The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these notes has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these notes, nor are they soliciting an offer to buy these notes, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 22, 2023 | |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. | December , 2023 Medium-Term Senior Notes, Series N Pricing Supplement No. 2023-USNCH[ ] Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration Statement Nos. 333-270327 and 333-270327-01 |
Autocallable Variable Coupon Market-Linked Notes Based on the Worst Performing of Microsoft Corporation, NVIDIA Corporation and Tesla, Inc. Due December 29, 2028
Overview
| ▪ | The notes offered by this pricing supplement are unsecured debt securities issued by Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and guaranteed by Citigroup Inc. The notes offer periodic coupon payments. The coupon rate for each coupon payment date will be determined on the valuation date immediately preceding that coupon payment date based on the performance of the worst performing of the underlyings specified below, as follows: if the closing value of the worst performing underlying on the applicable valuation date is greater than or equal to its coupon barrier value, you will receive a coupon payment at the higher coupon rate indicated below; however, if the closing value of the worst performing underlying on the applicable valuation date is less than its coupon barrier value, you will receive a coupon payment at the lower coupon rate indicated below. |
| ▪ | The notes will be automatically called for redemption prior to maturity if the closing value of the worst performing underlying on any potential autocall date is greater than or equal to its initial underlying value. |
| ▪ | The performance of the notes will depend solely on the performance of the worst performing of the underlyings specified below. You will be subject to risks associated with each of the underlyings and will be negatively affected by adverse movements in any one of the underlyings. In addition, you will not receive dividends with respect to any of the underlyings or participate in any appreciation of any underlying. |
| ▪ | Investors must be willing to accept (i) an investment that may have limited or no liquidity and (ii) the risk of not receiving any amount due under the notes if we and Citigroup Inc. default on our obligations. All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc. |
| KEY TERMS | |
| Issuer: | Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. |
| Guarantee: | All payments due on the notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Citigroup Inc. |
| Underlyings: | Underlying | Initial underlying value* | Coupon barrier value** |
| Microsoft Corporation | $ | $ | |
| NVIDIA Corporation | $ | $ | |
| Tesla, Inc. | $ | $ |
*For each underlying, its closing value on the pricing date **For each underlying, 80.00% of its initial underlying value | ||||
| Stated principal amount: | $1,000 per note | |||
| Pricing date: | December 27, 2023 | |||
| Issue date: | December 29, 2023 | |||
| Coupon payment dates: | The 29th day of each month (or the last day in the case of February), beginning in January 2024, provided that the final coupon payment date will be the maturity date. Each coupon payment date is subject to postponement to the next succeeding business day if such day is not a business day. In addition, if the valuation date immediately preceding any coupon payment date is postponed, that coupon payment date will be postponed to the third business day following that valuation date as postponed; provided that the coupon payment date with respect to the final valuation date will be the maturity date. No interest will accrue as a result of any delayed payment. | |||
| Valuation dates: | January 24, 2024, February 26, 2024, March 26, 2024, April 24, 2024, May 23, 2024, June 26, 2024, July 24, 2024, August 26, 2024, September 25, 2024, October 24, 2024, November 25, 2024, December 24, 2024, January 24, 2025, February 25, 2025, March 26, 2025, April 24, 2025, May 23, 2025, June 25, 2025, July 24, 2025, August 26, 2025, September 24, 2025, October 24, 2025, November 25, 2025, December 23, 2025, January 26, 2026, February 25, 2026, March 25, 2026, April 24, 2026, May 26, 2026, June 24, 2026, July 24, 2026, August 26, 2026, September 24, 2026, October 26, 2026, November 24, 2026, December 23, 2026, January 26, 2027, February 24, 2027, March 23, 2027, April 26, 2027, May 26, 2027, June 24, 2027, July 26, 2027, August 25, 2027, September 24, 2027, October 26, 2027, November 23, 2027, December 23, 2027, January 26, 2028, February 24, 2028, March 24, 2028, April 26, 2028, May 24, 2028, June 26, 2028, July 26, 2028, August 24, 2028, September 26, 2028, October 25, 2028, November 24, 2028 and December 26, 2028 (the “final valuation date”), each subject to postponement if such date is not a scheduled trading day or if a market disruption event occurs | |||
| Maturity date: | Unless earlier redeemed, December 29, 2028 | |||
| Coupon rate: | On each coupon payment date, unless previously redeemed, the notes will pay a coupon at a monthly rate determined as follows: ▪ If the closing value of the worst performing underlying on the applicable valuation date is greater than or equal to its coupon barrier value: at least approximately 0.65% (the “higher coupon rate”) (equivalent to a coupon rate of at least 7.80% per annum) (to be determined on the pricing date) ▪ If the closing value of the worst performing underlying on the applicable valuation date is less than its coupon barrier value: 0.0208% (the “lower coupon rate”) (equivalent to a coupon rate of approximately 0.25% per annum) The amount of each coupon payment per note will be equal to the stated principal amount times the applicable coupon rate. | |||
| Payment at maturity: | If the notes are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you will receive at maturity, for each note you then hold, the stated principal amount plus the applicable coupon payment. | |||
| Listing: | The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange | |||
| Underwriter: | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”), an affiliate of the issuer, acting as principal | |||
| Underwriting fee and issue price: | Issue price(1) | Underwriting fee(2) | Proceeds to issuer | |
| Per note: | $1,000.00 | $36.00 | $964.00 | |
| Total: | $ | $ | $ | |
(Key Terms continued on next page)
(1) Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. currently expects that the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be at least $900.00 per note, which will be less than the issue price. The estimated value of the notes is based on CGMI’s proprietary pricing models and our internal funding rate. It is not an indication of actual profit to CGMI or other of our affiliates, nor is it an indication of the price, if any, at which CGMI or any other person may be willing to buy the notes from you at any time after issuance. See “Valuation of the Notes” in this pricing supplement.
(2) For more information on the distribution of the notes, see “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” in this pricing supplement. In addition to the underwriting fee, CGMI and its affiliates may profit from expected hedging activity related to this offering, even if the value of the notes declines. See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus.
Investing in the notes involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Summary Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the notes or determined that this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
You should read this pricing supplement together with the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below:
Product Supplement No. EA-03-09 dated March 7, 2023 Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus each dated March 7, 2023
The notes are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.
| PS-2 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
| KEY TERMS (continued) | |
| Automatic early redemption: | If, on any potential autocall date, the closing value of the worst performing underlying on that potential autocall date is greater than or equal to its initial underlying value, each note you then hold will be automatically called on that potential autocall date for redemption on the immediately following coupon payment date for an amount in cash equal to $1,000.00 plus the related coupon payment. The automatic early redemption feature may significantly limit your potential return on the notes. If the worst performing underlying performs in a way that would otherwise be favorable, the notes are likely to be automatically called for redemption prior to maturity, cutting short your opportunity to receive coupon payments. The notes may be automatically called for redemption as early as the first potential autocall date specified below. |
| Potential autocall dates: | The valuation dates scheduled to occur on December 24, 2024, January 24, 2025, February 25, 2025, March 26, 2025, April 24, 2025, May 23, 2025, June 25, 2025, July 24, 2025, August 26, 2025, September 24, 2025, October 24, 2025, November 25, 2025, December 23, 2025, January 26, 2026, February 25, 2026, March 25, 2026, April 24, 2026, May 26, 2026, June 24, 2026, July 24, 2026, August 26, 2026, September 24, 2026, October 26, 2026, November 24, 2026, December 23, 2026, January 26, 2027, February 24, 2027, March 23, 2027, April 26, 2027, May 26, 2027, June 24, 2027, July 26, 2027, August 25, 2027, September 24, 2027, October 26, 2027, November 23, 2027, December 23, 2027, January 26, 2028, February 24, 2028, March 24, 2028, April 26, 2028, May 24, 2028, June 26, 2028, July 26, 2028, August 24, 2028, September 26, 2028, October 25, 2028 and November 24, 2028 |
| Worst performing underlying: | For any valuation date, the underlying with the lowest underlying return determined as of that valuation date |
| Underlying return: | For each underlying on any valuation date, (i) its closing value on that valuation date minus its initial underlying value, divided by (ii) its initial underlying value |
| CUSIP / ISIN: | 17291TSM1 / US17291TSM17 |
| PS-3 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Additional Information
General. The terms of the notes are set forth in the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, as supplemented by this pricing supplement. The accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus contain important disclosures that are not repeated in this pricing supplement. For example, the accompanying product supplement contains important information about how the closing value of each underlying will be determined and about adjustments that may be made to the terms of the notes upon the occurrence of market disruption events and other specified events with respect to each underlying. It is important that you read the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus together with this pricing supplement in deciding whether to invest in the notes. Certain terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement are defined in the accompanying product supplement.
Closing value. The “closing value” of each underlying on any date is the closing price of its underlying shares on such date, as described in the accompanying product supplement. The “underlying shares” of the underlyings are their respective shares of common stock. Please see the accompanying product supplement for more information.
| PS-4 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Hypothetical Examples of Coupon Payments
The examples below illustrate how to determine the applicable coupon rate to be paid and whether the notes will be automatically redeemed following a valuation date that is also a potential autocall date, assuming that the closing value of the worst performing underlying on that valuation date is as indicated below. The examples are solely for illustrative purposes, do not show all possible outcomes and are not a prediction of any payment that may be made on the notes.
The examples below are based on a hypothetical initial underlying value of $100.00 and a hypothetical coupon barrier value of $80.00 for each underlying and do not reflect the actual initial underlying value or coupon barrier value of any underlying. For the actual initial underlying value and coupon barrier value of each underlying, see the cover page of this pricing supplement. We have used these hypothetical values, rather than the actual values, to simplify the calculations and aid understanding of how the notes work. However, you should understand that the actual payments on the notes will be calculated based on the actual initial underlying value and coupon barrier value of each underlying, and not these hypothetical values. For ease of analysis, figures below have been rounded. The examples below assume that the higher coupon rate is set at the lowest value indicated on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The actual higher coupon rate will be determined on the pricing date.
| Hypothetical closing value of the worst performing underlying on applicable valuation date that is also a potential autocall date | Hypothetical coupon payment per note | |
| Example 1 | $105 | $6.50 (higher coupon rate is paid; notes redeemed) |
| Example 2 | $90 | $6.50 (higher coupon rate is paid; notes not redeemed) |
| Example 3 | $50 | $0.208 (lower coupon rate is paid; notes not redeemed) |
| Example 4 | $150 | $6.50 (higher coupon rate is paid; notes redeemed) |
In examples 1, 2 and 4, the hypothetical closing value of the worst performing underlying on the valuation date that is also a potential autocall date is greater than or equal to its coupon barrier value, and as a result investors in the notes would receive a coupon payment of $6.50 per note on the related coupon payment date. In example 3, the hypothetical closing value of the worst performing underlying on the valuation date that is also a potential autocall date is less than its coupon barrier value, and as a result investors in the notes would receive a coupon payment of $0.208 per note on the related coupon payment date.
In examples 1 and 4, the hypothetical closing value of the worst performing underlying on the valuation date that is also a potential autocall date is greater than or equal to its initial underlying value, and as a result the notes would be automatically redeemed for redemption on the immediately following coupon payment date for an amount in cash equal to $1,000.00 plus the related coupon payment. In examples 2 and 3, the hypothetical closing value of the worst performing underlying on the valuation date that is also a potential autocall date is less than its initial underlying value, and as a result investors the notes would not be automatically redeemed on the related coupon payment date.
| PS-5 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Summary Risk Factors
An investment in the notes is significantly riskier than an investment in conventional debt securities. The notes are subject to all of the risks associated with an investment in our conventional debt securities (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.), including the risk that we and Citigroup Inc. may default on our obligations under the notes, and are also subject to risks associated with each underlying. Accordingly, the notes are suitable only for investors who are capable of understanding the complexities and risks of the notes. You should consult your own financial, tax and legal advisors as to the risks of an investment in the notes and the suitability of the notes in light of your particular circumstances.
The following is a summary of certain key risk factors for investors in the notes. You should read this summary together with the more detailed description of risks relating to an investment in the notes contained in the section “Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” beginning on page EA-6 in the accompanying product supplement. You should also carefully read the risk factors included in the accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus, including Citigroup Inc.’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which describe risks relating to the business of Citigroup Inc. more generally.
| ▪ | The notes will not pay a coupon at the higher coupon rate stated on the cover of this pricing supplement unless the closing value of the worst performing underlying on the applicable valuation date is greater than or equal to its coupon barrier value. If the closing value of the worst performing underlying on any valuation date is less than its coupon barrier value, the related coupon payment will be made at the lower coupon rate indicated on the cover of this pricing supplement. It is possible that you will receive only the lower coupon rate on each coupon payment date over the entire term of the notes. There is no assurance that the coupon payments you receive on the notes will be as great as you would have received on a conventional debt security of ours of comparable maturity. |
| ▪ | Although the notes provide for the repayment of the stated principal amount at maturity, you may nevertheless suffer a loss on your investment in real value terms if you receive coupon payments made at the lower coupon rate. This is because inflation may cause the real value of the stated principal amount to be less at maturity than it is at the time you invest, and because an investment in the notes represents a forgone opportunity to invest in an alternative asset that does generate a positive real return at a market rate. This potential loss in real value terms is significant given the term of the notes. You should carefully consider whether an investment that may provide a return that is lower than the return on alternative investments is appropriate for you. |
| ▪ | The notes are subject to heightened risk because they have multiple underlyings. The notes are more risky than similar investments that may be available with only one underlying. With multiple underlyings, there is a greater chance that any one underlying will perform poorly, adversely affecting your return on the notes. |
| ▪ | The notes are subject to the risks of each of the underlyings and will be negatively affected if any one underlying performs poorly. You are subject to risks associated with each of the underlyings. If any one underlying performs poorly, you will be negatively affected. The notes are not linked to a basket composed of the underlyings, where the blended performance of the underlyings would be better than the performance of the worst performing underlying alone. Instead, you are subject to the full risks of whichever of the underlyings is the worst performing underlying. |
| ▪ | You will not benefit in any way from the performance of any better performing underlying. The return on the notes depends solely on the performance of the worst performing underlying, and you will not benefit in any way from the performance of any better performing underlying. |
| ▪ | You will be subject to risks relating to the relationship between the underlyings. It is preferable from your perspective for the underlyings to be correlated with each other, in the sense that their closing values tend to increase or decrease at similar times and by similar magnitudes. By investing in the notes, you assume the risk that the underlyings will not exhibit this relationship. The less correlated the underlyings, the more likely it is that any one of the underlyings will perform poorly over the term of the notes. All that is necessary for the notes to perform poorly is for one of the underlyings to perform poorly. It is impossible to predict what the relationship between the underlyings will be over the term of the notes. The underlyings differ in significant ways and, therefore, may not be correlated with each other. |
| ▪ | The notes may be automatically redeemed prior to maturity, limiting your opportunity to receive coupon payments. On any potential autocall date, the notes will be automatically called for redemption if the closing value of the worst performing underlying on that potential autocall date is greater than or equal to its initial underlying value. As a result, if the worst performing underlying performs in a way that would otherwise be favorable, the notes are likely to be automatically redeemed, cutting short your opportunity to receive coupon payments. If the notes are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, you may not be able to reinvest your funds in another investment that provides a similar yield with a similar level of risk. |
| ▪ | The notes do not offer any upside exposure to any underlying. You will not participate in any appreciation in the value of any underlying over the term of the notes. Consequently, your return on the notes will be limited to the coupon payments you receive and may be significantly less than the return on any underlying over the term of the notes. In addition, as an investor in the notes, you will not receive any dividends or other distributions or have any other rights with respect to any of the underlyings. |
| PS-6 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
| ▪ | The performance of the notes will depend on the closing values of the underlyings solely on the valuation dates, which makes the notes particularly sensitive to volatility in the closing values of the underlyings on or near the valuation dates. The rate at which coupon payments will be made for any given coupon payment date and whether the notes will be automatically redeemed prior to maturity will depend on the closing values of the underlyings solely on the applicable valuation dates, regardless of the closing values of the underlyings on other days during the term of the notes. If the notes are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity, what you receive at maturity will depend solely on the closing value of the worst performing underlying on the final valuation date, and not on any other day during the term of the notes. Because the performance of the notes depends on the closing values of the underlyings on a limited number of dates, the notes will be particularly sensitive to volatility in the closing values of the underlyings on or near the valuation dates. You should understand that the closing value of each underlying has historically been highly volatile. |
| ▪ | The notes are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc. If we default on our obligations under the notes and Citigroup Inc. defaults on its guarantee obligations, you may not receive anything owed to you under the notes. |
| ▪ | The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the notes. CGMI currently intends to make a secondary market in relation to the notes and to provide an indicative bid price for the notes on a daily basis. Any indicative bid price for the notes provided by CGMI will be determined in CGMI’s sole discretion, taking into account prevailing market conditions and other relevant factors, and will not be a representation by CGMI that the notes can be sold at that price, or at all. CGMI may suspend or terminate making a market and providing indicative bid prices without notice, at any time and for any reason. If CGMI suspends or terminates making a market, there may be no secondary market at all for the notes because it is likely that CGMI will be the only broker-dealer that is willing to buy your notes prior to maturity. Accordingly, an investor must be prepared to hold the notes until maturity. |
| ▪ | Sale of the notes prior to maturity may result in a loss of principal. You will be entitled to receive at least the full stated principal amount of your notes, subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc., only if you hold the notes to maturity. The value of the notes may fluctuate during the term of the notes, and if you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than the full stated principal amount of your notes. |
| ▪ | The estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, based on CGMI’s proprietary pricing models and our internal funding rate, is less than the issue price. The difference is attributable to certain costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the notes that are included in the issue price. These costs include (i) any selling concessions or other fees paid in connection with the offering of the notes, (ii) hedging and other costs incurred by us and our affiliates in connection with the offering of the notes and (iii) the expected profit (which may be more or less than actual profit) to CGMI or other of our affiliates in connection with hedging our obligations under the notes. These costs adversely affect the economic terms of the notes because, if they were lower, the economic terms of the notes would be more favorable to you. The economic terms of the notes are also likely to be adversely affected by the use of our internal funding rate, rather than our secondary market rate, to price the notes. See “The estimated value of the notes would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate” below. |
| ▪ | The estimated value of the notes was determined for us by our affiliate using proprietary pricing models. CGMI derived the estimated value disclosed on the cover page of this pricing supplement from its proprietary pricing models. In doing so, it may have made discretionary judgments about the inputs to its models, such as the volatility of, and correlation between, the closing values of the underlyings, dividend yields on the underlyings and interest rates. CGMI’s views on these inputs may differ from your or others’ views, and as an underwriter in this offering, CGMI’s interests may conflict with yours. Both the models and the inputs to the models may prove to be wrong and therefore not an accurate reflection of the value of the notes. Moreover, the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement may differ from the value that we or our affiliates may determine for the notes for other purposes, including for accounting purposes. You should not invest in the notes because of the estimated value of the notes. Instead, you should be willing to hold the notes to maturity irrespective of the initial estimated value. |
| ▪ | The estimated value of the notes would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate. The estimated value of the notes included in this pricing supplement is calculated based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate at which we are willing to borrow funds through the issuance of the notes. Our internal funding rate is generally lower than our secondary market rate, which is the rate that CGMI will use in determining the value of the notes for purposes of any purchases of the notes from you in the secondary market. If the estimated value included in this pricing supplement were based on our secondary market rate, rather than our internal funding rate, it would likely be lower. We determine our internal funding rate based on factors such as the costs associated with the notes, which are generally higher than the costs associated with conventional debt securities, and our liquidity needs and preferences. Our internal funding rate is not an interest rate that is payable on the notes. |
Because there is not an active market for traded instruments referencing our outstanding debt obligations, CGMI determines our secondary market rate based on the market price of traded instruments referencing the debt obligations of Citigroup Inc., our parent company and the guarantor of all payments due on the notes, but subject to adjustments that CGMI makes in its sole discretion. As a result, our secondary market rate is not a market-determined measure of our creditworthiness, but rather reflects the market’s perception of our parent company’s creditworthiness as adjusted for discretionary factors such as CGMI’s preferences with respect to purchasing the notes prior to maturity.
| PS-7 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
| ▪ | The estimated value of the notes is not an indication of the price, if any, at which CGMI or any other person may be willing to buy the notes from you in the secondary market. Any such secondary market price will fluctuate over the term of the notes based on the market and other factors described in the next risk factor. Moreover, unlike the estimated value included in this pricing supplement, any value of the notes determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction will be based on our secondary market rate, which will likely result in a lower value for the notes than if our internal funding rate were used. In addition, any secondary market price for the notes will be reduced by a bid-ask spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate stated principal amount of the notes to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding related hedging transactions. As a result, it is likely that any secondary market price for the notes will be less than the issue price. |
| ▪ | The value of the notes prior to maturity will fluctuate based on many unpredictable factors. The value of your notes prior to maturity will fluctuate based on the closing values of the underlyings, the volatility of, and correlation between, the closing values of the underlyings, dividend yields on the underlyings, interest rates generally, the time remaining to maturity and our and Citigroup Inc.’s creditworthiness, as reflected in our secondary market rate, among other factors described under “Risk Factors Relating to the Notes—Risk Factors Relating to All Notes—The value of your notes prior to maturity will fluctuate based on many unpredictable factors” in the accompanying product supplement. Changes in the closing values of the underlyings may not result in a comparable change in the value of your notes. You should understand that the value of your notes at any time prior to maturity may be significantly less than the issue price. |
| ▪ | Immediately following issuance, any secondary market bid price provided by CGMI, and the value that will be indicated on any brokerage account statements prepared by CGMI or its affiliates, will reflect a temporary upward adjustment. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will steadily decline to zero over the temporary adjustment period. See “Valuation of the Notes” in this pricing supplement. |
| ▪ | Our offering of the notes is not a recommendation of any underlying. The fact that we are offering the notes does not mean that we believe that investing in an instrument linked to the underlyings is likely to achieve favorable returns. In fact, as we are part of a global financial institution, our affiliates may have positions (including short positions) in the underlyings or in instruments related to the underlyings, and may publish research or express opinions, that in each case are inconsistent with an investment linked to the underlyings. These and other activities of our affiliates may affect the closing values of the underlyings in a way that negatively affects the value of and your return on the notes. |
| ▪ | The closing value of an underlying may be adversely affected by our or our affiliates’ hedging and other trading activities. We expect to hedge our obligations under the notes through CGMI or other of our affiliates, who may take positions directly in the underlyings or in financial instruments related to the underlyings and may adjust such positions during the term of the notes. Our affiliates also take positions in the underlyings or in financial instruments related to the underlyings on a regular basis (taking long or short positions or both), for their accounts, for other accounts under their management or to facilitate transactions on behalf of customers. These activities could affect the closing values of the underlyings in a way that negatively affects the value of and your return on the notes. They could also result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the notes declines. |
| ▪ | We and our affiliates may have economic interests that are adverse to yours as a result of our affiliates’ business activities. Our affiliates engage in business activities with a wide range of companies. These activities include extending loans, making and facilitating investments, underwriting securities offerings and providing advisory services. These activities could involve or affect the underlyings in a way that negatively affects the value of and your return on the notes. They could also result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the notes declines. In addition, in the course of this business, we or our affiliates may acquire non-public information, which will not be disclosed to you. |
| ▪ | The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations with respect to the notes. If certain events occur during the term of the notes, such as market disruption events and other events with respect to an underlying, CGMI, as calculation agent, will be required to make discretionary judgments that could significantly affect your return on the notes. In making these judgments, the calculation agent’s interests as an affiliate of ours could be adverse to your interests as a holder of the notes. See “Risk Factors Relating to the Notes—Risk Factors Relating to All Notes—The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations with respect to the notes” in the accompanying product supplement. |
| ▪ | Even if an underlying pays a dividend that it identifies as special or extraordinary, no adjustment will be required under the notes for that dividend unless it meets the criteria specified in the accompanying product supplement. In general, an adjustment will not be made under the terms of the notes for any cash dividend paid by an underlying unless the amount of the dividend per share, together with any other dividends paid in the same quarter, exceeds the dividend paid per share in the most recent quarter by an amount equal to at least 10% of the closing value of that underlying on the date of declaration of the dividend. Any dividend will reduce the closing value of the underlying by the amount of the dividend per share. If an underlying pays any dividend for which an adjustment is not made under the terms of the notes, holders of the notes will be adversely affected. See “Description of the Notes—Certain Additional Terms for Notes Linked to an Underlying Company or an Underlying ETF—Dilution and Reorganization Adjustments—Certain Extraordinary Cash Dividends” in the accompanying product supplement. |
| ▪ | The notes will not be adjusted for all events that may have a dilutive effect on or otherwise adversely affect the closing value of an underlying. For example, we will not make any adjustment for ordinary dividends or extraordinary dividends that do not meet the criteria described above, partial tender offers or additional underlying share issuances. Moreover, the adjustments we |
| PS-8 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
do make may not fully offset the dilutive or adverse effect of the particular event. Investors in the notes may be adversely affected by such an event in a circumstance in which a direct holder of the underlying shares of an underlying would not.
| ▪ | The notes may become linked to an underlying other than an original underlying upon the occurrence of a reorganization event or upon the delisting of the underlying shares of that original underlying. For example, if an underlying enters into a merger agreement that provides for holders of its underlying shares to receive shares of another entity and such shares are marketable securities, the closing value of that underlying following consummation of the merger will be based on the value of such other shares. Additionally, if the underlying shares of an underlying are delisted, the calculation agent may select a successor underlying. See “Description of the Notes—Certain Additional Terms for Notes Linked to an Underlying Company or an Underlying ETF” in the accompanying product supplement. |
| ▪ | If the underlying shares of an underlying are delisted, we may call the notes prior to maturity for an amount that may be less than the stated principal amount. If we exercise this call right, you will receive the amount described under “Description of the Notes—Certain Additional Terms for Notes Linked to an Underlying Company or an Underlying ETF—Delisting of an Underlying Company” in the accompanying product supplement. This amount may be less, and possibly significantly less, than the stated principal amount of the notes. |
| PS-9 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Information About Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation develops, manufactures, licenses, sells and supports software products. The company offers operating system software, server application software, business and consumer applications software, software development tools and Internet and intranet software. Microsoft Corporation also develops video game consoles and digital music entertainment devices. The underlying shares of Microsoft Corporation are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by Microsoft Corporation pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-37845 through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding Microsoft Corporation may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. The underlying shares of Microsoft Corporation trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “MSFT.”
We have derived all information regarding Microsoft Corporation from publicly available information and have not independently verified any information regarding Microsoft Corporation. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and not to Microsoft Corporation. We make no representation as to the performance of Microsoft Corporation over the term of the notes.
The notes represent obligations of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.) only. Microsoft Corporation is not involved in any way in this offering and has no obligation relating to the notes or to holders of the notes.
Historical Information
The closing value of Microsoft Corporation on December 20, 2023 was $370.62.
The graph below shows the closing value of Microsoft Corporation for each day such value was available from January 2, 2013 to December 20, 2023. We obtained the closing values from Bloomberg L.P., without independent verification. If certain corporate transactions occurred during the historical period shown below, including, but not limited to, spin-offs or mergers, then the closing values shown below for the period prior to the occurrence of any such transaction have been adjusted by Bloomberg L.P. as if any such transaction had occurred prior to the first day in the period shown below. You should not take historical closing values as an indication of future performance.
| Microsoft Corporation – Historical Closing Values January 2, 2013 to December 20, 2023 |
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| PS-10 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Information About NVIDIA Corporation
NVIDIA Corporation designs, develops and markets three-dimensional (3D) graphics processors and related software. The company offers products that provide interactive 3D graphics to the mainstream personal computer market. The underlying shares of NVIDIA Corporation are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by NVIDIA Corporation pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 000-23985 through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding NVIDIA Corporation may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. The underlying shares of NVIDIA Corporation trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “NVDA.”
We have derived all information regarding NVIDIA Corporation from publicly available information and have not independently verified any information regarding NVIDIA Corporation. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and not to NVIDIA Corporation. We make no representation as to the performance of NVIDIA Corporation over the term of the notes.
The notes represent obligations of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.) only. NVIDIA Corporation is not involved in any way in this offering and has no obligation relating to the notes or to holders of the notes.
Historical Information
The closing value of NVIDIA Corporation on December 20, 2023 was $481.11.
The graph below shows the closing value of NVIDIA Corporation for each day such value was available from January 2, 2013 to December 20, 2023. We obtained the closing values from Bloomberg L.P., without independent verification. If certain corporate transactions occurred during the historical period shown below, including, but not limited to, spin-offs or mergers, then the closing values shown below for the period prior to the occurrence of any such transaction have been adjusted by Bloomberg L.P. as if any such transaction had occurred prior to the first day in the period shown below. You should not take historical closing values as an indication of future performance.
| NVIDIA Corporation – Historical Closing Values January 2, 2013 to December 20, 2023 |
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| PS-11 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Information About Tesla, Inc.
Tesla, Inc. designs, manufactures and sells electric vehicles and energy generation and storage systems, and offers services related to its sustainable energy products. The underlying shares of Tesla, Inc. are registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by Tesla, Inc. pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-34756 through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding Tesla, Inc. may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents. The underlying shares of Tesla, Inc. trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “TSLA.”
We have derived all information regarding Tesla, Inc. from publicly available information and have not independently verified any information regarding Tesla, Inc. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and not to Tesla, Inc. We make no representation as to the performance of Tesla, Inc. over the term of the notes.
The notes represent obligations of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. (guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.) only. Tesla, Inc. is not involved in any way in this offering and has no obligation relating to the notes or to holders of the notes.
Historical Information
The closing value of Tesla, Inc. on December 20, 2023 was $247.14.
The graph below shows the closing value of Tesla, Inc. for each day such value was available from January 2, 2013 to December 20, 2023. We obtained the closing values from Bloomberg L.P., without independent verification. If certain corporate transactions occurred during the historical period shown below, including, but not limited to, spin-offs or mergers, then the closing values shown below for the period prior to the occurrence of any such transaction have been adjusted by Bloomberg L.P. as if any such transaction had occurred prior to the first day in the period shown below. You should not take historical closing values as an indication of future performance.
| Tesla, Inc. – Historical Closing Values January 2, 2013 to December 20, 2023 |
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| PS-12 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
United States Federal Tax Considerations
In the opinion of our tax counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, the notes will be treated as debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Based on market conditions as of the pricing date, the notes will be treated either as "variable rate debt instruments" or "contingent payment debt instruments" for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Final Pricing Supplement will give further information as to which treatment applies to the notes.
If the notes are treated as variable rate debt instruments, stated interest on the notes will be taxable to a U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) as ordinary interest income at the time it accrues or is received in accordance with the holder’s method of tax accounting. Upon the sale or other taxable disposition of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition (other than any amount attributable to accrued interest, which will be treated as a payment of interest) and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note will generally equal the purchase price paid to acquire the note. Such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the note for more than one year at the time of disposition.
If the notes are treated as contingent payment debt instruments, (i) a U.S. Holder will be required to recognize interest income based on our “comparable yield” for a similar non-contingent debt instrument and a “projected payment schedule” in respect of the notes, adjusted each year to take account for the difference between the actual and the projected payments in that year, and (ii) gain with respect to a note will be treated as ordinary income.
Non-U.S. Holders. Subject to the discussions below regarding Section 871(m) and in “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” and “—FATCA” in the accompanying product supplement, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the notes, under current law you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax in respect of payments on or amounts received on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of the notes, provided that (i) income in respect of the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and (ii) you comply with the applicable certification requirements. See “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” in the accompanying product supplement for a more detailed discussion of the rules applicable to Non-U.S. Holders of the notes.
As discussed under “United States Federal Tax Considerations—Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders” in the accompanying product supplement, Section 871(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to Non-U.S. Holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities (“Underlying Securities”) or indices that include Underlying Securities. Section 871(m) generally applies to instruments that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more Underlying Securities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations. However, the regulations, as modified by an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) notice, exempt financial instruments issued prior to January 1, 2025 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on the terms of the notes and representations provided by us as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, our tax counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be treated as transactions that have a “delta” of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any Underlying Security and, therefore, should not be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m). However, the final determination regarding the treatment of the notes under Section 871(m) will be made as of the pricing date for the notes, and it is possible that the notes will be subject to withholding under Section 871(m) based on the circumstances as of that date.
A determination that the notes are not subject to Section 871(m) is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this treatment. Moreover, Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances, including your other transactions. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the notes.
If withholding tax applies to the notes, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.
You should read the section entitled “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement. The preceding discussion, when read in combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of owning and disposing of the notes.
You should also consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the notes and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
| PS-13 |
| Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. |
Supplemental Plan of Distribution
CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and the underwriter of the sale of the notes, is acting as principal and will receive an underwriting fee of $36.00 for each note sold in this offering. From this underwriting fee, CGMI will pay selected dealers not affiliated with CGMI a fixed selling concession of $36.00 for each note they sell. For the avoidance of doubt, any fees or selling concessions described in this pricing supplement will not be rebated if the notes are automatically redeemed prior to maturity.
See “Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” in the accompanying product supplement and “Plan of Distribution” in each of the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus for additional information.
Valuation of the Notes
CGMI calculated the estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement based on proprietary pricing models. CGMI’s proprietary pricing models generated an estimated value for the notes by estimating the value of a hypothetical package of financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the notes, which consists of a fixed-income bond (the “bond component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying the economic terms of the notes (the “derivative component”). CGMI calculated the estimated value of the bond component using a discount rate based on our internal funding rate. CGMI calculated the estimated value of the derivative component based on a proprietary derivative-pricing model, which generated a theoretical price for the instruments that constitute the derivative component based on various inputs, including the factors described under “Summary Risk Factors—The value of the notes prior to maturity will fluctuate based on many unpredictable factors” in this pricing supplement, but not including our or Citigroup Inc.’s creditworthiness. These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by CGMI in its discretionary judgment.
The estimated value of the notes is a function of the terms of the notes and the inputs to CGMI’s proprietary pricing models. As of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, it is uncertain what the estimated value of the notes will be on the pricing date because certain terms of the notes have not yet been fixed and because it is uncertain what the values of the inputs to CGMI’s proprietary pricing models will be on the pricing date.
For a period of approximately four months following issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which CGMI would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that will be indicated for the notes on any brokerage account statements prepared by CGMI or its affiliates (which value CGMI may also publish through one or more financial information vendors), will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from the price or value that would otherwise be determined. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of the hedging profit expected to be realized by CGMI or its affiliates over the term of the notes. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the four-month temporary adjustment period. However, CGMI is not obligated to buy the notes from investors at any time. See “Summary Risk Factors—The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity.”
Contact
Clients may contact their local brokerage representative. Third-party distributors may contact Citi Structured Investment Sales at (212) 723-7005.
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| PS-14 |