AXQ Capital LP Has $3.67 Million Position in Citigroup Inc. $C

Key Points

• AXQ Capital increased its Citigroup stake by 62% in the second quarter, ending with 26,215 shares valued at approximately $3.67 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 71.72% of Citigroup.
• Citigroup reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with earnings of $3.15 per share and revenue of $24.77 billion. The bank also authorized a $30 billion share buyback and raised its quarterly dividend to $0.67 per share.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive view, giving Citigroup a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $145.22, though regulatory and sanctions-related compliance risks remain a concern.

AXQ Capital LP increased its stake in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C - Free Report) by 62.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 26,215 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 10,036 shares during the quarter. AXQ Capital LP's holdings in Citigroup were worth $3,669,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the fourth quarter valued at about $2,800,944,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of Citigroup in the second quarter valued at $3,244,602,000. Nykredit A S bought a new position in shares of Citigroup in the second quarter valued at $458,275,000. Eurizon Capital SGR S.p.A. acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the fourth quarter valued at about $298,082,000. Finally, SEB Asset Management AB acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup during the first quarter valued at about $252,972,000. 71.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Citigroup Price Performance

Citigroup stock opened at $138.10 on Friday. Citigroup Inc. has a 52 week low of $93.66 and a 52 week high of $147.96. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. The stock has a market cap of $235.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.91, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $135.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $127.36.

Citigroup (NYSE:C - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 14th. The company reported $3.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.74 by $0.41. The company had revenue of $24.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $23.74 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 10.23% and a return on equity of 10.15%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.96 earnings per share. On average, research analysts forecast that Citigroup Inc. will post 11.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback program on Thursday, May 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $30.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 13.7% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Citigroup Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.67 per share. This represents a $2.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.9%. This is an increase from Citigroup's previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 3rd. Citigroup's payout ratio is 28.94%.

Citigroup News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Buybacks and dividends support the stock: Citigroup is accelerating share repurchases and dividend payments as stronger earnings, excess capital and business simplification improve its ability to return money to shareholders. The strategy could enhance per-share earnings and reinforce confidence in management’s turnaround plan. Can Citigroup Sustain Its Aggressive Capital Return Strategy?
• Positive Sentiment: Blockchain payments provide a growth catalyst: Citi’s Services business processed live transactions on Swift’s blockchain-based ledger, making it the first U.S. bank to conduct native ledger transactions through the initiative. The move strengthens Citi’s positioning in always-on, cross-border payments and could create longer-term revenue opportunities with institutional clients. Citi’s Services Business Pioneers Live Transactions on Swift’s Ledger
• Positive Sentiment: AI-driven expense controls may improve profitability: Citi is using artificial intelligence to review and renegotiate outside law-firm billing. Although the savings potential was not quantified, lower legal expenses could support operating efficiency across capital-markets, compliance and banking operations. Citigroup Uses AI To Push Law Firms On Fees
• Neutral Sentiment: Currency view signals a changing rate outlook: Citi recommended shorting the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar, anticipating that stretched U.S.-Canada interest-rate differentials will reverse. The call highlights potential shifts in Federal Reserve expectations but has limited direct impact on Citigroup’s fundamental earnings. Citi goes short USD/CAD
• Negative Sentiment: UK sanctions-related penalty remains a reputational and compliance risk: Citi was fined £4.7 million for historical breaches of Russian sanctions at its London branch. The financial cost is modest relative to Citi’s size, but the action underscores ongoing regulatory and control risks. Citigroup Fined £4.7 Million in UK for Russia Sanctions Breaches

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on C shares. Argus set a $150.00 target price on shares of Citigroup in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Citigroup from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b+)" rating in a research note on Monday, August 24th. Zacks Research upgraded Citigroup from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, July 16th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $170.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Citigroup from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $145.22.

About Citigroup

Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide.

Citi's principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services.

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