BlackRock CEO not aware of Merrill CEO candidacy

NEW YORK (Reuters) - BlackRock Inc. (BLK.N) Chief Executive Larry Fink, considered a front-runner to replace embattled Merrill Lynch MER.N CEO Stan O'Neal, on Sunday said he was not aware of being a candidate for the job.

"How would I know if I am a candidate?" Fink said when reached by telephone at his home. "You would know better than me. I'm a happy CEO of BlackRock."

Fink's brief remarks to Reuters were his first public ones since speculation began that he might replace O'Neal.

(Reporting by Tim McLaughlin)