Virtu Financial LLC Makes New $2.28 Million Investment in Citigroup Inc. $C

Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 19,504 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,276,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Citigroup by 166.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,990 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,407,000 after acquiring an additional 12,499 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Citigroup by 20.5% during the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 9,805 shares of the company’s stock valued at $835,000 after purchasing an additional 1,669 shares during the last quarter. United Bank bought a new position in shares of Citigroup during the 2nd quarter valued at about $972,000. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Citigroup by 3,016.7% during the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 935 shares of the company’s stock valued at $80,000 after purchasing an additional 905 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HUB Investment Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Citigroup by 26.9% during the second quarter. HUB Investment Partners LLC now owns 15,287 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,301,000 after purchasing an additional 3,238 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.72% of the company’s stock.

Citigroup Stock Performance

Citigroup stock opened at $143.37 on Friday. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $129.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $119.49. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The company has a market cap of $244.52 billion, a PE ratio of 17.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.12. Citigroup Inc. has a twelve month low of $77.50 and a twelve month high of $147.96.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 14th. The company reported $3.06 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.63 by $0.43. The firm had revenue of $24.63 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.96 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 9.35% and a return on equity of 9.19%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 14.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.96 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Citigroup Inc. will post 10.72 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Citigroup declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, May 7th that permits the company to buyback $30.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 13.7% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Citigroup Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 4th were issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Citigroup’s payout ratio is 29.74%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director John Cunningham Dugan sold 2,117 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.30, for a total transaction of $265,260.10. Following the transaction, the director owned 12,194 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,527,908.20. The trade was a 14.79% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Edward Skyler sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $131.41, for a total value of $3,285,250.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 182,022 shares in the company, valued at $23,919,511.02. The trade was a 12.08% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.11% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Citigroup from $137.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Piper Sandler restated an “overweight” rating and set a $145.00 price target (up from $125.00) on shares of Citigroup in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Oppenheimer restated an “outperform” rating and set a $145.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a report on Friday, May 8th. Evercore set a $139.00 price objective on Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Citigroup from $162.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Citigroup currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $137.79.

Key Stories Impacting Citigroup

Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Citi’s latest macro view suggests the Federal Reserve may keep rates higher for longer, which could boost net interest income for Citigroup (C) if short-term yields remain elevated. Citi Predicts Fed Rate Cuts Will Come Later Than Expected
• Positive Sentiment: The bank also announced a leadership move in Asia, appointing JianXun Toh to lead corporate banking in Japan, Asia North and Australia, reinforcing its push to grow institutional banking in a key region. Citigroup (C) Appoints JianXun Toh To Lead Corporate Banking In JANA
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains supportive, with Citigroup receiving a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, which can help reinforce investor confidence in the stock. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts
• Neutral Sentiment: Citi also highlighted innovation in asset management with a new report on “operational alpha,” underscoring its broader financial-services research franchise, though the direct stock impact is limited. Citi and CREATE-Research Report: Innovation in Asset Management Pivots to ‘Operational Alpha’
• Negative Sentiment: A Reuters/Fox Business report said the Justice Department is probing transactions tied to a network linked to Iran’s supreme leader, including possible connections to Wall Street firms such as Citigroup, creating headline risk for the bank. DOJ probes JPMorgan, Citigroup transactions tied to Iran supreme leader’s business network

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.