Axis Bank shares slide after profit misses estimates
Axis Bank shares fell as much as 5% after standalone September-quarter profit of ₹7,003 cr missed the ₹7,124 cr estimate. Higher costs and weaker treasury income offset steady loan growth, while peers also declined after quarterly results.
pre-market2 sources ↓machine-written, see hownot a recommendation
- AXISBANK close
- ₹1,290
- On the day
- +0.16%
- Futures OI, long build-up
- +0.3%
- Put-call ratio
- 0.71
- Max pain
- ₹1,250
Axis Bank shares fell as much as 5% on 19 Oct 2026 after the private lender reported September-quarter standalone net profit below analysts’ expectations. The stock was down 4% at ₹1,238.90 at 10:39 a.m. IST after touching its lowest level since 5 Oct, marking its biggest intraday fall since 24 Sep. Profit ₹7,003 cr missed the ₹7,124 cr average estimate compiled by LSEG. 📉
Higher costs, weaker other income and lower treasury income offset steady loan growth across segments. Rising bond yields and rupee volatility affected treasury income, while the earnings outcome kept operating expenses, fee income and margin recovery central to the banking sector read-through 💼. HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, which also reported quarterly results over the weekend, were down 2.2% and 0.9%, respectively, showing that the reaction extended across large private-sector banks.
The earlier brokerage view remained constructive: Nuvama Research retained its Buy rating and ₹1,650 12-month price target after reviewing the quarter. Against its ₹1,286 reference price, that target implied 28.3% upside. Nuvama cited strong credit momentum, stable core margins and a possible recovery in net interest margins from the December quarter, while projecting return on assets of 1.5–1.7% and return on equity of 14–17% over FY27–29E. Lower loan-loss provisions were supportive, but lower treasury gains and higher staff costs weighed on Q2 earnings.
OI Charts data from 16 Oct showed the stock at ₹1,290, up 0.16% on the day and 2.5% over five sessions. Futures open interest rose 0.3% to 99,436,875 shares, indicating a long build-up, while the futures contract traded at a 0.21% discount to the underlying. In options, the put-call ratio was 0.71, with the largest call and put open interest both at ₹1,260 and max pain at ₹1,250 for the 27 Oct expiry. ₹1,260 OI wall remains the key positioning reference, although the 19 Oct price reaction needs to be assessed against fresh derivatives data.
Investors will track December-quarter net interest margin movement, credit growth, loan-loss provisions, staff costs and treasury income. The stock’s ability to stabilise around the ₹1,250–₹1,260 options zone will also provide the next market signal.
Source: ET Now, 18 Oct 2026; Economic Times BFSI, 19 Oct 2026
Not investment advice. For informational purposes only.