New York  - The US investment bank Merrill Lynch is expected to report a further 6 billion to 8 billion dollars in write-downs as a result of the international financial market crisis, the Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition Wednesday.

This will mean the third quarterly loss in a row, the report said, citing a "person familiar with the matter," bringing its total since October to over 30 billion dollars.

Merrill Lynch is now planning a cost-cutting programme which includes job cuts of 10 to 15 per cent in some areas, according to the report.

The investment bank is due to report its results for the first quarter of 2008 Thursday. (dpa)