On Thursday, DA Davidson increased the price target Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG) shares to $46, up from the previous target of $41, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.
The firm's analyst cited the bank's trading at a discount to its peers and the early success of various initiatives aimed at strengthening the balance sheet and enhancing earnings power as reasons for the adjustment.
Citizens Financial Group has been actively exiting non-core loans, with $8.9 billion still remaining, and reducing its dependence on high-cost funding sources. The firm is reallocating these resources into higher return ventures, including the recently launched private bank, which has had a strong start according to the analyst.
Furthermore, the company anticipates that the negative carry on swaps will become beneficial starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. Citizens Financial Group is also expected to achieve positive operating leverage in the same quarter, with the momentum accelerating into 2025 and the following years.
DA Davidson's analyst remains confident in the bank's strategy and prospects, which is reflected in the reiterated Buy rating and the raised price target. The bank's initiatives are set to contribute to a higher return on equity, indicating a positive outlook for the company's financial performance in the near future.
In other recent news, Citizens Financial Group has seen a series of significant developments. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) has raised the company's target to $41 from $38, maintaining an equal weight rating. This adjustment is attributed to better-than-expected fee income and lower provision for credit losses. However, the bank's net interest margin is expected to lag behind its peers into 2024 due to swap headwinds.
Citizens Financial Group has also undergone a corporate restructuring, redeeming all outstanding shares of its 6.350% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series D. This move aligns with the company's broader capital management strategy.
Analysts from Deutsche Bank (ETR:DBKGn) and Citi have reaffirmed their Buy ratings on the company, while Piper Sandler upgraded the stock to 'Overweight' from 'Neutral'. These ratings come after the company reported a net interest margin of 2.91% and a 3% growth in fees.
Lastly, the company announced a leadership transition with the resignation of Jack Read, the Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. John F. Woods will serve as the interim replacement. In addition, Citizens Financial has appointed Jim Weiss as the new Florida market president. These recent developments highlight the company's strategic initiatives and financial stability.
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