$BAJFINANCE The Stock That Outran the Market All Year | Bajaj Finance

$BAJFINANCE Sensex closed Friday at 78,039, up just 110 points in a session where Bajaj Finance did the heavy lifting — surging 8.32 per cent to emerge as the single biggest gainer on the index, while TCS and Infosys ended among the top losers. That contrast says everything about where the market's conviction currently lies heading into Monday. The numbers behind that surge deserve a close look. Bajaj Finance reported consolidated profit after tax of Rs 6,081 crore for Q1 FY27 — a 28 per cent jump year on year — while AUM grew 24 per cent to Rs 5,46,944 crore, new loans booked rose 20 per cent to 16.13 million, and the customer franchise expanded 17 per cent to 124.43 million. Asset quality improved too, with gross NPA falling to 0.96 per cent from 1.03 per cent a year ago, even as the company added prudent macro provisions of Rs 296 crore during the quarter. The longer arc of this story is just as compelling. The stock has risen 15 per cent in 2026 and 27 per cent over the past one year — sharply outperforming the Nifty 50, which is down 7 per cent and 2 per cent respectively over the same periods. The 52-week range runs from Rs 787.90 to Rs 1,102.50, with Friday's intraday high of Rs 1,129 briefly taking the stock above even that ceiling to a fresh 52-week high. Management described Q1 FY27 as an excellent quarter across all key metrics and outlined an aggressive transformation into what it calls a FINAI Company, integrating artificial intelligence deeply across its lending operations. Capital adequacy remained strong at 20.90 per cent CRAR with a leverage ratio of 4.9 times — well below the company's self-imposed ceiling of 6.0 times, leaving room for further AUM growth without dilution. Monday opens with Bajaj Finance at a fresh 52-week high, FII inflows supporting financials, and crude staying soft. Whether buyers continue to accumulate at these levels or book profits after an 8 per cent single-day move will be the key watch point at the open.