Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Reduces Stock Holdings in Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG)

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. lessened its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:CFG - Free Report) by 39.7% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 514,491 shares of the bank's stock after selling 338,464 shares during the period. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. owned 0.12% of Citizens Financial Group worth $21,079,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in CFG. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Colonial Trust Co SC boosted its holdings in Citizens Financial Group by 673.0% during the fourth quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 889 shares of the bank's stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 774 shares during the last quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new position in shares of Citizens Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Citizens Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $66,000. Institutional investors own 94.90% of the company's stock.

Citizens Financial Group Stock Down 2.2%

Shares of NYSE:CFG traded down $0.90 during trading on Friday, hitting $40.27. The stock had a trading volume of 4,457,639 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,815,791. Citizens Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $32.60 and a 12 month high of $49.25. The company has a market capitalization of $17.60 billion, a PE ratio of 13.29, a PEG ratio of 0.81 and a beta of 0.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The firm's fifty day moving average is $38.65 and its 200 day moving average is $42.49.

Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 16th. The bank reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.94 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.94 billion. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 6.75% and a net margin of 12.21%. Analysts anticipate that Citizens Financial Group, Inc. will post 3.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citizens Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, May 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 30th were paid a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 30th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.17%. Citizens Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is 53.33%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on CFG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $49.00 to $43.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $50.00 to $44.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Argus set a $45.00 price objective on Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Citizens Financial Group from $58.00 to $51.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 24th. Finally, DA Davidson decreased their price objective on Citizens Financial Group from $53.00 to $49.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $47.89.

Citizens Financial Group Profile

Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking.