SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 -------------------------------------------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2003 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 1-7182 13-2740599 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or Other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer Jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.) Incorporation) 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.) ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REQUIRED FD DISCLOSURE - ------------------------------------------------ Filed herewith is the Preliminary Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 26, 2003 for Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries ("Merrill Lynch"). Also filed herewith is a statement setting forth the computation of certain financial ratios for the periods presented. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS - --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Exhibits -------- 12 Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends. 99.1 Preliminary Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Merrill Lynch as of September 26, 2003. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. ---------------------------------------------------- (Registrant) By: /s/ Ahmass L. Fakahany ------------------------------------------------ Ahmass L. Fakahany Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer By: /s/ John J. Fosina ------------------------------------------------ John J. Fosina Controller Principal Accounting Officer Date: October 28, 2003 3 EXHIBIT INDEX ------------- Exhibit No. Description Page - ----------- ----------- ---- 12 Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends. 5 99.1 Preliminary Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet of Merrill Lynch as of September 26, 2003. 6-7 4