** Shares of Shriram Finance Ltd SHMF.NS climb 2.7% to 632.40 rupees

** Stock top pct gainer on blue-chip Nifty 50 .NSEI index, which is down 0.2%

** Jefferies ("buy", PT: 800 rupees) analysts say they liked non-bank lender's steady loan growth and asset quality in Q1

** SHMF's valuations appear reasonable, they add

** HSBC ("buy". PT: cuts to 730 rupees) says SHMF's large book of fixed rate loans makes it "a significant beneficiary of falling (repo) rate environment"

** ICICI Securities ("hold", PT: 640 rupees) says credit cost moderation in a challenging quarter for SHMF "reflects its business resiliency and risk management"

** Analysts tracking stock rate it "buy" on average; median PT is 734 rupees - data compiled by LSEG

** Stock up 9.5% so far this year, outperforming Nifty 50's 4.9% climb

(Reporting by Nandan Mandayam in Bengaluru)

((Nandan.Mandayam@thomsonreuters.com; Mobile: +91 9591011727;))