ICICI Bank crosses Rs 5 trillion in mcap, becomes the second lender to cross this figure

ICICI Bank Ltd on Wednesday crossed Rs 5 trillion in market capitalization as its shares have surged over 38% so far this year.

At 11 am, the scrip was at a record high of Rs 734 a share, up 2% from its previous close. Its mcap stood at Rs 5.10 trillion.

ICICI Bank is the second lender after HDFC Bank and the seventh Indian firm to achieve this milestone.

Earlier, Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, HDFC Bank, HDFC Ltd, Hindustan Unilever Ltd, and Infosys Ltd have hit this level.

Analysts say that ICICI Bank has emerged as a growth leader and with better return ratios and credible management; it will be able to narrow down the valuation gap with peers like HDFC Bank.

Recently RBI has approved the extension of MD and CEO Sandeep Bakhshi’s term for two years.

The RBI’s term extension for two years, instead of the general practice of a three-year extension, is in line with the valid board/shareholder approval for his appointment for a five-year period from October 15, 2018, to October 23, 2023. Thus, it should not be seen as a short-term extension by the RBI similar to RBL Bank and DCB Bank.

“Under the leadership of Bakhshi, the bank has seen a major transformation across business and financial parameters. The bank steered well through the pandemic, building strong provision/capital buffers and is raring to go for growth with a clear focus on sustainable profitability” said Emkay Global in a report.