Citigroup weighing sell-off option: WSJ

With the stocks of Citigroup dipping a record 26 pc in a single day yesterday, its top executives are now look at various options including auctioning off its various wings or even outright sale of the company.

With the stocks of Citigroup dipping a record 26 per cent in a single day on Thursday, its top executives are now look at various options including auctioning off its various wings or even outright sale of the company, the Wall Street Journal said on Friday.

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The financial giant, considered a symbol of globalisation, the Citigroup is headed by Indian American Vikram Pandit. This week alone, its stock prices have dropped by 50 per cent, forcing it explore measures that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago.

Early this week, Pandit had announced to cut as many as 53,000 jobs and drastically reduce its expenditure next year.

Saudi Arabia's Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud has announced he would pump in more money in Citigroup by increase his holdings to five percent in the company, which has more than 200 million customers in over 100 countries.

But none of these measures seems to have worked as investors continue to dump its stocks in the market, resulting in the worst-ever drop in its scrip.

Citigroup top executives are scheduled to formally meet today, the newspaper said, adding that Pandit himself is expected to discuss the situation with senior managers.

Meanwhile, a Citigroup spokeswoman said the company has a very strong capital and liquidity position and is focused on executing its strategy that includes cutting expenses and selling assets.

"We believe the benefits will be seen over time," she said in a statement.