Operating
Stock-Based Comp
Cognizant Stock-Based Comp increased by 4.5% to $46.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 9.5%, from $42.00M to $46.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Stock-Based Comp shows a downward trend with a -7.4% CAGR.
Analysis
StatementCash Flow Statement
SectionOperating
CategoryEfficiency
SignalContext dependent
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2014
Last reportedQ1 2026
How to read this metric
Increasing levels may indicate a focus on talent retention but can also signal potential shareholder dilution.
Detailed definition
This represents the value of equity-based awards granted to employees as part of their total compensation package. Since...
Peer comparison
Standard across large-cap corporations; varies based on corporate compensation philosophy.
Metric ID:
stock_based_compensationHistorical Data
20 periods
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $67.00M | $65.00M | $52.00M | $56.00M | $89.00M | $58.00M | $58.00M | $44.00M | $42.00M | $47.00M | $43.00M | $42.00M | $48.00M | $44.00M | $41.00M | $42.00M | $48.00M | $47.00M | $44.00M | $46.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -3.0% | -20.0% | +7.7% | +58.9% | -34.8% | +0.0% | -24.1% | -4.5% | +11.9% | -8.5% | -2.3% | +14.3% | -8.3% | -6.8% | +2.4% | +14.3% | -2.1% | -6.4% | +4.5% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +32.8% | -10.8% | +11.5% | -21.4% | -52.8% | -19.0% | -25.9% | -4.5% | +14.3% | -6.4% | -4.7% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +6.8% | +7.3% | +9.5% |
Range$41.00M – $89.00M
CAGR-7.6%
Avg YoY Growth-3.9%
Median YoY Growth-2.3%
Stock-Based Comp at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Cognizant's stock-based comp?
- Cognizant (CTSH) reported stock-based comp of $46.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Cognizant's stock-based comp changed year-over-year?
- Cognizant's stock-based comp increased by 9.5% year-over-year, from $42.00M to $46.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Cognizant's stock-based comp?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Cognizant's stock-based comp has grown at a -7.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $246.00M to $181.00M.
- What does stock-based comp mean?
- The non-cash cost of paying employees with company stock instead of cash.