Citigroup profits up but revenues dip in Q4
AFP
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Lower expenses helped boost Citigroup's fourth-quarter earnings but heavy volatility dented revenues in some trading divisions, the bank reported Monday.

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Photos: VCG

Citigroup, the first US banking giant to report results, said fourth-quarter net income was $4.3 billion, compared to a loss of $18.9 billion a year ago, when results were affected by a one-time accounting loss from US tax reform.

Revenues dropped 2.1 percent to $17.1 billion, below analyst expectations for $17.6 billion.

Revenues in Citigroup's global consumer banking were about flat with the year-ago period while revenues in institutional clients group dipped one percent.

Declines in bond trading more than offset the gains in increased equity trading, the company said.

"A volatile fourth quarter impacted some of our market sensitive businesses, particularly Fixed Income," said Chief Executive Michael Corbat.

The bank notched  a three percent increase in total loans compared with the year-ago level.

Earnings translated into $1.61, six cents about analyst expectations.

Citigroup shares fell 0.7 percent to $56.30 in premarket trading in New York.