<div id="readability-page-1"><div>** India's banking and broader financials indexes hit lifetime highs ahead of key earnings from HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank on Saturday** NSEBANK up 0.7% to record 57,828.3 points, while NIFTYFIN rose as much as 0.8% to 27,597.7; benchmark Nifty 50 hits one-year high** HDBK AND ICBK up ~0.9% each, top contributors to banking, financials index** Optimism around earnings and buying from foreign investors driving gains, as per multiple analysts** HDBK's loan growth in September quarter improved to 10%, per its pre-earnings update earlier this month** Axis Bank posted strong operational performance and better asset quality for Q2 on Wednesday** YTD, NSEBANK and NIFTYFIN up 13.7% and 17.4%, respectively; NSEI up 9%</div></div>

India's banking and financial indexes reached all-time highs, with NSEBANK rising 0.7% to 57,828.3 points and NIFTYFIN increasing 0.8% to 27,597.7 points, driven by optimism ahead of earnings from HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank. HDBK and ICBK contributed significantly, both up ~0.9%. Analysts attribute the gains to positive earnings outlook and foreign investor buying. HDBK reported a 10% loan growth for the September quarter, while Axis Bank showed strong operational performance in Q2. Year-to-date, NSEBANK and NIFTYFIN are up 13.7% and 17.4%, respectively.

India's banking, financials index hit lifetime highs ahead of key earnings