RBI rate hike done. Now what’s ahead for bank stocks? Jefferies, other analysts weigh in

RBI’s first rate hike in nearly four years has put the spotlight on banking stocks, with analysts divided on the near-term impact on margins. Jefferies sees large private banks such as ICICI Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank as key beneficiaries, while Q2 earnings could offer clues on the sector’s outlook.