HDFC Life stock gains 3.9%; improvement in first quarter priced in

The HDFC Standard Life Insurance stock on Friday gained 3.9 per cent to close at Rs 489.7 on the BSE after the company posted a strong but in-line set of numbers for the June 2018 quarter (Q1). While the business performance was good, analysts believe the same is already priced in, which might limit further upside in the stock.

HDFC Life’s value of new business (VNB) margin expanded 370 basis points (bps) over a year to 24.2 per cent in Q1. VNB indicates the present value of total premiums receivable from new insurance policies issued. Better product mix with increase in