(The sale) would not surprise me. (It would be) consistent with what we have been saying about downsizing in international retail brokerage.

We still like the equities market and think the S&P 500 could potentially go through 1300 this week.

This year has been a market for all types, and in just eight weeks. If you don't like what you see today, then just give it a day or two.

Gorman's appointment is a telltale sign that the retail-brokerage arena is changing. It's to [O'Neal's] credit that he could get Gorman to come over, and you'll continue to see Merrill's marketing machine evolve.

Financial consultants like stability. Merrill needs to make sure its brokers are convinced that management's interests are aligned with theirs.