AUSFB: With multiple headwinds ahead, valuations appear expensive

Provisioning cost increased by over 3x to Rs 151 crore in Q4 as customers opt for moratorium

AU Small Finance Bank’s (SFB) March quarter (Q4) performance was its weakest since its listing in June 2017. With economic activity coming to a grinding halt towards the end of March, growth declined and asset quality took a severe hit.

Net profit grew 3.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 122.3 crore, with loan growth at 18.3 per cent. As a consequence, the AU SFB stock was locked in the lower circuit (with no buyers) for two straight sessions.

It has already shed 53 per cent in three months. However, analysts feel the downside risks are still on the rise.