Citigroup Inc. (C)vsSouthern First Bancshares Inc (SFST)
C
Citigroup Inc.
$127.97
+0.28%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $223.88B
SFST
Southern First Bancshares Inc
$55.85
-3.26%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $532.51M
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Citigroup Inc. generates 64494% more annual revenue ($78.73B vs $121.89M). SFST leads profitability with a 28.7% profit margin vs 20.4%. C appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.71. C earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 82/100 (A-).
C
Exceptional Buy82
out of 100
Grade: A-
SFST
Strong Buy71
out of 100
Grade: B
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 34.1%
Earnings expanding 56.1% YoY
Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 41.2%
Earnings expanding 83.1% YoY
Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Revenue surging 26.2% year-over-year
Areas to Watch
ROE of 7.7% — below average capital efficiency
Expensive relative to growth rate
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : C
The strongest argument for C centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.4% and operating margin at 34.1%. Revenue growth of 16.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : SFST
The strongest argument for SFST centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.7% and operating margin at 41.2%. Revenue growth of 26.2% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : C
The primary concerns for C are Return on Equity.
Bear Case : SFST
The primary concerns for SFST are PEG Ratio, Market Cap, Free Cash Flow.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
C carries more volatility with a beta of 1.08 — expect wider price swings.
SFST is growing revenue faster at 26.2% — sustainability is the question.
C generates stronger free cash flow (2.0B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor BANKS - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
C scores higher overall (82/100 vs 71/100), backed by strong 20.4% margins and 16.9% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Citigroup Inc.
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Citigroup Inc. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services corporation headquartered in New York City. The company was formed by the merger of banking giant Citicorp and financial conglomerate Travelers Group in 1998; Travelers was subsequently spun off from the company in 2002. Citigroup owns Citicorp, the holding company for Citibank, as well as several international subsidiaries. Citigroup is incorporated in Delaware.
Southern First Bancshares Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - REGIONAL · USA
Southern First Bancshares, Inc. is the banking holding company for Southern First Bank offering various banking products and services to the general public in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. The company is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina.
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