Growth concerns! Macquaire downgrades HDFC Life, I-Pru Life, SBI Life despite valuation comfort

Analysts are sceptical about the growth prospects of the insurance sector, despite lucrative valuations. The sector has underperformed the benchmark Nifty by 13% in the past 12 months, leading Macquarie to downgrade HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential Life and SBI Life to "Neutral" from "Outperform". The bank has also cut its FY25E value of new business estimates by 2-6% and target prices by 15-17%. Macquarie has forecast a lower value of new business CAGR at 9-15% for FY23-26E against 16-22% for FY22-25E.

Growth concerns! Macquaire downgrades HDFC Life, I-Pru Life, SBI Life despite valuation comfort
Analysts are sceptical about the growth prospects of the insurance sector, despite lucrative valuations. The sector has underperformed the benchmark Nifty by 13% in the past 12 months, leading Macquarie to downgrade HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential Life and SBI Life to "Neutral" from "Outperform". The bank has also cut its FY25E value of new business estimates by 2-6% and target prices by 15-17%. Macquarie has forecast a lower value of new business CAGR at 9-15% for FY23-26E against 16-22% for FY22-25E.