April 15, 2008 - 1:01 p.m.

NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Infosys Technologies Ltd. gained sharply Tuesday after analysts were comforted by means of the Indian information-technology company's fourth-quarter profits.

Infosys shares gained $2.81, or 7.7 percent, to $39.37.

Citigroup analyst Surendra Goyal called Infosys a "top pick" in a note to investors after the company said its January-to-March profit rose 9.2 percent to 12.49 billion rupees ($312 million) and estimated higher-than-expected revenue growth in fiscal 2009.

Goyal, who rates the company "Buy," said Infosys faces one of its most difficult years, but was impressed with on the company's revenue guidance, which she said tends to run conservative.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs analyst Thomas Quinteros said his earnings estimates and price were under review after the "positive" results.

"Overall, we expect a sigh of relief," from investors, Quinteros said, added that worries about the company's next fiscal year revenues should be eased by the its guidance, he added. Quinteros rates the company "Neutral."

Susquehanna Financial Group analyst James Friedman echoed those sentiments and said he was encouraged by growth in its Chinese and Indian markets, as well as in manufacturing revenue.

However, he said he was concerned that wage inflation for the company was rising due to attrition and growing competition for labor. Friedman rates Infosys "Net Positive."