Though operating profit beat our estimates by a good 7.6% (driven largely by a surge in trading profits, Rs9.1 bn, up 41%YoY), the net profit miss (-20.1%) was, unsurprisingly, driven by an ~89%YoY jump in provisions, 86% of which constituted NPA related provisions. This followed AXSB management guidance post Q4FY16 results about imminent slippages from a watch list of Rs226.3 bn. Slippages from watch list constituted Rs26.8bn of the total Rs36.4 bn slippages, the balance being contributed by retail and SME. AXSB ended Q1FY17 with a GNPA ratio of 2.54% from 1.67% in Q4FY16. The statement of comfort-cum-confidence was the management guidance on maintaining a provision coverage ratio of 70%. This commitment is commendable...