Ticker-Mapping Error Likely Behind Sudden Spike in Infosys ADRs: Report

New Delhi: A suspected data-feed anomaly combined with algorithm-driven trading, rather than any company-specific development, is believed to have triggered the sharp surge of nearly 50 per cent in Infosys Ltd’s American Depository Receipts (ADRs), according to a report.

The Chronicle Journal reported that the unusual spike in Infosys ADRs on December 19, 2025, was likely caused by a ticker-mapping error across several financial data platforms. The error reportedly confused automated trading systems, setting off a self-reinforcing buying loop in a relatively thinly traded security.

The abrupt price movement led to multiple Limit Up–Limit Down (LULD) volatility halts on the New York Stock Exchange. According to the report, several data providers mistakenly mapped the “INFY” ticker to an unrelated entity while still attaching Infosys-specific financial metrics and news headlines.

This inconsistency appears to have prompted algorithmic trading models to interpret the situation as a pricing anomaly, triggering aggressive buy orders. The impact was amplified by low liquidity and limited trading volumes in the ADRs.

Infosys ADRs, which had closed the previous session at around $19.18, surged to nearly $27 within minutes of the market opening before volatility controls intervened and prices corrected. Notably, no similar reaction was observed in Infosys’ shares listed in India.

The incident has highlighted the structural vulnerabilities of ADR trading, particularly as such instruments trade when domestic markets are closed, increasing exposure to data errors, liquidity constraints, and automated trading feedback loops.

US exchanges and regulators are expected to examine the episode to determine whether data inconsistencies played a significant role and to assess the effectiveness of existing volatility safeguards.

Separately, US technology major Microsoft recently announced strategic partnerships with IT firms, including Infosys, to deploy more than 50,000 Microsoft Copilot licenses. The combined rollout across partners is expected to exceed 200,000 licenses, accelerating the adoption of agentic artificial intelligence.

The initiative underscores the growing role of agentic AI—systems capable of autonomous decision-making and insight generation—in driving innovation, productivity, and long-term competitiveness.

With inputs from IANS