PRICING SUPPLEMENT File No. 333-97937 - ------------------- Rule 424(b)(3) (To Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus dated September 25, 2002) Pricing Supplement Number: 2298 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Medium-Term Notes, Series B Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue Fixed Rate Notes
Principal Amount: $265,000,000 Issue Price: 100.00% CUSIP Number: 59018YQN4 Interest Rate: 2.47% per annum Original Issue Date: March 12, 2003 Stated Maturity Date: March 10, 2006 Interest Payment Dates: Each March 10th and September 10th, commencing on September 10th, 2003 subject to following Business Day convention. Repayment at the Option of the Holder: The Notes cannot be repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date. Redemption at the Option of the Company: The Notes cannot be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date. Form: The Notes are being issued in fully registered book-entry form. Trustee: JPMorgan Chase Bank Underwriters: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S"), Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. and Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc. (the "Underwriters"), are acting as principals in this transaction. MLPF&S is acting as the Lead Underwriter. Pursuant to an agreement, dated March 7, 2003 (the "Agreement"), between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") and the Underwriters, the Company has agreed to sell to each of the Underwriters and each of the Underwriters has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase the principal amount of Notes set forth opposite its name below: Underwriters Principal Amount of the Notes ------------ ------------------------------ Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith $259,700,000 Incorporated Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. $2,650,000 Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc. $2,650,000 ------------ Total $265,000,000 Pursuant to the Agreement, the obligations of the Underwriters are subject to certain conditions and the Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the Notes, if any are taken. The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose initially to offer all or part of the Notes directly to the public at the Issue Price listed above. After the initial public offering, the Issue Price may be changed. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Dated: March 7, 2003