Two leading firms have recently enhanced their outlook on Citizens Financial Group. New Street boosted its price target to $73, implying an 11.6% upside from recent levels, citing strength in net interest margin and fee-based businesses. Jefferies reaffirmed its Buy rating and raised its own target from $70 to $80, attributing the move to CFG’s 32.9% year-over-year EPS growth and sustained improvements in credit quality. Together, these upgrades underscore growing confidence in CFG’s strategic execution and earnings trajectory.

CFG delivered fourth-quarter earnings of $1.13 per share, exceeding the consensus estimate of $1.11 and marking a 32.9% increase versus the prior-year period. Quarterly revenues totaled $2.157 billion, marginally above forecasts, driven by robust fee growth in the Capital Markets and Wealth segments. Operating leverage improved by 5% year-over-year, reflecting disciplined expense management alongside higher loan and deposit balances. On a GAAP basis, net income reached $528 million, up 31.6% from a year earlier.

The bank returned 80% of its generated capital to shareholders over the past twelve months through dividends and buybacks, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder value. Its Private Bank unit ended the year with $14.5 billion in deposits, contributing a 7% earnings accretion and delivering a 25% return on equity. Credit costs trended favorably, with reductions in provisions, charge-offs and non-accrual loans, while capital ratios remained well above regulatory minima, reinforcing CFG’s financial resilience.