E*Trade (ETFC) are off 12% after hours to $7.55, below their 52-week low.
The brokerage reported that it has observed continued declines in the fair value of its $3.0 billion asset-backed securities portfolio, predominantly within ABS CDO and second-lien securities. The total exposure to ABS CDO and second-lien securities at September 30, 2007 was approximately $450 million in amortized cost, including approximately $50 million of “AAA” rated asset-backed CDOs that were downgraded to below investment grade.
Management believes the additional deterioration observed since September 30 will likely result in write downs that exceed the previous expectations included in the Company’s 2007 earnings outlook updated on October 17, and investors should no longer expect these earnings levels to be achieved. Actual securities-related losses will depend on future market developments, including the potential for future downgrades by rating agencies, which are extremely difficult to predict in this environment. Accordingly, management believes it is no longer beneficial to provide earnings expectations for the remainder of the year.
That has to hurt.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Top Gaining Stocks
Top Losing Stocks