# ICICI Bank vs HDFC Bank vs Axis Bank: Q2 Stock Picks

> ICICI Bank leads Q2 results with strong growth; HDFC Bank prepares for CEO change; Axis Bank misses profit estimates.
- Title: ICICI Bank vs HDFC Bank vs Axis Bank: Q2 Stock Picks · mint
- Summary: ICICI Bank leads Q2 results with strong growth; HDFC Bank prepares for CEO change; Axis Bank misses profit estimates. ICICI Bank's strong earnings and credit…
- Keywords: icici bank, hdfc bank, axis bank, q2 results, stock market, brokerage ratings, net profit, credit growth, nii, nimb, news, india
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/icici-bank-vs-hdfc-bank-vs-axis-bank-which-stock-to-buy-sell-or-hold-after-q2-results-11792290916045.html
- Author: Dhanya Nagasundaram
- Published: 2026-10-18T03:17:55+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: icici bank, hdfc bank, axis bank, q2 results, stock market, brokerage ratings, net profit, credit growth, nii, nimb, news, india
## Q2 Results Overview
India’s three largest private lenders posted mixed Q2 results with ICICI Bank showing strong earnings growth, HDFC Bank improving asset quality, and Axis Bank reporting a profit increase despite missing estimates.
## ICICI Bank Performance
ICICI Bank reported a 20.1% year-on-year rise in standalone net profit to ₹ 14,843 crore in Q2 FY27 with strong loan growth and a 7% profit beat against estimates.
## ICICI Bank Credit Growth
ICICI Bank showed 30% year-on-year and 12% quarter-on-quarter credit growth, supported by strong loan growth excluding foreign currency non-resident deposits.
## ICICI Bank Brokerage Ratings
Nuvama Institutional Equities and Systematix Institutional Research both retained a 'Buy' rating on ICICI Bank with target prices of ₹ 1,850 and ₹ 1,750 respectively.
## HDFC Bank Performance
HDFC Bank reported a 4.7% year-on-year rise in standalone net profit to ₹ 19,510 crore with improved asset quality and a gross non-performing asset ratio of 1.11%.
## HDFC Bank Leadership Transition
Anup Bagchi is set to take over as managing director and chief executive of HDFC Bank during a leadership transition period.
## Axis Bank Performance
Axis Bank reported a 37.6% year-on-year increase in standalone net profit to ₹ 7,003 crore with strong credit growth but a profit miss of 7% against estimates.
## Axis Bank Margin Pressures
Axis Bank's net interest margin declined 10 basis points sequentially with lower treasury gains and higher staff costs contributing to the profit miss.
## Brokerage Views
All three banks received 'Buy' ratings from brokerages with Nuvama and Systematix maintaining positive outlooks on credit growth and margin recovery.
## ICICI Bank Preferred Pick
Nuvama Institutional Equities identifies ICICI Bank as the preferred large-cap private bank with expected return on assets of 2.2, 2.3% and return on equity of 17% over FY27, FY29.
## Investor Recommendations
Investors should consider ICICI Bank for strong growth, HDFC Bank for leadership transition opportunities, and Axis Bank for margin recovery potential despite profit misses.
## Key takeaway

ICICI Bank's strong earnings and credit growth make it the preferred stock among large private banks after Q2 results.