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Tuesday, Jefferies began coverage on Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG) shares, assigning a Buy rating and setting a price target of $50.00. The firm’s analysts cited the bank’s potential for above-average growth and return metrics as the primary reasons for the positive outlook. According to InvestingPro data, the bank, currently valued at $17.9 billion, appears undervalued based on its Fair Value analysis.
The analysts at Jefferies highlighted Citizens Financial Group’s medium-term target for Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) at 16%-18%. They believe this target demonstrates the bank’s ability to outperform and could justify the stock trading at or above the valuation of its regional peers. Currently, Citizens Financial Group trades at a P/E ratio of 13x and offers a compelling 4% dividend yield, having maintained dividend payments for 12 consecutive years. The stock trades at 8.3 times its projected 2026 earnings per share (EPS), compared to its peers, which trade at an average of 9.9 times.
The firm also pointed to the diversity of Citizens Financial Group’s fee income streams as a positive factor. This diversity is expected to contribute to the bank’s financial stability and growth prospects. InvestingPro analysis shows the bank maintains a "Fair" overall financial health score, with particularly strong momentum metrics. Additionally, Jefferies expressed optimism about the growth of the bank’s Private Bank segment, which they believe could be a significant contributor to the company’s performance.
Citizens Financial Group’s price target of $50.00 reflects Jefferies’ confidence in the bank’s strategic direction and its ability to achieve its financial targets. The new coverage and price target suggest that the analysts see a favorable investment opportunity in the bank’s shares.
Investors and market watchers will closely follow Citizens Financial Group’s stock performance and financial results to see if the company meets or exceeds the growth and return metrics that have underpinned this optimistic assessment by Jefferies.
In other recent news, Citizens Financial Group reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, delivering an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.77, which exceeded analyst expectations of $0.75. The company’s revenue was in line with forecasts at $1.94 billion. Additionally, Citizens Financial executed $200 million in stock buybacks, returning a total of $386 million to shareholders. The bank’s net interest margin expanded by 3 basis points to 2.9%, and its Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at 10.6%. RBC Capital Markets adjusted its price target for Citizens Financial Group shares to $44 from $50, maintaining an Outperform rating despite the revision. Meanwhile, DA Davidson also revised its price target downwards to $49 from $53, while maintaining a Buy rating. In executive news, Citizens Financial announced the promotion of Brendan Coughlin to President, while John Woods, Vice Chair and Chief Financial Officer, will depart in August 2025. The bank’s strategic initiatives, including the expansion of its private banking services, continue to underscore its commitment to growth.
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