Upgrades rose to fifteen% in H1FY26 from 14% in H2FY25 whereas downgrades held regular at 6%. A complete of 282 upgrades and 110 downgrades have been recorded, with reaffirmations remaining secure at round 80% over the previous three years.
Company leverage is now at a decadal low, with whole debt to PBILDT (revenue earlier than curiosity, lease leases, depreciation and taxation) at 1.63 occasions as of March 31, 2025, in contrast with 3.07 occasions in March 2016. Practically 40% of all upgrades have been linked to infrastructure, buoyed by regular home demand and the federal government’s continued give attention to capital expenditure.
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Nonetheless, the beneficial properties have been uneven. “Small-sized Auto Ancillaries and Sellers, Chemical producers, Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and NBFCs uncovered to microfinance and unsecured enterprise loans bore the brunt of challenges, rising because the sectors with the best downgrades amid pricing pressures and asset-quality considerations,” the report added.
The infrastructure sector remained a standout, with its credit score ratio leaping to eight.54 occasions in H1FY26, pushed by well timed undertaking execution, more healthy cost cycles, and portfolio restructuring. Manufacturing and companies additionally held up properly, with a credit score ratio of 1.72 occasions, although barely decrease than 2.06 occasions in H2FY25. Hospitality, capital items, agri-food merchandise, iron & metal, and actual property have been among the many high performers.The BFSI sector staged a powerful restoration, with its credit score ratio climbing to 2.10 occasions from 1.07 occasions within the earlier half, led by banks and housing finance firms with robust capital buffers and secured portfolios. Microfinance and unsecured lending segments, nonetheless, continued to face elevated credit score prices.CareEdge cautioned that persistent exterior uncertainties might mood credit score high quality momentum within the close to time period. Whereas strong stability sheets and home demand proceed to offer help, the approaching months will check India Inc.’s skill to climate international turbulence and shifting commerce dynamics.
International commerce tensions, notably rising US tariffs, have added a layer of complexity. Whereas merchandise exports to the US make up simply 2% of India’s GDP — with smartphones and generic medication at present exterior the tariff web — sustained tariffs may erode competitiveness and sluggish funding flows over time, CareEdge Scores warned.
(Disclaimer: Suggestions, options, views and opinions given by the specialists are their very own. These don’t signify the views of The Financial Occasions)


