Citigroup (C) Beats On Q4 Earnings, Records $22B Tax Charges

Though fixed income trading income slumped as expected, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) delivered a positive earnings surprise of 7.6% in fourth-quarter 2017 on prudent expense management and strong consumer banking. Adjusted earnings per share of $1.28 for the quarter easily outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19. Also, earnings compared favorably with the year-ago figure of $1.14 per share.

Notably, results including non-recurring non-cash charge related to the tax reform of $22 billion, or $8.43 per share, reported loss of $18.3 billion or $7.15 per share.

Adjusted net income came in at $3.7 billion, up 4% year over year.

Overall top-line strength was reflected, driven by higher banking and consumer banking revenues, along with loan growth. Moreover, expenses dropped on efficiency savings by the bank.

However, Citigroup’s costs of credit for the fourth quarter were up 16% year over year to $2.1 billion. This rise largely reflects net credit losses of $1.9 billion and a net loan loss reserve build of $165 million.

For full-year 2017, adjusted net income came in at $15.8 billion compared with $14.9 billion recorded in 2016.

Top-Line Strength & Low Expenses Recorded

For full-year 2017, the company reported revenues of $71.4 billion, up 2% year over year. Furthermore, it surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $71.2 billion.

Revenues inched up 1% year over year to $17.3 billion in the reported quarter. The rise highlights elevated revenues in the global consumer banking, mostly offset by decline in institutional clients group and corporate/other revenues. The revenue figure also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $17.1 billion.

At Institutional Clients Group (ICG), revenues came in at $8.1 billion in the quarter, down 1% year over year. Though securities services revenues increased 14%, lower equity markets (down 23%) and fixed income revenues (down 18%) offset the rise on a year-over-year basis. Notably, revenues from total banking climbed 11%.

Global Consumer Banking (GCB) revenues increased 6% year over year to $8.4 billion, mainly driven by higher revenues in North America, Latin America and Asia GCB.

Corporate/Other revenues were $746 million, decreasing 13% from the prior-year quarter. The decline mainly underlined legacy assets runoff.

Operating expenses at Citigroup were down slightly year over year to $10.1 billion. Efficiency savings and the winding-down of legacy assets mitigated increased volume-related expenses and ongoing investments.

Strong Balance Sheet

At quarter end, Citigroup’s end of period assets was $1.84 trillion, up 3% year over year. The company’s loans grew 7% year over year to $667 billion. Deposits increased 3% year over year to $960 billion.

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Credit Quality Improved

Total non-accrual assets decreased 17% year over year to $4.8 billion. The company reported a drop of 15% in consumer non-accrual loans to $2.7 billion. In addition, corporate non-accrual loans of $1.9 billion went down 20% from the year-earlier period.

Citigroup’s total allowance for loan losses was $12.4 billion at quarter end, or 1.87% of total loans, compared with $12.1 billion, or 1.94%, recorded in the year-ago period.

Solid Capital Position

At the end of the reported quarter, Citigroup’s Common Equity Tier 1 Capital ratio was 12.3%, decreasing from 12.6% in the year-ago quarter. The company’s supplementary leverage ratio for the quarter was 6.7%, down from 7.2% in the year-earlier quarter.

As of Dec 31, 2017, book value per share was $70.85, down 5% year over year and tangible book value per share was $60.40, down 6% from the prior-year period. Results include mainly the estimated impact of the Tax Reform.

Capital Deployment

During fourth-quarter 2017, Citigroup repurchased about 74 million of common stock. Notably, the company returned around $6.3 billion to common shareholders as common stock repurchases and dividends.

Our Viewpoint

Citigroup reported impressive results this time around also, though the bank was impacted by non-recurring non-cash charges related to the tax reform. Furthermore, restructuring efforts, including streamlining moves, will likely continue to ease the bank’s burden on the expense base. The company exhibits capital strength which continues to support its dividend and a share buyback program. Also, rise in revenues is commendable.

One can consider a strong brand like Citigroup to be a sound investment option over the long term, given its global footprint and attractive core business. Additionally, the company’s growth looks encouraging amid the rising rate environment, as well as anticipated potential ease of regulations under President Trump’s administration.

Nevertheless, several legal hassles and escalating costs of credit remain concerns for the company.