SBI Securities prefers HDFC Bank, sees long-term upside in metals

Sunny Agarwal, Head Fundamental Research, Retail Desk at SBI Securities, remains positive on private banks, preferring HDFC Bank over Kotak Mahindra Bank after the lender received a clean legal review. He says Persistent Systems' acquisition benefits may take up to eight quarters to materialise, while slower growth remains a near-term concern. Agarwal is also bullish on the metals sector, with Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys as his top pick, and remains positive on Astral over the long term despite near-term challenges.