TheStreet Ratings Top 10 Rating Changes

Rating Change #7

HDFC Bank Ltd (HDB) has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its robust revenue growth, notable return on equity and impressive record of earnings per share growth. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including a generally disappointing performance in the stock itself and premium valuation.

Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The revenue growth greatly exceeded the industry average of 1.6%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues rose by 37.8%. This growth in revenue appears to have trickled down to the company's bottom line, improving the earnings per share.
• The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. Compared to other companies in the Commercial Banks industry and the overall market, HDFC BANK LTD's return on equity exceeds that of both the industry average and the S&P 500.
• The gross profit margin for HDFC BANK LTD is rather high; currently it is at 55.90%. Regardless of HDB's high profit margin, it has managed to decrease from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, HDB's net profit margin of 15.30% is significantly lower than the same period one year prior.
• HDB has underperformed the S&P 500 Index, declining 9.51% from its price level of one year ago. Looking ahead, we do not see anything in this company's numbers that would change the one-year trend. It was down over the last twelve months; and it could be down again in the next twelve. Naturally, a bull or bear market could sway the movement of this stock.

HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India. The company offers savings, current, and demat accounts, as well as accepts fixed and recurring deposits. The company has a P/E ratio of 24.2, above the average banking industry P/E ratio of 20.7 and above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. HDFC has a market cap of $21 billion and is part of the financial sector and banking industry. Shares are up 6.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday.

You can view the full HDFC Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.