# The Whole Banking Pack Is Bleeding, So Why Is ICICI Bank Alone Trading in the Green Today

> HDFC, Axis and Kotak Mahindra Bank slid after their quarterly results, but a strong Q1 showing pushed ICICI Bank nearly one percent higher to Rs 1,455.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Market · **Published:** 2026-07-21 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/market/pura-bainkinga-sektara-lala-phira-bhi-icici-bank-ka-sheyara-hare-nishana-men-kyon-daura-raha-hai-9231 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** ICICI Bank share, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, banking stocks, quarterly results, stock market

The stock market opened on a weak note, and the Sensex slipped more than 500 points in early trade. The heaviest pressure fell on the banking sector, where several heavyweights tumbled. Right after their quarterly results, HDFC Bank dropped as much as 5 percent, Axis Bank fell close to 5 percent and Kotak Mahindra Bank lost about 3 percent. Yet in the middle of all this selling, ICICI Bank stood out as the lone name glowing in the green. It was trading roughly one percent higher on the NSE at Rs 1,455. With the entire sector under strain, this rally left the market puzzled.

## Why the big bank stocks cracked
Two big reasons sat behind the fall in these banking giants. The first was mounting pressure on their margins, and the second was a slip in asset quality. That is exactly where investors grew nervous and began booking profits. Axis Bank fell about 4.89 percent to Rs 1,264. Its core earnings may have held up reasonably well, but the net interest margin easing to 3.46 percent was hardly comforting. Kotak Mahindra Bank also slid 3.07 percent to Rs 377.90. HDFC Bank, meanwhile, had already broken as much as 5 percent after its Q1 numbers.

## How ICICI Bank flipped the script
ICICI Bank, on the other hand, delivered a first quarter that comfortably beat market expectations. Its loan growth was the fastest in the sector, and it handed out more credit than its rivals. On top of that, the bank's net interest margin improved, its fee income climbed and its asset quality strengthened considerably. This solid foundation is exactly why both investors and brokerages are backing the stock and see room for healthy gains ahead.

## Brokerages turn bullish with big targets
After the strong numbers, leading brokerage houses are smitten with the ICICI Bank stock. Nomura kept its buy rating intact and set a target price of Rs 1,700. Bernstein handed out a market perform rating with a target of Rs 1,550. Brokerage firm Prabhudas Lilladher also advised investors to put money into the stock, pegging its target price at Rs 1,850. The overall picture is clear, the very worries over margins and asset quality that dragged down the other banks are the areas where ICICI Bank showed strength, letting it break away from the crowd.

## What this means for you
- **For investors:** Those holding HDFC, Axis or Kotak Bank shares felt today's drop, while ICICI Bank shareholders saw a modest gain.
- **For potential buyers:** Three big brokerages have set ICICI Bank targets ranging from Rs 1,550 to Rs 1,850, signalling expected upside from the current Rs 1,455 level.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What price was ICICI Bank trading at today?
It was trading about one percent higher on the NSE at Rs 1,455.

### 2. Why did the big bank stocks fall today?
The main reasons were mounting pressure on their margins and a slip in asset quality.

### 3. How much did HDFC, Axis and Kotak Bank fall today?
HDFC Bank dropped up to 5%, Axis Bank around 5% and Kotak Mahindra Bank 3.07%.

### 4. What stood out in ICICI Bank's first quarter?
Its loan growth was the fastest in the sector, its net interest margin improved, fee income rose and asset quality strengthened.

### 5. What targets have brokerages set for ICICI Bank?
Nomura set Rs 1,700, Bernstein Rs 1,550 and Prabhudas Lilladher Rs 1,850 as their target prices.

### 6. What was Axis Bank's net interest margin?
Axis Bank's net interest margin eased to 3.46%, which was one reason for the stock's decline.

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