling sector.
For investors, the key focus remains on the profitability of these newer ventures. While the Recruitment Solutions business continues to demonstrate steady demand, the company has historically invested heavily in building its portfolio of internet businesses. The move toward full ownership of CodingNinjas indicates a strategy to control the growth of this unit directly. However, the company will need to balance the costs of such expansions against the cash flow generated by its established recruitment platforms. The performance of the Shiksha division, which showed a decline this quarter, will be another area to monitor in upcoming filings to see if this is a temporary trend or a broader shift in demand for those specific educational services.