By Senad Karaahmetovic
Citigroup (NYSE:C) delivered solid Q1 results to join a broad rally in bank stocks after several financial businesses said their results were boosted by higher interest rates.
Citi reported adjusted EPS of $1.86, topping the $1.70 consensus. Revenue rose 12% year-over-year to $21.45 billion, easily topping the $20.05B expectations. Both investment banking and equity sales & trading revenue fell 25% YoY.
However, the FICC sales & trading revenue business unit posted a strong upside relative to a consensus to drive an earnings beat.
The common equity Tier 1 ratio was 13.4% while the return on average equity was 9.5%.
Citi CEO Jane Fraser said, “Citi delivered strong operating performance, showing good revenue growth and expense discipline despite the tumultuous environment for banks. Our robust and well-managed balance sheet was a source of strength for our clients and we continue making progress in executing our strategy focused on our five core interconnected businesses while simplifying and transforming the firm.”
The headline EPS ($2.10) was boosted by the $953 million impact from the sale of the India consumer business. Excluding these divestiture-related impacts, EPS was $1.86.
Citi shares are up 2% in premarket.