ICICI Bank's b Q4 results have prompted leading brokerage firms to issue 'Buy' ratings, with projected returns of up to 20%. A compelling investment opportunity.
Share Market: ICICI Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks, received positive updates from major brokerage firms like Motilal Oswal, Nomura, Nuvama, and Phillip Capital following its impressive March quarter (Q4 FY2025) results. These brokerages recommend buying the bank's shares, citing b profit growth, healthy margins, and improved asset quality.
ICICI Bank's Profit: Strong Profit Growth
In the March 2025 quarter, ICICI Bank's profit rose by 18% year-on-year to ₹12,630 crore. For the entire fiscal year 2024-25, the bank reported a profit of ₹47,227 crore, reflecting a 15.5% increase. The bank also declared a dividend of ₹11 per share to its shareholders.
Brokerage Firms' 'BUY' Rating: Strong Recommendations
1 Motilal Oswal:
Motilal Oswal maintained a 'BUY' rating on ICICI Bank, setting a target price of ₹1,650, representing a 17% upside from the current price. The brokerage stated that the bank performed well in challenging market conditions, primarily due to its b net interest margin (NIM), healthy income, and controlled expenses.
2 Nuvama:
Nuvama assigned a 'BUY' rating to ICICI Bank, with a target price of ₹1,630. This suggests a potential upside return of up to 16%.
3 Nomura:
Nomura also issued a 'BUY' rating for ICICI Bank, raising its target price to ₹1,690. This could offer investors an upside return of 20%.
4 Phillip Capital:
Phillip Capital gave ICICI Bank a 'BUY' rating and set a target price of ₹1,550, indicating a 10% upside.
ICICI Bank's Stock Performance: Record High
ICICI Bank's shares have recently exhibited b performance. On April 17, it reached an all-time high of ₹1,437 on the BSE. Over the past two weeks, the bank's shares have increased by 10%, and over the past three months, the share price has risen by 18.40%. The stock has delivered a return of 32.80% in one year, and the bank's market capitalization has now reached ₹10.09 lakh crore.
ICICI Bank's Q4 FY2025 Financial Highlights
ICICI Bank's net interest income (NII) increased by 11% to ₹21,193 crore in the January-March 2025 quarter. The bank's net interest margin (NIM) reached 4.41%, exceeding the 4.40% from the same quarter last year and the 4.25% from the third quarter. The bank's total deposits reached ₹16.10 lakh crore, indicating a 14% growth. Furthermore, the bank's average CASA ratio stood at 38.4%, reflecting b customer confidence.
ICICI Bank's Outstanding Performance on the Loan Front
ICICI Bank registered a 13.9% increase in its domestic loan portfolio, reaching ₹13.11 lakh crore. Retail loans saw a year-on-year growth of 8.9%, constituting 52.4% of the total loan portfolio.
Conclusion: Why ICICI Bank is a Strong Buy?
ICICI Bank's robust financial performance, impressive profit growth, and positive outlook from brokerage firms make it a compelling option for investors. If you are considering long-term investments, this stock could be a b addition to your portfolio.
