-- Citigroup's (C) first-quarter results came in stronger than Wall Street's expectations amid double-digit gains in fixed income and investment banking revenue.
Earnings rose to $3.06 a share for the March quarter from $1.96 a year earlier, exceeding the FactSet-polled consensus of $2.63. Net revenue grew 14% to $24.63 billion, ahead of the Street's $23.53 billion view.
"We're off to an exceptionally strong start in 2026," Chief Executive Jane Fraser said in a statement Tuesday.
Citigroup shares were up 3% in afternoon trade, bringing its year-to-date gains to 11%.
Markets revenue surged 19% to $7.25 billion as fixed income and equity markets jumped. Revenue within the services business climbed 17% to $6.10 billion amid double-digit increases in treasury and trade solutions and in securities services.
Banking revenue jumped 15% to $1.77 billion, reflecting double-digit growth in investment banking, which offset a decline in corporate lending. Wealth revenue rose 11% to $3.07 billion, while US consumer cards grew 4% to $4.76 billion.
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) reported better-than-expected first-quarter results Tuesday, while Wells Fargo's (WFC) revenue missed market views. On Monday, Goldman Sachs (GS) posted first-quarter results above market estimates.
For 2026, Citigroup said it continues to expect net interest income excluding markets to grow by 5% to 6% year over year, driven by sustained fee momentum in services, banking and wealth.
The company remains "very much on track" to deliver its target of 10% to 11% return on tangible common equity this year, Fraser said.
"We've entered into the final phase of our divestitures and 90% of our transformation programs are now at or near our target state," she said.
Price: $129.79, Change: $+3.51, Percent Change: +2.78%