Source: Andrew Wynn
Jefferies Strong on Citizens Financial Group (CFG)
Jefferies, a full-service global investment banking firm, has reiterated a “Buy” rating for Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG) and has further increased the price target from $70 to $80. This financial update is based on the robust and resilient performance of Citizens Financial Group, a leading financial institution in the United States.
Citizens Financial Group is known for offering a comprehensive range of banking services, standing tall in a fiercely competitive market, which includes banking giants like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. On January 21, 2026, Jefferies maintained its “Buy” rating for CFG, with the stock priced at around $64.02. This optimistic outlook by Jefferies has been noted by TheFly, a leading digital publisher of real-time financial news.
Impressive Financial Performance of Citizens Financial Group
The robust financial performance of CFG justifies Jefferies’ continued confidence. In the fourth quarter of 2025, CFG reported an impressive earnings per share (EPS) of $1.13, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11. This translates into a remarkable year-over-year increase of 32.9%, a testament to the bank’s strong financial health. News of this performance led to a nearly 2.8% rise in CFG’s stock in early trading.
The significant growth in net interest income and non-interest income played a pivotal role in the bank’s excellent financial performance. Higher loan and deposit balances significantly contributed to this growth. The bank also witnessed an improvement in credit quality, marked by declines in provisions, charge-offs, and non-accrual loans compared to the previous year. Despite these positive indicators, CFG did face challenges with rising expenses.
CFG’s Strategic Growth Initiatives Pay Off
On a GAAP basis, CFG reported a net income of $528 million, marking a 31.6% increase from the previous year’s quarter. This positive financial performance is a reflection of the company’s strategic growth initiatives and focused operational execution, underpinning the company’s steady progression towards its financial goals.
CFG’s stock is currently priced at $64.05, reflecting an increase of 7.09% or $4.24. Throughout the day, the stock has experienced a flux, with a low of $60.33 and reaching a high of $64.27. This high is the most robust the stock has been over the past year, further underscoring the financial institution’s strength in the market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the financial performance of Citizens Financial Group is a clear example of the company’s resilience and strategic approach to growth. Despite operating in a highly competitive environment, the bank has managed to increase its net interest and non-interest income and improve its credit quality. The increase in the price target by Jefferies attests to the bank’s strong standing in the market and its potential for continued growth. Despite facing challenges related to rising expenses, CFG’s financial and operational performance indicates a promising future for its investors.