Quote from daddyeaux:
anyone have a level headed analysis of what C is worth chopped up and Level 1, 2, 3 debt written down to zero??
Look, the case of C right now is all about the book value of the company and the reasonable multiple to attach. Back of envelope calculations can start to be made upon some assumptions.
The devil you know is much better than the one you don't. It's all about the overall performance of the SIV from here out now as well as the turn around plans from Pandit.
51M of the 49B is subprime. That is minimal, just take that 51M down to 0. Now you have to deal with the rest of the 48.95B. Now the question is how much of that is going to default or deteriorate in quality? That is a big unknown, but it isn't going to go to 0. So take that down to .50 on the $1. Now you have about 25B in assets that are currently performing. So now what is C worth on a book value basis? Well take 150B market cap and reduce it by the adjusted SIV value through rough reverse calculations on current book and shares, and I come out around where the stock is currently trading, a little less (around 28-29 level).
So, the street has taken it down to that level and Abu Dhabi stepped in with resources. That wasn't any arbitrary level in which to invest. That was C opening their books to a certain extent and divulging the trash for some cash.
Now the big question is about the plans from here out. That is what Pandit addressed a little of. He basically stated that they're going to cut (layoff) and look as divesting assets (spin out/break up).
So C right now is trading about 1.20 price to book. I'll take it. They can always cut the dividend to raise cash, but not necessary. They're going to cut the bloat and raise cash through cost cutting.
So the question is, do you like C at close to book? It will only trade below book if dividend gets cut, and even then it's not going to stay there long. The home builders are barely trading below their book currently and I don't see too many houses going to get built in the next 3 quarters.
It's all about Pandit right now and his plans. Personally I kinda like the guy. Does he have the extensive experience in commercial banking? No, but he does have the investment banking/money management background and that's the growth segments of the business. He also stated he's got experience in the oversees markets and that's where C is best positioned.
Just some thoughts over a cup of coffee, but to think C is going significantly lower is a stretch in my opinion. fundamentals indicate otherwise.
Good Luck!