M&A Market Overview - Last year saw merger and acquisition (M&A) deals climb to an almost record high, with a record 70 deals each worth more than $10 billion by the end of 2025, making it the second-biggest year on record after 2021 [4] Company Performance - Citigroup reported an 84% jump in advisory fees during the fourth quarter of 2025, contributing to record revenues for the bank in M&A advisory services [2] - CEO Jane Fraser highlighted significant progress in 2025, stating that investments are driving strong top-line growth across all five business segments [3] Competitive Landscape - Larger competitor JPMorgan Chase experienced only a 6% increase in M&A activity for 2025, indicating that Citigroup and other Wall Street banks are facing increased competition from boutique advisers like Evercore and PJT Partners [4] - The M&A market is currently characterized by a focus on mega deals, with large-cap companies outperforming small caps [5] Transaction Banking Transformation - Transaction banking is gaining strategic importance as its cost structure evolves, moving from legacy systems to technology-enabled services [6] - Citigroup's multiyear investment in data platforms and modernization efforts has led to over 80% of its transformation programs nearing completion, which has reduced operational risk and marginal costs in high-volume businesses [7]

Stocks have moved sharply lower over the course of the trading day on Wednesday, adding to the modest losses posted in the previous session. The major averages have all moved to the downside, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq showing a notable slump.Currently, the major averages are just off their lows of the session. The Nasdaq is down 380.83 points or 1.6 percent at 23,329.04, the S&P 500 is down 74.49 points or 1.1 percent at 6,889.25 and the Dow is down 282.68 points or 0.6 percent at 48,909.31.The weakness o ...

About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, ...

Citigroup (NYSE:C) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 14, 2026 11:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsEbraham Poonawalla - Head Managing Director of American Banks ResearchGerard Cassidy - Managing DirectorJen Landis - Head of Investor RelationsMark Mason - CFOJane Fraser - CEOMike Mayo - Managing Director and Head of U.S. Large-Cap Bank ResearchConference Call ParticipantsJohn McDonald - Senior Equity AnalystSaul Martinez - Managing Director and Senior Equity AnalystJim Mitchell - Managing Director and Senior Equity A ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported an adjusted EPS of $1.81 and an adjusted ROTCE of 7.7% for Q4 2025, with full-year adjusted net income surpassing $16 billion, reflecting an 180 basis points improvement to 8.8% ROTCE [3][19] - Total revenues for the quarter were up 2%, with adjusted revenues increasing by 8% when excluding the notable item related to Russia [18][19] - Expenses increased by 6% to $13.8 billion, driven by higher compensation, tax charges, and technology expenses [18][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Services revenues increased by 15% in Q4, with net income of $2.2 billion and an ROTCE of 36.1% [26] - Markets revenues were down 1%, with fixed income and equities both experiencing slight declines, but overall, markets delivered a net income of $783 million [29] - Banking revenues surged by 78%, driven by corporate lending and investment banking, with M&A fees up 84% [30][31] - Wealth management revenues grew by 7%, with net income of $338 million and an ROTCE of 10.9% [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cross-border transaction value increased by 14%, and assets under custody and administration grew by 24% [26] - The corporate lending wallet was noted to be over $100 billion, with expectations for continued share gains [76] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a multi-year transformation strategy, with over 80% of its programs nearing target states [10][56] - Investments in technology and innovation are prioritized to enhance operational efficiency and client experience [11][72] - The company aims to achieve a ROTCE target of 10%-11% and maintain positive operating leverage [14][38] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the global economic outlook, citing strong capital investment and a healthy consumer environment [12] - The company is well-positioned to support corporate clients, with a focus on maintaining high credit quality [12][24] - Management highlighted the importance of continued investment in the franchise to drive long-term growth [72] Other Important Information - The company repurchased over $13 billion in common shares during the year, with a CET1 ratio of 13.2%, significantly above regulatory requirements [9][25] - The company is nearing the end of its international divestitures, including the sale of its consumer business in Poland and operations in Russia [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Markets performance and ROTCE - Inquiry about the flat revenues in markets and the relationship between allocated capital and ROTCE [48] - Response highlighted strong full-year performance in markets, with a focus on optimizing RWA and deploying it in high-return areas [50][51] Question: Efficiency ratio target - Clarification sought on the change in efficiency ratio target from below 60% to around 60% [52] - Response indicated that the adjustment allows for continued investment in the business while maintaining expense discipline [52] Question: Transformation progress - Inquiry about the remaining work in transformation and its relation to safety and soundness [55] - Management confirmed significant progress, with a focus on compliance, risk, controls, and data modernization [56][58] Question: Competitive positioning and investment banking - Question regarding the gap between Citi and best-in-class peers in investment banking [69] - Management acknowledged past investments and ongoing efforts to enhance capabilities and competitive positioning [70][72] Question: NII outlook - Inquiry about the improved NII outlook for 2026 [87] - Response indicated that higher loan and deposit volumes contributed to the positive outlook, with expectations for continued growth [88]

Citigroup (NYSE:C) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 14, 2026 11:00 AM ET Speaker0Hello, and welcome to Citi's Fourth Quarter 2025 earnings call. Today's call will be hosted by Jen Landis, Head of Citi Investor Relations. We ask that you please hold all questions until the completion of the formal remarks, at which time you will be given instructions for the question-and-answer session. Also, as a reminder, this conference is being recorded today. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time. Ms. ...

Some of America’s top bankers are warning that the president’s cap on credit card interest rates would prove disastrous for lower-income consumers and the US economy — not to mention their profits. Faced with President Trump’s proposal to slash their credit card interest rate fee income days before reporting fourth quarter earnings, senior executives for the nation’s four largest banks — JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC), and Wells Fargo (WFC) — all said they agree that affordabil ...

Brent Crude prices have the potential to hit $70 per barrel over the next three months amid heightened geopolitical risks, according to analysts at Citi. The investment bank raised its 0-3 month outlook on Brent Crude prices to $70 per barrel from $65 a barrel previously, due to upside pressure from geopolitical risks. Early on Wednesday, Brent Crude traded 1% higher at above $66 per barrel as the market has started to price in a potential U.S. strike on Iran and the potential of supply disruptions in t ...

Citi’s Treasury and Trade Solutions performance reflects a broader industry trend where embedded, cross-border financial infrastructure is becoming more valuable amid supply chain reconfiguration, regulatory complexity and demand for real-time liquidity management.Investments in technology, automation and AI have transformed transaction banking from a balance sheet-heavy utility into a scalable, higher-margin services platform with improving economics.Citi’s 2025 earnings highlighted a strategic shift towar ...

Financial Performance Highlights - The company reported revenues of $85.2 billion, up 6% year-over-year[9], or $86.4 billion excluding notable items, up 7% year-over-year[9] - Net income was $14.3 billion, up 13% year-over-year[9], or $16.1 billion excluding notable items, up 27% year-over-year[9] - Earnings per share (EPS) was $6.99, or $7.97 excluding notable items[9] - The company's Return on Tangible Common Equity (RoTCE) was 7.7%, up 70 bps year-over-year[9], or 8.8% excluding notable items, up 180 bps year-over-year[9] Business Segment Results - Services revenues reached $21.3 billion[11], up 8% year-over-year[32] - Markets revenues totaled $22.0 billion[11], up 11% year-over-year[37] - Banking revenues were $8.2 billion[11], up 32% year-over-year[41] - Wealth revenues amounted to $8.6 billion[11], up 14% year-over-year[46] - U S Personal Banking (USPB) revenues were $21.0 billion[11], up 5% year-over-year[54] Capital and Liquidity - The company's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Capital Ratio was 13.2%, approximately 160 bps above regulatory requirements[9, 27] - The company returned over $17.5 billion to common shareholders, including $13.25 billion in share repurchases[9] Outlook - The company projects Net Interest Income (NII) excluding Markets to grow by 5-6% year-over-year in 2026[67] - The company is targeting an efficiency ratio of approximately 60% and positive operating leverage for 2026[69] - The company is targeting a return of 10-11% in 2026[72]