Kamal Ghorui
State Bank of India (SBI) reported a 6% rise in standalone net profit at Rs 19,684 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2026, lifted by improving asset quality and lower bad loans.The country’s largest lender had posted a net profit of Rs 18,643 crore in the January–March quarter of the 2024–25 financial year.Despite the rise in profits, SBI’s total income declined to Rs 1,40,412 crore in the March quarter from Rs 1,43,876 crore in the same period a year ago, according to a regulatory filing. Interest income, meanwhile, increased to Rs 1,23,098 crore from Rs 1,19,666 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.The bank reported an improvement in asset quality during the quarter. Gross non-performing assets (NPAs) fell to 1.49% of total advances, compared with 1.82% as at March-end 2025. Net NPAs also eased to 0.39% from 0.47%.On a consolidated basis, SBI posted a marginal rise in net profit to Rs 19,643 crore from Rs 19,600 crore in the same period last year. Total income in the consolidated segment rose to Rs 1,81,079 crore from Rs 1,79,562 crore.For the full financial year 2025–26, the bank reported a 13% increase in standalone profit at Rs 80,032 crore, up from Rs 70,901 crore in the previous year.SBI’s board has approved a dividend of Rs 17.35 per equity share of face value Re 1 for FY26. The record date for determining eligibility is May 16, while the dividend payment date is June 4.However, the stock came under pressure after the earnings announcement, with SBI shares falling nearly 7%. On the BSE, the stock was down 72.25 or 6.62% to 1019.55. On the National Stock Exchange, the share was down to 1,018.40, shedding 73.60 points or 6.74%.The decline followed margin pressure and weaker operating performance in the quarter. Net interest margins (NIMs) stood at 2.93%, down 21 basis points year-on-year and 18 basis points quarter-on-quarter.Operating profit dropped to Rs 27,704 crore, down 16% year-on-year and 11.5% sequentially from Rs 31,286 crore in Q4FY25 and Rs 32,862 crore in Q3FY26.Net interest income (NII) stood at Rs 44,380 crore, falling 1.35% quarter-on-quarter, though it rose 4% compared to the same period last year.
