Did Bank Nifty Achieve a Record High Thanks to Strong Q2 Results from Private Lenders?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bank Nifty reached an all-time high due to strong earnings.
- AU Small Finance Bank reported robust net interest income growth.
- Support levels are at 56,500 and 55,800.
- Upside targets for the index are 58,500 and 60,000.
- Investor sentiment is optimistic amid banking sector growth.
Mumbai, Oct 20 (NationPress) The Bank Nifty index achieved a new all-time high on Monday, propelled by a significant surge in private bank shares following impressive second-quarter results.
The index rose by over 500 points, equating to approximately 1 percent, reaching a peak of 58,242.50 during the trading session.
AU Small Finance Bank spearheaded the increase, climbing nearly 8 percent to Rs 854.10 per share. Despite the bank’s net profit for the September quarter dipping around 2 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 561 crore, its net interest income surged by nearly 9 percent, hitting Rs 2,144 crore, which elevated investor confidence.
Shares of Federal Bank and IDFC First Bank also experienced a rise of about 7 percent each after posting strong earnings for Q2 FY26.
Other notable gainers included Punjab National Bank (PNB), Axis Bank, and Canara Bank, with each advancing over 2 percent, while IndusInd Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and Bank of Baroda added nearly 2 percent as well.
Major players Kotak Mahindra Bank and HDFC Bank were also trading higher, albeit with modest gains.
In contrast, ICICI Bank shares deviated from the upward trend, dropping over 2 percent after the bank reported moderate loan growth in the second quarter of FY26.
Analysts linked the rally to a broad-based strength across both private and public sector banks, noting that the banking index reached a new high due to strong participation from various sectors.
Experts mentioned that the upcoming upside targets for Bank Nifty are 58,500 and 60,000, whereas support levels are set at 56,500 and 55,800, in case of profit-taking.
Furthermore, analysts indicated that the range of 57,300–57,000 is expected to serve as a critical support zone for the index, with resistance anticipated around 58,300–58,500.
“The robust performance of the banking index showcases renewed optimism among investors, bolstered by healthy earnings and an uptick in credit growth across the sector,” remarked market experts.