Banking sector is expected to report a strong December Quarter 2022, driven by strong credit growth, improving asset quality and stable net interest margins. Bank Nifty is up 2% over the past 30 days. So is the Nifty Private Bank index. It’s the PSU bank index ahead of the private peers yet again in Q3FY23. Nifty PSU bank index is up 9% over the past one month. Bank of Maharashtra tops the profitability chart followed by Union Bank and Canara Bank in Q3FY23 in the PSU arena. IDFC bank reported 115% YoY net profit growth whereas Bandhan Bank reported net profit fall of 66%YoY in the private sector banking. Big daddy State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda are yet to announce their Q3FY23 result.
The credit growth is good for the overall financial sector. But it is the asset quality where the investors have their eyes on. PSU banks asset quality is on a strong footing. While private peers too exhibit stability, ICICI Bank surprised investors with its more than 100 basis points (bps) increase in gross NPA ratio in Q3FY23. Consequently, ICICI Bank’s stock price received lukewarm investor interest after the December Quarter 2022 result announcement . Will the private sector banks fall behind their larger peers. Few more quarters will give a better picture.
