Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) Receives $145.22 Consensus Price Target from Analysts

Shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $145.2222.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on C. Bank of America raised their price objective on Citigroup from $170.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Citigroup from $135.50 to $149.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, July 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $140.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, May 8th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Citigroup from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Oppenheimer cut Citigroup from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th.

Citigroup Trading Up 2.8%

C opened at $138.10 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $235.54 billion, a PE ratio of 14.91, a P/E/G ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.12. Citigroup has a one year low of $93.66 and a one year high of $147.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 0.99. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $135.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $127.36.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The company reported $3.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.74 by $0.41. Citigroup had a return on equity of 10.15% and a net margin of 10.23%.The company had revenue of $24.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $23.74 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.96 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Citigroup will post 11.21 EPS for the current year.

Citigroup announced that its board has initiated a stock buyback plan on Thursday, May 7th that permits the company to repurchase $30.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 13.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 28th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a $0.67 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $2.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. This is a boost from Citigroup’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. Citigroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 28.94%.

Citigroup News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Buybacks and dividends support the stock: Citigroup is accelerating share repurchases and dividend payments as stronger earnings, excess capital and business simplification improve its ability to return money to shareholders. The strategy could enhance per-share earnings and reinforce confidence in management’s turnaround plan. Can Citigroup Sustain Its Aggressive Capital Return Strategy?
• Positive Sentiment: Blockchain payments provide a growth catalyst: Citi’s Services business processed live transactions on Swift’s blockchain-based ledger, making it the first U.S. bank to conduct native ledger transactions through the initiative. The move strengthens Citi’s positioning in always-on, cross-border payments and could create longer-term revenue opportunities with institutional clients. Citi’s Services Business Pioneers Live Transactions on Swift’s Ledger
• Positive Sentiment: AI-driven expense controls may improve profitability: Citi is using artificial intelligence to review and renegotiate outside law-firm billing. Although the savings potential was not quantified, lower legal expenses could support operating efficiency across capital-markets, compliance and banking operations. Citigroup Uses AI To Push Law Firms On Fees
• Neutral Sentiment: Currency view signals a changing rate outlook: Citi recommended shorting the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, anticipating that stretched U.S.-Canada interest-rate differentials will reverse. The call highlights potential shifts in Federal Reserve expectations but has limited direct impact on Citigroup’s fundamental earnings. Citi goes short USD/CAD
• Negative Sentiment: UK sanctions-related penalty remains a reputational and compliance risk: Citi was fined £4.7 million for historical breaches of Russian sanctions at its London branch. The financial cost is modest relative to Citi’s size, but the action underscores ongoing regulatory and control risks. Citigroup Fined £4.7 Million in UK for Russia Sanctions Breaches

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Citigroup

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its stake in shares of Citigroup by 12,834.2% in the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 360,205,535 shares of the company’s stock valued at $50,414,367,000 after purchasing an additional 357,420,622 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Citigroup by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 43,252,372 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,036,712,000 after buying an additional 189,548 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in Citigroup by 4.0% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 34,196,783 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,990,422,000 after buying an additional 1,326,224 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Citigroup by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 33,887,285 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,954,307,000 after buying an additional 846,772 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE grew its stake in shares of Citigroup by 2.8% in the first quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 26,869,012 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,047,215,000 after acquiring an additional 728,043 shares in the last quarter. 71.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Citigroup

Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citi’s principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.