The information in this preliminary
pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, underlying
supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, nor are they soliciting an offer to
buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED
NOVEMBER 15, 2017
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
November
-----
,
2017
Medium-Term Senior
Notes, Series N
Pricing Supplement
No. 2017—USNCH0837
Filed Pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(2)
|
Registration Statement Nos. 333-216372 and 333-216372-01
|
PLUS Based on
the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged
Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
Overview
|
▪
|
The securities offered by this pricing supplement are unsecured debt securities issued by Citigroup Global Markets Holdings
Inc. and guaranteed by Citigroup Inc. Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not pay interest and do not repay
a fixed amount of principal at maturity. Instead, the securities offer a payment at maturity that may be greater than, equal to
or less than the stated principal amount, depending on the performance of the Russell 2000
®
Index (the “underlying
index”) from the initial index level to the final index level.
|
|
▪
|
The securities offer leveraged exposure to a limited range of potential appreciation of the underlying index as described below.
In exchange for that feature, investors in the securities must be willing to forgo (i) any appreciation of the underlying index
in excess of the maximum return at maturity specified below and (ii) any dividends that may be paid on the stocks that constitute
the underlying index. In addition, investors in the securities must be willing to accept full downside exposure to any depreciation
of the underlying index.
If the final index level is less than the initial index level, you will lose 1% of the stated principal
amount of your securities for every 1% of that decline. There is no minimum payment at maturity.
|
|
▪
|
In order to obtain the modified exposure to the underlying index that the securities provide, 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 securities
if we and Citigroup Inc. default on our obligations.
All payments on the securities 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 securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Citigroup Inc.
|
Underlying index:
|
The Russell 2000
®
Index (ticker symbol: “RTY”)
|
Aggregate stated principal amount:
|
$
|
Stated principal amount:
|
$10.00 per security
|
Pricing date:
|
November , 2017 (expected to be November 30, 2017)
|
Issue date:
|
December , 2017 (three business days after the pricing date). See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” in this pricing supplement for additional information
|
Valuation date:
|
February , 2019 (expected to be February 28, 2019), subject to postponement if such date is not a scheduled trading day or if certain market disruption events occur
|
Maturity date:
|
March , 2019 (expected to be March 5, 2019)
|
Payment at maturity:
|
For each $10.00 stated principal amount security you
hold at maturity:
▪
If the final index level is
greater than
the initial index level:
$10.00 + the leveraged return amount, subject to the maximum return at maturity
▪
If the final index level is
less than
or
equal to
the initial index level:
$10.00 × the index performance factor
If the final index level is less than the initial
index level, your payment at maturity will be less, and possibly significantly less, than the $10.00 stated principal amount per
security. You should not invest in the securities unless you are willing and able to bear the risk of losing a significant portion
of your investment.
|
Initial index level:
|
, the closing level of the underlying index on the pricing date
|
Final index level:
|
The closing level of the underlying index on the valuation date
|
Index performance factor:
|
The final index level
divided by
the initial index level
|
Index percent increase:
|
The final index level
minus
the initial index level,
divided by
the initial index level
|
Leveraged return amount:
|
$10.00 × the index percent increase × the leverage factor
|
Leverage factor:
|
300.00%
|
Maximum return at maturity:
|
The maximum return at maturity will be determined on the pricing date and will be at least $1.465 per security (14.65% of the stated principal amount). The payment at maturity per security will not exceed $10.00
plus
the maximum return at maturity.
|
Listing:
|
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange
|
CUSIP / ISIN:
|
17326E456 / US17326E4567
|
Underwriter:
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”), an affiliate of the issuer, acting as principal
|
Underwriting fee and issue price:
|
Issue price
(1)(2)
|
Underwriting fee
|
Proceeds to issuer
|
Per security:
|
$10.00
|
$0.175
(2)
|
$9.775
|
|
|
$0.05
(3)
|
|
Total:
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(1)
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. currently expects that the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be
at least $9.300 per security, which will be less than the issue price. The estimated value of the securities 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 securities from you
at any time after issuance. See “Valuation of the Securities” in this pricing supplement.
(2) CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings
Inc. and the underwriter of the sale of the securities, is acting as principal and will receive an underwriting fee of $0.225
for each $10.00 security sold in this offering. Certain selected dealers, including Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and their
financial advisors will collectively receive from CGMI a fixed selling concession of $0.175 for each $10.00 security they sell.
Additionally, it is possible that CGMI and its affiliates may profit from expected hedging activity related to this offering,
even if the value of the securities declines. See “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus.
(3) Reflects a structuring fee payable to Morgan Stanley Wealth
Management by CGMI of $0.05 for each security.
Investing in the securities involves risks not associated
with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Summary Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-4.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or determined that this
pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, underlying supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is truthful
or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
You should read this pricing supplement
together with the accompanying product supplement, underlying supplement,
prospectus supplement and prospectus, each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below:
Product Supplement No. EA-02-06 dated April 7, 2017
Underlying Supplement No. 6 dated April 7, 2017
Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus each dated April 7, 2017
The securities are not bank deposits and
are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or
guaranteed by, a bank.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
Additional
Information
The terms of the securities 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, certain events may occur that could affect your payment at maturity. These events and their consequences are described
in the accompanying product supplement in the sections “Description of the Securities—Certain Additional Terms for
Securities Linked to an Underlying Index—Consequences of a Market Disruption Event; Postponement of a Valuation Date”
and “—Discontinuance or Material Modification of an Underlying Index,” and not in this pricing supplement. The
accompanying underlying supplement contains important disclosures regarding the underlying index that are not repeated in this
pricing supplement. It is important that you read the accompanying product supplement, underlying supplement, prospectus supplement
and prospectus together with this pricing supplement before deciding whether to invest in the securities. Certain terms used but
not defined in this pricing supplement are defined in the accompanying product supplement.
Investment
Summary
The securities can be used:
|
▪
|
As an alternative to direct exposure to the underlying index that enhances returns, subject to the maximum return at maturity,
for a limited range of potential appreciation of the underlying index;
|
|
▪
|
To enhance returns and potentially outperform the underlying index in a moderately bullish scenario; and
|
|
▪
|
To achieve similar levels of upside exposure to the underlying index as a direct investment, subject to the maximum return
at maturity, while using fewer dollars by taking advantage of the leverage factor.
|
If the final index level is less than the initial index level,
the securities are exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to the percentage of that decline. Accordingly, investors may lose their entire initial
investment in the securities.
Maturity:
|
Approximately 15 months
|
Leverage
factor:
|
300.00%, subject to the maximum return at maturity. The leverage factor applies only if the final index level is greater than the initial index level.
|
Maximum
return at maturity:
|
At least $1.465 per security (14.65% of the stated principal amount), to be determined on the pricing date
|
Minimum
payment at maturity:
|
None. Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the securities.
|
Interest:
|
None
|
Key Investment
Rationale
The securities provide for the possibility of receiving a return
at maturity equal to 300.00% of the appreciation of the underlying index,
provided
that investors will not receive a payment
at maturity in excess of the maximum payment at maturity, which will be at least $11.465 per security (to be determined on the
pricing date). At maturity, if the underlying index has
appreciated
in value, investors will receive the stated principal
amount of their investment plus the leveraged upside performance of the underlying index, subject to the maximum return at maturity.
However, if the underlying index has
depreciated
in value, investors will lose 1% for every 1% decline in the level of the
underlying index from the initial index level. Under these circumstances, the payment at maturity will be less than the stated
principal amount and could be zero.
Investors may lose their entire initial investment in the securities.
All payments on
the securities are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc.
Leveraged
Upside Performance:
|
The securities offer investors an opportunity to capture enhanced returns relative to a direct investment in the underlying index within a limited range of positive performance.
|
Upside
Scenario:
|
If the final index level is
greater than
the initial index level, the payment at maturity for each security will be equal to the $10.00 stated principal amount
plus
the leveraged return amount, subject to the maximum return at maturity of at least $1.465 per security (at least 14.65% of the stated principal amount). For example, if the final index level is 3% greater than the initial index level, the securities will provide a total return of 9% at maturity.
|
Downside
Scenario:
|
If the final index level is
less than
the initial index level, you will lose 1% for every 1% decline in the value of the underlying index from the initial index level and the payment at maturity will be less than the stated principal amount. For example, if the final index level is 30% less than the initial index level, you will receive a payment at maturity of $7.00 per security, or 70% of the stated principal amount. There is no minimum payment at maturity on the securities, and investors may lose their entire initial investment.
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
Hypothetical
Examples
The diagram below illustrates your payment at maturity for a
range of hypothetical percentage changes from the initial index level to the final index level. The diagram and examples below
are based on a hypothetical maximum return at maturity of 14.65%.
Investors in the securities will not receive any dividends
on the stocks that constitute the underlying index. The diagram and examples below do not show any effect of lost dividend yield
over the term of the securities.
See “Summary Risk Factors—Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing
in the underlying index or the stocks that constitute the underlying index” below.
PLUS
Payment at Maturity Diagram
|
|
n
The Securities
|
n
The Underlying Index
|
Your actual payment at maturity per security will depend on the
actual maximum return at maturity, which will be determined on the pricing date, the actual initial index level and the actual
final index level. The examples below are intended to illustrate how your payment at maturity will depend on whether the final
index level is greater than or less than the initial index level and by how much. The examples are based on a hypothetical initial
index level of 1,475.000.
Example 1—Upside Scenario A.
The hypothetical final
index level is 1,519.250 (an approximately 3.00% increase from the hypothetical initial index level), which is
greater than
the hypothetical initial index level.
Payment at maturity per security = $10 + the leveraged return
amount, subject to the hypothetical maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
= $10 + ($10 × the index percent increase × the leverage
factor), subject to the hypothetical maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
= $10 + ($10 × 3.00% × 300.00%), subject to the hypothetical
maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
= $10 + $0.90, subject to the hypothetical maximum return at
maturity of $1.465 per security
= $10.90
Because the underlying index appreciated from the hypothetical
initial index level to the hypothetical final index level and the leveraged return amount of $0.90 per security results in a total
return at maturity of 9.00%, which is less than the hypothetical maximum return at maturity of 14.65%, your payment at maturity
in this scenario would be equal to the $10 stated principal amount per security
plus
the leveraged return amount, or $10.90
per security.
Example 2—Upside Scenario B.
The hypothetical final
index level is 1,770.000 (an approximately 20.00% increase from the hypothetical initial index level), which is
greater than
the hypothetical initial index level.
Payment at maturity per security = $10 + the leveraged return
amount, subject to the hypothetical maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
= $10 + ($10 × the index percent increase × the leverage
factor), subject to the hypothetical maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
= $10 + ($10 × 20.00% × 300.00%), subject to the
hypothetical maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
= $10 + $6.00, subject to the hypothetical maximum return at
maturity of $1.465 per security
= $11.465
Because the underlying index appreciated from the hypothetical
initial index level to the hypothetical final index level and the leveraged return amount of $6.00 per security would result in
a total return at maturity of 60.00%, which is greater than the hypothetical maximum return at maturity of 14.65%, your payment
at maturity in this scenario would equal the hypothetical maximum payment at maturity of $11.465 per security. In this scenario,
an investment in the securities would underperform a hypothetical alternative investment providing 1-to-1 exposure to the appreciation
of the underlying index without a maximum return.
Example 3—Downside Scenario.
The hypothetical final
index level is 442.500 (an approximately 70.00% decrease from the hypothetical initial index level), which is
less than
the hypothetical initial index level.
Payment at maturity per security = $10 × the index performance
factor
= $10 × 30.00%
= $3.00
Because the underlying index depreciated from the hypothetical
initial index level to the hypothetical final index level, your payment at maturity in this scenario would reflect 1-to-1 exposure
to the negative performance of the underlying index.
Summary Risk
Factors
An investment in the securities is significantly riskier than
an investment in conventional debt securities. The securities are subject to all of the risks associated with an investment in
our conventional debt securities that are guaranteed by Citigroup Inc., including the risk that we and Citigroup Inc. may default
on our obligations under the securities, and are also subject to risks associated with the underlying index. Accordingly, the securities
are suitable only for investors who are capable of understanding the complexities and risks of the securities. You should consult
your own financial, tax and legal advisors as to the risks of an investment in the securities and the suitability of the securities
in light of your particular circumstances.
The following is a summary of certain key risk factors for investors
in the securities. You should read this summary together with the more detailed description of risks relating to an investment
in the securities contained in the section “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities” 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.
|
▪
|
You may lose some or all of your investment.
Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not repay a fixed
amount of principal at maturity. Instead, your payment at maturity will depend on the performance of the underlying index. If the
final index level is less than the initial index level, you will lose 1% of the stated principal amount of the securities for every
1% by which the final index level is less than the initial index level. There is no minimum payment at maturity on the securities,
and you could lose your entire investment.
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
|
▪
|
The securities do not pay interest.
Unlike conventional debt securities, the securities do not pay interest or any other
amounts prior to maturity. You should not invest in the securities if you seek current income during the term of the securities.
|
|
▪
|
Your potential return on the securities is limited.
Your potential total return on the securities at maturity is limited
to the maximum return at maturity of at least 14.65%, which is equivalent to a maximum return at maturity of $1.465 per security
and would result in a maximum payment at maturity of $11.465 per security. The actual maximum return at maturity will be determined
on the pricing date. Taking into account the leverage factor and assuming a maximum return at maturity of 14.65%, any increase
in the final index level over the initial index level by more than approximately 4.88% will not increase your return on the securities
and will progressively reduce the effective amount of leverage provided by the securities.
|
|
▪
|
Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the underlying index or the stocks that constitute the underlying
index.
You will not have voting rights, rights to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect
to the stocks that constitute the underlying index. As of November 13, 2017, the average dividend yield of the underlying index
was approximately 1.36% per year. While it is impossible to know the future dividend yield of the underlying index, if this average
dividend yield were to remain constant for the term of the securities, you would be forgoing an aggregate yield of approximately
1.70% (assuming no reinvestment of dividends) by investing in the securities instead of investing directly in the stocks that constitute
the underlying index or in another investment linked to the underlying index that provides for a pass-through of dividends. The
payment scenarios described in this pricing supplement do not show any effect of lost dividend yield over the term of the securities.
|
|
▪
|
Your payment at maturity depends on the closing level of the underlying index on a single day.
Because your payment
at maturity depends on the closing level of the underlying index solely on the valuation date, you are subject to the risk that
the closing level of the underlying index on that day may be lower, and possibly significantly lower, than on one or more other
dates during the term of the securities. If you had invested in another instrument linked to the underlying index that you could
sell for full value at a time selected by you, or if the payment at maturity were based on an average of closing levels of the
underlying index, you might have achieved better returns.
|
|
▪
|
The securities are subject to the credit risk of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc. and Citigroup Inc.
If we default
on our obligations under the securities and Citigroup Inc. defaults on its guarantee obligations, you may not receive anything
owed to you under the securities.
|
|
▪
|
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be able to sell them prior to maturity.
The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Therefore, there may be little or no secondary market for the securities.
CGMI currently intends to make a secondary market in relation to the securities and to provide an indicative bid price for the
securities on a daily basis. Any indicative bid price for the securities 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 securities 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 securities because it is likely that CGMI will be the only broker-dealer that is willing to buy your securities
prior to maturity. Accordingly, an investor must be prepared to hold the securities until maturity.
|
|
▪
|
The estimated value of the securities on the pricing date, based on CGMI’s proprietary pricing models and our internal
funding rate, will be less than the issue price.
The difference is attributable to certain costs associated with selling, structuring
and hedging the securities that are included in the issue price. These costs include (i) the selling concessions and structuring
fees paid in connection with the offering of the securities, (ii) hedging and other costs incurred by us and our affiliates in
connection with the offering of the securities 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 securities. These costs adversely affect the
economic terms of the securities because, if they were lower, the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you.
The economic terms of the securities are also likely to be adversely affected by the use of our internal funding rate, rather than
our secondary market rate, to price the securities. See “The estimated value of the securities would be lower if it were
calculated based on our secondary market rate” below.
|
|
▪
|
The estimated value of the securities 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 the underlying index, dividend
yields on the stocks that constitute the underlying index 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 securities. Moreover,
the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement may differ from the value that we
or our affiliates may determine for the securities for other purposes, including for accounting purposes. You should not invest
in the securities because
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
of the estimated value of the securities.
Instead, you should be willing to hold the securities to maturity irrespective of the initial estimated value.
|
▪
|
The estimated value of the securities would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate.
The estimated
value of the securities 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 securities. 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 securities for purposes of any
purchases of the securities 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 securities, 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 we
will pay to investors in the securities, which do not bear interest.
|
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 securities, 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 securities
prior to maturity.
|
▪
|
The estimated value of the securities is not an indication of the price, if any, at which CGMI or any other person may be
willing to buy the securities from you in the secondary market.
Any such secondary market price will fluctuate over the term
of the securities 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 securities 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 securities than if our internal funding
rate were used. In addition, any secondary market price for the securities will be reduced by a bid-ask spread, which may vary
depending on the aggregate stated principal amount of the securities 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 securities
will be less than the issue price.
|
|
▪
|
The value of the securities prior to maturity will fluctuate based on many unpredictable factors.
The value of your
securities prior to maturity will fluctuate based on the level and volatility of the underlying index and a number of other factors,
including the price and volatility of the stocks that constitute the underlying index, the dividend yields on the stocks that constitute
the underlying index, interest rates generally, the time remaining to maturity and our and/or Citigroup Inc.’s creditworthiness,
as reflected in our secondary market rate. Changes in the level of the underlying index may not result in a comparable change in
the value of your securities. You should understand that the value of your securities 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 Securities” in this pricing supplement.
|
|
▪
|
The securities will be subject to risks associated with small capitalization stocks.
The stocks that constitute the
underlying index are issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization. The stock prices of smaller companies may
be more volatile than stock prices of large capitalization companies. These companies tend to be less well-established than large
market capitalization companies. Small capitalization companies may be less able to withstand adverse economic, market, trade and
competitive conditions relative to larger companies. Small capitalization companies are less likely to pay dividends on their stocks,
and the presence of a dividend payment could be a factor that limits downward stock price pressure under adverse market conditions.
|
|
▪
|
Our offering of the securities does not constitute a recommendation of the underlying index.
The fact that we are offering
the securities does not mean that we believe that investing in an instrument linked to the underlying index 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 stocks that constitute the underlying index or in instruments related to the underlying index or such stocks,
and may publish research or express opinions, that in each case are inconsistent with an investment linked to the underlying index.
These and other activities of our affiliates may affect the level of the underlying index in a way that has a negative impact on
your interests as a holder of the securities.
|
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
|
▪
|
The level of the underlying index may be adversely affected by our or our affiliates’ hedging and other trading activities.
We expect to hedge our obligations under the securities through CGMI or other of our affiliates, who may take positions directly
in the stocks that constitute the underlying index and other financial instruments related to the underlying index or such stocks
and may adjust such positions during the term of the securities. Our affiliates also trade the stocks that constitute the underlying
index and other financial instruments related to the underlying index or such stocks 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 level of the underlying index in a way that negatively affects the value of the securities. They could
also result in substantial returns for us or our affiliates while the value of the securities declines.
|
|
▪
|
We and our affiliates may have economic interests that are adverse to yours as a result of our affiliates’ business
activities.
Our affiliates may currently or from time to time engage in business with the issuers of the stocks that constitute
the underlying index, including extending loans to, making equity investments in or providing advisory services to such issuers.
In the course of this business, we or our affiliates may acquire non-public information about such issuers, which we will not disclose
to you. Moreover, if any of our affiliates is or becomes a creditor of any such issuer, they may exercise any remedies against
such issuer that are available to them without regard to your interests.
|
|
▪
|
The calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours, will make important determinations with respect to the securities.
If certain events occur, such as market disruption events or the discontinuance of the underlying index, CGMI, as calculation agent,
will be required to make discretionary judgments that could significantly affect your payment at maturity. 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 securities.
|
|
▪
|
Adjustments to the underlying index may affect the value of your securities.
Russell Investment Group (the “underlying
index publisher”) may add, delete or substitute the stocks that constitute the underlying index or make other methodological
changes that could affect the level of the underlying index. The underlying index publisher may discontinue or suspend calculation
or publication of the underlying index at any time without regard to your interests as holders of the securities.
|
|
▪
|
The U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities are unclear.
There is no direct legal authority
regarding the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service (the “IRS”). Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, and the
IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment of the securities as prepaid forward contracts. If the IRS were successful in
asserting an alternative treatment of the securities, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities might
be materially and adversely affected. As described below under “United States Federal Tax Considerations,” in 2007
the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income
tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated
after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities,
including the character and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. persons should
be subject to withholding tax, possibly with retroactive effect.
|
In addition, Section 871(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), imposes a withholding tax of up to 30% on “dividend equivalents”
paid or deemed paid to non-U.S. investors in respect of certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities. In light of IRS
regulations providing a general exemption for financial instruments issued in 2017 that do not have a “delta” of one,
as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement the securities should not be subject to withholding under Section 871(m).
However, information about the application of Section 871(m) to the securities will be updated in the final pricing supplement.
Moreover, the IRS could challenge a conclusion that the securities should not be subject to withholding under Section 871(m). If
withholding applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.
You should read carefully the discussion under “United
States Federal Tax Considerations” and “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities” in the accompanying product
supplement and “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement. You should also consult your
tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities, as well as tax consequences arising
under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
Information
About the Underlying Index
The Russell 2000
®
Index is designed to track the
performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. All stocks included in the Russell 2000
®
Index are traded on a major U.S. exchange. It is calculated and maintained by Russell Investments, a subsidiary of Russell Investment
Group. The Russell 2000
®
Index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “RTY.”
“Russell 2000
®
Index” is a trademark
of Russell Investment Group and has been licensed for use by Citigroup Inc. and its affiliates. For more information, see “Equity
Index Descriptions—The Russell Indices—License Agreement” in the accompanying underlying supplement.
Please refer to the sections “Risk Factors” and “Equity
Index Descriptions—The Russell Indices—The Russell 2000
®
Index” in the accompanying underlying
supplement for important disclosures regarding the Russell 2000
®
Index, including certain risks that are associated
with an investment linked to the Russell 2000
®
Index.
Historical Information
The closing level of the underlying index on November 13, 2017
was 1,475.068.
The graph below shows the closing levels of the underlying index
for each day such level was available from January 3, 2012 to November 13, 2017. We obtained the closing levels from Bloomberg
L.P., without independent verification. You should not take the historical levels of the underlying index as an indication of future
performance.
Russell 2000
®
Index – Historical Closing Levels
January 3, 2012 to November 13, 2017
|
|
United States
Federal Tax Considerations
You should read carefully the discussion under “United
States Federal Tax Considerations” and “Risk Factors Relating to the Securities” in the accompanying product
supplement and “Summary Risk Factors” in this pricing supplement.
In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP,
which is based on current market conditions, a security should be treated as a prepaid forward contract for U.S. federal income
tax purposes. By purchasing a security, you agree (in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the
contrary) to this treatment. There is uncertainty regarding this treatment, and the IRS or a court might not agree with it.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
Assuming this treatment of the securities is respected and subject
to the discussion in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, the following
U.S. federal income tax consequences should result under current law:
|
·
|
You should not recognize taxable income over the term of the securities prior to maturity, other than pursuant to a sale or
exchange.
|
|
·
|
Upon a sale or exchange of a security (including retirement at maturity), you should recognize capital gain or loss equal to
the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the security. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain
or loss if you held the security for more than one year.
|
Subject to the discussions below under “Possible Withholding
Under Section 871(m) of the Code” and in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product
supplement, if you are a Non-U.S. Holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the securities, you generally should
not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax in respect of any amount paid to you with respect to the securities, provided
that (i) income in respect of the securities 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.
In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a
notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments.
The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment.
It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments;
whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded
status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; the degree, if any, to
which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether
these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” regime, which very generally can operate
to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge. While the notice requests comments
on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration
of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including the character
and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. persons should be subject to withholding
tax, possibly with retroactive effect.
Possible Withholding Under Section 871(m) of the Code.
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 Code 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 (“U.S. Underlying Equities”) or indices that include U.S. Underlying Equities.
Section 871(m) generally applies to instruments that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more U.S. Underlying
Equities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “Specified Security”). However,
the regulations exempt financial instruments issued in 2017 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on the terms of
the securities and representations provided by us, our counsel is of the opinion that the securities should not be treated as transactions
that have a “delta” of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any U.S. Underlying Equity and, therefore,
should not be Specified Securities subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m).
A determination that the securities 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. For example, if you enter into other transactions relating to a U.S. Underlying Equity,
you could be subject to withholding tax or income tax liability under Section 871(m) even if the securities are not Specified Securities
subject to Section 871(m) as a general matter. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section
871(m) to the securities.
This information is indicative and will be updated in the final
pricing supplement or may otherwise be updated by us in writing from time to time. Non-U.S. Holders should be warned that Section
871(m) may apply to the securities based on circumstances as of the pricing date for the securities and, therefore, it is possible
that the securities will be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m).
If withholding tax applies to the securities, 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 securities.
You should also consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects
of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities and any tax consequences arising under
the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
Supplemental
Plan of Distribution
CGMI, an affiliate of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
and the underwriter of the sale of the securities, is acting as principal and will receive an underwriting fee of $0.225 for each
$10.00 security sold in this offering. From this underwriting fee, CGMI will pay selected dealers not affiliated with CGMI, including
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and their financial advisors collectively a fixed selling concession of $0.175 for each $10.00
security they sell. In addition, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management will receive a structuring fee of $0.05 for each security they
sell.
CGMI is an affiliate of ours. Accordingly, this offering will
conform with the requirements addressing conflicts of interest when distributing the securities of an affiliate set forth in Rule
5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Client accounts over which Citigroup Inc. or its subsidiaries have investment
discretion will not be permitted to purchase the securities, either directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of
the client.
Secondary market sales of securities typically settle two business
days after the date on which the parties agree to the sale. Because the issue date for the notes is more than two business days
after the pricing date, investors who wish to sell the notes at any time prior to the second business day preceding the issue date
will be required to specify an alternative settlement date for the secondary market sale to prevent a failed settlement. Investors
should consult their own investment advisers in this regard.
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.
A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities
will be used to hedge our obligations under the securities. We expect to hedge our obligations under the securities through CGMI
or other of our affiliates. CGMI or such other of our affiliates may profit from this expected hedging activity even if the value
of the securities declines. This hedging activity could affect the closing level of the underlying index and, therefore, the value
of and your return on the securities. For additional information on the ways in which our counterparties may hedge our obligations
under the securities, see “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” in the accompanying prospectus.
Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors
The securities may not be offered, sold or otherwise made available
to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision:
|
(a)
|
the expression “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of the following:
|
|
(i)
|
a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or
|
|
(ii)
|
a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined
in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or
|
|
(iii)
|
not a qualified investor as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC; and
|
|
(b)
|
the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the
terms of the offer and the securities offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the securities.
|
Valuation of
the Securities
CGMI calculated the estimated value of the securities 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 securities by estimating the value of a hypothetical package of financial instruments that would replicate
the payout on the securities, which consists of a fixed-income bond (the “bond component”) and one or more derivative
instruments underlying the economic terms of the securities (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 securities 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 securities is a function of the terms
of the securities 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 securities will be on the pricing date because certain terms of the securities
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 three months following issuance
of the securities, the price, if any, at which CGMI would be willing to buy the securities from investors, and the value that will
be indicated for the securities on any brokerage account statements prepared by
Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.
|
PLUS Based on the Russell 2000
®
Index Due March
-----
, 2019
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
Principal at Risk Securities
|
|
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 securities. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line
basis over the three-month temporary adjustment period. However, CGMI is not obligated to buy the securities from investors at
any time. See “Summary Risk Factors—The securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and you may not be
able to sell them prior to maturity.”
Contact
Clients of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management may contact their
local Morgan Stanley branch office or the Morgan Stanley principal executive offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036
(telephone number (212) 762-9666). All other clients may contact their local brokerage representative.
Performance Leveraged Upside Securities
SM
and PLUS
SM
are service marks of Morgan Stanley, used under license.
© 2017 Citigroup Global Markets Inc. All rights reserved.
Citi and Citi and Arc Design are trademarks and service marks of Citigroup Inc. or its affiliates and are used and registered throughout
the world.
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