Citigroup’s Profit Sinks 27 percent, But Beats Expectations

Citigroup’s profit fell nearly 27 percent in the first quarter, hurt by weak results at its consumer bank and trading business. But the company’s earnings beat Wall Street expectations.

“Weak investor sentiment” hurt its results, Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat said in a statement on Friday.

The New York-based financial conglomerate reported net income of $3.5 billion, or $1.10 per share, in the three months ending in March, compared with $4.77 billion, or $1.51 per share, a year ago.

The results beat the $1.03 per share analysts had expected, according to FactSet.

Revenue in the quarter fell 11 percent to $17.56 billion, beating the $17.44 billion that analysts had expected.

Citigroup said revenue fell 9 percent at its consumer bank and 12 percent at its investment banking group.

This week, rival big banks JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Bank of America Corp. also reported a drop in profit for the quarter. Both companies beat expectations, too.

In trading Friday, Citigroup Inc. shares were up 32 cents, or 0.7 percent, to $45.30.

The shares are down 13 percent since a year ago.