Top PSU Bank Stocks to Invest in Right Now

SBI, BoB, PNB, Canara Bank, and Indian Bank Are Gaining Investor Attention: Are These the Best PSU Bank Stocks to Invest in Right Now?
Top PSU Bank Stocks to Invest in Right Now
Written By:
Aayushi Jain
Reviewed By:
Sankha Ghosh
Published on

Overview

  • India’s PSU banks are witnessing a powerful revival backed by strong credit growth, cleaner balance sheets and improved profitability.

  • SBI, BoB, PNB, Canara Bank and Indian Bank stand out due to low valuations, high return ratios and consistent market performance.

  • These banks offer a balance of stability and growth, making them reliable options for long-term wealth creation.

Public sector banks (PSUs) in India have witnessed a spectacular recovery over the last few years, driven by good asset quality, increased credit growth, better capital buffers and higher profitability. More and more financial market investors are focusing on the PSU sector because of the perception of stability, at attractive valuations with consistent returns. Using recent Tickertape data, the following PSU bank stocks have strong underlying fundamentals and market capitalisation is improving. Here's a summary of the PSU bank stocks with good upside right now.

State Bank of India: The Undisputed Leader in the PSU Space

State Bank of India (SBI), with a massive market cap of Rs. 8,98,462.16 crore, remains the biggest and most influential public sector bank in India. Trading at Rs. 973.35 with a reasonable PE ratio of 11.58, SBI continues to be the cornerstone of India’s banking system. Its returns remain consistently strong across 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year periods, reflecting both stability and growth momentum. SBI’s robust Return on Equity (16.58%) and low volatility compared to the Nifty make it a reliable choice for investors seeking long-term wealth creation through a large-cap PSU banking stock. With its diversified loan book and continued improvement in asset quality, SBI remains an evergreen pick for stable returns.

Bank of Baroda: Strong Performance Backed by Attractive Valuations

Bank of Baroda is another star PSU bank, with a market capitalization of Rs. 1,48,909.37 crore. At an attractive price of Rs. 287.95, it trades at a very low PE ratio of just 7.19, making it one of the most value-friendly picks among large PSU banks. The bank has been quite resilient, with strong returns across all periods tracked and an impressive 15.43% Return on Equity.

Healthy ROCE levels and steady improvements in operations continue to position Bank of Baroda as an exciting option for value investors and those long-term market participants who prefer fundamentally strong banking stocks.

Also Read: Is Now the Right Time to Invest in PSU Stocks?

Punjab National Bank: Momentum of a Comeback Story

With its price at Rs. 123 and PE ratio of 7.65, Punjab National Bank, valued at Rs. 1,41,363.20 crore, has seen a strong turnaround in recent years and hence will be quite affordable, with plenty of scope for future expansion.

The performance of the bank across the past year has been pretty strong, underpinned by improved credit growth, better balance sheet strength, and reduced bad loans burden. With Return on Equity and Capital Employed remaining healthy at 15.10% and 9.21%, respectively, PNB is gaining the confidence of investors looking for high-growth opportunities among PSU banks.

Canara Bank: High Returns and Strong Growth Momentum

Canara Bank, with a market cap of Rs. 1,35,261.55 crore, is among the best performers in terms of stock returns. Trading at Rs. 149.12 with a PE ratio of 7.71, the bank has delivered exceptional 6-month and 1-year returns of 38.13% and 51.88%. Its improved Return on Equity of 17.56% indicates strong profitability and efficient capital utilisation. The bank has benefited from strong credit growth, operational efficiencies, and rising margins. Thus, making it one of the top high-momentum PSU bank picks for investors seeking superior returns.

Indian Bank: An Outperformer

With a market capitalization of Rs. 1,19,900 crore and trading at Rs. 890.15, Indian Bank remains a standout with a PE ratio of 10.65 and extremely high return ratios. Its 6-month and 1-year returns of 45.57% and 68.64%, respectively, are among the best in the PSU banking sector. Indian Bank consistently ranks at the top with a remarkable 17.09% ROE and 10.53% ROCE. Its solid fundamentals combined with disciplined lending standards and improving asset quality present an attractive opportunity for investors looking for a fast-growing PSU bank with potential for high returns.

Also Read: Asian Paints Share Price Jumps to Rs. 2,911.70, Gains 0.82% Amid Strong Market Momentum

Conclusion

The PSU banking sector in India has been experiencing a strong revival due to healthy credit demand, cleaner balance sheets, and steady government support. Long-term strategic investors seeking stability, value and appreciation capital will find good opportunities across the leading PSU banks such as SBI, Bank of Baroda, PNB, Canara Bank and Indian Bank. The stocks are underpinned by solid fundamentals with consistent performance and present a strong combination of growth and safety in today’s dynamic market conditions.

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FAQs

1. Why are PSU bank stocks gaining more traction with the investing public?

PSU bank stocks are gaining traction due to the combination of government backing and improving financial performance. For some time now, asset quality has improved materially, non-performing loans have declined, and credit demand has risen. Investors finally see these banks as stable, undervalued options for consistent long-term returns. 

2. Is State Bank of India a good stock for long-term investment?

State Bank of India is considered one of the strongest long-term investment options within the PSU space. With a giant balance sheet, a diversified loan book, and strong return on equity, SBI provides both stability and growth. State Bank of India's consistency of performance over a number of timeframes is exactly why many investors choose to own this bank for long-term investment. 

3. Which PSU Bank is the best value pick right now?

Bank of Baroda is widely regarded as one of the best value picks with a very low PE ratio and strong returns. While inexpensive, Bank of Baroda also maintained decent profitability, improved growth and steady operational performance.

4. Are PSU banks a secure option for new investors?

PSU banks are safer than many private-sector alternatives due to government ownership and regulatory integrity. Balance sheets have significantly improved over the last several years, and many are now growing consistently. No stock is 100% risk-free, but PSU banks are relatively safe with good returns for novice investors.

5. Why have Indian Bank and Canara Bank performed so well?

Indian Bank and Canara Bank have delivered extraordinary returns over the last year due to big improvements in profitability, operating efficiency, and credit growth. High ROE and ROCE levels indicate high capital use. Their rapid growth momentum and improving fundamentals will make them particularly interesting to investors looking for good performing PSU bank stocks.

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