Citigroup starts its stock swap ... finally


This morning, Citigroup (NYSE: C) began its $58-billion stock swap, a move that could leave the government with a 34% stake in the bank. The country's third-largest bank plans to swap common stock for (up to) $33 billion in preferred shares and convert as much as $25 billion of preferred shares held by the U.S. Treasury into common stock.

The bank believes that the swap could (emphasis on could here) make Citigroup one of the world's best-capitalized banks. The action could add up to $61 billion of tangible common equity and $64 billion of Tier-1 common equity. Citigroup had planned to take this action back in April.

The stock swap could result in the issuance of more than 17 billion new common shares. Such a move could dilute the holdings of existing investors by 76%.

In terms of capital, Citigroup would be in a far better place thanks to the stock swap. Unfortunately, that isn't the case when it comes to the stock's technical performance. The stock continues to wallow in the $3 region, which some may see as a buying opportunity. Of course, others may view this as a sign of exactly how weak the stock has become. There are others still who will say the stock swap is a sign of how the government feels Citigroup is simply too big to fail.

Whatever your opinion of Citigroup watch for the stock to pop a bit this morning in response to the news.

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Last updated: February 12, 2012: 08:41 PM

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