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Merrill Lynch Posts Steep Q1 Loss

$9B in writedowns guts brokerage's earnings

By Jim O'Neill,  Newser User

Posted Apr 17, 2008 7:25 AM CDT

(Newser) – Merrill Lynch today posted nearly $2 billion in losses in the first quarter, after taking another $9 billion in writeoffs, the Wall Street Journal reports. In its third straight quarterly loss, Merrill was in the red $1.96 billion, or $2.19 a share, compared to earning $2.16 billion, or $2.26 a share a year ago. The company said it will cut about 3,000 jobs.

The new round of Merrill writeoffs includes $1.5 billion in CDOs, $3.5 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities, $925 million on leveraged loans and $3 billion on hedges with financial guarantors. Citi, BofA and Countrywide are up next.

A Merrill Lynch office is seen in New York.
A Merrill Lynch office is seen in New York.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, file)
Merrill Lynch CEO John A. Thain is seen in this May 22, 2006 file photo.
Merrill Lynch CEO John A. Thain is seen in this May 22, 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew, file)
People arrive at the Merrill Lynch building on a rainy morning in New York.
People arrive at the Merrill Lynch building on a rainy morning in New York.   (AP Photo/Brian McDermott, file)
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