[R]11:30AM New York – Infosys reports rising revenue and healthy net income margins. The company lifts dividend payout ratio to 30% of earnings from 20%.[/R]

Infosys Technologies Limited a software services exporter from India reported fourth quarter ended March 2008 revenue $1,142 million increased 32.3% from $863 million of the same quarter of last year.

Net income for the quarter ended $311 million compared to $259 in the same quarter of last year. Earnings per ADS for the quarter increased 19.6% to $0.55 compared to $0.46.

Full year revenue surged 35% to $4.17 billion compared to $ 3.1 billion and net earnings were $1,155 million or $2.02 ADS compare to $850 million or $1.50 per ADS.

The company added 40 new clients during the quarter.

The company announced dividend of 20 rupees per ADS (or equivalent to $0.50 per ADS at prevailing exchange rate) and final dividend of 7.25 rupees per ADS (or equivalent to $0.18 per ADS).

The Company’s current policy is to pay dividend up to 20% of earnings and the board has decided to increased dividend pay-out ratio up to 30% of net profit effective from fiscal 2009.

The company expects second quarter revenues increase of 23% or in the range of $1,142 million to $1,145 million. Consolidated earnings per ADS are expected of $0.52, an increase of 18.2% from a year ago.

S. Gopalakrishnan, chief executive and managing director said, “While there could be short-term challenges due to global economic uncertainties, we see significant growth opportunities in the medium to long term.”

Infosys (INFY: chart) stock in New York trading rose $2.33 to $38.90 and in Mumbai trading rose 6% to 1,510 rupees.