Citigroup (C)
Citigroup is a global banking giant that helps individuals, businesses, and governments manage their money, move cash across borders, and invest for the future.
Is Citigroup a good stock for a UK beginner?
The honest version: Citigroup is a global banking giant that helps individuals, businesses, and governments manage their money, move cash across borders, and invest for the future.
Over about 2 years to 2026-07-31. This is the share price only - reinvesting the dividends would add to it. And it's the USD return - as a UK investor your actual £ return also moves with the exchange rate. Past performance is not a guide to the future, and it could just as easily have fallen.
Based on beta - how much the price swings versus the whole market. Bumpier isn't bad; it just means a rougher ride, which matters more the sooner you might need the money.
Prices move on results, news and the mood of the whole market - no single headline explains a day, and a quiet week is usually just noise, not a signal.
Significant improvement in return on equity and operational efficiency
Prolonged period of low interest rates or major financial crisis
What does Citigroup do?
Citigroup acts as a massive financial plumbing system, connecting clients across the globe through its vast network of branches and digital services. Fees for financial advice, payment processing, and interest on the loans it extends to customers all feed the bottom line. What matters most is how well the bank handles its ongoing restructuring to simplify operations and improve overall efficiency.
On our factor screen it looks strongest on value and growth, and weakest on quality.
- ✓Pays a dividend - about 2.0% a year
- ✓Growing - revenue up about 14% over the year
- ✓Very profitable - turns about 22% of sales into profit
- Value screens high (81/100)
- Growth screens high (72/100)
- Income screens high (70/100)
- Massive global footprint and established brand
- Strong recent growth in earnings
- Potential for increased regulatory scrutiny
- Risk of bad loans if the economy weakens
- High competition from agile digital-only banks
What do Citigroup's numbers mean?
How much money does Citigroup make?
Revenue and profit by quarter, and how much of each sale turns into profit.
Does Citigroup pay a dividend?
Yes - Citigroup currently pays a dividend of about 2.0% a year (the yearly payout as a share of the price). A dividend is a slice of profit handed to shareholders; the yield moves as the price moves, and a company can cut or stop it.
When does Citigroup report earnings, and how did recent quarters go?
Citigroup is next scheduled to report on about 2026-10-13 - dates can move, and we don't predict results; this just tells you when to look.
Each quarter a company reports its results against what analysts expected. ‘Beating’ or ‘missing’ is about that expectation, not whether the business is doing well in absolute terms.
| Reported | Expected EPS: The earnings per share analysts expected for the quarter - the average of their forecasts. 'Beating' or 'missing' is measured against this number. | Actual EPS | vs expected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-14 | $2.71 | $3.14 | Beat +16% |
| 2026-04-14 | $2.60 | $3.06 | Beat +18% |
| 2026-01-14 | $1.62 | $1.24 | Missed -23% |
| 2025-10-14 | $1.93 | $2.26 | Beat +17% |
| 2025-07-15 | $1.59 | $2.04 | Beat +28% |
| 2025-04-15 | $1.85 | $1.96 | Beat +6% |
Across the last 6 quarters here, Citigroup came in ahead of what analysts expected 5 times. One quarter is noise, not a trend.
See who else reports over the next two weeks →
Reported vs expected earnings per share (EPS) from published results; the expectation is the analyst consensus, not our view. Report dates are estimates that can move.
More in Financial Services
What are the scenarios for Citigroup?
An illustrative range for the year ahead, with the assumption behind each case — not a prediction or a price target.
What are the pros and cons of Citigroup?
How many points the write-up makes each way — a balance check, not a score or verdict.
- Massive global footprint and established brand
- Strong recent growth in earnings
- Provides a regular dividend income for shareholders
- Complex business structure can be difficult to manage
- High sensitivity to global economic health
- Historically lower return on equity compared to some peers
- Potential for increased regulatory scrutiny
- Risk of bad loans if the economy weakens
- High competition from agile digital-only banks
The write-up's own warning lights — if these start happening, the case above changes.
- A major shift in the bank's leadership or strategic direction
- A fundamental change in how global banking regulations are applied
Built from public filings & market prices, checked for an education-only tone, and never a price target. How we make these →
This plain-English summary was auto-generated on 2026-08-01 from public data and checked for an education-only, no-advice tone (the figures above carry their own, usually fresher, 'as of' date). It's information, never a recommendation.