UPDATE 3-Barnes & Noble posts loss; studying Borders deal

(Adds Borders comment, paragraphs 3-5, analyst react, 12-13)

By Nicole Maestri

NEW YORK, May 22 (Reuters) - Barnes & Noble Inc (BKS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reported a wider quarterly loss on Thursday, hurt by a charge, and the bookseller cut its forecast for full-year sales at existing stores, citing the difficult retail environment.

The retailer also said it has put together a team of senior executives and financial advisers to study "the feasibility of a transaction" with rival Borders Group Inc (BGP.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Borders said in March that it might sell itself as it has struggled with liquidity and the soft economy, and Barnes & Noble has said it is studying a possible acquisition of the company.

Borders said in a statement that while it is reviewing alternatives, it has not engaged in "substantive discussions regarding any specific transaction to date."

Borders' shares were up nearly 2 percent in early afternoon trade on the New York Stock Stock Exchange.

Barnes & Noble reported a loss of $2.2 million, or 4 cents per share, for its fiscal first quarter ended May 3, compared with a loss of $1.67 million, or 3 cents per share, a year earlier.

The latest results included a pretax charge of $8.3 million for the settlement of a dispute with California regarding the collection of taxes on sales made by its online unit.