“Our fixed income trading business has a long history of earnings power and success, as shown in this year’s record first half results. In September, this business performed at more normalized levels and we see this quarter’s overall poor trading performance as an aberration. While we cannot predict market conditions or other unforeseeable events that may affect our businesses, we expect to return to a normal earnings environment in the fourth quarter,” said Prince.
The following accounts for a significant portion of the expected decline in third quarter results:
Securities and Banking
Revenue reductions from:
* Write-downs of approximately $1.4 billion pre-tax, net of underwriting fees, on funded and unfunded highly leveraged finance commitments. These commitments totaled $69 billion at the end of the second quarter, and $57 billion at the end of the third quarter. Write-downs were recorded on all highly leveraged finance commitments where there was value impairment, regardless of the expected funding date.
* Losses of approximately $1.3 billion pre-tax, net of hedges, on the value of sub-prime mortgage-backed securities warehoused for future collateralized debt obligation (“CDO”) securitizations, CDO positions, and leveraged loans warehoused for future collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) securitizations.
* Losses of approximately $600 million pre-tax in fixed income credit trading due to significant market volatility and the disruption of historical pricing relationships.
* These revenue reductions were partially offset by lower expenses in Securities and Banking.
Global Consumer
* An increase in credit costs of approximately $2.6 billion pre-tax versus the prior-year quarter due to continued deterioration in the credit environment, organic portfolio growth, and acquisitions. Approximately one-fourth of the increase in credit costs was due to higher net credit losses and approximately three-fourths was due to higher charges to increase loan loss reserves.
“Despite unusually poor results in certain businesses this quarter, Citi continues to execute its growth strategy and generate momentum across many of its franchises. Citi’s international franchise continues to expand rapidly. Globally, revenues in equity underwriting, advisory, and transaction services are growing at a healthy double-digit pace, and customer volumes in the consumer business continue to show good growth. In Wealth Management, Citi’s ability to serve client needs through the market dislocations is generating solid results. The structural expense initiatives announced in early April 2007 are on track and delivering the cost savings projected,” said Prince.
Citi’s estimated third quarter results include approximately $470 million of after-tax gain on the sale of Redecard shares.
