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Jan 30, 2009 5:02 am

[quote=6160]

iceco1d:

[quote=Hank Moody] [quote=Sellout21]Hank - where do I find those equity index annuities in the WSJ?  [/quote]


On the same page where you find Merrill’s ticker symbol.

  Sorry to interrupt...but that's damn funny!!!!  [/quote]

I've got the WSJ mobile reader on my BlackBerry.  When a company goes away, the tickers stay out there with the last closing price.  You can still get quotes for MER, WB, and AGE if you're feeling nostalgic...
[/quote]

That's special.  Thanks for sharing.
Jan 30, 2009 5:14 am

[quote=Sellout21]

  They are the Yankees of MLB - you either love'em or hate'em, but the haters out there generally stems from envy.  

[/quote]   Fact check:  In 2008 the Yankees finished third in their division and failed to make the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in history.  They had several highly paid, high profile players who have contributed almost nothing for the last few years (Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi come to mind), their star player (A-Rod) can't do squat in the clutch, and the fan favorite/old reliable's (Derek Jeter) production fell off a cliff last season.  Besides, anyone who knows anything about baseball knows Jeter might be the most overrated player of all time.  And now, their highly respected former manager is writing a tell-all book about his time there.  Yep, alot of parallels between the Yankees and ML.  I'm just not so sure that's flattery anymore.    Here goes Soothsayer making predictions again:  Despite making the three biggest free agent acquisitions in the offseason, the Yankees will fail to win their division yet again in 2009.  Likewise, ML's best days are behind them. 
Jan 31, 2009 9:05 pm

Human Nature - we bitch when things get hard. I’m frustrated where I’m at, but then I wonder, why would it be better somewhere else? ML has traditionally been considered #1 in the industry, but the last few months have tarnished that reputation - for now. But I can’t figure out why MS, WS, UBS or any other firm is better right now other than they do a better job of staying off the front page of the WSJ.



This is America. Two months out of the news, a 5% bump in the market, and a little good weather and before you know it, no one will even remember the crash of ‘08. Everyone wants the big retention package or the bonus to move, but in the end, is moving really good for your clients?



Those that truly want to serve their clients’ best interest would forego any bonus and take the risk and go Indy. Now that’s gutsy, but speaks volumes about one’s desire to serve their clients. Because, let’s face it, jumping ship to another wirehouse is easy and virtually risk free. You get a big fat check, you inconvenience the Hell out of your clients, but in a month or two, you’re back to normal.



If you’re complaining about where you’re at now, you’ll find a reason to complain about where you jump to soon enough. If you go indy, the only one you can complain to is yourself - how long you gonna listen to that?

Feb 4, 2009 12:59 am

Going Indy is the best option.  BAC will in time start to withhold the ML guys trails.  They will have two grids, transaction and trails like they do now at BAI.  They will force you to turn over, no i mean refer, your clients to a banking specialist to sell mortgages and bank products.  Merrill was a great firm.  However, they will not be for long.  Most of the senior management is gone.  Replaced with BAI and BAC guys that do not respect advisors or brokerage business.  The whole industry is in trouble with BAC in charge.

Feb 4, 2009 1:27 pm

[quote=Soothsayer][quote=Sellout21]

  They are the Yankees of MLB - you either love'em or hate'em, but the haters out there generally stems from envy.  

[/quote]   Fact check:  In 2008 the Yankees finished third in their division and failed to make the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in history.  They had several highly paid, high profile players who have contributed almost nothing for the last few years (Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi come to mind), their star player (A-Rod) can't do squat in the clutch, and the fan favorite/old reliable's (Derek Jeter) production fell off a cliff last season.  Besides, anyone who knows anything about baseball knows Jeter might be the most overrated player of all time.  And now, their highly respected former manager is writing a tell-all book about his time there.  Yep, alot of parallels between the Yankees and ML.  I'm just not so sure that's flattery anymore.    Here goes Soothsayer making predictions again:  Despite making the three biggest free agent acquisitions in the offseason, the Yankees will fail to win their division yet again in 2009.  Likewise, ML's best days are behind them.  [/quote]   I couldn't agree more.  Jeter's a great guy, good ballplayer, great teammate.  But for the money, I just don't think it's there.   And yes, Yankees fail to win division again.  I think the Sox have it (NOT that I am biased in any way).
Feb 4, 2009 2:55 pm

[quote=B24][quote=Soothsayer][quote=Sellout21]

  They are the Yankees of MLB - you either love'em or hate'em, but the haters out there generally stems from envy.  

[/quote]   Fact check:  In 2008 the Yankees finished third in their division and failed to make the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in history.  They had several highly paid, high profile players who have contributed almost nothing for the last few years (Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi come to mind), their star player (A-Rod) can't do squat in the clutch, and the fan favorite/old reliable's (Derek Jeter) production fell off a cliff last season.  Besides, anyone who knows anything about baseball knows Jeter might be the most overrated player of all time.  And now, their highly respected former manager is writing a tell-all book about his time there.  Yep, alot of parallels between the Yankees and ML.  I'm just not so sure that's flattery anymore.    Here goes Soothsayer making predictions again:  Despite making the three biggest free agent acquisitions in the offseason, the Yankees will fail to win their division yet again in 2009.  Likewise, ML's best days are behind them.  [/quote]   I couldn't agree more.  Jeter's a great guy, good ballplayer, great teammate.  But for the money, I just don't think it's there.   And yes, Yankees fail to win division again.  I think the Sox have it (NOT that I am biased in any way).[/quote]     I'm going to have to take issue with this.  Below are just some stats on Jeter.  Over-rated?  Highly improbable!  In addition to production, how do you gauge leadership?  

All-Star
1998 *
1999 *
2000 (SS)
2001 *
2002 *
2004 (SS)
2006 (SS)
2007 (SS)
2008 (SS)

Awards
1996-AL-ROY
2000-ML-AS MVP
2000-AL-Babe Ruth Award
2000-ML-WS MVP
2006-AL-Hank Aaron Award

Gold Gloves
2004-AL--SS
2005-AL--SS
2006-AL--SS
All Multiple Winners

Silver Sluggers
2006-AL--SS
2007-AL--SS
2008-AL--SS
All Multiple Winners

MVP (YrLg-Rk-Shr)
1997-AL-24-0.01
1998-AL-3-0.46
1999-AL-6-0.45
2000-AL-10-0.11
2001-AL-10-0.11
2003-AL-21-0.03
2004-AL-13-0.03
2005-AL-10-0.06
2006-AL-2-0.78
2007-AL-11-0.04
Car-83-2.08 shares

Batting Average
1998 AL-.324-5
1999 AL-.349-2
2000 AL-.339-5
2001 AL-.311-9
2003 AL-.324-3
2005 AL-.309-6
2006 AL-.344-2
2007 AL-.322-9
Act-.316-5
Car-.316-70

On-base %
1999 AL-.438-3
2000 AL-.416-9
2003 AL-.393-10
2005 AL-.389-6
2006 AL-.417-4
Act-.387-18

OPS
1999 AL-.989-5

Games
1997 AL-159-4
1999 AL-158-8
2002 AL-157-9
2005 AL-159-10
Act-1985-19

At Bats
1997 AL-654-3
1998 AL-626-6
1999 AL-627-6
2002 AL-644-4
2004 AL-643-4
2005 AL-654-3
2006 AL-623-9
2007 AL-639-4
Act-8025-11

Plate Appearances (approx.)
1997 AL-748-1
1999 AL-739-1
2002 AL-730-2
2004 AL-721-5
2005 AL-752-1
2006 AL-715-5
2007 AL-714-4
Act-9093-11

Runs
1997 AL-116-4
1998 AL-127-1
1999 AL-134-2
2000 AL-119-6
2001 AL-110-5
2002 AL-124-3
2004 AL-111-6
2005 AL-122-2
2006 AL-118-2
Act-1467-8
Car-1467-72

Sooth am I to assume you know nothing about baseball?
Feb 4, 2009 11:49 pm

I see more legacy ML executives and senior bankers left the firm today but no corporate email good byes. And now there are rumors that BAC is asking for more TARP funds combined with the market telling common and preferred holders what they think their true value is.

  Do you get the feeling that Thain, McCann, Flemming, et al is laughing on the life boats while we go down on the Titanic?    
Feb 5, 2009 1:30 am

Yes, I think they are relieved to be out while according to our stock price we are going down. Soon to be a government run bank, I can’t believe it!

Feb 5, 2009 4:07 am

Merrill Stynch is now being run by none other than the pimp known as Dan Sontag.  Big Dan has gotten a raise and probably a big check, and he is leading his loyal subject to the slaughter.  Dan Sontag is Ken Lewis’s whore.  You cant trust a damn word either of them says. 

Get out before you get sucked into Big Dan's bull.   ED
Feb 5, 2009 2:17 pm

So, I’m going to go out on a limb here, Ed, and say you’re probably not likely to invite either Dan or Ken over for a beer any time soon?

Feb 6, 2009 4:50 am

[quote=jkl1v1n6][quote=B24][quote=Soothsayer][quote=Sellout21]

  They are the Yankees of MLB - you either love'em or hate'em, but the haters out there generally stems from envy.  

[/quote]   Fact check:  In 2008 the Yankees finished third in their division and failed to make the playoffs despite having the highest payroll in history.  They had several highly paid, high profile players who have contributed almost nothing for the last few years (Carl Pavano and Jason Giambi come to mind), their star player (A-Rod) can't do squat in the clutch, and the fan favorite/old reliable's (Derek Jeter) production fell off a cliff last season.  Besides, anyone who knows anything about baseball knows Jeter might be the most overrated player of all time.  And now, their highly respected former manager is writing a tell-all book about his time there.  Yep, alot of parallels between the Yankees and ML.  I'm just not so sure that's flattery anymore.    Here goes Soothsayer making predictions again:  Despite making the three biggest free agent acquisitions in the offseason, the Yankees will fail to win their division yet again in 2009.  Likewise, ML's best days are behind them.  [/quote]   I couldn't agree more.  Jeter's a great guy, good ballplayer, great teammate.  But for the money, I just don't think it's there.   And yes, Yankees fail to win division again.  I think the Sox have it (NOT that I am biased in any way).[/quote]     I'm going to have to take issue with this.  Below are just some stats on Jeter.  Over-rated?  Highly improbable!  In addition to production, how do you gauge leadership?  

All-Star
1998 *
1999 *
2000 (SS)
2001 *
2002 *
2004 (SS)
2006 (SS)
2007 (SS)
2008 (SS)

Awards
1996-AL-ROY
2000-ML-AS MVP
2000-AL-Babe Ruth Award
2000-ML-WS MVP
2006-AL-Hank Aaron Award

Gold Gloves
2004-AL--SS
2005-AL--SS
2006-AL--SS
All Multiple Winners

Silver Sluggers
2006-AL--SS
2007-AL--SS
2008-AL--SS
All Multiple Winners

MVP (YrLg-Rk-Shr)
1997-AL-24-0.01
1998-AL-3-0.46
1999-AL-6-0.45
2000-AL-10-0.11
2001-AL-10-0.11
2003-AL-21-0.03
2004-AL-13-0.03
2005-AL-10-0.06
2006-AL-2-0.78
2007-AL-11-0.04
Car-83-2.08 shares

Batting Average
1998 AL-.324-5
1999 AL-.349-2
2000 AL-.339-5
2001 AL-.311-9
2003 AL-.324-3
2005 AL-.309-6
2006 AL-.344-2
2007 AL-.322-9
Act-.316-5
Car-.316-70

On-base %
1999 AL-.438-3
2000 AL-.416-9
2003 AL-.393-10
2005 AL-.389-6
2006 AL-.417-4
Act-.387-18

OPS
1999 AL-.989-5

Games
1997 AL-159-4
1999 AL-158-8
2002 AL-157-9
2005 AL-159-10
Act-1985-19

At Bats
1997 AL-654-3
1998 AL-626-6
1999 AL-627-6
2002 AL-644-4
2004 AL-643-4
2005 AL-654-3
2006 AL-623-9
2007 AL-639-4
Act-8025-11

Plate Appearances (approx.)
1997 AL-748-1
1999 AL-739-1
2002 AL-730-2
2004 AL-721-5
2005 AL-752-1
2006 AL-715-5
2007 AL-714-4
Act-9093-11

Runs
1997 AL-116-4
1998 AL-127-1
1999 AL-134-2
2000 AL-119-6
2001 AL-110-5
2002 AL-124-3
2004 AL-111-6
2005 AL-122-2
2006 AL-118-2
Act-1467-8
Car-1467-72

Sooth am I to assume you know nothing about baseball?[/quote]
Feb 6, 2009 5:01 am

Oops on the cut and paste.  Anyway, Jeter is an outstanding ballplayer, and gets even better in the clutch.  That being said, for several years during his career he was the 4th best shortstop in the American League behind A-Rod, Nomar, and Tejada.  A-Rod moved to third, Nomar can’t stay healthy, and we found out that Tejada is old enough to be a grandfather.  In my lifetime, I would rate Barry Larkin as the best shortstop that I remember.  Robin Yount, Alan Trammell, and Cal Ripken would also be in that conversation along with Jeter.  Omar Vizquel might be the most exciting and acrobatic, but couldn’t hit a lick for most of his career.  I just don’t think the guy hung the moon like so many of the Yankee fanatics.  Jorge Posada has been the most under-appreciated guy on that team for years.  A switc -hitting catcher with power from both sides of the plate and an above average defender is a better find than a pretty-boy shortstop anyday.

Feb 6, 2009 5:52 am

Most MLinchers really like Dana Sontag.  He shoots staight.  Ken Lewis, on the other hand, along with Moynihan, do not ever speak straight.  The new ML FA’s / BofA “Client Facing Associates” are in for a rude awakening.

Feb 6, 2009 9:27 pm

The ML bashing is ridiculous.  ML sets the precedent for everything that happens in the brokerage world, good and bad.  There’s a reason why ML has the most assets under management as well as the highest average producer in the biz.  They are the Yankees of MLB - you either love’em or hate’em, but the haters out there generally stems from envy.  

  Just how long did you sit in the barometric chamber? Merrill gets hammered just about every 5 years doing something stupid and self inflicted. Most, if not all, the brokers I know at Merrill (I used to work there and know dozens) won't leave because they broke in with Merrill and they are too scared to go out on their own because they were trained in sales and don't know enough about the industry to have any confidence in running their own shop. They know of no IT besides Merrill's, no experience at back office or complaince....   Merrill trained salespeople and that is what you get when you hire one (usually). They have become the biggest and baddest - through marketing, not competence.   Meanwhile.... they wait and see their FCAP money dwindle while the executives get their bonuses NOW....
Feb 7, 2009 1:01 am

Earp - you pushed it a little. THey have a very good platform now that they have outsourced it all. They mostly have Stockholm Syndrome. THey have been told (I was there too) how wonderful the Bull is that it has become absolute truth. But Big Dave is not coming back. THey lost more money in the past year than the firm has made in its existence, combined. It is a tragedy - but the fact is that wall street fell into massive group think and here are the results. Someone said recently when explaining how he knew to short MER at 80, he said he could see a Wall Street disaster coming and where there is a disaster, Merrill has a way of being in the middle of it.

Feb 7, 2009 1:30 am

THey have a very good platform now that they have outsourced it all.

    I think that says it all.