Shares of LIC Housing Finance today gained 1.5 per cent as CLSA has started coverage on the stock with a “buy’’ rating and a target of Rs 580.

CLSA expects a pick-up in housing demand and fall in the cost of funds to drive 20 pct CAGR in profit over FY15-17.

The Reserve Bank of India has cut the benchmark interest rates twice this year to stimulate the economy.

The stock is trading at 2.4x price-to-book vs 1.45x of rivals, according to Thomson Reuters data.

LIC Housing has 28 ‘buy’ ratings, 7 ‘hold’ and 1 ‘sell’ rating, it says.