Business news for Mon, 24 Dec 2007 & with words expected+san. 2 news.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Fitch Ratings said Monday it is maintaining its negative outlook on Merrill Lynch & Co. despite efforts by the investment bank to boost its capital as it is expected to record additional losses going forward. "Fitch believes that there is a high probability that additional losses will be recognized in fourth-quarter 2007 which collectively may result in Merrill Lynch posting a loss for its 2007 fiscal year," said Fitch in a statement. However, the rating agency noted that Merrill Lynch's move to secure up to $6.2 billion from Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd. and Davis Selected Advisors and its sale of Merrill Lynch Capital to GE Capital are positive developments for potentially stemming further downgrades. Fitch cut Merrill Lynch's long term issuer default rating to A+ on Oct. 24.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Harrah's Entertainment Inc. said Monday that the National Indian Gaming Commission has given it all necessary regulatory approvals to close the proposed acquisition of the company by affiliates of Apollo Global Manangement and TPG Capital. With no more regulatory clearances required, the deal is expected to close in early 2008.