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Is Citigroup Stock a Buy Now?
The Motley Foolยท 2025-05-30 07:42
Group 1: Company Performance - Citigroup shares have outperformed at the start of 2025, returning 4% year to date despite stock market turbulence [1] - The bank's first-quarter earnings exceeded Wall Street expectations, with total revenue climbing by 3% year over year and earnings per share (EPS) increasing by 24% to $1.96 [5] - All five business segments contributed to strong performance, with wealth management achieving a 24% revenue increase and the markets group revenue climbing by 12% [6] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - Under CEO Jane Fraser, Citigroup has transformed by streamlining international operations and divesting noncore businesses while investing in high-margin segments [4] - The bank's capital strength and strong reserves support its ability to navigate market uncertainties, with a revenue guidance for full-year 2025 between $83.1 billion and $84.1 billion, representing a 2% to 3% increase compared to 2024 [10] Group 3: Market Environment - The macroeconomic environment has shifted due to tariffs on imported goods, which may cause short-term economic challenges and lead to cautious client behavior [8] - However, Citigroup's Treasury and Trade Solutions business could benefit from new opportunities as corporate customers adjust their supply chains [9] Group 4: Valuation and Dividend - Citigroup is trading at 0.7 times its book value and 10 times its consensus 2025 EPS estimate, indicating it is fundamentally undervalued compared to peers like JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America [11][12] - The stock offers a 3% dividend yield, higher than Bank of America's 2.3%, supported by strong cash flows and a robust balance sheet [14] Group 5: Future Outlook - The company is well-positioned to continue rewarding shareholders, with optimism toward the U.S. economy suggesting potential stock price appreciation [16]