Buy Axis Bank, target of Rs 629: Karvy Stock Broking

Karvy Stock Broking has maintained its buy rating on Axis Bank with a target price of Rs 629 in its March 19, 2009 research report. "We have revised our Axis Bank earning estimates after a visit to the bank's senior management; we expect that the bank's credit growth would moderate to 31.5% (Y/Y) to Rs 1,146 billion from our earlier credit book estimate of Rs 1,226 billion in FY10. Net interest margin is estimated to shrink by 30 bps to 2.57% in FY10.The bank's core fee income growth momentum is expected to come down to 28% (Y/Y) in FY10 from 70% in FY08 and 50% in 9MFY09. The bank's management did not provide with any guidance or estimates on non-performing assets front; we expect 152% (Y/Y) rise in gross NPA in FY10 to Rs 21.5 billion and increased credit cost to 1.3% in FY10 from 0.71% in FY08 and 1.1% 9MFY09." "We increase our earning estimates for FY09 by 5.0% to Rs 17.7 billion and reduce for FY10 by 9.6% to Rs 15.5 billion and reduce our target price by 29% to Rs 629 per share.We estimate the bank to record RoAE of 18.8% and 14.4% in FY09 and FY10 respectively. We re-iterate our BUY rating on the stock with a target price of Rs 629 at 2.2x adjusted book value FY10," says Karvy Stock Broking's research report. Source: Moneycontrol