ICICI Bank Q4 Result Preview: Profit seen rising 5%, asset quality stable; all eyes on unsecured loan commentary

ICICI Bank Q4 Result Preview: ICICI Bank is set to report its numbers for the fourth quarter of financial year 2025-26 on April 18, with expectations pointing to a steady quarter marked by stable asset quality, moderate profit growth and continued support from retail and SME lending, according to inputs from Zee Business Research Team.

The quarter is likely to reflect continuity rather than any sharp upside surprise, with earnings growth kept in check by higher provisioning.

Income and profit trend steady

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Net Interest Income (NII) is expected at Rs 22,810 crore versus Rs 21,993 crore in the year-ago period, up around 4 per cent. The growth is likely to be driven by steady loan book expansion and healthy traction in retail lending.

Profit After Tax (PAT) is seen at Rs 13,230 crore compared to Rs 12,629 crore a year earlier, reflecting a 5 per cent increase. The gain is steady, though not strong, as provisioning continues to absorb part of the earnings momentum.

Asset quality stable

Asset quality is expected to remain unchanged sequentially. Gross NPA is seen at 1.5 per cent, while Net NPA is likely to stay at 0.4 per cent.

The stable trend suggests no fresh stress buildup in the core book, particularly in secured retail and corporate segments, which continues to provide comfort to investors.

Provisions higher year-on-year

Provisions are estimated at Rs 990 crore versus Rs 891 crore in the same quarter last year, up 11 per cent. The increase reflects a cautious stance, with the bank maintaining buffers in select pockets of the loan portfolio.

The unsecured segment, including personal loans and credit cards, will remain a key area of focus in management commentary.

Retail and SME support growth

Retail and SME lending are expected to remain the main growth drivers. Demand in home loans, auto loans and business credit is likely to stay steady, supporting overall business expansion.

ICICI Bank’s diversified lending profile continues to provide stability even in a mixed credit environment.

What to watch

Investors will look beyond headline numbers at credit growth guidance, margin movement and deposit trends.

Commentary on funding costs and liquidity conditions will also be closely tracked.

Sentiment could also be influenced by there is any update on unsecured loan stress or forward asset quality outlook post results.

ICICI Bank Q3FY26 result highlights

ICICI Bank -- the country's second-largest lender by market capitalisation (mcap), after HDFC Bank reported its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, with a net profit of Rs 11,318 crore that was short of analysts' expectations. The bank, however, staged a slight improvement in its asset quality, though its provisions doubled. Read on to learn more about the private sector bank's December-quarter report.

ICICI Bank registered a net profit of Rs 11,318 crore for the quarter ended December 31, marking a 4.0 per cent decrease over its net profit for the corresponding three months a year ago.

The quarterly net profit failed to meet analysts' estimates. According to Zee Business research, ICICI Bank was estimated to log a fiscal third-quarter net profit of Rs 12,490 crore. ICICI Bank's third-quarter net interest income (NII) -- or the difference between interest earned and interest paid -- expanded to Rs 21,933 crore for the quarter ended December 2025, from Rs 20,371 crore a year ago.

The net interest income -- a key measure of a bank's top line -- also fell short of analysts' expectations. Zee Business analysts had pegged ICICI Bank's December-quarter NII at Rs 22,170 crore.