SCB Q2 2082/83 Financial Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Earnings Per Share (EPS) | Rs 27.35 |
| Price to Earnings Ratio (P/E) | 23.09 |
| Return on Equity (ROE) | 12.96% |
| Net Asset Value (NAV) | Rs 210.97 |
| Net Profit Margin (NPM) | 44.58% |
| Last Traded Price (LTP) | Rs 677 |
SCB ranks #3 out of 18 commercial banks by EPS in Q2 2082/83. This places it firmly in the top tier of earners, reflecting strong operational performance and effective cost management.
Earnings Per Share Deep Dive
SCB's EPS of Rs 27.35 demonstrates the bank's ability to convert its asset base into meaningful shareholder returns. The EPS figure implies that for every 100 shares held, an investor effectively earned Rs 2735 in profit during the first half of the fiscal year.
For context, the sector average EPS is approximately Rs 16. SCB exceeds this benchmark, suggesting above-average profitability. The annualized EPS projection would be approximately Rs 54.70, assuming stable performance in the second half.
Return on Equity Assessment
ROE at 12.96% is excellent by Nepali banking standards. This means SCB generates Rs 12.96 of profit for every Rs 100 of shareholder equity, demonstrating efficient capital utilization.
Compared to peers, SCB is in the upper quartile alongside banks like KBL (13.72%) and EBL (13.13%). Improving ROE should be a strategic priority for the bank's management.
P/E Ratio and Valuation
SCB trades at a P/E ratio of 23.09. This is a moderate valuation, neither cheap nor expensive. The market appears to be pricing in steady but unexceptional growth expectations.
The Price-to-Book Value ratio stands at approximately 3.21x (LTP Rs 677 vs NAV Rs 210.97). This significant premium over book value means investors are paying well above the bank's per-share asset value, expecting strong future earnings to justify the price.
Net Profit Margin Analysis
SCB's NPM of 44.58% is among the best in the sector, rivaling SCB (44.58%) and NABIL (44.56%). This margin efficiency translates directly into higher EPS and better returns for shareholders.
Peer Comparison
| Rank | Bank | EPS | ROE | P/E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NABIL | 35.18 | 14.93% | 13.86 |
| 2 | EBL | 30.86 | 13.13% | 21.39 |
| 3 | SCB | 27.35 | 12.96% | 23.09 |
| 4 | KBL | 20.74 | 13.72% | 8.63 |
| 5 | SANIMA | 20.48 | 11.88% | 16.45 |
SCB competes directly with the top tier of commercial banks. Its financial profile places it among the strongest earnings generators on NEPSE.
Macro Context and Sector Health
The broader BFI sector metrics provide important context for SCB's performance. The CD ratio of 74.32% indicates healthy lending relative to deposits, while the NPL of 5.42% suggests moderate credit stress across the system. The CAR of 12.61% exceeds regulatory requirements, providing sectoral stability. With the NRB repo rate at 4.25%, the monetary environment remains supportive of credit growth and bank profitability.
Investment Thesis
SCB is a hold-worthy stock with decent fundamentals. While not the cheapest or the most profitable, it offers a balanced profile suitable for diversified banking portfolios.