Erste Group Bank Forecasts Higher Earnings for Citigroup

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) – Equities research analysts at Erste Group Bank increased their FY2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of Citigroup in a research note issued on Thursday, August 27th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $11.20 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $11.18. The consensus estimate for Citigroup’s current full-year earnings is $11.21 per share.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The company reported $3.15 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 period in the prior year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on C. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $150.00 price objective on shares of Citigroup in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Argus set a $150.00 target price on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Citigroup from $170.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 7th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on Citigroup from $158.00 to $154.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered Citigroup from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Citigroup has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $145.22.

Citigroup Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of NYSE:C opened at $132.53 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $226.04 billion, a PE ratio of 14.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $135.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of $127.00. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Citigroup has a 12-month low of $92.96 and a 12-month high of $147.96.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.0%. This is a positive change from Citigroup’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 3rd. Citigroup’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.94%.

Citigroup announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, May 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $30.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 13.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. California State Teachers Retirement System raised its stake in Citigroup by 12,834.2% during the second quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 360,205,535 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,414,367,000 after acquiring an additional 357,420,622 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Citigroup in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,800,944,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of Citigroup during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,244,602,000. Nykredit A S bought a new position in shares of Citigroup during the second quarter valued at approximately $458,275,000. Finally, Eurizon Capital SGR S.p.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup during the 4th quarter worth approximately $298,082,000. 71.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Citigroup News

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts currently assign Citigroup an average “Moderate Buy” rating, reinforcing the view that the stock’s valuation and improving fundamentals remain attractive. Citigroup Receives Moderate Buy Rating
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group Bank raised its fiscal 2026 EPS forecast for Citigroup (C), offering a positive signal for expected earnings momentum. The upgrade follows Citigroup’s recent quarterly beat, in which EPS and revenue exceeded consensus estimates and revenue grew year over year. Citigroup FY2026 EPS Forecast Raised
• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup is expanding its North Asia desk workforce by roughly 25%, indicating continued investment in the region and confidence in potential growth across Asian financial markets. The move could support future revenue in investment banking, markets and wealth management, although it may raise near-term expenses. Citigroup Expands North Asia Desk
• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup and other major banks are asking elite law firms to reduce hourly fees as artificial intelligence makes routine legal work more efficient. If successful, lower external legal costs could improve operating efficiency, though the financial impact is likely modest relative to Citigroup’s overall expense base. Wall Street Banks Seek Lower Legal Fees
• Neutral Sentiment: Citigroup recommended buying the dip in Howmet Aerospace and placed Kroger on a short-term downside catalyst watch. These research calls may enhance Citi’s investment-banking and research profile, but they have no direct material effect on C stock. Citigroup Research Calls on Howmet Aerospace
• Neutral Sentiment: A planned atrium and headquarters renovation in Belfast highlights Citigroup’s ongoing investment in its international operations, but it is unlikely to be a meaningful near-term stock catalyst. Citigroup Belfast Headquarters Renovation

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.