Citigroup Surprises with Strong Q4 Results and $20 Billion Buyback Plan, Stock Up 4%

Citigroup (NYSE:C) delivered a robust fourth-quarter performance, exceeding market expectations on both profit and revenue, and announced a $20 billion share buyback program, boosting investor confidence. The news sent the bank’s stock climbing more than 4% intra-day today.

For the quarter, Citigroup reported a net income of $2.9 billion, or $1.34 per share, outperforming analyst projections by 12 cents per share. This marks a significant turnaround from the prior year’s net loss of $1.8 billion, or $1.16 per share.

Revenue for the quarter rose to $19.58 billion, edging past consensus estimates of $19.45 billion, signaling resilience in the bank’s operations.

In its 2025 outlook, Citigroup forecasted revenue in the range of $83.5 billion to $84.5 billion. Expenses are expected to come in slightly below $53.8 billion, reflecting cost control measures, while net interest income (excluding markets) is anticipated to see modest year-over-year growth.

The combination of strong quarterly results, a strategic outlook, and the announcement of a substantial share repurchase program underscores Citigroup's efforts to enhance shareholder value and stabilize its financial trajectory.