C vs. HSBC: Citigroup vs. HSBC Stock Comparison
This page compares Citigroup (C) with HSBC (HSBC) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 82.79% | 61.57% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 28.43% | 27.14% |
| Beta | 1.11 | 0.59 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 12.42M | 1.94M |
Company Profile
Citigroup (C) and HSBC (HSBC) are both classified in the Diversified Banks sub-industry within the broader Banks industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Citigroup (C) trades as ordinary local shares, while HSBC (HSBC) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Citigroup Inc. | HSBC Holdings plc Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Industry | Banks | Banks |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Diversified Banks | Diversified Banks |
| Market Capitalization | 238.49 billion USD | 317.82 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 3, 1977 | July 16, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
HSBC (HSBC) at 15.32 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Citigroup (C) at 17.28 sits in the richer quartile — C needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
C
Banks industry group
17.28
- Max
- 21.53
- C
- 17.28
- Q3
- 15.41
- Median
- 12.95
- Q1
- 11.19
- Min
- 6.13
HSBC
Banks industry group
15.32
- Max
- 21.53
- Q3
- 15.41
- HSBC
- 15.32
- Median
- 12.95
- Q1
- 11.19
- Min
- 6.13
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
P/S ratio is set aside for both Citigroup (C) in Banks and HSBC (HSBC) in Banks: without a conventional revenue line, pricing per dollar of sales isn’t meaningful, and book- or earnings-based multiples make the better comparison.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Citigroup (C) at 1.25 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while HSBC (HSBC) at 7.29 prices above its benchmark range — HSBC looks rich relative to book.
C
Banks industry group
1.25
- Max
- 2.22
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.30
- C
- 1.25
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.64
HSBC
Banks industry group
7.29
- HSBC
- 7.29
- Max
- 2.22
- Q3
- 1.58
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.64
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.28 | 15.32 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.25 | 7.29 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | -- | -- |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
HSBC (HSBC) at 11.61% is around its peer norm for ROE, while Citigroup (C) at 7.65% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker returns on shareholders’ equity.
C
Banks industry group
7.65%
- Max
- 19.15%
- Q3
- 13.07%
- Median
- 10.82%
- Q1
- 8.57%
- C
- 7.65%
- Min
- 3.15%
HSBC
Banks industry group
11.61%
- Max
- 19.15%
- Q3
- 13.07%
- HSBC
- 11.61%
- Median
- 10.82%
- Q1
- 8.57%
- Min
- 3.15%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
HSBC (HSBC) at 34.98% keeps a top-quartile share of each sales dollar as profit, while Citigroup (C) at 20.36% keeps a bottom-quartile share.
C
Banks industry group
20.36%
- Max
- 47.55%
- Q3
- 34.61%
- Median
- 30.31%
- Q1
- 25.62%
- C
- 20.36%
- Min
- 12.76%
HSBC
Banks industry group
34.98%
- Max
- 47.55%
- HSBC
- 34.98%
- Q3
- 34.61%
- Median
- 30.31%
- Q1
- 25.62%
- Min
- 12.76%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Neither side reports a meaningful operating margin: for Citigroup (C) in Banks and HSBC (HSBC) in Banks, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.65% | 11.61% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 0.61% | 0.72% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.36% | 34.98% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 5.63% | -1.74% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 4.59% | 7.22% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 17.68% | -3.23% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -0.05% | 17.49% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Citigroup (C) in Banks and HSBC (HSBC) in Banks both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: Citigroup (C) in Banks and HSBC (HSBC) in Banks run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
HSBC (HSBC) at 4.05% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Citigroup (C) at 1.72% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, HSBC the richer one.
C
Banks industry group
1.72%
- Max
- 5.44%
- Q3
- 3.24%
- Median
- 2.58%
- C
- 1.72%
- Q1
- 1.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSBC
Banks industry group
4.05%
- Max
- 5.44%
- HSBC
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 3.24%
- Median
- 2.58%
- Q1
- 1.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Citigroup (C) at 29.17% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while HSBC (HSBC) at 61.98% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.
C
Banks industry group
29.17%
- Max
- 74.88%
- Q3
- 42.57%
- C
- 29.17%
- Median
- 29.00%
- Q1
- 19.94%
- Min
- 0.00%
HSBC
Banks industry group
61.98%
- Max
- 74.88%
- HSBC
- 61.98%
- Q3
- 42.57%
- Median
- 29.00%
- Q1
- 19.94%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | C | HSBC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.72% | 4.05% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 29.17% | 61.98% |