Citigroup Eyeing Stock Market Pullbacks, Says Earnings Expectations Are Set Up for Decent Acceleration

Banking giant Citi remains confident in the fundamental strength of the US stock market and says it’s prepared to take advantage of any pullbacks.

In a new CNBC interview, Citi equity strategist Scott Chronert highlights that markets tend to be forward-looking and investors are now positioning for a potential pick-up in earnings growth next year.

“I actually think [the market] is increasingly focused on the follow-through and the aftermath of tariffs and other policy news in terms of what it means for 2026. As we go into the back half of the year, usually [we] flip forward in the calendar, and right now when you’re looking at the way the consensus earnings expectations are set up – it’s for pretty decent acceleration next year. 

I think that’s where a lot of the market’s focus is beginning to shift.”

Chronert says Citi maintains a long-term bullish stance on the stock market, viewing pullbacks as golden opportunities.

“Expectations for the next five-year earnings growth are as high as we’ve seen. So there’s a lot of burden on beats and raises, particularly out of this growth part of the market, and that’s where we get a little bit unnerved.

Our view for this second half is that you’re setting this thing up for volatility dynamics to come into play. You get triggers for pullbacks. But we saw enough conviction in the underlying fundamental circumstances structurally for the S&P 500 in particular that we want to be looking to buy pullbacks.”

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