Stockchase Opinions

James Cole, BA, CFA Citigroup Inc. C-N STRONG BUY Jun 12, 2007

One of his largest holdings in one of his funds. A financial services colossus.Almost half of their income comes from non-US funds.4% dividend yield, trades around 12 times earnings, so is attractively valued.Hasn't done as well as some of it's peers, due to high expenses. Thinks this will be fixed, due to pressure from shareholders or internally. $53 is a good entry point.
$52.600

Stock price when the opinion was issued

banks
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BUY

Looks really good at these levels.

BUY

Yield curve's in better shape than it's been for a long time. The space will see lots more M&A. Attractive valuation, looking at 23% growth over the next few years and trading at 8x PE.

TOP PICK

He's trying to play a quiet offence when he's a bit scared of the markets and tariffs. Cheap, tethered, and insulated. Financials really get a bid from Trump -- tax cuts, less regulation, lots more M&A. Yield curve looking a lot better, upward sloping. Beat Q4, earnings up 40%. Investment banking and market revenue also up. Company's expecting ROE to improve to 10-11% in 2026. Trades under 9x. Very favourable risk/reward. Yield is 2.7%, decent.

Reducing global presence by exiting unprofitable businesses is really helping earnings by lowering costs.

(Analysts’ price target is $89.20)
WEAK BUY

You'll be OK if you have your heart set on this one. He always prefers JPM.

TOP PICK

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)
BUY

Are buying back 15% of their shares and trading at 80% of tangible book value, which is immediately accretive. Add to this lower compliance costs as regulation goes down. Is bullish the sector.

PARTIAL BUY

Has come back to support ~$56 (a critical level) with convergence on a couple of timeframes, both monthly and weekly. Short-term indicators show it trying to turn up. Buy half today; wait to see if it drops to the next support ~$50.

BUY

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.

TOP PICK

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%.

(Analysts’ price target is $83.32)
BUY

Higher highs, higher lows. Repaired damage from the tariff tantrum. Looks as though it wants to push higher. In the middle of a range, looking positive. Likely to see new highs before we get to the choppiness of August.