ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank remain among the most closely watched private-sector banking stocks, with their September-quarter results offering investors fresh insights into earnings growth, margins, asset quality and future profitability.
While both lenders reported improvements in asset quality, their performance differed on several key metrics, with ICICI Bank delivering faster profit growth and stronger margins, while HDFC Bank continued to report higher absolute earnings. Experts remain positive on both stocks, although their investment arguments differ, with ICICI Bank's growth momentum contrasting with HDFC Bank's potential recovery and valuation appeal.
Both stocks closed lower on Monday, with ICICI Bank declining 1.1% to ₹1,382 and HDFC Bank falling 2.3% to ₹712. The Nifty dropped 1.11%, while the Bank Nifty declined 0.6%.
HDFC Bank has been giving weak returns in recent times, down 3% in 1 month, 13% in 3 months, 11% in 6 months and 29% in the last 1 year.
Meanwhile, ICICI Bank has been mixed. It has added 3% in 1 month but us down 4.4% in 3 months. Meanwhile, the lender advanced 2.5% in 6 months but declined 4% in the last 1 year.