LIC vs HDFC Life Insurance: share price, P/E, ROE and financials compared
Life Insurance Corporation of India
HDFC Life Insurance Company
LIC and HDFC Life Insurance at a glance
LIC and HDFC Life Insurance are both listed in Financial Services. LIC is the larger by market cap, at ₹5.0L Cr against ₹1.2L Cr for HDFC Life Insurance (4.1 times as large). On valuation, LIC has the lower P/E (8.0× against 59.7×) and the lower price-to-book (2.82× against 6.47×). On returns and margins, LIC has the higher ROE (37.8% against 11.3%). Over three years, LIC has faster 3-year profit growth (+16.9% against +11.8% a year). Both are lenders or insurers, so ROCE, operating margin and debt-to-equity aren’t compared: those ratios don’t fit financial balance sheets.
Key metrics, side by side
| Metric | LICLICI | HDFC Life InsuranceHDFCLIFE |
|---|---|---|
| Price (₹) | 394.00 | 565.30 |
| Market cap (₹ Cr) | 4,98,410 | 1,22,786 |
| P/E | 8.0× (the lower figure, shaded) | 59.7× |
| P/B | 2.82× (the lower figure, shaded) | 6.47× |
| Dividend yield, trailing | 2.54% (the higher figure, shaded) | 0.37% |
| ROE | 37.8% (the higher figure, shaded) | 11.3% |
| ROCE | n/m | n/m |
| Operating margin (OPM) | n/m | n/m |
| Net margin (NPM) | 6.5% (the higher figure, shaded) | 1.9% |
| Sales CAGR 3Y | n/m | n/m |
| Profit CAGR 3Y | +16.9% (the higher figure, shaded) | +11.8% |
| Debt to equity | n/m | n/m |
| Interest cover | n/m | n/m |
| Net profit TTM (₹ Cr) | – | 2,048 |
| 1Y return | −9.9% (the higher figure, shaded) | −26.8% |
| Promoter holding | – | 50.53% |
LIC vs HDFC Life Insurance: common questions
Which is bigger, LIC or HDFC Life Insurance?
By market cap, LIC is bigger at ₹5.0L Cr, against ₹1.2L Cr for HDFC Life Insurance (prices as of 6 Nov 2026).
Which has a lower P/E ratio, LIC or HDFC Life Insurance?
LIC trades at a P/E of 8.0× and HDFC Life Insurance at 59.7×. LIC has the lower P/E. P/E is the share price divided by earnings per share; it varies a lot between industries and with growth, so it says little on its own.
Which has a higher ROE, LIC or HDFC Life Insurance?
LIC reports a return on equity of 37.8% and HDFC Life Insurance 11.3%. LIC has the higher ROE. ROE is net profit as a share of shareholders’ equity.
Which is growing faster, LIC or HDFC Life Insurance?
Over the last three years: profit grew +16.9% a year at LIC and +11.8% at HDFC Life Insurance, so LIC grew profit faster. Past growth doesn’t predict future growth.