Citigroup shortlists buyers for Japan Nikko Asset-media

TOKYO May 9 (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc (C.N) has shortlisted several firms including Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) (SMFG) and Nomura Holdings (8604.T) as potential buyers for its asset management arm in Japan, public broadcaster NHK reported on Saturday.

NHK said about 10 firms participated in the initial bidding for the fund manager Nikko Asset Management Co on May 1. Citigroup has notified the firms that have been selected for the second bidding.

The final selection could be made next month, the report said.

Nikko Asset has about 9 trillion yen in assets under management.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8316.T) announced on May 1 it would buy Citigroup's Japanese broker and key investment banking units for $5.9 billion, but the deal did not include Nikko Asset Management. [ID:nBNG446757] (Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Sugita Katyal)