Watching for Pullback Below $84 in Citigroup (C)Over the past month, Citigroup shares have appreciated 8.58%, outperforming both the Finance sector's 1.91% gain and the S&P 500's 3.92% increase. This relative outperformance may signal strength, but short-term positioning and market structure suggest a potential shift.
Expecting a Sharp Move Below $84 – Option Flow Insight
Despite the recent strength, I anticipate a significant downward move below the $84 level in the upcoming week. This expectation is based on notable option activity detected in the Times & Sales feed, specifically large put orders suggesting bearish positioning.
In response to this setup, I plan to execute a bearish vertical spread, specifically:
Buying the $84 puts
Selling the $80 puts
This strategy limits downside risk while still profiting from a potential retracement.
Fundamental Picture Ahead of Earnings
Citigroup's next earnings release is scheduled for July 15, 2025. The company is expected to report:
EPS of $1.70 (+11.84% YoY)
Revenue of $20.85B (+3.51% YoY)
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts:
EPS of $7.38 (+24.03%)
Revenue of $83.84B (+3.33%)
While these figures suggest healthy growth, it's important to note that recent analyst estimate revisions have been modestly negative, with the EPS estimate decreasing 0.27% over the last 30 days. Citigroup currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), reflecting a neutral sentiment from analysts.
Valuation Metrics
From a valuation standpoint:
Forward P/E: 10.75, notably below the industry average of 15.02
PEG ratio: 0.61, versus the industry average of 1.26
This indicates that Citigroup is undervalued relative to its peers, especially when considering growth prospects, which could provide some support. However, short-term bearish flows may dominate price action heading into earnings.
Industry Outlook
The Financial - Investment Bank industry, which includes Citigroup, currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 96, placing it in the top 40% of over 250 industry groups. Historically, industries in the top half outperform those in the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
