Form: 10-Q

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

May 8, 2003

Documents

FORM 10Q 1Q03 5/8/03 EXHIBIT 99.3

Published on May 8, 2003

Exhibit 99.3


COMPUTATION OF ADJUSTED LEVERAGE RATIOS



Merrill Lynch's leverage ratios for the periods ended March 28, 2003 and
December 27, 2002 are 17.3 and 17.5, respectively. The average leverage ratios
for these same periods are 18.3 and 19.0, respectively. The leverage ratios are
computed by dividing total assets by Stockholders' equity and Preferred
secutities issued by subsidiaries.

Merrill Lynch's adjusted leverage ratios are computed as follows:



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Period-end Average
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Mar. 28, Dec. 27, Mar. 28, Dec. 27,
(dollars in millions) 2003 2002 2003 2002
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Total assets $ 455,587 $ 447,928 $ 476,435 $ 459,398
Less:
Receivables under resale agreements (78,434) (75,292) (86,246) (81,134)
Receivables under securities borrowed transactions (48,067) (45,543) (47,973) (56,172)
Securities received as collateral (2,261) (2,020) (1,901) (2,931)
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Adjusted assets $ 326,825 $ 325,073 $ 340,315 $ 319,161
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Stockholders' equity $ 23,639 $ 22,875 $ 23,337 $ 21,562
Preferred securities issued by subsidiaries 2,660 2,658 2,659 2,658
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Adjusted stockholders' equity $ 26,299 $ 25,533 $ 25,996 $ 24,220
==============================================

Adjusted leverage ratio 12.4x 12.7x 13.1x 13.2x
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


An asset-to-equity leverage ratio does not reflect the risk profile of assets,
hedging strategies, or off-balance sheet exposures. Thus, Merrill Lynch does not
rely on overall leverage ratios to assess risk-based capital adequacy, but
believes that some investors may utilize the ratios. The Adjusted Leverage Ratio
is a non-GAAP financial measure which should not be relied upon as a substitute
for the most comparable GAAP financial measure, the Leverage Ratio. This
schedule is included to provide a convenient reconciliation of the Adjusted
Leverage Ratios to the most comparable GAAP financial measures.