Citigroup's Legal Fees May Hold Back Q4 Quarterly Earnings

Investment bank sector analysts got bullish on bulge-bracket banks to start the year, dishing out buy ratings to numerous I-banks. But Citi could get shut out of the market's run to start 2015 -- facing potential fines, and cutting trader bonuses, it seems Michael Corbat's bank may continue the struggle it faced in 2014. Next, however, it will report earnings and with three straight beats Citi could finally reverse the slide that kept it from matching the pace of other listed institutions. If a more friendly regulatory environment awaits in Washington, however, Citi may be poised for a run.