Bank Nifty gains nearly 1% to hit new all-time high; HDFC Bank, Axis, Kotak stocks lead momentum today

The Bank Nifty index scaled a fresh all-time high on Thursday, rising as much as 0.94 percent to 58,555 points in morning trade, as investor sentiment in the banking sector remained firm following strong Q2 earnings. Bank Nifty has gained 14.2 percent over the past year, outperforming the NSE Nifty 50, which has risen 6.8 percent in the same period.

Among key banking stocks, Axis Bank gained 2 percent to Rs 1,260.9, followed by Kotak Mahindra Bank, which rose 1.59 percent to Rs 2,231. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and State Bank of India also traded higher, adding between 0.3 percent and 0.6 percent each.

According to Nitin Aggarwal, Senior Group Vice President and Head of BFSI Institutional Equities at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, the overall outlook for the sector remains robust after resilient Q2 FY26 performances. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank have reported excellent results, and the brokerage firm remains optimistic on the earnings outlook for both, he said in an interview with CNBC TV18.

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The decline in NIMs across most banks has been lower than expected, and Q2 is likely to be the bottom in terms of earnings growth, he said. Aggarwal added that earnings momentum is expected to strengthen ahead, with flattish growth projected for FY26 and double-digit expansion likely in FY27. “Execution of opportunities will remain critical for RBL Bank, but we remain positive overall,” he said.

Among broader benchmarks, at 10:10 am today, the Sensex advanced 787 points, or 0.9 percent, to 85,213.6, while the Nifty rose 218.8 points to 26,087.4, reflecting broad-based market strength.

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