Citigroup Inc.CTOP PICKNov 02, 2026Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Nov 02, 2026. Market Open.
It just reported. The CEO has turned around the company the last few years and shares have rallied like crazy. Citi posted a clean top and bottom line beat with earnings up 27% year over year. Net interest income beat, but non-interest income missed. This was Citi's best Q3 revenue in a decade, and they raised their full-year net interest guidance. But shares fell 5.6% yesterday and down 1.8% today. Can't explain the decline, but he suspects it was punished for its outperformance recently. He still believes in Citi's turnaround.
Latest quarter very strong -- record revenue driven by investment banking, trading, and treasury services. What she likes most is the turnaround. Becoming a leaner, more profitable bank. Raised dividend by 12%, major share buybacks. She sees 18% upside. Ranks 8/10 on fundamentals. Yield is 2.02%.
(Analysts’ price target is $155.00)The US banks are only okay. They have around 7% total returns. Citi is the turnaround story that's finally turning around. BAC is a more stable. Citi has a more global footprint. He wouldn't buy either. Valuations are a little rich. You will get stable returns, though misses at earnings from high expectations. Are better opportunities elsewhere.
Fourth-largest US bank, with global footprint as well. Latest quarter beat on revenue, best in decades. Earnings up 56%. Hit profitability target ahead of schedule. Trades below book value.
If management keeps executing, the re-rating story has room. Higher interest rates are putting pressure on it right now.
Still a turnaround story. CEO has been simplifying the business -- cutting costs and focusing on strongest franchises. Strong quarter, beat on revenue and earnings. Outperforming peers. Cheaper, with more upside potential (but more risk if turnaround stops working).
JPM is one of the largest US banks, the gold standard. Leading across all divisions. Consistently delivers some of the strongest returns in the industry. Just reported strong quarter, record trading revenue, earnings up 13%, revenue ahead of expectations. Pulled back on slightly higher expense guidance. Higher quality name, trades at a premium (for good reason).
She's sticking with JPM, but C is a reasonable choice if you like the turnaround angle.
The turnaround continues—and it's going well. The bank beat earnings in its past four quarters, including a clean top and bottom line beat last month when earnings surged 27% over the past year. That Q3 also boasted net income of $5.25 billion (all figures in USD), up 40% year-over-year, diluted EPS of $2.85 which beat the $2.66 analyst consensus, and total revenue of $23.8 billion, which was 8% higher year-over-year).