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CFG vs WTFC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Citizens Financial Group (CFG) vs. Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Citizens Financial Group (CFG) has delivered stronger year-to-date returns of approximately 22% compared to Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC)’s roughly 16% as of early July 2026.
- Both regional banks are preparing for second-quarter 2026 earnings, with CFG reporting on July 16 and WTFC on July 20.
- WTFC announced the acquisition of Northern Trust’s guardianship services business managing about $1.2 billion in assets, expected to close later in 2026.
- CFG recently expanded leadership responsibilities for its president and continues to show consistent earnings beats in prior quarters.
- WTFC received recognition as one of TIME’s America’s Best Companies 2026, ranking first among Illinois-headquartered banking and financial services firms.
- Valuations reflect different scales, with CFG holding a larger market capitalization near $29 billion versus WTFC near $11 billion.
Introduction
Regional banks Citizens Financial Group (CFG) and Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) operate in overlapping sectors but differ in scale, geographic focus, and recent strategic moves. This comparison highlights their business models, recent stock performance, and market positioning to assist investors evaluating exposure within the U.S. banking industry. Traders monitoring relative momentum, earnings catalysts, and sector sentiment may find the analysis relevant for portfolio allocation decisions.
CFG Overview and Recent Performance
Citizens Financial Group (CFG) is a diversified regional bank offering consumer, commercial, and wealth management services across multiple U.S. markets. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near $70, with a year-to-date return of about 22% and a one-year return exceeding 51% as of early July 2026. The shares approached a 52-week high of $72.94 amid broader market activity and positive operating leverage reported in the first quarter. Upcoming second-quarter earnings on July 16 carry analyst expectations of $1.25 per share. Recent leadership adjustments, including expanded oversight for the president, have contributed to ongoing operational focus without major disruptions to sentiment.
WTFC Overview and Recent Performance
Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) provides community banking, wealth management, and specialty finance services primarily in the Midwest and surrounding regions. The stock has hovered near $162 in recent market activity, delivering a year-to-date return of approximately 16% and a one-year gain around 23% as of early July 2026. Analysts maintain a consensus Buy rating with price targets in the $173–$180 range. The company reported record first-quarter net income and announced an acquisition of Northern Trust’s guardianship services business managing roughly $1.2 billion in assets. Recognition as one of TIME’s America’s Best Companies 2026, including top ranking among Illinois banking firms, has supported positive visibility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Citizens Financial Group (CFG) operates at larger scale with broader geographic reach, while Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) emphasizes regional community banking and specialty niches. Recent momentum has favored CFG on a year-to-date basis, though WTFC benefits from a concrete acquisition catalyst and external recognition. Both face typical regional bank risks including interest-rate sensitivity, credit quality, and regulatory oversight. CFG shows stronger trailing returns and consistent earnings beats, whereas WTFC offers a more concentrated Midwest footprint and potential fee-income growth from the pending transaction. Market sentiment remains constructive for both amid sector stabilization, with valuation multiples reflecting differences in size and growth profiles.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable near-term momentum to Citizens Financial Group (CFG), driven by stronger year-to-date performance and earnings track record. Wintrust Financial Corporation (WTFC) remains competitive due to its acquisition catalyst and recognition, though the models place slightly lower emphasis on these factors relative to price action stability at present.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CFG is a Hold and WTFC is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CFG’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileWTFC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CFG’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WTFC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CFG’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WTFC’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CFG’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- WTFC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
CFG (@Regional Banks) experienced а -2.43% price change this week, while WTFC (@Regional Banks) price change was -0.79% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was -0.58%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.41%, and the average quarterly price growth was +15.22%.
Reported Earning Dates
CFG is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
WTFC is expected to report earnings on Jul 20, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (-0.58% weekly)Regional banks have a smaller reach than major banks, and cater mostly to one region of a country, such as a state or within a group of states. They offer services often similar – albeit with some limitations/smaller scale – compared to major banks. Taking deposits, making loans, mortgages, leases, credit cards , fund management, insurance and investment banking. SunTrust Banks, State Street Corp., M&T Bank Corp. are some examples of U.S. regional banks.
| CFG | WTFC | CFG / WTFC | |
| Capitalization | 29.8B | 10.9B | 273% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 22.177 | 16.346 | 136% |
| P/E Ratio | 16.67 | 13.54 | 123% |
| Revenue | 8.48B | 2.8B | 303% |
| Total Cash | 12.7B | 468M | 2,714% |
| Total Debt | 12.3B | 4.34B | 283% |
CFG | WTFC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 25 | 77 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 57 Fair valued | 69 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 40 | 21 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 9 | 15 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 16 | 46 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 46 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CFG's Valuation (57) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as WTFC (69). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to WTFC’s over the last 12 months.
WTFC's Profit vs Risk Rating (21) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as CFG (40). This means that WTFC’s stock grew similarly to CFG’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's SMR Rating (9) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as WTFC (15). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to WTFC’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's Price Growth Rating (16) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as WTFC (46). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to WTFC’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's P/E Growth Rating (40) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as WTFC (46). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to WTFC’s over the last 12 months.
| CFG | WTFC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 72% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 54% | 1 day ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 75% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 65% | 1 day ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 60% | 1 day ago 59% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 65% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 19 days ago 67% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 59% | 1 day ago 60% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 53% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 63% |
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CFG and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CFG has been closely correlated with KEY. These tickers have moved in lockstep 90% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CFG jumps, then KEY could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To CFG | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFG | 100% | +0.03% | ||
| KEY - CFG | 90% Closely correlated | -0.34% | ||
| ZION - CFG | 87% Closely correlated | -0.42% | ||
| FNB - CFG | 87% Closely correlated | +0.53% | ||
| TFC - CFG | 86% Closely correlated | +0.54% | ||
| WTFC - CFG | 85% Closely correlated | -0.01% | ||
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WTFC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WTFC has been closely correlated with FNB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 89% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if WTFC jumps, then FNB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To WTFC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WTFC | 100% | -0.01% | ||
| FNB - WTFC | 89% Closely correlated | +0.53% | ||
| ASB - WTFC | 87% Closely correlated | +0.56% | ||
| HWC - WTFC | 86% Closely correlated | +0.70% | ||
| ZION - WTFC | 86% Closely correlated | -0.42% | ||
| VLY - WTFC | 86% Closely correlated | -0.61% | ||
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