** India's Bajaj Finance BJFN.NS reports drop in quarterly profit due to accelerated provisioning and one-off costs (Full Story)

** Shares trading flat at 965.55 rupees

ONE-OFF PROVISIONS HIT PROFIT, CORE BUSINESS HOLDS UP

** Jefferies ("buy", PT: 1270 rupees) says December-quarter profit missed estimates due to one-time provisions and labour-law costs, but adds core profit rose about 23% y/y after adjusting for one-offs

** Brokerage says loan growth moderated to 22% y/y, but asset quality improved and credit cost guidance is encouraging; maintains BJFN as a top pick

** Antique Stock Broking ("buy", PT:1070 rupees) says higher provisions dented profit, but views the move as a prudent step that should support asset quality over the medium term

** Ambit Capital ("sell", PT 713 rupees) says tighter credit loss norms reset credit costs structurally higher and delay recovery to 20% RoE, citing rising competition from banks

** Emkay Global Financial Services ("reduce", PT: 950 rupees) says spike in provisions largely discretionary, underlying business momentum remains intact, with improving bad-loan trends and steady profitability outlook

(Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru)

((Surbhi.Misra@thomsonreuters.com | X: https://twitter.com/SurbhiMisra_ |;))