HDFC Bank vs ICICI Bank vs Yes Bank vs RBL Bank: Which stock to buy after Q3 results 2026?

By Admin

19 Jan, 2026

Introduction
With the announcement of Q3 results 2026, India’s leading private sector banks have once again come into sharp focus for stock market investors. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, and RBL Bank have all reported encouraging numbers amid expectations of a consumer-oriented Union Budget 2026. However, the strong performance across banks has also created confusion for investors about which stock is best positioned for buying after the Q3FY26 results.

Q3 results 2026 overview
According to market experts, HDFC Bank posted robust growth in Q3 results 2026, while ICICI Bank delivered steady earnings driven by healthy deposit growth. Yes Bank surprised positively with a sharp surge of over 50% in profit after tax, and RBL Bank reported stable performance supported by rising operating profit. With all four banks showing strength, selecting the right stock requires a deeper look at fundamentals and technical indicators.

HDFC Bank Q3 results 2026 analysis
Decoding the Q3 performance of HDFC Bank, Seema Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst at SMC Global Securities, highlighted strong financial metrics. The bank reported net revenue growth of 8.9% year-on-year to ₹45,870 crore, while profit after tax increased by 11.5% YoY. Capital adequacy remains robust at 19.9%, with a Tier 1 CAR of 17.8%. Asset quality also stayed healthy, with gross NPA at 1.24% and net NPA at 0.42%, reinforcing HDFC Bank’s position as a stable long-term compounder.

ICICI Bank Q3 results 2026 analysis
For ICICI Bank, Q3 results reflected steady and consistent growth. The bank posted a profit after tax of ₹11,318 crore, while deposits grew 9.2% YoY to ₹16.59 lakh crore. Capital adequacy stood strong at 17.34%, with a CET-1 ratio of 16.46%. According to experts, ICICI Bank remains well suited for growth-focused investors looking for stable asset quality and sustained retail credit expansion.

Yes Bank and RBL Bank Q3 performance
Yes Bank delivered one of the most impressive Q3 results 2026, reporting a 55.4% YoY jump in profit after tax to ₹952 crore. Return on assets improved to 0.9%, supported by the bank’s increasing focus on secured retail and commercial banking, along with improving asset quality.

Meanwhile, RBL Bank reported stable Q3 earnings, with net profit at ₹214 crore. Operating profit rose 7% YoY to ₹912 crore, indicating steady execution. The bank’s continued focus on secured lending and commercial banking has helped maintain a strong operating engine despite a challenging environment.

Which stock to buy after Q3 results 2026?
From a fundamental perspective, experts believe HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank remain strong contenders for long-term investment due to their solid capital adequacy ratios, healthy asset quality, and consistent earnings growth. Yes Bank’s sharp turnaround and improving fundamentals make it an attractive higher-risk, higher-reward option, while RBL Bank offers stability with gradual growth potential.

What technical charts suggest
From a technical standpoint, ICICI Bank stands out among private sector banks. According to Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, ICICI Bank has shown strong relative strength despite corrections in the Nifty and Bank Nifty. The stock is forming a clean cup-and-handle pattern on the daily chart, with constructive volume behaviour indicating strong demand. A decisive breakout above the 1430 level could trigger fresh momentum toward the 1520–1550 zone, making ICICI Bank the best-placed stock on technical charts at present.

Conclusion
After Q3 results 2026, each bank offers a distinct investment proposition. HDFC Bank suits conservative, long-term investors, ICICI Bank appears strongest on both fundamentals and technicals, Yes Bank offers turnaround-driven growth potential, and RBL Bank provides steady performance. The final choice depends on an investor’s risk appetite, time horizon, and investment strategy.