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ii view: Citigroup beats estimates but shares fail to keep gains

Under CEO Jane Fraser, this US banking giant has been streamlining its operations and cutting costs. Buy, sell, or hold?

15th April 2024 11:48

by Keith Bowman from interactive investor

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First-quarter results to 31 March

  • Adjusted revenue up 3% to $21.1 billion
  • Profit down 27% to $3.4 billion
  • Earnings per share (EPS) down 27% to $1.58 per share
  • Adjusted EPS down 15% to $1.86 per share
  • Capital cushion or CET 1 ratio of 13.5%, up from 13.4%

Chief executive Jane Fraser said:

“Last month marked the end to the organizational simplification we announced in September. The result is a cleaner, simpler management structure that fully aligns to and facilitates our strategy. It will also help us execute our Transformation, progress as we retire multiple legacy platforms, streamline end-to-end processes, and strengthen our risk and control environment. This is necessary to both meet the expectations of our regulators and also to serve our clients more effectively.”

ii round-up:

US financial giant Citigroup Inc (NYSE:C) continued to underline its ongoing transformation programme as both revenues and earnings beat Wall Street forecasts. 

Increased debt and equity issuance helped investment banking related sales rise by just over a third year-over-year to $903 million, fuelling first-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.86 per share compared with analyst estimates of $1.23.

Citigroup shares initially rose in post results trading but ended the session down 1.7% given the read-across from JPMorgan Chase & Co (NYSE:JPM) results. There was also a negative response to Citi's cautious outlook comments in relation to expected interest income as debate continues over whether base rates will be cut later this year.

Total Citigroup revenue fell 2% year-over-year to $21.1 billion as the bank’s ongoing transformation and simplification programme, including business disposals and that of its Indian consumer business, impacted. Revenue excluding disposals rose 2% from a year ago.

Overall Citigroup profit fell 27% year-over-year to $3.4 billion, hindered by restructuring related costs and an increased contribution towards the government’s Federal Deposit Insurance scheme.  

Revenue gains at its Services division which helps institutional clients and Investment and Personal Banking both helped counter revenue declines at both Markets and Wealth Management divisions.  

Shareholder returns of $1.5 billion during the period included a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share, unchanged from the prior fourth quarter. 

Broker Morgan Stanley highlighted its ‘overweight’ stance post the results. Second-quarter results are scheduled for 12 July.  

ii view:

Citigroup is today focused on being a banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home US marketplace. The bank’s transformation programme has included a move from two giant divisions to five core businesses to increase transparency and give greater focus on areas of growth, as well as reducing management layers and group costs.  

For investors, expected US interest rate cuts in 2024 will likely lower net interest income, and industry competition for deposits remains intense, which also compresses margins. Previous overseas business disposals have reduced geographical diversification and, despite a focus on costs, overall group expenses during this latest quarter were up 7% from a year ago, although down 11% from the previous quarter. 

On the upside, a transformation programme at the bank continues and diversity across its operations persists despite a more focused strategy. Increases in other fees could help counter an expected fall in net interest income, a capital cushion (CET1 ratio) of 13.5% is robust, while shareholder returns remain a focus with the shares offering a forecast dividend yield of around 3.6%. 

For now, and while some caution looks sensible, management’s push to increase efficiency and a consensus analyst fair value estimate above $66 per share offer grounds for cautious optimism. 

Positives: 

  • Business transformation
  • Attractive dividend payment (not guaranteed)

Negatives:

  • Uncertain economic outlook
  • Reduced geographical diversity

The average rating of stock market analysts:

Buy

These articles are provided for information purposes only.  Occasionally, an opinion about whether to buy or sell a specific investment may be provided by third parties.  The content is not intended to be a personal recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or product, or to adopt any investment strategy as it is not provided based on an assessment of your investing knowledge and experience, your financial situation or your investment objectives. The value of your investments, and the income derived from them, may go down as well as up. You may not get back all the money that you invest. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.

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