• Jefferies maintains a "Buy" rating for Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG), increasing the price target from $70 to $80.
• Citizens Financial Group reported a 32.9% increase in EPS year-over-year, with a notable growth in net interest and non-interest income.
• The company's stock price rose by nearly 2.8% in early trading, reflecting strong financial performance and operational execution.

Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG) is a prominent financial institution in the United States, offering a wide range of banking services. The company competes with other major banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo. On January 21, 2026, Jefferies maintained its "Buy" rating for CFG, with the stock priced at around $64.02. Jefferies also increased the price target from $70 to $80, as highlighted by TheFly.

CFG's strong financial performance in the fourth quarter of 2025 supports Jefferies' optimistic outlook. The company reported earnings per share (EPS) of $1.13, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.11. This represents a notable 32.9% increase from the same quarter the previous year. Following this announcement, CFG's stock rose by nearly 2.8% in early trading.

The company's growth in net interest income and non-interest income contributed to its impressive results. Higher loan and deposit balances played a significant role in this growth. Additionally, CFG's credit quality improved, with declines in provisions, charge-offs, and non-accrual loans compared to the previous year. However, the company faced challenges with rising expenses.

On a GAAP basis, CFG reported a net income of $528 million, marking a 31.6% increase from the prior-year quarter. This positive financial performance reflects the company's strong operational execution and strategic growth initiatives. CFG's stock is currently priced at $64.05, reflecting an increase of 7.09% or $4.24. The stock has fluctuated between a low of $60.33 and a high of $64.27 today, with the latter being its highest price over the past year.