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Lehman reports third quarter loss Lehman reports third quarter loss
(10 minutes later)
Troubled US bank Lehman Brothers has reported a third quarter net loss of $3.9bn (£2.2bn).Troubled US bank Lehman Brothers has reported a third quarter net loss of $3.9bn (£2.2bn).
Struggling to shore up its weak financial position, it slashed its dividend and announced radical restructuring plans.Struggling to shore up its weak financial position, it slashed its dividend and announced radical restructuring plans.
These included cutting its exposure to distressed commercial property assets and selling a majority stake in its lucrative fund management arm.These included cutting its exposure to distressed commercial property assets and selling a majority stake in its lucrative fund management arm.
The news sent world shares tumbling and lowered the value of the dollar.The news sent world shares tumbling and lowered the value of the dollar.
On Tuesday, Lehman's shares plunged 45% on fears about the state of its financial health amid concerns that it was struggling to raise much-needed capital.On Tuesday, Lehman's shares plunged 45% on fears about the state of its financial health amid concerns that it was struggling to raise much-needed capital.
As a result, the bank was forced to rush out its third quarter results a week early in a bid to boost investor confidence.As a result, the bank was forced to rush out its third quarter results a week early in a bid to boost investor confidence.
But it gave no indication that it had found a backer to offer it a fresh capital injection, sending its shares sharply lower in pre-market trading.But it gave no indication that it had found a backer to offer it a fresh capital injection, sending its shares sharply lower in pre-market trading.
"This is an extraordinary time for our industry, and one of the toughest periods in the firm's history," said chairman and chief executive Richard Fuld."This is an extraordinary time for our industry, and one of the toughest periods in the firm's history," said chairman and chief executive Richard Fuld.
Korean disagreementKorean disagreement
Earlier, Korea Development Bank (KDB) said it had pulled out of talks with Lehman Brothers with regard to possible investment in the US bank.Earlier, Korea Development Bank (KDB) said it had pulled out of talks with Lehman Brothers with regard to possible investment in the US bank.
The markets may have responded better if they (Lehman) had struck a deal at any cost Steve Goldstein, Marketwatch Has Lehman done enough?Bank 'too big to fail'The markets may have responded better if they (Lehman) had struck a deal at any cost Steve Goldstein, Marketwatch Has Lehman done enough?Bank 'too big to fail'
"We are announcing that we ended talks at this point in time because of a disagreement over conditions of a transaction and considering domestic and foreign financial market conditions," KDB said in a statement."We are announcing that we ended talks at this point in time because of a disagreement over conditions of a transaction and considering domestic and foreign financial market conditions," KDB said in a statement.
State-run KDB said the decision came because of disagreement over terms and current financial market conditions.State-run KDB said the decision came because of disagreement over terms and current financial market conditions.
Lehman, the fourth-largest US investment bank, had hoped to secure a deal with the Korean fund before announcing its third-quarter earnings.Lehman, the fourth-largest US investment bank, had hoped to secure a deal with the Korean fund before announcing its third-quarter earnings.
"The markets may have responded better if they had struck a deal at any cost, " Steve Goldstein at Marketwatch told the BBC."The markets may have responded better if they had struck a deal at any cost, " Steve Goldstein at Marketwatch told the BBC.
"They needed that lifeline," he added."They needed that lifeline," he added.
No Bear StearnsNo Bear Stearns
The Wall Street bank has lost billions of dollars through its badly judged bets on the growth of US sub-prime mortgages - a market that crumbled at the back end of last summer.The Wall Street bank has lost billions of dollars through its badly judged bets on the growth of US sub-prime mortgages - a market that crumbled at the back end of last summer.
But BBC Business Editor Robert Peston insists that Lehman is not in immediate danger of collapse in the style of Bear Stearns earlier this year.But BBC Business Editor Robert Peston insists that Lehman is not in immediate danger of collapse in the style of Bear Stearns earlier this year.
For one thing, it says it has immediate access to $42bn in cash reserves, which he said "looks ample to meet any unexpected calls on its cash".For one thing, it says it has immediate access to $42bn in cash reserves, which he said "looks ample to meet any unexpected calls on its cash".
However, he did add: "But that doesn't mean its in good shape. It still has $54bn of exposure to illiquid and hard-to-monetize commercial real estate, residential mortgages and high-yield acquisition finance."However, he did add: "But that doesn't mean its in good shape. It still has $54bn of exposure to illiquid and hard-to-monetize commercial real estate, residential mortgages and high-yield acquisition finance."