Should I buy Citizens Financial stock in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the performance of Citizens Financial for over three years. Each month, hundreds of thousands of users across the United States rely on us to decode market trends and highlight the top investment opportunities. Our analyses are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. In line with our ethical charter, we have never been, and will never be, paid by Citizens Financial.

What is Citizens Financial?

How much is Citizens Financial stock?

The price of Citizens Financial stock is rising this week. Currently, CFG is trading at $38.65, reflecting an increase of $1.36 (+3.65%) over the past 24 hours, but a decrease of 4.29% over the week.

The company holds a market capitalization of $16.76 billion, with a 3-month average daily trading volume of 5.05 million shares. Citizens Financial’s P/E ratio stands at 12.27, and it offers a dividend yield of 4.35%. The stock’s beta is 1.10, indicating slightly higher volatility compared to the broader market—making CFG both an income opportunity and a stock to watch for price movement.

Our full analysis on Citizens Financial stock

Having analyzed Citizens Financial Group’s latest financial disclosures alongside its three-year market performance, we integrated current financial indicators, proprietary technical signals, peer benchmarking, and broader sector data in our holistic evaluation. Leveraging our data-driven algorithms, we distilled actionable insights into CFG’s risk-reward profile and strategic outlook. So, why might Citizens Financial Group (CFG) stock once again become a strategic entry point into the regional banking sector as we approach 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Over the past year, Citizens Financial Group has delivered a 10.46% increase in share price, outperforming many regional banking peers and giving investors reason for cautious optimism despite broader sector headwinds. After peaking mid-2024, CFG experienced a brief correction—down 7.58% over six months—mirroring the wider U.S. financial sector’s sensitivities to interest rate speculation and shifting macroeconomic sentiment. Yet, in recent days, CFG has rallied sharply, gaining 3.65% in a single session to close at $38.65 on May 3, 2025, with investors responding positively to its Q1 earnings and announcement of improved capital efficiency.

The regional banking landscape remains in flux, but notable tailwinds have emerged: the Federal Reserve has signaled a data-dependent approach, with markets increasingly anticipating rate cuts in the latter half of 2025. This expectation has supported loan demand prospects—particularly as consumer confidence and business investment rebound following cyclic lows. Meanwhile, CFG’s strategic divestiture of its student loan portfolio signals a nimble approach to capital allocation, freeing resources for higher-return, core banking opportunities such as digital and wealth management offerings.

Technical Analysis

CFG’s technical profile currently presents a nuanced, yet increasingly constructive, landscape for buyers. On the one hand, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 50.09, a neutral reading that suggests the stock is neither overbought nor oversold and that momentum is poised for a directional move. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) sits at -0.66—nominally a sell signal—yet the stock’s recent outperformance above its 20-day simple moving average ($35.63) is an encouraging short-term indicator.

• Short-term uptrend: The current price comfortably above the 20-day SMA signals buyer appetite at recent price levels.
• Support at $37.88 and $36.80: These are recent lows and the 20-day EMA, both of which have proven resilient to sell-side pressure.
• Resistance at $38.76 and $39.35: Should CFG break above these levels—especially the 50-day SMA—it could attract momentum-driven flows and spark further upside.

Although CFG trades below its 50-, 100-, and 200-day major moving averages, this structural weakness may be interpreted as a classic accumulation period. For technically inclined investors, the convergence of strong support, neutral RSI, and improving price action suggests that the stock may be forming a base ahead of a potential breakout, especially if upcoming catalysts—such as macroeconomic shifts or internal announcements—materialize as expected.

Fundamental Analysis

• Earnings Power: Q1 2025 net income came in at $373 million, with EPS of $0.77—demonstrating sustained profitability despite sector volatility. Management’s continued focus on operational efficiency and balance sheet discipline is reflected in a robust Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 10.6%, well above regulatory minimums and providing ample capacity for both dividend commitments and calculated expansion.
• Dividend Leadership: At a 4.35% yield and an annual payout of $1.68 per share, CFG offers income that outstrips the majority of regional banking competitors and challenges many higher-risk financial equities. Its track record of consistent payouts signals management confidence and revenue durability, adding a layer of security for income-focused investors.
• Attractive Valuation: Trading at just 12.27x earnings and 0.74x book value, CFG screens as undervalued versus both historical norms and peer averages, building a compelling case for price appreciation as market sentiment normalizes.
• Strategic Initiatives: CFG’s ongoing investments in wealth management, digital banking, and private client offerings are reshaping its income mix and positioning it to capture secular trends in consumer and commercial finance. The recent sale of the student loan portfolio not only enhances capital flexibility but allows management to reallocate resources to segments with the highest return potential.

This combination of earnings quality, dividend reliability, and value indicators is rare in today’s regional banking universe—particularly at a time when larger peers face compressed margins and slower balance sheet growth.

Volume and Liquidity

CFG’s average daily trading volume over the last quarter stands at 5.05 million shares, with recent sessions maintaining robust liquidity at 4.88 million shares. Sustained trading volume is typically a sign of institutional confidence and provides everyday investors with deep, transparent order books and the ability to execute trades efficiently. Importantly, the current float, coupled with CFG’s moderate $16.76 billion market capitalization, creates a favorable environment for dynamic valuation repricing should positive news or technical breakouts trigger renewed inflows. This liquidity profile makes CFG an accessible yet potentially responsive vehicle for capturing sector upside.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

• Interest Rate Cycle: A prospective easing cycle by the Federal Reserve would bolster loan growth and reduce funding costs, allowing regional banks like CFG to expand net interest margins. With Wall Street increasingly betting on 2025 rate cuts, CFG stands well-positioned to capture the ensuing uplift in credit demand.
• Balance Sheet Optimization: The strategic sale of non-core student loans, already underway, accelerates CFG’s capital redeployment into higher-growth segments like private banking and digital financial solutions.
• Leadership Evolution: While the CFO transition introduces transient uncertainty, the internal promotion of Brendan Coughlin to President ensures continuity in strategic priorities and underscores the company’s commitment to growth in high-value verticals.
• Digital Banking Expansion: The ongoing rollout of new digital interfaces enhances user experience, scales cross-selling opportunities, and improves cost-efficiency—a structural advantage as consumer financial services increasingly migrate online.
• ESG and Community Initiatives: CFG’s evolving ESG profile and strong community banking presence help to attract purpose-driven capital and support long-term brand equity, especially among younger demographics and institutional investors with ESG mandates.

Continued progress on these fronts could drive both earnings upgrades and multiple expansion, especially as investors rotate toward structurally sound value names in the financials space.

Investment Strategies

• Short-Term Positioning: With shares rebounding off support and the RSI neutral, a tactical entry near $38 may capture near-term momentum if resistance at $38.76/$39.35 is decisively breached. The potential for positive headlines—such as further strategic progress or a re-rating on Fed news—could act as triggers.
• Medium-Term Holding: For those seeking to ride the normalization of rates and the unfolding impact of management’s capital redeployment strategy, CFG’s below-book valuation and strong dividend backdrop favor a 6- to 12-month outlook. The stock’s consensus price target of $45.94 represents approximately 19% upside, not including dividends.
• Long-Term Accumulation: Investors with a multi-year horizon can anchor on CFG’s franchise strength, branch network, and digital leadership. The ongoing sector transition toward modern, diversified banking models suggests that CFG could enjoy market share gains and valuation convergence as its initiatives gain traction.

Ideal entry points may present at technical retests of support or in anticipation of key catalysts—such as earnings releases, Fed policy announcements, or material corporate updates.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Citizens Financial?

In summary, Citizens Financial Group currently displays a robust combination of strategic repositioning, attractive valuation, and high dividend yield—supporting the thesis that the stock may be entering a new bullish phase. Its liquidity and market presence provide a solid platform for upside, with technicals hinting at a bottoming process and fundamentals offering a margin of safety uncommon in the sector. As macroeconomic visibility improves and company-specific catalysts unfold, the fundamentals strongly justify renewed interest in CFG as a portfolio addition.

For U.S. investors seeking an attractive entry into the recovering regional banking sector, Citizens Financial Group seems to represent an excellent opportunity—supported by disciplined management, growing digital and private client capabilities, and some of the most compelling yield and valuation metrics among its peers. While vigilance is always required in a dynamic financial landscape, CFG’s current positioning and outlook offer genuine grounds for optimism as we approach a potentially transformative period in U.S. banking.

In today’s market, few regional banks offer such a balanced risk-reward profile as Citizens Financial—making now a moment to watch this stock closely as a candidate for new portfolio exposure and strategic sector participation.

How to buy Citizens Financial stock in United States?

Buying Citizens Financial Group (CFG) stock online is straightforward and secure when using a regulated U.S. broker. Today’s online brokerages offer two primary ways to invest: you can buy CFG shares directly (spot buying), becoming a shareholder, or trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs) to speculate on price movements without owning the stock. Both options are accessible on user-friendly platforms with strong investor protections. In the next sections, we’ll break down these two methods in detail—cash buying and CFD trading—and help you compare brokers to find the right fit (see our broker comparison further down the page).

Spot Buying

When you buy Citizens Financial stock in cash, you’re purchasing actual shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol CFG. This method means you become a part-owner of Citizens Financial Group and are eligible to receive dividends and voting rights. Typical fees for spot buying in the U.S. range from zero commission (at many online brokers) up to a flat $5–10 fee per trade, depending on your broker.

Example

If the Citizens Financial share price is $38.65, a $1,000 investment (with a $5 commission) lets you buy about 25 shares ($1,000 - $5 = $995 / $38.65 ≈ 25 shares).

Gain scenario: If the share price rises by 10%, those shares are now worth $1,100.
Result: That’s a $100 gross profit, or +10% on your investment (excluding any dividend income).

Trading via CFD

CFD (Contract for Difference) trading lets you speculate on Citizens Financial’s price without owning the shares outright. With CFDs, you can go long (bet on a rise) or short (bet on a fall), and you can use leverage—borrowing funds from your broker to amplify your exposure. Fees include the spread (the small difference between buy/sell price) and overnight financing charges if you hold leveraged positions for more than a day.

Example

Suppose you open a CFD position with a $1,000 deposit and use 5x leverage. This means you control $5,000 worth of CFG stock.

Gain scenario: If Citizens Financial shares rise 8%, your market exposure ($5,000) gains 8% = $400.
Result: A $400 profit on your $1,000 stake (excluding spread and financing costs), representing +40% return.

Final Advice

Before investing in Citizens Financial stock, it’s important to carefully compare broker fees, trading conditions, and account protections. The choice between buying shares outright or trading CFDs should reflect your investing goals—whether you prioritize long-term ownership and dividends, or short-term speculative opportunities with leverage. To help you get started, check out our detailed broker comparison further down this page.

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Our 7 tips for buying Citizens Financial stock

The latest news about Citizens Financial

Citizens Financial stock jumped 3.65% over the past 24 hours amid improving sentiment and consolidation above support levels. Following recent declines, shares of Citizens Financial Group (CFG) rebounded sharply on May 3, closing at $38.65 after touching key support near $37.88. This bounce reflected both technical buying and improved sentiment following a period of relative weakness, as the stock demonstrated resilience at major support zones and registered average trading volumes indicative of renewed investor interest.

The latest analyst consensus, released this week, maintains a Buy rating with a 19% upside target for CFG. A group of 21 leading Wall Street analysts reaffirmed their positive outlook, setting a consensus price target of $45.94 for the stock—approximately 19% above current levels. This outlook is underpinned by Citizens' attractive valuation (P/E of 12.27, P/B of 0.74), robust capital position, and stable earnings trends, even as the sector adjusts to shifting interest rate dynamics.

Citizens Financial’s quarterly dividend remains strong, with an upcoming payment of $0.42 per share scheduled for May 15, 2025. The company continues to deliver on its income commitment to investors, offering an annualized dividend yield of 4.35%. The strong payout reflects healthy cash flow, core profitability, and prudent capital management, supporting CFG’s appeal to income-oriented U.S. investors in a volatile rate environment.

Strategic actions, including the sale of its purchased student loan portfolio, are freeing up capital and streamlining operations. Announced in the most recent quarterly updates, Citizens' move to divest its student loan holdings is expected to enhance the company’s capital flexibility and liquidity profile. This step aligns with ongoing efforts to focus on core banking activities and capitalize on growth initiatives such as private banking and wealth management expansion within U.S. markets.

CFG’s Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio remains strong at 10.6%, well above regulatory requirements and industry averages. As of March 31, 2025, this solid capital position provides a layer of safety for shareholders and allows the company to weather macroeconomic headwinds while supporting ongoing lending activity and dividend distributions. The robust CET1 ratio signals ongoing financial strength despite sectoral volatility and leadership transition.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.