Stocks in the news: Home Depot, Citigroup, New York Times

The following post rounds up the companies making headlines today:

Home Depot Inc. (HD) this morning raised its full year earnings from continuing operations guidance, saying they may come in better than previously forecast at flat to a 7 percent decline, or $1.27 to $1.37 per share. Similarly, it upped its range for adjusted earnings to $1.32 to $1.42 per share. A few weeks ago, rival Lowe's (LOW) raised its full-year outlook. Home Depot maintained its sales and comparable sales outlook. Shares advanced 2.6 percent ahead of the opening bell.

Citigroup Inc. (C) this morning finally began a long-delayed $58 billion stock swap that could leave the government with a 34 percent stake in the nation's third-largest bank. Citi said the swap could make it one of the world's best-capitalized banks. Existing shareholders who will see their holdings diluted by 76 percent. Shares jumped over 3 percent in pre-market trade.