Merrill Lynch 3 Q08 Earnings Release Final2

Merrill Lynch reported a net loss of $5.1 billion for Q3 2008 compared to a net loss of $2.4 billion in Q3 2007. Revenues were $16 million in Q3 2008, driven by write-downs of $5.7 billion from the sale of CDOs and termination of related hedges, and a $4.3 billion gain from the sale of a stake in Bloomberg. Expenses included $2.5 billion related to a common stock offering and $425 million for an auction rate securities settlement. Merrill Lynch continued reducing exposures in areas including US subprime and Alt-A mortgages, commercial real estate, and CDOs. Bank of America agreed to acquire