INSTANT VIEW: Lehman posts large loss, cuts dividend

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc posted a larger-than-expected third-quarter loss of $5.92 per share and slashed its annual dividend, as it plans to sell a majority stake in its investment management division and spin off commercial real estate assets.

The following are reactions from industry analysts and other market participants:

DOUG ROBERTS, CHIEF INVESTMENT STRATEGIST AT CHANNEL CAPITAL RESEARCH, SHREWSBURY, NEW JERSEY

"Right now I would say this is more talk than anything else. What you are dealing with is a confidence issue. They really have to be forthcoming on how they are going to deal with this.

"Unless the overhang is dispelled at this point, I don't see a huge difference on the market. There is still an underlying level of uncertainty as to what Lehman's future is. Essentially, what people are saying is that there has been no resolution of the problem."

THOMAS DI GALOMA, HEAD OF U.S. GOVERNMENT BONDS, JEFFERIES & CO., NEW YORK

"At the end of the day, they may have to find a partner to continue.

"This is reminiscent of Bear Stearns (situation), but Lehman has the Fed (discount) window behind them. That allows them to get cash as needed. They are in a better position than Bear was.

"We did business with them (Lehman) yesterday ... I don't see any reason not to do business with them today."