Merrill Lynch & Co
Merrill Lynch Reports Record Quarterly and Full Year Net Earnings;
2003 Earnings of $4.0 Billion, $4.05 Per Diluted Share
Fourth Quarter Earnings of $1.2 Billion, $1.23 Per Share
Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) today reported net earnings of $4.0 billion for 2003,
the firm's highest-ever annual net earnings, up 59% from $2.5 billion in 2002.
2003 earnings per diluted share were $4.05, compared with $2.63 for the prior
year. Net revenues were $20.2 billion, up 8% from 2002. The 2003 pre-tax profit
margin rose to 28.0%, the highest full year margin the firm has ever reported
and almost eight percentage points higher than the 20.2% reported for 2002. The
full year return on average common equity was 16.1%, up from 11.7% in 2002.
Fourth quarter 2003 net earnings of $1.2 billion reflected a pre-tax margin of
33.6% and yielded an annualized return on average common equity of 18.7%.
Full year results for 2003 include after-tax net benefits of $94 million, or
$0.10 per diluted share, associated with September 11-related net recoveries and
net restructuring and other charges. Full year results for 2002 included
after-tax net expenses of $39 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, associated
with research and other settlement-related expenses, September 11-related net
recoveries and restructuring-related net benefits.
"By almost any measure, this was an extremely important year for Merrill Lynch,"
said Stan O'Neal, the company's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our
best-ever earnings performance demonstrated we have a real ability to perform
for the benefit of our shareholders. Our emphasis on diversifying revenues and
improving operating discipline across all business lines has proven to be right
on target. We also grew revenues meaningfully this year, and we are confident
that we are realizing the enormous potential of this company.
"Our portfolio of businesses is now well positioned to serve clients and deliver
growth globally. Our progress reflects the collective efforts of employees in
every region in which we operate, who have embraced a commitment to the
disciplined management and execution critical to successful growth. We have
proven Merrill Lynch can be very profitable in a difficult market environment,
and we are confident we can continue to manage the company for growth - always
with an eye on profitability - in 2004."
Net earnings for the 2003 fourth quarter were $1.2 billion, 131% higher than the
fourth quarter of 2002, as net revenues increased 17%, to $4.9 billion. Fourth
quarter earnings per diluted share were $1.23. The fourth quarter 2003 pre-tax
margin of 33.6% was nearly double the 17.6% achieved in the year-ago period.
Both the net earnings and pre-tax margin are the highest Merrill Lynch has ever
reported for a single quarter.
Fourth quarter 2003 results included $45 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, of
after-tax net benefits associated with September 11-related net recoveries and
net restructuring and other charges. Fourth quarter 2002 results included $76
million, or $0.08 per diluted share, of after-tax net charges associated with
research and other settlement-related expenses, restructuring-related net
benefits, and September 11-related net recoveries.
Business Segment Review:
September 11-Related and Other Items
The September 11-related net recovery in the fourth quarter of 2003 included a
final pre-tax insurance recovery of $85 million, offset by September 11-related
costs of $20 million. The insurance recovery represented a partial business
interruption settlement for GMI and GPC and was recorded as a reduction of
expenses in those segments. The costs were booked in GPC and the Corporate
segment. Merrill Lynch has now concluded its insurance recovery efforts. Net
Restructuring and other charges of $20 million were also recorded in the fourth
quarter, which were distributed across all three business segments.
These items, as well as similar items in the 2002 periods, are included in the
following discussion of the business segment results. For further details on
these items and their impact on the business segments, please see Attachment III
to this press release.
Global Markets and Investment Banking (GMI)
Throughout 2003, GMI demonstrated the benefits of its diverse global sources of
revenue and strong client relationships. Both the Global Markets and Investment
Banking businesses contributed to the segment's full-year pre-tax earnings
increase. GMI's investments for growth and built-in operating leverage were
particularly evident in the debt markets product area, which posted record
revenues and profits for the second straight year.
-- For the full year 2003, GMI's pre-tax earnings increased 65%, to $3.9
billion, on net revenues of $10.1 billion. The full-year pre-tax profit
margin was a record 39.0%, almost 11 percentage points higher than the 2002
pre-tax margin. The margin improvement was driven primarily by a 20%
increase in net revenues and continued expense discipline. Total
non-interest expenses in 2003 were up only 2% from 2002.
-- GMI's fourth quarter pre-tax earnings were $1.0 billion, up 80% from the
year-ago quarter, on net revenues that increased 24%, to $2.2 billion. The
fourth quarter pre-tax margin was 44.6%, almost 14 percentage points higher
than the year-ago quarter.
Global Markets net revenues increased from the prior-year quarter, driven by
debt markets as principal investments and secured financing, certain credit
products, and foreign exchange experienced strong growth. Net revenues for
Global Markets declined from the third quarter of 2003, due primarily to lower
equity markets net revenues. Debt markets net revenues were somewhat lower than
the third quarter due to a decline in the global rates and credit businesses,
partly offset by improvement in principal investments and secured financing.
Investment Banking net revenues rose strongly from both the year-ago and third
quarters. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2002, increased debt and equity
origination revenues more than offset a slight decline in advisory revenues.
Debt origination and advisory revenues contributed to the sequential-quarter
increase in investment banking net revenues.
Global Private Client (GPC)
GPC's performance in 2003 was driven by Merrill Lynch's broad range of advisory
services and products for clients. Diverse sources of revenue, combined with
operating discipline, provided overall earnings consistency and growth.
-- 2003 pre-tax earnings for GPC were $1.6 billion, up 22% from 2002, on net
revenues of $8.9 billion. Non-interest expenses declined 3% from a year ago,
driving a three percentage point improvement in the pre-tax margin, which
was 17.8% for the full year. This was GPC's highest-ever full-year pre-tax
profit margin since the Firm began reporting GPC as a separate segment.
Importantly, GPC's non-U.S. businesses recorded pre-tax margins similar to
those of the U.S. business.
-- GPC's fourth quarter pre-tax earnings of $512 million were up 40% from the
year-ago quarter, as net revenues increased 9%, to $2.3 billion. The revenue
increase was broad-based across most products. The fourth quarter pre-tax
margin was 22.0% and was the highest-ever since GPC has been reported as a
separate segment, up almost five percentage points from the prior-year
quarter.
-- Asset-priced account revenues increased for the second consecutive quarter.
Total assets in GPC accounts increased 14% from the year-ago quarter, to
$1.3 trillion, of which 17.9% were in asset-priced accounts. Net inflows
into annuitized products continued at a strong pace at $10 billion during
the quarter, contributing to total net inflows into annuitized products of
$28 billion for the year.
-- GPC continues to recruit top quality Financial Advisors and trainees and
added 145 Financial Advisors during the quarter, bringing the global total
to 13,500.
Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM)
MLIM is leveraging its strong investment performance to grow distribution while
maintaining an efficient operating platform. MLIM posted its second consecutive
quarter of revenue and earnings growth in the fourth quarter of 2003, finishing
the year with positive momentum despite a decline in annual revenues and pre-tax
earnings.
-- MLIM's 2003 pre-tax earnings were $284 million, down 11% from 2002, on net
revenues that declined 10%, to $1.4 billion. A 9% reduction in non-interest
expenses from 2002 levels resulted in a full-year pre-tax profit margin that
was essentially unchanged from 2002, at 20.3%, despite the decline in net
revenues.
-- For the fourth quarter of 2003, MLIM's pre-tax earnings were $98 million,
more than double those of the year-ago quarter and up 31% from the 2003
third quarter. Net revenues increased 15% from the year-ago quarter, to $386
million, and were 11% higher sequentially, as asset values increased amidst
improving equity markets. MLIM's operating discipline held non-interest
expenses at the prior-year quarter level. The fourth quarter pre-tax margin
increased by over 11 percentage points from the 2002 quarter, to 25.4%,
which is nearly four percentage points higher than the 2003 third quarter.
-- MLIM's relative investment performance continues to be strong, with more
than 70% of global assets under management ahead of their respective
benchmarks or medians for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended in
November.
-- Market appreciation and positive currency movements resulted in a net
increase in MLIM assets under management from the year-ago quarter of $38
billion, or 8%, to $500 billion. Strong inflows in European retail and Japan
offset outflows for the European institutional business during the fourth
quarter.
Fourth Quarter Income Statement Review:
Revenues
Net revenues were $4.9 billion, 17% higher than the 2002 fourth quarter.
Asset management and portfolio service fees were $1.2 billion, up 11% from the
fourth quarter of 2002. This increase includes higher portfolio servicing fees,
a large portion of which are calculated on beginning-of-period asset values as
well as increased investment management fees.
Commission revenues were $1.2 billion, up 8% from the fourth quarter of 2002,
due primarily to increased mutual fund commissions.
Principal transactions revenues increased 9% from the 2002 fourth quarter, to
$380 million, due to increased debt and equity markets trading revenues.
Principal transactions and net interest revenues in GMI are closely related and
need to be analyzed in aggregate to understand the changes in net trading
revenues.
Net interest profit was $1.1 billion, up 9% from the 2002 fourth quarter, due to
a more favorable yield curve environment.
Investment banking revenues were $759 million, 32% higher than the 2002 fourth
quarter. These revenues included underwriting revenues of $599 million which
increased 45% from the 2002 fourth quarter, driven by increased debt and equity
underwriting revenues.
Other revenues were $335 million, up $187 million from the 2002 fourth quarter
due principally to increased revenue from investments, including the
consolidation of private equity investments.
Expenses
Compensation and benefits expenses were $2.0 billion, essentially unchanged from
the year-ago period. Compensation and benefits expenses were 40.7% of net
revenues for the fourth quarter of 2003, compared to 46.9% in the year-ago
quarter. The full-year ratio declined to 47.5% from 50.6% in 2002, due primarily
to lower staffing levels and changes in the composition of net revenues.
Excluding the impact of the net recoveries related to September 11, net
restructuring and other charges and the 2002 research and other
settlement-related expenses, non-compensation expenses remained essentially
unchanged from the 2002 fourth quarter at $1.3 billion.
Details of the significant changes in non-compensation expenses from the 2002
fourth quarter are as follows:
-- communications and technology costs were $345 million, down 21%, due
primarily to reduced technology equipment depreciation and rental costs as
well as lower communications costs;
-- office supplies and postage decreased 31%, to $43 million, due to efficiency
initiatives; and
-- other expenses were $247 million, up $83 million due primarily to increased
expenses from the consolidation of private equity investments, and higher
litigation provisions.
The net recoveries related to September 11 in the current quarter include a
partial pre-tax net insurance recovery of $85 million, offset by September
11-related costs of $20 million. In the fourth quarter of 2003, net
restructuring and other charges of $20 million reflected $56 million of 2003
real estate and technology charges, which were partially offset by a credit of
$36 million related to the reversal of 2001 restructuring reserves, primarily
related to Japan.
Merrill Lynch's year-to-date effective tax rate was 26.0%.
Staffing
Merrill Lynch's full-time employees totaled 48,100 at the end of the fourth
quarter of 2003, an increase of 300 during the quarter.
Ahmass Fakahany, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will host
a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. EST to discuss the company's fourth
quarter and full year 2003 results. The conference call can be accessed via a
live audio webcast available through the Investor Relations website at
www.ir.ml.com or by dialing (888) 810-0245 (U.S. callers) or (706) 634-0180
(non-U.S. callers). On-demand replay of the webcast will be available from
approximately 1:00 p.m. EST today at the same web address.
Merrill Lynch is one of the world's leading financial management and advisory
companies with offices in 35 countries and total client assets of approximately
$1.5 trillion. As an investment bank, it is a leading global underwriter of debt
and equity securities and strategic advisor to corporations, governments,
institutions, and individuals worldwide. Through Merrill Lynch Investment
Managers, the company is one of the world's largest managers of financial
assets, with assets under management of $500 billion. For more information on
Merrill Lynch, please visit www.ml.com.
Merrill Lynch may make or publish forward-looking statements about management
expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated expense
savings and financial results, anticipated results of litigation and regulatory
proceedings, and other similar matters. A variety of factors, many of which are
beyond Merrill Lynch's control, affect the operations, performance, business
strategy and results of Merrill Lynch and could cause actual results and
experiences to differ materially from the expectations and objectives expressed
in these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, financial
market volatility, actions and initiatives by current and potential competitors,
the effect of current and future legislation or regulation, and certain other
additional factors described in Merrill Lynch's 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K
and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, which are available on the
Merrill Lynch Investor Relations website at www.ir.ml.com and at the SEC's
website, www.sec.gov.
Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are
made. Merrill Lynch does not undertake to update such statements to reflect the
impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date these statements
were made. Readers should, however, consult any further disclosures Merrill
Lynch may make in its reports filed with the SEC.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Attachment I
Preliminary Unaudited
Earnings Summary
For the Three Months Ended Percent Inc/(Dec)
-------------------------- -----------------
4Q03 4Q03
(in millions, except per Dec. 26, Sept. 26, Dec. 27, vs. vs.
share amounts) 2003 2003 2002 3Q03 4Q02
---------- -------- -------- ------ --------
Net Revenues
Asset management and
portfolio service fees $1,231 $1,184 $1,106 4.0 % 11.3 %
Commissions 1,163 1,120 1,078 3.8 7.9
Principal transactions 380 704 349 (46.0) 8.9
Investment banking 759 678 577 11.9 31.5
Other 335 300 148 11.7 126.4
---------- -------- --------
Subtotal 3,868 3,986 3,258 (3.0) 18.7
Interest and dividend
revenues 2,805 2,871 3,240 (2.3) (13.4)
Less interest expense 1,750 1,794 2,274 (2.5) (23.0)
---------- -------- --------
Net interest profit 1,055 1,077 966 (2.0) 9.2
---------- -------- --------
Total Net Revenues 4,923 5,063 4,224 (2.8) 16.5
---------- -------- --------
Non-Interest Expenses
Compensation and benefits 2,003 2,393 1,983 (16.3) 1.0
Communications and
technology 345 352 434 (2.0) (20.5)
Occupancy and related
depreciation 226 226 225 0.0 0.4
Brokerage, clearing,
and exchange fees 195 188 175 3.7 11.4
Advertising and market
development 106 89 114 19.1 (7.0)
Professional fees 151 146 155 3.4 (2.6)
Office supplies and postage 43 46 62 (6.5) (30.6)
Other 247 135 164 83.0 50.6
Net recoveries related
to September 11 (65) (21) (21) 209.5 209.5
Net restructuring and
other charges 20 - 10 N/M 100.0
Research and other
settlement - related
expenses - - 180 N/M (100.0)
---------- -------- --------
Total Non-Interest
Expenses 3,271 3,554 3,481 (8.0) (6.0)
---------- -------- --------
Earnings Before Income
Taxes and Dividends on
Preferred
Securities Issued by
Subsidiaries 1,652 1,509 743 9.5 122.3
Income tax expense 361 422 157 (14.5) 129.9
Dividends on preferred
securities issued by
subsidiaries 48 48 47 0.0 2.1
---------- -------- --------
Net Earnings $1,243 $1,039 $539 19.6 130.6
========== ======== ========
Preferred Stock
Dividends $10 $9 $9 - -
========== ======== ========
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic $1.35 $1.14 $0.61 18.4 121.3
Diluted $1.23 $1.04 $0.56 18.3 119.6
Average Shares Used in
Computing Earnings Per
Common Share
Basic 913.3 904.8 868.2 0.9 5.2
Diluted 1,006.5 991.1 942.9 1.6 6.7
Annualized Return on
Average Common Equity 18.7% 16.5% 9.5%
Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform
to the current period presentation.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Attachment II
Preliminary Unaudited Earnings Summary
For the Year Ended
------------------
(in millions, except per share December 26, December 27, Percent
amounts) 2003 2002 Inc / (Dec)
-------------------------------------
Net Revenues
Asset management and
portfolio service fees $4,696 $4,914 (4.4)%
Commissions 4,396 4,657 (5.6)
Principal transactions 3,236 2,331 38.8
Investment banking 2,628 2,413 8.9
Other 1,111 751 47.9
----------- ------------
Subtotal 16,067 15,066 6.6
Interest and dividend
revenues 11,678 13,206 (11.6)
Less interest expense 7,591 9,645 (21.3)
----------- ------------
Net interest profit 4,087 3,561 14.8
----------- ------------
Total Net Revenues 20,154 18,627 8.2
----------- ------------
Non-Interest Expenses
Compensation and benefits 9,570 9,426 1.5
Communications and technology 1,457 1,741 (16.3)
Occupancy and related depreciation 889 909 (2.2)
Brokerage, clearing, and
exchange fees 722 727 (0.7)
Advertising and market development 429 540 (20.6)
Professional fees 581 552 5.3
Office supplies and postage 197 258 (23.6)
Other 787 630 24.9
Net recoveries related to
September 11 (147) (212) (30.7)
Net restructuring and other charges 20 8 150.0
Research and other settlement
- related expenses - 291 (100.0)
----------- ------------
Total Non-Interest Expenses 14,505 14,870 (2.5)
----------- ------------
Earnings Before Income Taxes and
Dividends on Preferred Securities
Issued by Subsidiaries 5,649 3,757 50.4
Income tax expense 1,470 1,053 39.6
Dividends on preferred
securities issued by
subsidiaries 191 191 -
----------- ------------
Net Earnings $3,988 $2,513 58.7
=========== ============
Preferred Stock Dividends $38 $38 -
=========== ============
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic $4.39 $2.87 53.0
Diluted $4.05 $2.63 54.0
Average Shares Used in Computing
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic 900.7 862.3 4.5
Diluted 975.5 942.2 3.5
Annualized Return on Average
Common Equity 16.1% 11.7%
Note: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform
to the current period presentation.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Attachment III
Preliminary Segment Data (unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended For the Year Ended
----------------------------- ------------------
December September December December December
26, 26, 27, 26, 27,
(dollars in millions) 2003 2003 2002 2003 2002
----------------------------- ------------------
Global Markets &
Investment Banking
Non-interest
revenues $1,525 $1,694 $1,142 $7,223 $6,167
Net interest profit 723 793 670 2,853 2,261
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues 2,248 2,487 1,812 10,076 8,428
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings 1,002(a) 1,023(a) 558(a) 3,934(a) 2,389(a)
Pre-tax profit
margin 44.6%(a) 41.1%(a) 30.8%(a) 39.0%(a) 28.3%(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Private Client
Non-interest
revenues $1,975 $1,957 $1,809 $7,505 $7,447
Net interest profit 350 351 319 1,358 1,333
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues 2,325 2,308 2,128 8,863 8,780
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings 512(b) 467 365(b) 1,582(b) 1,297(b)
Pre-tax profit
margin 22.0%(b) 20.2% 17.2%(b) 17.8%(b) 14.8%(b)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch
Investment Managers
Non-interest
revenues $380 $342 $326 $1,377 $1,526
Net interest profit 6 6 11 24 24
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues 386 348 337 1,401 1,550
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings 98(c) 75 48(c) 284(c) 318(c)
Pre-tax profit
margin 25.4%(c) 21.6% 14.2%(c) 20.3%(c) 20.5%(c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate
Non-interest
revenues $(12) $(7) $(19) $(38) $(74)
Net interest profit (24) (73) (34) (148) (57)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues (36) (80) (53) (186) (131)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings
(loss) 40 (56) (228) (151) (247)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total
Non-interest
revenues $3,868 $3,986 $3,258 $16,067 $15,066
Net interest profit 1,055 1,077 966 4,087 3,561
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total net revenues 4,923 5,063 4,224 20,154 18,627
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Pre-tax earnings 1,652(d) 1,509(d) 743(d) 5,649(d) 3,757(d)
Pre-tax profit
margin 33.6%(d) 29.8%(d) 17.6%(d) 28.0%(d) 20.2%(d)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Certain prior period amounts have been restated to conform to
the current period presentation.
(a) Includes the impact of insurance recoveries related to September 11, which
have been recorded as a contra-expense, of $55 million, $25 million and $40
million for the three months ended December 26, 2003, September 26, 2003,
and December 27, 2002, respectively, and $155 million and $90 million for
the years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively. Also
includes net restructuring and other charges of $18 million and $51 million
for the three month and full-year periods ended December 26, 2003 and
December 27, 2002, respectively. Excluding these items, GMI's pre-tax
earnings were $965 million ($1,002 million minus $37 million), $998 million
($1,023 million minus $25 million), and $569 million ($558 million plus $11
million) for the three months ended December 26, 2003, September 26, 2003
and December 27, 2002, respectively, and $3,797 million ($3,934 million
minus $137 million) and $2,350 million ($2,389 million minus $39 million)
for the years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively.
Excluding these items, GMI's pre-tax profit margin was 42.9% ($965
million/$2,248 million), 40.1% ($998 million/$2,487 million), and 31.4%
($569 million/$1,812 million) for the three months ended December 26, 2003,
September 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively, and 37.7% ($3,797
million/$10,076 million) and 27.9%($2,350 million/$8,428 million) for the
years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively.
(b) Includes the impact of net insurance recoveries related to September 11,
which have been recorded as a contra-expense, of $15 million for the three
months ended December 26, 2003, and $15 million and $25 million for the
years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively. Also
includes restructuring and other charges/(credits) of $(2) million and $(64)
million for the three months ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002,
respectively, and $(2) million and $(66) million for the years ended
December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively. Excluding these
items, GPC's pre-tax earnings were $495 million ($512 million minus $17
million) and $301 million ($365 million minus $64 million) for the three
months ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively, and
$1,565 million ($1,582 million minus $17 million) and $1,206 million ($1,297
minus $91 million) for the years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27,
2002, respectively. Excluding these items, GPC's pre-tax profit margin was
21.3% ($495 million/$2,325 million) and 14.1% ($301 million/$2,128 million)
for the three months ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002,
respectively, and 17.7% ($1,565 million/$8,863 million) and 13.7% ($1,206
million/$8,780 million) for the years ended December 26, 2003 and December
27, 2002, respectively.
(c) Includes the impact of net restructuring and other charges of $4 million and
$23 million for the three month and full-year periods ended December 26,
2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively. Excluding these items, MLIM's
pre-tax earnings were $102 million ($98 million plus $4 million) and $71
million ($48 million plus $23 million) for the three months ended December
26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively, and $288 million ($284 million
plus $4 million) and $341 million ($318 million plus $23 million) for the
years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively. Excluding
these items, MLIM's pre-tax profit margin was 26.4% ($102 million/$386
million) and 21.1% ($71 million/$337 million) for the three months ended
December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002, respectively, and 20.6%($288
million/$1,401 million) and 22.0% ($341 million/ $1,550 million) for the
years ended December 26, 2003 and December 27, 2002.
(d) Excluding the impact of September 11, restructuring, and research-related
items, total pre-tax earnings were $1,607 million ($1,652 million minus $45
million), $1,488 million ($1,509 million minus $21 million), and $912
million ($743 million plus $169 million) for the three months ended December
26, 2003, September 26, 2003, and December 27, 2002, respectively, and
$5,522 million ($5,649 million minus $127 million) and $3,844 million
($3,757 million plus $87 million) for the years ended December 26, 2003 and
December 27, 2002, respectively. Excluding these items, total pre-tax profit
margins were 32.6% ($1,607 million/$4,923 million), 29.4% ($1,488
million/$5,063 million), and 21.6% ($912 million/$4,224 million) for the
three months ended December 26, 2003, September 26, 2003 and December 27,
2002, respectively, and 27.4% ($5,522 million/$20,154 million) and 20.6%
($3,844 million/$18,627 million) for the years ended December 26, 2003 and
December 27, 2002, respectively.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Attachment IV
Consolidated Quarterly Earnings (unaudited) (in millions)
4Q02 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Net Revenues
Asset management and
portfolio service fees
Asset management fees $386 $385 $394 $401 $429
Portfolio service fees 480 476 469 511 534
Account fees 122 135 136 128 128
Other fees 118 131 155 144 140
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total 1,106 1,127 1,154 1,184 1,231
Commissions
Listed and over-the-
counter securities 623 618 617 634 626
Mutual funds 274 266 234 291 314
Other 181 185 193 195 223
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total 1,078 1,069 1,044 1,120 1,163
Principal transactions 349 1,025 1,127 704 380
Investment banking
Underwriting 414 368 565 545 599
Strategic advisory 163 125 133 133 160
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total 577 493 698 678 759
Other 148 205 271 300 335
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Subtotal 3,258 3,919 4,294 3,986 3,868
Interest and dividend
revenues 3,240 3,004 2,998 2,871 2,805
Less interest expense 2,274 2,071 1,976 1,794 1,750
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Net interest profit 966 933 1,022 1,077 1,055
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total Net Revenues 4,224 4,852 5,316 5,063 4,923
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Non-Interest Expenses
Compensation and benefits 1,983 2,496 2,678 2,393 2,003
Communications and technology 434 403 357 352 345
Occupancy and related
depreciation 225 216 221 226 226
Brokerage, clearing, and
exchange fees 175 170 169 188 195
Advertising and market
development 114 121 113 89 106
Professional fees 155 144 140 146 151
Office supplies and postage 62 58 50 46 43
Other 164 222 183 135 247
Net recoveries related to
September 11 (21) - (61) (21) (65)
Net restructuring and other
charges 10 - - - 20
Research and other
settlement-related expenses 180 - - - -
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Total Non-Interest Expenses 3,481 3,830 3,850 3,554 3,271
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Earnings Before Income Taxes
and Dividends on Preferred
Securities Issued by
Subsidiaries 743 1,022 1,466 1,509 1,652
Income tax expense 157 289 398 422 361
Dividends on preferred
securities issued by
subsidiaries 47 48 47 48 48
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Net Earnings $539 $685 $1,021 $1,039 $1,243
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Common Share Data
4Q02 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03
------- ------ ------- ------- -------
Earnings - Basic $0.61 $0.76 $1.13 $1.14 $1.35
Earnings - Diluted 0.56 0.72 1.05 1.04 1.23
Dividends paid 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16
Book value 25.69 24.97 26.04 27.21 28.66est.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the
current period presentation.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Attachment V
Percentage of Quarterly Net Revenues (unaudited)
4Q02 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Net Revenues
Asset management and portfolio
service fees
Asset management fees 9.1% 7.9% 7.4% 7.9% 8.7%
Portfolio service fees 11.4% 9.8% 8.8% 10.1% 10.8%
Account fees 2.9% 2.8% 2.6% 2.5% 2.6%
Other fees 2.8% 2.7% 2.9% 2.9% 2.9%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Total 26.2% 23.2% 21.7% 23.4% 25.0%
Commissions
Listed and over-the-
counter securities 14.7% 12.7% 11.6% 12.5% 12.7%
Mutual funds 6.5% 5.5% 4.4% 5.7% 6.4%
Other 4.3% 3.8% 3.6% 3.9% 4.5%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Total 25.5% 22.0% 19.6% 22.1% 23.6%
Principal transactions 8.3% 21.1% 21.2% 13.9% 7.7%
Investment banking
Underwriting 9.8% 7.6% 10.6% 10.8% 12.2%
Strategic advisory 3.9% 2.6% 2.5% 2.6% 3.3%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Total 13.7% 10.2% 13.1% 13.4% 15.5%
Other 3.4% 4.3% 5.2% 5.9% 6.8%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Subtotal 77.1% 80.8% 80.8% 78.7% 78.6%
Interest and dividend revenues 76.7% 62.0% 56.4% 56.7% 57.0%
Less interest expense 53.8% 42.8% 37.2% 35.4% 35.6%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Net interest profit 22.9% 19.2% 19.2% 21.3% 21.4%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Total Net Revenues 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Non-Interest Expenses
Compensation and benefits 46.9% 51.4% 50.4% 47.3% 40.7%
Communications and technology 10.3% 8.3% 6.7% 7.0% 7.0%
Occupancy and related
depreciation 5.3% 4.5% 4.2% 4.5% 4.6%
Brokerage, clearing, and
exchange fees 4.1% 3.5% 3.2% 3.7% 4.0%
Advertising and market
development 2.7% 2.5% 2.1% 1.8% 2.2%
Professional fees 3.7% 3.0% 2.6% 2.9% 3.1%
Office supplies and postage 1.5% 1.2% 0.9% 0.9% 0.9%
Other 3.9% 4.5% 3.4% 2.5% 4.8%
Net recoveries related to
September 11 -0.5% - -1.1% -0.4% -1.3%
Net restructuring and other
charges 0.2% - - - 0.4%
Research and other settlement-
related expenses 4.3% - - - -
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Total Non-Interest Expenses 82.4% 78.9% 72.4% 70.2% 66.4%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Earnings Before Income Taxes and
Dividends on Preferred
Securities Issued by
Subsidiaries 17.6% 21.1% 27.6% 29.8% 33.6%
Income tax expense 3.6% 6.0% 7.5% 8.4% 7.4%
Dividends on preferred
securities issued by
subsidiaries 1.2% 1.0% 0.9% 0.9% 1.0%
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Net Earnings 12.8% 14.1% 19.2% 20.5% 25.2%
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Common shares outstanding (in millions):
4Q02 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03
------- ------- ------ ------ -------
Weighted-average - basic 868.2 887.6 897.2 904.8 913.3
Weighted-average - diluted 942.9 939.2 965.3 991.1 1006.5
Period-end 873.8 929.8 935.2 942.6 949.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Attachment VI
Supplemental Data (unaudited) (dollars in billions)
4Q02 1Q03 2Q03 3Q03 4Q03
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Client Assets
Private Client
U.S. $1,021 $1,009 $1,076 $1,093 $1,165
Non - U.S. 89 86 92 92 97
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Private Client Assets 1,110 1,095 1,168 1,185 1,262
MLIM direct sales (1) 201 193 205 202 222
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Client Assets $1,311 $1,288 $1,373 $1,387 $1,484
======== ======= ======= ======= =======
Assets in Asset-Priced
Accounts $182 $181 $200 $206 $226
Assets Under Management $462 $442 $471 $473 $500
Retail 189 187 195 194 207
Institutional 235 220 239 241 253
Private Investors 38 35 37 38 40
U.S. 313 303 320 327 337
Non-U.S. 149 139 151 146 163
Equity 191 183 209 202 225
Fixed Income 122 108 108 125 132
Money Market 149 151 154 146 143
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Net New Money
Private Client Accounts
U.S. $11 $(4) $(2) $4 $5
Non-U.S. - (1) 1 1 1
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total 11 (5) (1) 5 6
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Assets Under Management $5 $(11) $4 $(4) $-
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Information (estimated)
Commercial Paper and
Other Short-term
Borrowings $5.4 $3.5 $5.5 $3.0 $5.4
Deposits 81.8 81.9 80.5 79.3 79.5
Long-term Borrowings 78.5 77.0 79.1 80.7 83.9
Preferred Securities
Issued by
Subsidiaries 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7
Total Stockholders'
Equity 22.9 23.6 24.8 26.1 27.6
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity and Equity-Linked Underwriting(2)(3)
Volume $6 $4 $8 $8 $11
Market Share 10.3% 8.0% 7.8% 7.7% 8.3%
Ranking 2 5 6 6 5
Global Debt Underwriting(2)(3)
Volume $59 $95 $86 $88 $80
Market Share 6.5% 7.1% 6.4% 7.6% 7.3%
Ranking 6 3 5 4 3
Global Completed Mergers and Acquisitions(2)(3)
Volume $116 $39 $31 $59 $66
Market Share 29.4% 15.4% 10.0% 20.1% 22.8%
Ranking 5 3 8 4 3
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-Time Employees(4) 50,900 49,500 48,200 47,800 48,100
Private Client Financial
Advisors 14,000 13,600 13,300 13,400 13,500
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Reflects funds managed by MLIM not sold through Private Client
channels.
(2) Certain prior period amounts have been restated to conform to the
current period presentation.
(3) Full credit to book manager. Market shares derived from Thomson
Financial Securities Data statistics.
(4) Excludes 200, 300, 500, 500 and 1,500 full-time employees on
salary continuation severance at the end of 4Q03, 3Q03, 2Q03, 1Q03
and 4Q02, respectively.
For more information, please contact:
Investor Relations Phone: 866-607-1234
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Fax: 212-449-7461
investorrelations@ml.com
www.ir.ml.com
CONTACT: Merrill Lynch
Media Relations:
Timothy Cobb, 212-449-9205
timothy_cobb@ml.com
or
Investor Relations:
Tina Madon, 866-607-1234
investor_relations@ml.com