Stock price when the opinion was issued
Owns several US banks. The yield curve is steepening and the regulatory backdrop is now more favourable to the banks. The post-2008 safeguards have built huge capital in these banks and is starting to be released. Citi trades at a 24% discount to tangible book value which will compress and catch up to peers.
(Analysts’ price target is $90.30)Financial sector offers great promise, though it's reacted to current markets by pricing in a potential recession. Slower economic growth would not be good for banks. Absent a recession, with consumer confidence returning and unleashing M&A, the sector provides a good opportunity.
A less expensive choice further down the food chain from the likes of JPM.
Likes the valuation of 8x PE, and growing ~24%. Tailwinds from Trump administration with bank de-regulation. Benefiting from years of cleanup and cost cuts. Earnings up 21% in last quarter. Fixed income was up 8%, equities were up 23%.
Yes, the tape can toss you around if we go into a bear market. And yes, this name would sell off along with all the other banks. But at this price, with this level of growth, it's a really good bet on risk/reward. Yield is 3%.
She owns JP Morgan in US banks. They just announced a new CEO. They need to spend more on risk monitoring, which is strange so late in the day. This will drag on the recovery on their bottom line, because this spend will weigh on their expenses. Banks on both sides of the border are attractive. She prefers JPM because their managers are strong; they're the cream of the crop among US banks. JPM was very conservative in their provisions in the last few quarters. Will bounce back.