Last Saturday, banking majors released impressive Q3 earnings for 2026 amid rumors of a consumer-focused Union Budget 2026. While ICICI Bank’s Q3FY26 earnings were stable, the Nifty 50 heavyweight HDFC Bank’s Q3 results were impressive. Yes Bank and RBL Bank, two additional private lenders, also released strong Q3 results. After the Q3 results in 2026, some stock market investors might find it challenging to choose which of these stocks to purchase.
Stock market experts claim that ICICI Bank reported stable growth, led by an increase in deposits and PAT during the October to December 2025 quarter, while HDFC Bank announced strong Q3 results 2026, driven by robust revenue and YoY PAT growth. While RBL Bank reported steady Q3 earnings despite an increase in operating profit, Yes Bank posted outstanding Q3 results 2026 with a 50% YoY growth in PAT.
Preview of Q3 performance for 2026
Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, explained the HDFC Bank Q3 results 2026 as follows: “HDFC Bank’s Q3 results show strong performance, with net revenue growing 8.9% YoY to ₹45,870 crore and profit after tax increasing 11.5% YoY.” With a Tier 1 CAR of 17.8% and a capital adequacy ratio of 19.9%, the bank’s asset quality is good, with net NPA at 0.42% and gross NPA at 1.24%.
Seema Srivastava commented on ICICI Bank’s Q3 earnings on Saturday, saying, “ICICI Bank’s Q3 results reflect steady growth, with profit after tax at ₹11,318 crore and deposits growing 9.2% YoY to ₹16.59 lakh crore.” The bank has a CET-1 ratio of 16.46% and a capital adequacy ratio of 17.34%. Growth-oriented investors looking for steady asset quality and steady retail credit expansion are best served by ICICI Bank.
With a 55.4% YoY increase in PAT to ₹952 crore and an improvement in RoA to 0.9%, Yes Bank’s Q3 statistics are outstanding. Seema added, “RBL Bank’s Q3 results show stable performance, with net profit at ₹214 crore and operating profit growing 7% YoY to ₹912 crore. The bank’s focus on secured retail and commercial banking is driving growth, with a robust operating engine and improving asset quality.” With a strong operating engine and increasing asset quality, the bank’s emphasis on secured retail and commercial banking is propelling growth.”
Which stock should I purchase, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, or RBL Bank?
Given their solid capital adequacy ratios, sound asset quality, and steady growth, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are excellent candidates for long-term investing in light of these findings. Yes Bank is a desirable choice due to its outstanding Q3 results and rising asset quality. Seema Srivastava of SMC Global Securities stated that RBL Bank’s consistent performance and emphasis on secure retail and commercial banking are noteworthy.
What does the technical chart indicate?
“Among ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Yes Bank, and RBL Bank, ICICI Bank clearly stands out on relative strength metrics,” stated Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, about which company appears appropriate to purchase based on the technical chart pattern. ICICI Bank maintained higher levels and attracted purchasing activity, indicating institutional leadership, whereas Nifty and Bank Nifty made significant corrections. Strong demand absorption is indicated by the stock’s structural formation of a clean cup and handle on the daily chart, with the handle forming in a narrow range as opposed to a deep retracement.The bullish bias is strengthened by volume behavior, which continues to be positive. The breakout would be confirmed with a clear move above 1430, which would also probably generate new momentum in the direction of the 1520–1550 range. As long as the handle low holds, risk-reward is still favorable, maintaining ICICI Bank’s position as the top private bank at this point.
