SBI forecasts GDP growth of 6.3%, lower than RBI's 6.6% estimate for FY25
Hindustan TimesThe State Bank of India has projected India's gross domestic product would grow at 6.3% during the ongoing fiscal year, lower than the Reserve Bank of India's estimate of 6.6%, revised from the earlier 7.2%. India's GDP grew at 5.4% in the July-September quarter of FY25, the lowest in seven quarters The SBI said, “We believe that GDP growth for FY25 will be lower than the RBI estimate and we are pegging it at 6.3%. However, the SBI noted that a downward projection was “nothing new.” Its analysis stated, “Such a downward revision is nothing new as in FY22 and 23, the forecasts were downgraded on an average by 90 basis points.” Meanwhile, on the RBI's move to cut the Cash Reserve Ratio by 50 bps to 4%, the SBI said it expected a “positive but modest” impact on banks' net interest margins. “While the CRR reduction may not directly impact deposit or lending rates, it could positively affect banks' net interest margins by a modest 3-4 bps,” as per the largest private sector lender.