HDFC Bank shares slide 4% to 52-week low, Kotak upgrades to buy Shares of HDFC Bank closed 2 percent lower at ₹840.70 on Monday, having fallen 4 percent during the trading session to reach a 52-week low of ₹821.50. The decline followed sustained selling pressure in the banking sector, though the stock partially recovered later in the day. Despite the recovery, the stock remained under pressure, reflecting ongoing investor concerns about the bank’s performance. The recent downturn marks a continuation of the stock’s underperformance, driven by worries over margin pressures and challenges in mobilizing deposits. These issues have persisted even as the broader banking sector has remained relatively stable. Analysts have pointed to the bank’s struggles with its liability-side constraints as a key factor affecting its valuation. Kotak Institutional Equities upgraded HDFC Bank to a "buy" rating, setting a target price of ₹1,050. The brokerage attributed this move to the sharp correction in the stock’s price, which has widened its valuation discount compared to its peers. While Kotak acknowledged that the business models and loan portfolios of large banks are broadly comparable, it emphasized that HDFC Bank’s ongoing challenges in managing liabilities justify a lower valuation multiple. The brokerage noted that downside risks at current price levels appear limited, but cautioned that meaningful outperformance would depend on clearer signs of improvement in the bank’s liability franchise. Kotak highlighted that any re-rating of the stock would hinge on rebuilding investor confidence in the bank’s ability to expand its net interest margins. This metric remains a critical focus for the lender as it navigates its financial strategy moving forward.#stock_market #banking_sector #hdfc_bank #kotak_institutional_equities #net_interest_margins
