Citigroup on Monday said it is “committed” to its Japanese brokerage unit Nikko Cordial Securities, rebuffing that the division is up for sale as Citi splits in two to rebuild capital, reports Bloomberg. Citi said it “remains committed to maximizing the value of Nikko Cordial over the next few years,” and said it plans to keep Nikko Cordial, acquired a year ago, for at least another 12 months, said insiders. Japanese financial stocks have plunged since Citi completed the Nikko Cordial deal for about Y1.6 trillion ($18bn), slashing the price the US bank would get in a sale. Mitsubishi UFG Japan’s largest lender, denied a report that it was seeking to buy Nikko Cordial.