A group of traders watch computer screens at the Merrill Lynch trading station in New York
A group of traders watch computer screens at the Merrill Lynch trading station a few minutes before trading closes on the final day of the year at the New York Stock Exchange in New York December 31, 2008. It was the final day trading for Merrill Lynch as its purchase by Bank of America takes effect January 1, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)