Q3 Earnings Show HDFC Bank Profit Rise, ICICI Bank Impacted by One-Time Provision

Following Q3FY26 earnings, HDFC Bank reported an 11.5% year-on-year profit increase to Rs 18,654 crore, driven by margin expansion and higher treasury income. ICICI Bank's net profit declined 4% due to a one-time Rs 1,283 crore provision on agricultural loans, though core operations remained steady with stable margins and loan growth. Analysts view ICICI's dip as a regulatory impact rather than asset quality deterioration. Both banks face profit booking in the market amid mixed investor sentiment. Meanwhile, L T Finance and Poonawalla Fincorp showed strong retail lending growth and improving asset quality, with brokerages upgrading their outlooks. Public sector banks also saw gains supported by foreign portfolio investor buying.