Erste Group Bank Expects Higher Earnings for Citigroup

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) – Erste Group Bank upped their FY2026 earnings estimates for Citigroup in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, April 2nd. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now expects that the company will post earnings of $10.33 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $10.31. The consensus estimate for Citigroup’s current full-year earnings is $7.53 per share.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on C. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $121.00 target price on shares of Citigroup in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $144.00 to $132.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, March 27th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Citigroup from $123.00 to $129.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley set a $152.00 target price on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of Citigroup in a research report on Thursday, March 26th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $135.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $127.41.

Citigroup Stock Performance

C opened at $123.54 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $216.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.11. Citigroup has a 52-week low of $56.07 and a 52-week high of $125.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a current ratio of 1.00. The business’s fifty day moving average is $113.02 and its 200-day moving average is $108.97.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 14th. The company reported $1.81 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $19.87 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.99 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 8.50% and a return on equity of 8.28%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.34 earnings per share.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Citigroup

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Brookstone Capital Management raised its position in shares of Citigroup by 31.5% during the 3rd quarter. Brookstone Capital Management now owns 75,914 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,705,000 after buying an additional 18,176 shares in the last quarter. Permanent Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,238,000. Donaldson Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 3rd quarter valued at $58,994,000. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. raised its position in shares of Citigroup by 61.5% during the 3rd quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. now owns 57,033 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,789,000 after buying an additional 21,720 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perigon Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Citigroup by 27.2% during the 3rd quarter. Perigon Wealth Management LLC now owns 75,566 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,670,000 after buying an additional 16,171 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.72% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at Citigroup

In other Citigroup news, insider Cantu Ernesto Torres sold 43,173 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.09, for a total value of $4,796,088.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 45,835 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,091,810.15. This represents a 48.50% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 22nd. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 4th will be given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, May 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.9%. Citigroup’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 34.43%.

Key Citigroup News

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Geopolitical relief: global markets rallied after a U.S.–Iran ceasefire reduced haven demand and pushed oil lower, easing a key downside risk for bank earnings and credit stress — a broad market tailwind for big banks like Citi. Dollar Erases 2026 Gains
• Positive Sentiment: Bank earnings season kickoff: Zacks notes JPMorgan, Citigroup and Wells Fargo start the March-quarter reporting cycle on April 14; the sector rebound after the ceasefire has raised expectations that banks may report resilience. What Can Investors Expect from Bank Earnings?
• Positive Sentiment: Fundamental/strategic support: market commentary highlights Citi’s relative strength during the conflict and its sticky global treasury & trade franchise — a structural revenue source that could lead Citi to outperform on a recovery. The War Won’t Last Forever
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Goldman Sachs raised its price target on C to $137, signaling more upside from institutional coverage; smaller estimate bumps (Erste Group nudging FY26 EPS) add to the constructive analyst tone. Goldman Sachs Raises Citi Price Target Erste Group Estimate Note
• Neutral Sentiment: Street nuance: JPMorgan trimmed its Citi price target slightly (still “overweight”), a reminder analyst views vary — this is a modest signal rather than a change in conviction. Benzinga: JPMorgan PT Change
• Neutral Sentiment: Citi research stance: Citi pushed out the expected Fed rate‑cut timeline to September in recent notes — a longer-for-higher-rates scenario can help bank net interest margins but also risks slower growth; impact is ambiguous near term. Citi Delays Fed Cut Timeline
• Neutral Sentiment: Business execution moves: Citi is tightening targets for private/wealth bankers and pressing to close gaps with rivals — positive for medium‑term revenue but may pressure near-term comp/expenses. Citi Tougher Targets for Private Bankers
• Positive Sentiment: Client activity example: Citi-backed commercial activity continues (e.g., Axis Capital extended a $300M facility with Citibank Europe), highlighting ongoing client franchise strength. Axis Capital Credit Facility
• Negative Sentiment: Macro/earnings risk still present: investors will watch upcoming CPI/PCE prints and Citi’s April 14 earnings — sticky inflation or a revenue miss could reverse the relief rally, so headline risk remains. Inflation & Dividend Strategy
• Negative Sentiment: Broader geopolitical risk: commentators (e.g., Ray Dalio coverage) warn of prolonged conflict risk — if tensions re‑escalate the earlier relief could fade quickly, pressuring bank multiples. Ray Dalio Warns on Prolonged Conflict

Citigroup Company Profile

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.