The Citigroup Inc logo is seen at the SIBOS banking and financial conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 19, 2017. Picture taken October 19, 2017. REUTERS/Chris Helgrenshares surged more than 10% on Friday after the third-largest U.S. bank posted a smaller-than-expected 27% drop in quarterly profit on unusual strength in its treasury services business and its trading desks cashed in on market volatility, cushioning a slump in investment banking.
"The results we saw from Citi today show that the turnaround plan is on track. Trading and interest income offset the industry-wide weakness in investment banking," Thomas Hayes, chairman and managing member at Great Hill Capital LLC, wrote on Friday. "This is the cheapest large ... bank with the highest upside potential."
That increase in reserves pushed up Citi's overall credit costs to $1.3 billion, a sharp contrast to the $1.07 billion benefit it enjoyed a year earlier. Revenue at TTS, which handles international business payments and cash management, surged on a 42% increase in net interest income from higher rates and deposits, as well as a 17% rise in fees, Citi said.
The buyback pause confirmed expectations of analysts and followed a similar move by JPMorgan Chase & Co on Thursday.For Citi, stopping buybacks carries unusual pain because its shares have been trading for about half of the company's net worth as shown on its balance sheet - far cheaper than other big banks.