The performance of Citigroup Inc. (C) leaves traders with little room for second-guessing this bearish option. Unfortunately, for those going long on the stock there is little to be optimistic about – at least over the short-term. The declines in banking and financial stocks in 2016 have been precipitated by a loss of confidence in central banks the world over. Quantitative easing and quantitative tightening measures have heretofore been unable to arrest the dramatic slide in equities that has characterized the first quarter of 2016. Citigroup Inc is one such financial enterprise that has suffered as a result. There are other factors working behind-the-scenes, notably the likelihood that a March 16 rate hike will not take place.

Most US financial organizations were pinning their hopes on boosted profitability in 2016 as a result of the December 16 rate hike initiated by the Federal Reserve Bank last year. At the time, the Fed was confident that the US economy was sufficiently strong to withstand the pressures from abroad and that a rate hike would be of benefit to the economy. Now, Janet Yellen, Stanley Fischer and other presidents of reserve banks around the country (notably those serving on the FOMC) are of the opinion that upcoming rate hikes will likely be deferred. The Fed will still go with a policy of gradual rate hikes, but March 16 is unlikely to see any increase to the 0.50% interest rate.

First of all, it’s important to understand precisely what Citigroup is involved with. For starters, here are some facts about the company: