RULE NO. 424(b)(5)
REGISTRATION NO. 333-68747
PROSPECTUS
- ----------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Russell 2000(R) Index* Call Warrants
Expiring May 25, 2001
Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, our wholly-owned subsidiary, will use this prospectus when making
offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the warrants.
The Russell 2000 Index Call Warrants:
o Unsecured contractual obligations of ML&Co.
o Your return upon exercise is linked to the performance of the Russell 2000
Index, an index designed to track the price performance of the common stock
of 2,000 corporations with small capitalizations relative to other stocks in
the U.S. equity market.
o The warrants are listed on the American Stock Exchange under the
trading symbol "RSY.WS".
Exercise and payment upon exercise:
o Upon exercise, we will pay you, for each Russell 2000 Index Call Warrant
that you own, an amount in U.S. dollars equal to the product, if positive,
of the percentage change in the Russell 2000 Index as described in this
prospectus, and the Dollar Multiplier which is an amount equal to $21.75.
o You will be able to exercise the warrants from the date they are issued
until shortly before their expiration, subject to the possibility that your
right to exercise may be postponed or that the warrants may be cancelled.
Investing in the warrants involves a high degree of risk, including the risk
that the warrants will expire worthless and you may sustain a total loss of
the purchase price. Please see "Risk Factors" beginning on page
S-7 of this prospectus.
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Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The sale price of the MITTS Securities will be the prevailing market
price at the time of sale.
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Merrill Lynch & Co.
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The date of this prospectus is June 24, 1999.
* The use of, and reference to, the term "Russell 2000 Index" in this
prospectus has been consented to by Frank Russell Company.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prospectus
Page
----
SUMMARY INFORMATION --Q&A.................................................3
RISK FACTORS..............................................................7
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.................................................12
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES.......................................13
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS..............................................14
THE INDEX................................................................28
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION......................................30
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC........................31
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION.....................................................32
EXPERTS..................................................................32
SUMMARY INFORMATION -- Q&A
This summary includes questions and answers that highlight selected
information from this prospectus to help you understand the Russell 2000 Index
Call Warrants expiring May 25, 2001. You should carefully read this prospectus
to understand fully the terms of the warrants as well as the tax and other
considerations that should be important to you in making a decision about
whether to invest in the warrants. You should carefully review the "Risk
Factors" section, which highlights certain risks associated with an investment
in the warrants, to determine whether an investment in the warrants is
appropriate for you.
References in this prospectus to "ML&Co.", "we", "us" and "our" are to
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
References in this prospectus to "MLPF&S" are to Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
What are the warrants?
The warrants are contractual obligations of ML&Co. and are not secured
by collateral. The warrants rank equally with all other unsecured contractual
obligations of ML&Co. and ML&Co.'s unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The
warrants will entitle you to receive a cash settlement upon exercise. The
warrants will expire on May 25, 2001.
You will not have the right to receive physical certificates evidencing
your ownership except under limited circumstances. Instead, we have issued the
warrants in the form of a global certificate, which is being held by The
Depository Trust Company, also known as DTC, or its nominee. Direct and indirect
participants in DTC will record beneficial ownership of the warrants by
individual investors. Direct and indirect participants in DTC will include
participants in the Euroclear and Cedelbank clearing systems. You should refer
to the section "Description of the warrants--Depositary" in this prospectus.
When can I exercise my warrants and when are they subject to automatic exercise
or cancellation?
At your option, you may exercise your warrants on any New York Business
Day during the period from May 28, 1999 until 1:00 p.m., New York City time on
the second scheduled Index Calculation Day immediately preceding their
expiration, whether on May 25, 2001 or on the date of earlier expiration. See
"Description of the warrants--Exercise and settlement of warrants".
If you do not exercise your warrants during that period, your warrants
will be automatically exercised on the Expiration Date or, in the case of
delisting or the imposition of a permanent trading suspension on trading of
warrants, on the Delisting Date or the date of trading suspension. See
"Description of the warrants--Automatic Exercise".
Your warrants are subject to cancellation if the calculation agent
determines that an extraordinary event that materially affects the trading of
securities generally has occurred and is continuing, as described in
"Description of the warrants--Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption
Events". If your warrants are cancelled, you will receive the Alternative
Settlement Amount determined by the calculation agent as described under
"Description of the warrants--Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption
Events".
How do I exercise my warrants?
To exercise your warrants, you must cause a broker, who may, in turn,
need to direct a participant in DTC:
o to transfer the warrants to the Warrant Agent on the records of
DTC, and
o to deliver a duly completed and executed exercise notice on your
behalf to the Warrant Agent.
In order for a New York Business Day to constitute the Exercise Date for the
warrants you are exercising, you must cause your warrants to be transferred to,
and the exercise notice to be received by, the Warrant Agent at or prior to 1:00
p.m., New York City time, on that New York Business Day, provided that if you
hold the warrants through Cedelbank or Euroclear, the warrants must be
transferred to the Warrant Agent by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
applicable Valuation Day.
Are there limits on how and when I can exercise my warrants?
You may exercise no fewer than 100 warrants at any one time, except in
the case of automatic exercise. See "Description of the warrants--Minimum
Exercise Amount". Any exercise of warrants, other than on the Expiration Date or
an earlier expiration date, are subject, at ML&Co.'s option, to:
o the limitation that no more than 20% of the warrants originally
issued may be exercised on any Exercise Date, and
o no more than 10% of the warrants originally issued may be exercised
by you, either individually or in concert with any other beneficial
owner, on any Exercise Date, other than automatic exercise.
See "Description of the warrants--Maximum Exercise Amount" in this prospectus.
What will I receive when I exercise my warrants or they are automatically
exercised?
When you exercise your warrants or they are automatically exercised, we
will pay you an amount in U.S. dollars based on the percentage change in the
Russell 2000 Index, the Cash Settlement Amount, determined on the Valuation Day
relating to the Exercise Date for those warrants, as described in this
prospectus. See "Description of the warrants--Cash Settlement Amount upon
exercise".
Cash Settlement Amount
The "Cash Settlement Amount" will equal an amount in U.S. dollars equal
to the product, if positive, of the Percentage Change, in the Russell 2000 Index
multiplied by the Dollar Multiplier. In no event will the Cash Settlement Amount
be less than zero.
Percentage Change
The "Percentage Change" will equal:
Index Spot Value - Index Strike
------------------------
Value Index Strike Value
You will receive no payment if the Cash Settlement Amount is equal to
zero; however the Cash Settlement Amount cannot be less than zero. In certain
circumstances, you may receive an Alternative Settlement Amount rather than the
Cash Settlement Amount.
The "Index Strike Value" equals 434.45, the closing value of the index
in New York on the date the warrants were priced for initial sale to the public.
The "Index Spot Value" means the closing value of the index in New York
on the Valuation Day relating to an exercise of warrants. The Valuation Day will
generally be the day on which your exercise of warrants is effective, if that
day is also an Index Calculation Day. An "Index Calculation Day" means any day
on which the NYSE and the AMEX are open for trading and the index, or any
successor index, is calculated and published.
Dollar Multiplier
The "Dollar Multiplier" equals $21.75.
We will pay you a Cash Settlement Amount only if the Index Spot Value
is greater than the Index Strike Value. If the Index Spot Value is less than, or
equal to the Index Strike Value, the Cash Settlement Amount will be zero. If the
Cash Settlement Amount is zero, you will sustain a total loss of the purchase
price.
For more specific information about the amount you will receive when
you exercise your warrants, please see the section "Description of the
warrants--Cash Settlement Amount upon exercise" in this prospectus.
Examples
Here are three examples of hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount
calculations:
Example 1--Index Spot Value is less than the Index Strike Value on the Valuation
Day relating to the relevant Exercise Date:
Index Strike Value: 434.45
Hypothetical Index Spot Value: 327.08
Cash Settlement Amount per warrant = $21.75 X (327.08-434.45) =$0.00 (The Cash
(-------------) Settlement Amount
( 434.45 ) cannot be less
than zero).
Total Cash Settlement Amount per warrant = $0 and the exercise of the
warrant at that time is worthless.
Example 2--Index Spot Value is greater than the Index Strike Value on the
Valuation Day relating to the relevant Exercise Date, however the Cash
Settlement Amount is less than the initial offering price of $5.00:
Index Strike Value: 434.45
Hypothetical Index Spot Value: 501.52
Cash Settlement Amount per warrant = $21.75 X (501.52-434.45) =$3.36
(-------------)
( 434.45 )
Total Cash Settlement Amount per warrant = $3.36 and the exercise of the
warrant results in a payment that is less than the initial offering price.
Example 3--Index Spot Value is greater than the Index Strike Value on the
Valuation Day relating to the relevant Exercise Date:
Index Strike Value: 434.45
Hypothetical Index Spot Value: 545.14
Cash Settlement Amount per warrant = $21.75 X (545.14-434.45) =$5.54
(-------------)
( 434.45 )
Total Cash Settlement Amount per warrant = $5.54.
Who publishes the index and what does the index measure?
The Russell 2000 Index is published by Frank Russell Company ("FRC")
and is designed to track the performance of 2,000 common stocks of corporations
with small capitalizations relative to other stocks in the U.S. equity market.
Market capitalization is the value of a corporation's stock in the public market
determined by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the current price
of a share. As of April 30, 1999, the market capitalization of the stocks in the
Russell 2000 Index ranged from approximately $12.2 million to $13.2 billion,
with the average market capitalization being $593.7 million. The corporations in
the Russell 2000 Index are domiciled in the U.S. and its territories and their
stocks are traded on the NYSE, on the AMEX, or in the over-the-counter market.
Please note that an investment in the warrants does not entitle you to
any ownership interest in the stocks of the companies included in the Russell
2000 Index.
Are the warrants listed on a stock exchange?
The warrants are listed on the AMEX under the trading symbol "RSY.WS".
You should be aware that the listing of the warrants on the AMEX will not
necessarily ensure that a liquid trading market will be available for the
warrants, or that it will remain available throughout the term of the warrants.
You should review the section entitled "Risk Factors--There may be an uncertain
trading market for the warrants" in this prospectus.
What is the role of MLPF&S?
Our subsidiary, MLPF&S, was the underwriter for the offering and sale
of the warrants. MLPF&S intends to buy and sell warrants to create a secondary
market for holders of the warrants, and may stabilize or maintain the market
price of the warrants during the initial distribution of the warrants. However,
MLPF&S will not be obligated to engage in any of these market activities, or
continue them once it has started.
MLPF&S is our agent for purposes of calculating the Index Spot Value
and the Cash Settlement Amount or Alternative Settlement Amount. Under certain
circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between
MLPF&S' status as our subsidiary and its responsibilities as calculation agent.
Please see the section entitled "Risk Factors--Potential conflicts of interests"
in this prospectus.
Who is ML&Co.?
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is a holding company with various subsidiary
and affiliated companies that provide investment, financing, insurance and
related services on a global basis. For information about ML&Co., see the
section entitled "Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc." in the accompanying prospectus of
ML&Co. You should also read the other documents we have filed with the SEC,
which you can find by referring to the section "Where you can find more
information" in this prospectus.
Are there any risks associated with my investment?
Yes, an investment in the warrants is subject to risks, including the
risk that you will lose your entire purchase price. Please refer to the section
"Risk Factors" in this prospectus.
RISK FACTORS
Your investment in the warrants will involve a high degree of risk. For
example, there is the risk that you might not earn a return on your investment
and the risk that the warrants will expire worthless. You should be prepared to
sustain a total loss of the purchase price of your warrants. We suggest that
you, as a potential purchaser of warrants, be experienced with respect to
options and option transactions. In addition, you should reach an investment
decision with regard to the Warrants only after consulting with your legal and
tax advisers and considering the suitability of the Warrants in the light of
your particular circumstances.
The warrants are long-term options and may expire worthless
You will receive a cash payment upon exercise only if the warrants have
a Cash Settlement Amount greater than zero on the relevant Valuation Day. At
pricing, the Cash Settlement Amount of the warrants will equal zero. The
warrants will be "in-the-money", i.e., their Cash Settlement Amount will exceed
zero, on the relevant Valuation Day only if, as of that date, the closing value
of the index is greater than the Index Strike Value. You may incur transaction
costs in connection with any exercise of the warrants. Therefore, you may
receive no return, even if the warrants are in-the-money, if the Cash Settlement
Amount does not exceed any transaction costs and the price you paid for the
warrants.
An increase in the level of the index from the date the warrants are
priced for initial sale to the public will result in a Cash Settlement Amount
for the warrants, and a decrease in the level of the index from that date will
result in a zero Cash Settlement Amount for your warrants. If a warrant is not
exercised prior to its expiration and, on the Valuation Day with respect to its
expiration, the value of the index is less than or equal to the Index Strike
Value, the warrant will expire worthless and you will have sustained a total
loss of the purchase price of the warrant. You should therefore be prepared to
sustain a total loss of the purchase price of your warrants.
The value of the warrants is closely related to changes in the value of the
index
The warrants provide opportunities for investment but also pose risks
to you as a result of fluctuations in the value of the underlying investment. In
general, certain risks associated with the warrants are similar to those
generally applicable to other options or warrants of private corporate issuers.
However, unlike options or warrants on equity or debt securities, which are
traded primarily on the basis of the value of a single underlying security, the
trading value of the warrants being offered by this prospectus is likely to
reflect primarily the extent of the appreciation or depreciation of the index.
You may lose your entire investment. This risk reflects the nature of a
warrant as an asset which tends to decline in value over time and which may,
depending on the relative value of the index, be worthless when it expires. A
warrant is "out-of-the-money" when the Index Spot Value is less than the Index
Strike Value. Assuming all other factors are held constant, the more a warrant
is out-of-the-money and the shorter its remaining term to expiration, the
greater the risk that you will lose all of your investment. This means that if
you do not sell your warrants in the secondary market or exercise your warrants
prior to expiration you will necessarily lose your entire investment in the
warrant if it expires when the Index Spot Value is less than or equal to the
Index Strike Value.
Since warrants may become worthless upon expiration, you must generally
be correct about the direction, timing and magnitude of anticipated changes in
the value of the index in order to recover and realize a return upon your
investment. If the value of the index does not increase to an extent sufficient
to cover the costs of your warrants, i.e., the purchase price plus transaction
costs, if any, before the warrants expire, you will lose all or a part of your
investment in the warrants upon expiration.
In general, the stocks comprising the index have smaller market
capitalizations, greater price fluctuations, and less trading liquidity than
stocks in other larger capitalization indices which are designed to measure the
broad movement of the U.S. stock market. These factors may adversely affect the
value of the index and the warrants.
The stocks underlying the index are traded on the NYSE, AMEX and in the
over-the-counter market. Some of these markets have adopted measures intended to
prevent extreme short-term price fluctuations resulting from order imbalances.
As a result, variations in the index may be limited by price limitations on, or
by suspension of trading in, individual stocks which comprise the index which
may, in turn, adversely affect the value of the warrants or result in a Market
Disruption Event. See "Description of the warrants--Extraordinary Events and
Market Disruption Events".
The warrants are suitable only for investors with experience in options
transactions
The AMEX requires that warrants be sold only to investors with
options-approved accounts and that its members and member organizations and
their registered employees make certain suitability determinations before
recommending transactions in warrants. We suggest that investors considering
purchasing warrants be experienced with respect to options and option
transactions and understand the risks of stock index transactions and reach an
investment decision only after carefully considering, with their advisers, the
suitability of the warrants in light of their particular circumstances. Warrants
are not suitable for persons solely dependent upon a fixed income for individual
retirement plan accounts or for accounts under the Uniform Transfers/Gifts to
Minors Act. Investors should be prepared to sustain a total loss of the purchase
price of their warrants.
Restrictions on the minimum and maximum number of warrants you may exercise
o Minimum Exercise Amount. Except for cases of automatic exercise,
you must tender at least 100 warrants at any one time in order to
exercise your warrants. Thus, except in cases of automatic
exercise, if you own fewer than 100 warrants you will need either
to sell your warrants or purchase additional warrants, incurring
transaction costs in either case, in order to realize proceeds
from your investment. At any time you must purchase additional
warrants in order to have the minimum number of warrants
necessary to elect to exercise, you will be exposed to the
conditions of the secondary market for warrants at the time of
that purchase, including the risk that there may be a limited
number of warrants available in the market at that time, and the
other factors affecting the secondary market discussed above.
Furthermore, you incur the risk that there may be differences
between the trading value of the warrants and the Cash Settlement
Amount of the warrants.
o Maximum Exercise Amount. All exercises of warrants, other than
on automatic exercise, are subject, at our option, to the
limitation that not more than 20% of the warrants originally
issued may be exercised on any Exercise Date and not more than
10% of the warrants originally issued may be exercised by you or
on your behalf, either individually or in concert with any other
beneficial owner, on any Exercise Date. If any New York Business
Day would otherwise be the Exercise Date for more than 20% of the
warrants originally issued, then at our election 20% of the
warrants originally issued shall be exercised on that Exercise
Date, subject to the following conditions: (a) no more than 10%
of the warrants originally issued shall be exercised for the
account of any single beneficial owner, and, (b) the Warrant
Agent shall select the warrants to be exercised on a pro rata
basis. If, as a result of the pro rata selection, any beneficial
owner of warrants would be deemed to have exercised fewer than
100 warrants, the Warrant Agent shall first select an additional
amount of that beneficial owner's warrants so that no beneficial
owner shall be deemed to have exercised fewer than 100 warrants,
and the remainder of the warrants, whether or not fewer than 100
warrants (the "Remaining Warrants"), shall be deemed exercised on
the following New York Business Day subject to successive
applications of this provision. In selecting warrants to be
exercised, the Warrant Agent shall deem any Remaining Warrants
which were exercised on a prior Exercise Date exercised before
any other warrants exercised on a subsequent Exercise Date. As a
result of any postponed exercise, beneficial owners will receive
a Cash Settlement Amount determined as of a date later than the
otherwise applicable Valuation Day. In that case, as a result of
any postponement, the Cash Settlement Amount actually received by
beneficial owners may be lower (or higher) than the otherwise
applicable Cash Settlement Amount if the Valuation Day of the
warrants had not been postponed.
There may be a time lag after you give exercise instructions
In the case of any exercise of warrants, there will be a time lag
between the time you give instructions to exercise and the time the Index Spot
Value relating to the exercise is determined. Therefore, you will not be able to
determine, at the time of exercise of a warrant, the Index Spot Value that will
be used to calculate the Cash Settlement Amount of the warrant, and will thus be
unable to determine the Cash Settlement Amount. The delay will, at a minimum,
amount to several hours and could be much longer. For example, an exercise
notice received by the Warrant Agent after 1:00 p.m. Friday would generally
result in the Index Spot Value being determined the following Monday. Any
downward movement in the level of the index between the time you exercise a
warrant and the time the Index Spot Value for that exercise is determined will
result in your receiving a Cash Settlement Amount that is less than the Cash
Settlement Amount you anticipated based on the level of the index most recently
reported prior to exercise. If you have not exercised a warrant prior to 1:00
p.m. on the second scheduled Index Calculation Day preceding the Expiration Date
you will, pursuant to the provision for automatic exercise, have the Index Spot
Value with respect to the warrant determined on the Expiration Date. The value
of the index may change significantly during that period, and these movements
could adversely affect the Cash Settlement Amount of the warrants being
exercised.
Further delay may occur if a Market Disruption Event or Extraordinary
Event has occurred, in which case the Cash Settlement Amount in respect of
exercised warrants will be calculated as of the next succeeding Index
Calculation Day on which there is no Market Disruption Event or Extraordinary
Event. If the calculation agent determines that on a Valuation Day a Market
Disruption Event or Extraordinary Event has occurred, the Valuation Day shall be
postponed to the first succeeding Index Calculation Day on which no Market
Disruption Event or Extraordinary Event occurs; subject to the following
conditions: (a) if the Valuation Day has not occurred on or prior to the fifth
scheduled Index Calculation Day following an Exercise Date because of Market
Disruption Events, the fifth scheduled Index Calculation Day shall be the
Valuation Day regardless of whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred on
that day, and (b) if an Extraordinary Event has occurred and is continuing, and
if the Extraordinary Event is expected by ML&Co. to continue, ML&Co. may
immediately cancel the warrants as described below under "Description of the
warrants--Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption Events". During any period
of delay due to a Market Disruption Event or Extraordinary Event, the value of
the index may change significantly, and that change may adversely affect the
amount paid on any warrants exercised during that period.
The warrants will be automatically exercised if they are delisted
In the event that the warrants are delisted from, or permanently
suspended from trading on, the AMEX and the warrants are not simultaneously
accepted for trading pursuant to the rules of another regulated trading
organization that are filed with the SEC under U.S. securities laws, warrants
not previously exercised will expire on the date the delisting or trading
suspension becomes effective and will be deemed automatically exercised on the
Delisting Date. At the applicable Valuation Day with respect to the automatic
exercise, the warrants may be out-of-the-money so that the Cash Settlement
Amount would equal zero.
The warrants are not standardized options issued by the Options Clearing
Corporation
The warrants are not standardized stock index options of the type
issued by the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC"), a clearing agency
regulated by the SEC. For example, unlike purchasers of OCC standardized options
who have the credit benefits of guarantees and margin and collateral deposits by
OCC clearing members to protect the OCC from a clearing member's failure,
purchasers of warrants must look solely to ML&Co. for performance of its
obligations to pay the Cash Settlement Amount or Alternative Settlement Amount
on the exercise of warrants. Further, the market for the warrants is not
expected to be generally as liquid as the market for OCC standardized options.
The OCC does issue standardized stock index options in which payments, if any,
are determined based on changes in the index.
The warrants are unsecured contractual obligations of ML&Co. and will
rank equally with ML&Co.'s other unsecured contractual obligations and with
ML&Co.'s unsecured and unsubordinated debt. However, given that ML&Co. is a
holding company, the right of ML&Co., and hence the right of creditors of
ML&Co., including beneficial owners of the warrants, to participate in any
distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of
creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of ML&Co. itself
as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In addition, dividends, loans
and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S to ML&Co. are
restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act, and under rules
of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.
There may be an uncertain trading market for the warrants
The warrants have been approved for listing on the AMEX under the
trading symbol "RSY.WS", subject to official notice of issuance. While there
have been a number of issuances of different warrants, trading volumes have
varied historically from one series to another, and it is therefore impossible
to predict how the warrants will trade. You cannot assume that a trading market
will develop for the warrants. If a trading market does develop, there can be no
assurance that there will be liquidity in the trading market. The development of
a trading market for the warrants will depend on the percentage change in the
Russell 2000 Index, and other factors such as our financial performance.
If the trading market for the warrants is limited, there may be a
limited number of buyers if you decide to sell your warrants, and as the number
of outstanding warrants decreases their value may decrease. This may affect the
price you receive upon exercise.
Many factors affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities; these factors
interrelate in complex ways and the effect of one factor may offset or magnify
the effect of another factor
The market value of the warrants will be affected by factors that
interelate in complex ways. It is important for you to understand that the
effect of one factor may offset the increase in the trading value of the
warrants caused by another factor and that the effect of one factor may
exacerbate the decrease in the trading value of the warrants caused by another
factor. For example, an increase in interest rates may offset some or all of any
increase in the trading value of the warrants attributable to another factor,
such as an increase in the value of the Russell 2000 Index. The following
paragraphs describe the expected impact on the market value of the warrants
given a change in a specific factor, assuming all other conditions remain
constant.
The value of the index is expected to affect the trading value of the
warrants. We expect that the trading value of the warrants will depend
substantially on the amount by which the index's value increases or decreases.
If the value of the index increases, the trading value of a warrant is expected
to increase. If the value of the index decreases, the trading value of a warrant
is expected to decrease. It is possible that the trading value of a warrant may
decline even if there is an increase in the value of the index.
Changes in the levels of U.S. interest rates are expected to affect the
trading value of the warrants. We expect that interest rates will affect the
trading value of the warrants. In general, if U.S. interest rates increase, we
expect that the trading value of the warrants will increase and, conversely, if
U.S. interest rates decrease, we expect that the trading value of the warrants
will decrease. Interest rates may also affect the U.S.
economy and, in turn, the index's value.
Changes in the volatility of the index are expected to affect the
trading value of the warrants. Volatility is the term used to describe the size
and frequency of price and/or market fluctuations. Generally, if the volatility
of the index increases, we expect that the trading value of the warrants will
increase and, conversely, if the volatility of the index decreases, we expect
that the trading value of the warrants will decrease.
As the time remaining to the expiration date of the warrants decreases,
the "time premium" associated with the warrants will decrease. We anticipate
that the warrants may trade at a value above that which would be expected based
on the level of the index due to a "time premium" resulting from expectations
concerning the value of the index prior to the expiration of the warrants.
Generally, as the time remaining to the expiration date of the warrants
decreases, we expect that this time premium will decrease, lowering the trading
value of the warrants.
Changes in dividend yields of the stocks underlying the index are
expected to affect the trading value of the warrants. Generally, if dividend
yields on the common stocks underlying the index increase, we expect that the
trading value of the warrants will decrease, and conversely, if dividend yields
on the stocks underlying the index decrease, we expect that the trading value of
the warrants will increase.
Changes in our credit ratings may affect the trading value of the
warrants. Our credit ratings are an assessment of our ability to pay our
obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings may
affect the trading value of the warrants. However, because the return on your
warrants is dependent upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our
obligations under the warrants, such as any increase in the index's value, an
improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce other investment risks related
to warrants.
It is important for you to understand that the impact of one of the
factors specified above, such as a decrease in index volatility, may offset some
or all of any increase in the trading value of the warrants attributable to
another factor, such as any increase in the index's value.
Purchases and sales by us and our affiliates may affect your return
We and our affiliates may from time to time buy or sell the stocks
underlying the Russell 2000 Index for our own accounts for business reasons or
in connection with hedging our obligations under the warrants. These
transactions could affect the price of these stocks and in turn the value of the
index in a manner that would be adverse to your investment in the warrants.
Potential conflicts of interests
Our subsidiary, MLPF&S, is the calculation agent for the warrants.
Under certain circumstances, MLPF&S' role as our subsidiary and its
responsibilities as calculation agent for the warrants could give rise to
conflicts of interests between the calculation agent and the holders of the
warrants. These conflicts could occur, for instance, in connection with its
determination as to whether a Market Disruption Event or Extraordinary Event, as
defined below, has occurred. See "Description of the warrants--Extraordinary
Events and Market Disruption Events" and "--Successor Index" in this prospectus.
MLPF&S is required to carry out its duties as calculation agent in good faith
and using its reasonable judgment. However, you should be aware that because we
control MLPF&S, potential conflicts of interest could arise.
We have entered into an arrangement with one of our subsidiaries to
hedge the market risks associated with our obligation to pay amounts due under
the warrants. This subsidiary expects to make a profit in connection with the
arrangement. We did not seek competitive bids for this arrangement from
unaffiliated parties.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
We are a holding company that, through our U.S. and non-U.S.
subsidiaries and affiliates such as Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital
Services, Inc., Merrill Lynch International, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Bank
Ltd., Merrill Lynch Asset Management L.P. and Merrill Lynch Mercury Asset
Management, provides investment, financing, advisory, insurance, and related
products on a global basis, including:
o securities brokerage, trading and underwriting;
o investment banking, strategic services, including mergers and
acquisitions and other corporate finance advisory activities;
o asset management and other investment advisory and recordkeeping
services;
o trading and brokerage of swaps, options, forwards, futures and
other derivatives;
o securities clearance services;
o equity, debt and economic research;
o banking, trust and lending services, including mortgage lending
and related services; and
o insurance sales and underwriting services.
We provide these products and services to a wide array of clients,
including individual investors, small businesses, corporations, governments,
governmental agencies and financial institutions.
Our principal executive office is located at World Financial Center,
North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281; our telephone number is
(212) 449-1000.
If you want to find more information about us, please see the sections
entitled "Where You Can Find More Information" and "Incorporation of Information
We File with the SEC" in this prospectus.
In this prospectus, "ML&Co.", "we", "us" and "our" refer specifically
to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., the holding company. ML&Co. is the issuer of the
MITTS Securities described in this prospectus.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
In 1998, we acquired the outstanding shares of Midland Walwyn Inc., in
a transaction accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. The following information
for the fiscal years 1994 through 1997 has been restated as if the two entities
had always been combined.
The following table sets forth our historical ratios of earnings to
fixed charges for the periods indicated:
Year Ended Last Friday in December For the Three
Months Ended
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 March 26, 1999
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- --------------
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(a).......... 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.3
- ----------
(a) The effect of combining Midland Walwyn did not change the ratios
reported for the fiscal years 1994 through 1997.
For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
"earnings" consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
and fixed charges, excluding capitalized interest and preferred security
dividend requirements of subsidiaries. "Fixed charges" consist of interest
costs, the interest factor in rentals, amortization of debt issuance costs,
preferred security dividend requirements of subsidiaries, and capitalized
interest.
DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS
The warrants are contractual obligations controlled by a Warrant
Agreement (the "Warrant Agreement") dated May 28, 1999, between ML&Co. and
Citibank, N.A., as Warrant Agent (the "Warrant Agent"). The warrants will expire
on May 25, 2001. The following statements about the warrants are summaries of
the detailed provisions of the Warrant Agreement, the form of which was filed as
an exhibit to the registration statement relating to the warrants. Wherever
particular provisions of the Warrant Agreement or its terms are referred to,
those provisions or definitions are incorporated by reference as a part of the
statements made, and the statements are qualified in their entirety by those
references.
A warrant will not require, or entitle, you to sell or purchase any
shares of any stock underlying the index or any successor index or any other
securities to or from ML&Co. ML&Co. will make only a U.S. dollar cash
settlement, if any, upon exercise of a warrant. You will not receive any
interest on any amount owed on the warrants and the warrants will not entitle
you to any of the rights of holders of any underlying stock or other securities.
Period during which warrants may be exercised
You may exercise your warrants as early as the date of initial delivery
of the warrants. The warrants will expire on May 25, 2001, or on an earlier date
as described under "Automatic Exercise". Warrants not exercised at or prior to
1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second scheduled Index Calculation Day
immediately preceding the Expiration Date or earlier expiration will be deemed
automatically exercised on the Expiration Date or, in the case of delisting, on
the Delisting Date. Warrants cancelled upon the occurrence and continuation of
an Extraordinary Event shall be exercised as described below under
"Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption Events". The term "New York Business
Day", as used in this prospectus, means any day other than a Saturday or a
Sunday or a day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are required
or authorized by law or executive order to be closed.
Cash Settlement Amount upon exercise
The Cash Settlement Amount of an exercised warrant is an amount in U.S.
dollars that results from the following formula:
Percentage Change x Dollar Multiplier
The "Percentage Change" will equal the following amount:
Index Spot Value -- Index Strike Value
--------------------------------------
Index Strike Value
The "Dollar Multiplier" equals $21.75.
The "Index Spot Value" relating to any Exercise Date will be determined
by MLPF&S, the "calculation agent", and will equal the closing value of the
index, or, if applicable, the successor index, in New York on the Valuation Day
relating to such exercise of warrants.
The "Index Strike Value" equals 434.45, the closing value of the index
in New York the date the warrants were priced for initial sale to the public.
We will round the Cash Settlement Amount, if necessary, to the nearest
cent, with one-half cent being rounded upwards.
Set forth below are illustrations of the Cash Settlement Amounts for
warrants at exercise based upon various hypothetical percentage changes in the
closing value of the index. This table assumes a Dollar Multiplier of $21.75.
The index Percentage Change on Valuation Day column indicates the percentage
increase or decrease in the value of the Index Spot Value as compared to the
Index Strike Value at the time of exercise. The actual Cash Settlement Amount of
a warrant will depend entirely on the actual index Percentage Change on the
applicable Valuation Day relating to the Exercise Date. The Cash Settlement
Amounts in the table do not reflect any "time value" for a warrant, which may be
reflected in the trading value, and are not necessarily indicative of potential
profit or loss, which are also affected by purchase price and transaction costs.
Hypothetical
Cash Settlement
Index Percentage Change on Valuation Day Amount
---------------------------------------- ------------
50% increase............................................. $10.88
45% increase............................................. 9.79
40% increase............................................. 8.70
35% increase............................................. 7.61
30% increase............................................. 6.53
25% increase............................................. 5.44
23% increase............................................. 5.00*
20% increase............................................. 4.35
15% increase............................................. 3.26
10% increase............................................. 2.18
5% increase.............................................. 1.10
No change................................................ 0.00
5% decrease.............................................. 0.00
10% decrease............................................. 0.00
15% decrease............................................. 0.00
20% decrease............................................. 0.00
25% decrease............................................. 0.00
30% decrease............................................. 0.00
35% decrease............................................. 0.00
40% decrease............................................. 0.00
45% decrease............................................. 0.00
50% decrease............................................. 0.00
--------
* This is the breakeven point (the point at which the Cash
Settlement Amount is equal to the initial purchase price per
warrant).
Depositary
Description of the Global Warrants
All of the warrants are represented by one or more fully registered
global warrants. Each global warrant has been deposited with, or on behalf of,
The Depository Trust Company, otherwise known as DTC, or any successor to it
(the "depositary"), as depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co.,
DTC's partnership nominee. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part
for warrants in definitive form, no global warrant may be transferred except as
a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a nominee of the
depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the
depositary or any nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of its
successor. Investors may elect to hold interests in the global warrants through
either the depositary, in the United States, or Cedelbank, or Morgan Guaranty
Trust Company of New York, Brussels Office, as operator of the Euroclear System
("Euroclear"), if they are participants in these systems, or indirectly through
organizations which are participants in these systems. Cedelbank and Euroclear
will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers'
securities accounts in Cedelbank's and Euroclear's names on the books of their
respective depositaries, which in turn will hold interests in customers'
securities accounts in the depositaries' names on the books of the depositary.
The Chase Manhattan Bank is acting as depositary for Euroclear and Citibank,
N.A, not in its capacity as Warrant Agent under the Warrant Agreement, is acting
as depositary for Cedelbank (in these capacities, the "U.S. Depositaries").
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is a registered owner of a global
warrant, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole
owner or holder of the warrants represented by the global warrant for all
purposes under the Warrant Agreement. Except as provided below, the beneficial
owners of the warrants represented by a global warrant are not entitled to have
the warrants represented by the global warrant registered in their names, will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the warrants in
definitive form and are not considered the owners or holders of the warrants
under the Warrant Agreement, including for purposes of receiving any reports
delivered by ML&Co. or the Warrant Agent pursuant to the Warrant Agreement.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global warrant must
rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant of DTC,
on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its
interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Warrant Agreement. ML&Co.
understands that under existing industry practices, in the event that ML&Co.
requests any action of holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest which a
holder is entitled to give or take under the Warrant Agreement, DTC would
authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or
take any action, and these participants would authorize beneficial owners owning
through these participants to give or take any action or would otherwise act
upon the instructions of beneficial owners. Conveyance of notices and other
communications by the depositary to participants, by participants to indirect
participants and by participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners
will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or
regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
DTC Procedures
The following is based on information furnished by DTC:
DTC is acting as securities depositary for the warrants. The warrants
were issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co.,
DTC's nominee. One or more fully registered global warrants were issued for the
warrants and were deposited with DTC.
DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York
Banking Law, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking
Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the
meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency"
registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC
holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates
the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers
and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry
changes in participants' accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of securities certificates. Direct participants of DTC include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct
participants and by the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange, Inc., and the NASD.
Access to DTC's system is also available to others such as securities brokers
and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a
custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly.
The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.
Purchases of the warrants under DTC's system must be made by or through
direct participants, which will receive a credit for the warrants on DTC's
records. The ownership interest of each beneficial owner is in turn to be
recorded on the records of direct and indirect participants. Beneficial owners
will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial
owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the
transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct
or indirect participants through which these beneficial owner entered into the
transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the warrants are to be
accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of
beneficial owners.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all warrants deposited with DTC are
registered in the name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of
warrants with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no
change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial
owners of the warrants; DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct
participants to whose accounts the warrants are credited, which may or may not
be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping
account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct
participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct
participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by
arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as
may be in effect from time to time.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the warrants is limited to persons
that have accounts with the depositary ("participants") or persons that may hold
interests through participants. The depositary has advised ML&Co. that after the
issuance of the global warrants representing the warrants, the depositary
credited, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants'
accounts with the respective number of warrants represented by the global
warrant. Ownership of beneficial interests in the global warrant are shown on,
and the transfer of ownership interests are effected only through, records
maintained by the depositary, with respect to interests of participants, and on
the records of participants, with respect to interests of persons held through
participants. The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of these securities in definitive form. These
limits and laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial
interests in the global warrants.
The Cash Settlement Amount payable upon exercise of warrants registered
in the name of the depositary or its nominee will be paid by the Warrant Agent
to the participants or, in the case of automatic exercise, to the depositary.
None of ML&Co., the Warrant Agent or any other agent of ML&Co. or agent of the
Warrant Agent has any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records
relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests or for
supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.
ML&Co. expects that the Warrant Agent, upon the receipt of any payment of the
Cash Settlement Amount in respect of any portion of the global warrant, will pay
the relevant participant in an amount proportionate to its beneficial interest
in the global warrant being exercised and that the participant will credit the
accounts of the beneficial owners of the warrants. ML&Co. expects that the
depositary, in the case of automatic exercise, upon receipt of any payment of
the Cash Settlement Amount in respect of all or any portion of the global
warrant, will credit the accounts of the participants with payment in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the portion of the
global warrant so exercised, as shown on the records of the depositary. ML&Co.
also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in
the global warrant will be governed by standing customer instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and will be the
responsibility of the participants. It is suggested that a purchaser of warrants
with accounts at more than one brokerage firm effect transactions in the
warrants, including exercises, only through the brokerage firm or firms which
hold that purchaser's warrants.
Exchange for certificated warrants
If:
o the depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue
as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by
ML&Co. within 60 days,
o if ML&Co. executes and delivers to the Warrant Agent a
company order to the effect that the global warrants shall be
exchangeable, or
o if ML&Co. is subject to certain events in bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization,
the global warrants will be exchangeable for warrants in definitive form of like
tenor. These definitive warrants will be registered in the name or names as the
depositary shall instruct the Warrant Agent. It is expected that the
instructions may be based upon directions received by the depositary from
participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global
warrants.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary
with respect to the warrants at any time by giving reasonable notice to ML&Co.
or the Warrant Agent. Under these circumstances, in the event that a successor
securities depositary is not obtained, warrant certificates are required to be
printed and delivered.
ML&Co. may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry
transfers through DTC, or a successor securities depositary. In that event,
warrant certificates will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC's system has
been obtained from sources that ML&Co. believes to be reliable, but ML&Co. takes
no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
Cedelbank and Euroclear
Beneficial owners may hold their interests in warrants through
Cedelbank or Euroclear only if they are participants in these systems, or
indirectly through organizations which are participants in these systems.
Cedelbank and Euroclear will hold omnibus positions on behalf of their
participants through the facilities of DTC. All securities in Cedelbank or
Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific
certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
Exercises of warrants by persons holding through Cedelbank or Euroclear
participants will be effected through DTC, in accordance with DTC rules, on
behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its depositary;
however, these transactions will require delivery of exercise instructions to
the relevant European international clearing system by the participant in that
system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established
deadlines under European time. The relevant European international clearing
system will, if the exercise meets its requirements, deliver instructions to its
depositary to take action to effect its exercise of the warrants on its behalf
by delivering warrants through DTC and receiving payment in accordance with its
normal procedures for next-day funds settlement. Payments with respect to the
warrants held through Cedelbank or Euroclear will be credited to the cash
accounts of Cedelbank participants or Euroclear participants in accordance with
the relevant system's rules and procedures, to the extent received by its
depositary. See "Exercise and settlement of warrants" in this prospectus.
Cedelbank advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg
as a professional depositary. Cedelbank holds securities for its participating
organizations ("Cedelbank Participants") and facilitates the clearance and
settlement of securities transactions between Cedelbank Participants through
electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Cedelbank Participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Cedelbank provides
to Cedelbank Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping,
administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities
and securities lending and borrowing. Cedelbank interfaces with domestic markets
in several countries. As a professional depositary, Cedelbank is subject to
regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Cedelbank Participants are
recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters,
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect
access to Cedelbank is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with
a Cedelbank Participant either directly or indirectly.
Distributions with respect to the warrants held beneficially through
Cedelbank will be credited to cash accounts of Cedelbank Participants in
accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S.
depositary for Cedelbank.
Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for
participants of Euroclear ("Euroclear Participants") and to clear and settle
transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic
book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of
securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including
securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several
countries. Euroclear is operated by the Brussels, Belgium office of Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York (the "Euroclear Operator"), under contract
with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the
"Cooperative"). The Euroclear Operator conducts all operations, and all
Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts
with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes
policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants
include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and
other professional financial intermediaries and may include the underwriters.
Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either
directly or indirectly.
The Euroclear Operator is the Belgian branch of a New York banking
corporation that is a member bank of the Federal Reserve System. It is regulated
and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the New
York State Banking Department, as well as the Belgian Banking Commission.
Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear
Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear and
the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian
law (collectively, the "Terms and Conditions"). The Terms and Conditions govern
transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and
cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in
Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without
attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts.
The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of
Euroclear Participants, and has no record of or relationship with persons
holding through Euroclear Participants.
All information in this prospectus on Cedelbank and Euroclear is
derived from Cedelbank or Euroclear, as the case may be, and reflects the
policies of these organizations; and these policies are subject to change
without notice.
Exercise and settlement of warrants
You may exercise warrants on any New York Business Day during the
period from the date of initial delivery of the warrants until 1:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the earlier of:
(a) the second scheduled Index Calculation Day immediately
preceding the Expiration Date, and
(b) the Delisting Date.
Your right to exercise warrants is subject to postponement upon the
occurrence of an Extraordinary Event or Market Disruption Event as described
under "Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption Events" in this prospectus. If
you do not exercise your warrants during the period specified above (including
by reason of any postponed exercise), your warrants will be automatically
exercised as described under "Automatic Exercise" in this prospectus, subject to
earlier cancellation as described below under "Extraordinary Events and Market
Disruption Events" in this prospectus. You exercise warrants by:
o transferring the warrants free to the Warrant Agent on the
records of DTC, and
o causing a duly completed and executed exercise notice to
be delivered by a DTC participant on behalf of you to
the Warrant Agent.
A form of exercise notice is included as Appendix A to this prospectus,
and may be obtained from the Warrant Agent at the Warrant Agent's Office. The
Warrant Agent's telephone number and facsimile transmission number for this
purpose are (212) 657-9055 and (212) 825-3483, respectively.
In the case of warrants held through the facilities of Cedelbank or
Euroclear, a beneficial owner may exercise the warrants on any New York Business
Day during the period from the date of initial delivery of the warrants until
1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the earlier of:
o the second scheduled Index Calculation Day immediately preceding
the Expiration Date and
o the Delisting Date by causing
(a) these warrants to be transferred to the Warrant Agent, by
giving appropriate instructions to the participant holding these
warrants in either the Cedelbank or Euroclear system, as the case may be,
and
(b) a duly completed and executed Exercise Notice to be delivered on
behalf of the beneficial owner by Cedelbank, in the case of warrants
held through Cedelbank, or the participant, in the case of warrants
held through Euroclear, to the Warrant Agent.
Forms of exercise notice for warrants held through the facilities of
either Cedelbank or Euroclear may be obtained from the Warrant Agent at the
Warrant Agent's Office or from Cedelbank or Euroclear.
The "Exercise Date" for a warrant will be:
o the New York Business Day on which the Warrant Agent
receives the warrant and exercise notice in proper form
with respect to that warrant, if received at or prior to
1:00 p.m., New York City time, on that day, or
o if the Warrant Agent receives that warrant and exercise
notice after 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on a New
York Business Day, then the first New York Business Day
following that New York Business Day.
In the case of warrants held through the facilities of Cedelbank or
Euroclear, except for warrants subject to automatic exercise, the "Exercise
Date" for a warrant will be:
o the New York Business Day on which the Warrant Agent
receives the exercise notice in proper form with respect
to the Warrant if the exercise notice is received at or
prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on that day,
provided that the warrant is received by the Warrant
Agent by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Valuation
Day, or
o if the Warrant Agent receives the exercise notice after
1:00 p.m., New York City time, on a New York Business
Day, then the first New York Business Day following that
New York Business day, provided that the warrant is
received by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
Valuation Day relating to exercises of warrants on the
succeeding New York Business Day.
In the event that the warrant is received after 1:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the Valuation Day, then the Exercise Date for the warrants will be
the first New York Business Day following the day on which the warrants are
received.
If a beneficial owner of warrants held through the facilities of
Cedelbank or Euroclear has exercised warrants by delivering an exercise notice
in proper form with respect to the warrants and the Valuation Day is expected
not to be a New York Business Day, the beneficial owner should make arrangements
so that the warrants are delivered prior to the Valuation Day in order to ensure
that the Exercise Date for the warrants is not postponed as described above. In
the case of warrants held through the facilities of Cedelbank or Euroclear, in
order to ensure proper exercise on a given New York Business Day, participants
in Cedelbank or Euroclear must submit exercise instructions to Cedelbank or
Euroclear, as the case may be, by 10:00 a.m., Luxembourg time, in the case of
Cedelbank and by 10:00 a.m., Brussels time (by telex), or 11:00 a.m., Brussels
time (by EUCLID), in the case of Euroclear.
In addition, in the case of book-entry exercises by means of the
Euroclear System:
o participants must also transmit, by facsimile (facsimile
number (212) 825-3483), to the Warrant Agent a copy of
the exercise notice submitted to Euroclear by 1:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the desired Exercise Date and
o Euroclear must confirm by telex to the Warrant Agent by
9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Valuation Day,
that the warrants will be received by the Warrant Agent
on that date; provided, that if the telex communication
is received after 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the
Valuation Day, ML&Co. will be entitled to direct the
Warrant Agent to reject the related exercise notice or
waive the requirement for timely delivery of the telex
communication.
To ensure that an exercise notice and the related warrants will be
delivered to the Warrant Agent before 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on a given
New York Business Day, you may need to give exercise instructions to your broker
or other intermediary substantially earlier than 1:00 p.m., New York City time,
on that day or even on the prior New York Business Day. Different brokerage
firms may have different cut-off times for accepting and implementing exercise
instructions from their customers. Therefore, you should consult with your
broker and other intermediaries, if applicable, as to applicable cut-off times
and other exercise mechanics.
Except in the case of warrants subject to automatic exercise and for
warrants that upon exercise will entitle you to receive an Alternative
Settlement Amount in lieu of the Cash Settlement Amount, if on any Valuation Day
the Cash Settlement Amount for any warrants would be zero, then the attempted
exercise of those warrants will be void and of no effect. These warrants will be
transferred back to the participant that submitted them free on the records of
DTC and, in that case, the beneficial owner will be permitted to re-exercise the
warrants as described in this prospectus.
The "Valuation Day" for a warrant will be the applicable Exercise Date,
if the Exercise Date is an Index Calculation Day, or the immediately succeeding
Index Calculation Day, if the Exercise Date is not an Index Calculation Day,
subject to postponement upon the occurrence of an Extraordinary Event or a
Market Disruption Event as described below under "Extraordinary Events and
Market Disruption Events" or as a result of the exercise of a number of warrants
exceeding the limits on exercise described below under "Maximum Exercise
Amount".
"Index Calculation Day" means any day on which the NYSE and the AMEX
are open for trading and the index or a successor index, if any, is calculated
and published. The following is an illustration of the timing of an Exercise
Date and the Valuation Day, assuming:
o that all relevant dates are New York Business Days and Index
Calculation Days,
o the absence of any intervening Extraordinary Event or Market
Disruption Event and
o the number of exercised warrants does not exceed the maximum
permissible amount.
If the Warrant Agent receives a beneficial owner's warrants and
exercise notice in proper form at or prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on
July 21, 1999, the Exercise Date for these warrants will be July 21, 1999, and
the Valuation Day for these warrants will be July 21, 1999. However, in the case
of warrants held through the facilities of Cedelbank or Euroclear, the warrants
must be received by 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Valuation Day; if the
warrants are received after that time, then the Exercise Date for the warrants
will be the day on which the warrants are received or, if that day is not a New
York Business Day, the next succeeding New York Business Day, and the Valuation
Day for the warrants will be the Exercise Date, if it is an Index Calculation
Day, or the first Index Calculation Day following that Exercise Date, if that
Exercise Date is not an Index Calculation Day.
Calculation of Cash Settlement Amount
Following receipt of warrants and the related exercise notice in proper
form, the Warrant Agent will, not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the New York Business Day following the applicable Valuation Day:
o obtain the Index Spot Value from the Calculation Agent,
o determine the Cash Settlement Amount of the warrants and
o advise ML&Co. of the aggregate Cash Settlement Amount of the
exercised warrants.
ML&Co. will be required to make available to the Warrant Agent, no
later than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth New York Business Day
following the Valuation Day, funds in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate
Cash Settlement Amount. If ML&Co. has made funds available by that time, the
Warrant Agent will thereafter be responsible for making funds available to each
of the appropriate participants, who will be responsible for disbursing that
payments to each of their respective participants, who, in turn, will be
responsible for disbursing payments to the beneficial owner it represents, and
the participant will be responsible for disbursing the payments to the
beneficial owner it represents and to each brokerage firm for which it acts as
agent. Each brokerage firm will be responsible for disbursing funds to the
beneficial owners it represents.
Automatic Exercise
All warrants for which the Warrant Agent has not received a valid
Exercise Notice at or prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, or for which the
Warrant Agent has received a valid Exercise Notice but with respect to which
timely delivery of the relevant warrant has not been made, together with any
warrants the Valuation Day for which has at that time been postponed as
described under "Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption Events" below, on
(a) the second scheduled Index Calculation Day immediately preceding
the Expiration Date, or
(b) the close of business on the New York Business Day on which the
warrants are delisted from, or permanently suspended from trading
on, the AMEX and the warrants are not simultaneously accepted for
trading pursuant to the rules of another regulated trading
organization (the "Delisting Date")
will be deemed automatically exercised on that Expiration Date or Delisting
Date, as the case may be (the Expiration Date will be deemed the Exercise Date),
and the Cash Settlement Amount, if any, determined as provided under "Exercise
and settlement of warrants", of the automatically exercised warrants will be
paid and settlement shall otherwise occur as described under "Book-Entry
procedures and settlement" and "Calculation of Cash Settlement Amount". ML&Co.
will notify holders as soon as practicable of the delisting or trading
suspension. ML&Co. will agree in the Warrant Agreement that it will not seek
delisting of the warrants or suspension of their trading on the AMEX.
In the event the warrants are canceled by ML&Co. because of the
continuance of an Extraordinary Event as described under "Extraordinary Events
and Market Disruption Events" below, warrants not previously exercised shall be
automatically exercised on the basis that the Valuation Day for the warrants
shall be the Cancellation Date, and the Alternative Settlement Amount of any
automatically exercised warrants will be paid on the fourth New York Business
Day following that Valuation Day. Settlement shall otherwise occur as described
under "Book-Entry procedures and settlement" and "Exercise and settlement of
warrants".
Minimum Exercise Amount
You must exercise at least 100 warrants at any one time, except in the
case of automatic exercise or exercise upon cancellation of the warrants as
described under "Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption Events" below.
Accordingly, except in the case of automatic exercise of the warrants or upon
cancellation of the warrants, if you own fewer than 100 warrants, you will need
either to sell your warrants or purchase additional warrants, in order to
realize proceeds from your investment. Warrants held through one participant,
may not be combined with warrants held through another participant in order to
satisfy the minimum exercise requirement.
Maximum Exercise Amount
All exercises of warrants, other than on automatic exercise, are
subject, at ML&Co.'s option, to the following limitations:
(a) not more than 20% of the warrants originally issued may be
exercised on any Exercise Date and
(b) not more than 10% of the warrants originally issued may be
exercised by or on behalf of any beneficial owner, either
individually or in concert with any other beneficial owner, on
any Exercise Date.
If any New York Business Day would otherwise, under the terms of the
Warrant Agreement, be the Exercise Date in respect to more than 20% of the
warrants originally issued, then at ML&Co.'s election, 20% of the warrants
originally issued shall be deemed exercised on the Exercise Date, selected by
the Warrant Agent on a pro rata basis, subject to the following conditions: (a)
if, as a result of the pro rata selection, any beneficial owner of warrants
would be deemed to have exercised fewer than 100 warrants, then the Warrant
Agent shall first select an additional amount of the beneficial owner's warrants
so that no beneficial owner shall be deemed to have exercised fewer than 100
warrants, and the remainder of the warrants, whether or not fewer than 100
warrants, the Remaining Warrants, shall be deemed exercised on the following New
York Business Day, subject to successive applications of this provision; and (b)
any Remaining Warrants for which an Exercise Notice was delivered on a given
Exercise Date shall be deemed exercised before any other warrants for which an
Exercise Notice was delivered on a later Exercise Date. If any beneficial owner
attempts to exercise more than 10% of the warrants originally issued on any New
York Business Day, then, at ML&Co.'s election, 10% of the warrants shall be
deemed exercised on that New York Business Day and the remainder shall be deemed
exercised on the following New York Business Day, subject to successive
applications of this provision. As a result of any postponed exercise as
described above, the beneficial owners will receive a Cash Settlement Amount
determined as of a date later than the otherwise applicable Valuation Day. In
that case, as a result of any postponement, the Cash Settlement Amount actually
received by those beneficial owners may be lower than the otherwise applicable
Cash Settlement Amount if the Valuation Day of the warrants had not been
postponed.
Successor Index
If FRC discontinues publication of the index and FRC or another entity
publishes a successor or substitute index that the calculation agent determines,
in its sole discretion, to be comparable to the index (a "successor index"),
then, upon the calculation agent's notification of its determination to the
Warrant Agent and ML&Co., the calculation agent will substitute the successor
index as calculated by FRC or another entity for the index and calculate the
Cash Settlement Amount upon an exercise as described above. Upon any selection
by the calculation agent of a successor index, ML&Co. shall promptly give notice
to the beneficial owners by publication in a United States newspaper with a
national circulation.
If at any time FRC changes its method of calculating the Russell 2000
Index, or the value of the Russell 2000 Index changes, in any material respect,
or if the Russell 2000 Index is in any other way modified so that the Russell
2000 Index does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent
the value of the Russell 2000 Index had any changes or modifications not been
made, then, from and after that time, the calculation agent shall, at the close
of business in New York, New York, on each date that the Ending Value is to be
calculated, make any adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the
calculation agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a calculation of a
value of a stock index comparable to the Russell 2000 Index as if no changes or
modifications had been made, and calculate the Ending Value with reference to
the Russell 2000 Index, as so adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of
calculating the Russell 2000 Index is modified so that the value of the Russell
2000 Index is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not
been modified, e.g., due to a split, then the calculation agent shall adjust the
Russell 2000 Index in order to arrive at a value of the Russell 2000 Index as if
it had not been modified, e.g., as if a split had not occurred.
In the event that the FRC discontinues publication of the Russell 2000
Index and:
o the calculation agent does not select a successor index, or
o the successor index is no longer published on any of the
Calculation Days,
the calculation agent will compute a substitute value for the Russell 2000 Index
in accordance with the procedures last used to calculate the Russell 2000 Index
before any discontinuance.
If a successor index is selected or the calculation agent calculates a
value as a substitute for the index, the successor index or value shall be
substituted for the index for all purposes, including for purposes of
determining whether a Market Disruption Event or Extraordinary Event exists. If
the calculation agent calculates a value as a substitute for the index, "Index
Calculation Day" shall mean any day on which the calculation agent is able to
calculate that value.
Extraordinary Events and Market Disruption Events
Extraordinary Events. If the calculation agent determines that an
Extraordinary Event has occurred and is continuing on the scheduled Index
Calculation Day with respect to which the Index Spot Value on a Valuation Day is
to be determined (the "Applicable Scheduled Index Calculation Day"), then the
Cash Settlement Amount in respect of an exercise shall be calculated on the
basis that the Valuation Day shall be the next Index Calculation Day following
an Applicable Scheduled Index Calculation Day on which there is no Extraordinary
Event or Market Disruption Event; provided that if a Valuation Day has not
occurred on or prior to the Expiration Date or the Delisting Date, the holders
will receive the Alternative Settlement Amount in lieu of the Cash Settlement
Amount which shall be calculated as if the warrants had been cancelled on the
Expiration Date or the Delisting Date, as the case may be. ML&Co. shall promptly
give notice to the beneficial owners by publication in a United States newspaper
with a national circulation, currently expected to be The Wall Street Journal,
if an Extraordinary Event shall have occurred.
"Extraordinary Event" means any of the following events, as determined
by the calculation agent:
(i) a suspension or absence of trading on the NYSE, AMEX or
the over-the-counter market of all the underlying stocks which then
comprise the index or a successor index;
(ii) the enactment, publication, decree or other promulgation
of any statute, regulation, rule or order of any court or any other
U.S. or non-U.S. governmental authority that would make it unlawful for
ML&Co. to perform any of its obligations under the Warrant Agreement or
the warrants; or
(iii) any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or other
national or international calamity or crises, including, without
limitation, natural calamities that in the reasonable opinion of the
calculation agent may materially and adversely affect the economy of
the United States or the trading of securities generally on the NYSE,
AMEX or the over- the-counter market, that has or will have a material
adverse effect on the ability of ML&Co. to perform its obligations
under the warrants or to modify the hedge of its position with respect
to the index or the common stocks which then comprise the index or a
successor index.
For the purposes of determining whether an Extraordinary Event has
occurred: (a) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading on an
exchange will not constitute an Extraordinary Event if it results from an
announced change in the regular business hours of the exchange and (b) an
"absence of trading" on an exchange will not include any time when the exchange
itself is closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. If the calculation
agent determines that an Extraordinary Event has occurred and is continuing, and
if the Extraordinary Event is expected by the calculation agent to continue,
ML&Co. may immediately cancel all outstanding warrants by notifying the Warrant
Agent of the cancellation, the date notice is given being the "Cancellation
Date", and each beneficial owner's rights under the warrants and the Warrant
Agreement shall thereupon cease. Upon any cancellation, each warrant shall be
automatically exercised on the basis that the Valuation Day for the warrant
shall be the Cancellation Date, if the Cancellation Date is an Index Calculation
Day, or the immediately succeeding scheduled Index Calculation Day, if the
Cancellation Date is not an Index Calculation Day, and the beneficial owner of
each warrant will receive, in lieu of the Cash Settlement Amount of the warrant,
an amount (the "Alternative Settlement Amount"), determined by the calculation
agent, which is the greater of:
o the average of the last sale prices, as available, of the
warrants on the AMEX, or any successor securities exchange on
which the warrants are listed, on the 30 trading days
preceding the date on which the Extraordinary Event was
declared; provided that, if the warrants were not traded on
the AMEX, or any successor securities exchange, on at least 20
of these trading days, no effect will be given to this clause
for the purpose of determining the Alternative Settlement
Amount, and
o the amount "X" calculated using the formula set forth below:
X = I + [ ___T___ X ___A___ ]
------- -------
2 B
where
I = The Cash Settlement Amount of the warrants determined as
described under "Cash Settlement Amount" above, but subject to the
following modifications:
(1) if the Cancellation Date for the warrants is a date on which
the index or a successor index is calculated and published,
for the purpose of determining the Cash Settlement Amount, the
Index Spot Value will be determined as of the Cancellation
Date except that, if the Index Spot Value as of that day is
less than 90% of the Index Spot Value as of the immediately
preceding Index Calculation Day, then the Index Spot Value
will be deemed to be 90% of the Index Spot Value on the
preceding Index Calculation Day; or
(2) if the Cancellation Date for the warrants is a date on which
the index or a successor index is not calculated or published,
for the purpose of determining the Cash Settlement Amount, the
Index Spot Value will be deemed to be the lesser of (i) the
Index Spot Value as of the first Index Calculation Day
immediately preceding the Cancellation Date except that, if
the Index Spot Value as of that day is less than 90% of the
Index Spot Value as of the second Index Calculation Day
immediately preceding that Cancellation Date, 90% of the Index
Spot Value as of that second Index Calculation Day and (ii)
the arithmetic average of four amounts, being (a) the Index
Spot Value at each of the three successive Index Calculation
Days immediately preceding the Cancellation Date and (b) the
Index Spot Value at the next Index Calculation Day, provided
that if an Extraordinary Event continues for 30 consecutive
days immediately following the Cancellation Date, then the
calculation agent shall calculate an amount which, in its
reasonable opinion, fairly reflects the value of the
underlying stocks on the scheduled Index Calculation Day
immediately following that Cancellation Date which, subject to
approval by ML&Co., ML&Co.'s approval not to be unreasonably
withheld, shall for purposes of calculating the amount under
this clause (2)(ii) be treated as the figure arrived at under
clause (2)(ii)(b) above;
T = U.S.$5.00, the initial offering price per warrant;
A = the total number of days from but excluding the Cancellation
Date for the warrants to and including the Expiration Date; and
B = the total number of days from but excluding the date the
warrants were initially sold to and including the Expiration Date.
For the purposes of determining "I" in the above formula, in the event
that the calculation agent and ML&Co. are required to have, but have not, after
good faith consultation with each other and within five days following the first
day upon which the Alternative Settlement Amount may be calculated in accordance
with the above formula, agreed upon a figure under clause (2)(ii)(b) which
fairly reflects the value of the Underlying Stocks on the Cancellation Date,
then the calculation agent shall promptly nominate a third party, subject to
approval by ML&Co., this approval not to be unreasonably withheld, to determine
the figure and calculate the Alternative Settlement Amount in accordance with
the above formula. This party shall act as an independent expert and not as an
agent of ML&Co. or the calculation agent, and its calculation and determination
of the Alternative Settlement Amount shall, absent manifest error, be final and
binding on ML&Co., the Warrant Agent, the calculation agent and the holders. The
Warrant Agent will have no duty of independent investigation with respect to the
calculation and determination of the Alternative Settlement Amount. Any
calculations will be made available to holders for inspection at the Warrant
Agent's Office. Neither ML&Co. nor the third party shall have any responsibility
for good faith errors or omissions in calculating the Alternative Settlement
Amount. Under certain circumstances, the duties of MLPF&S as calculation agent
in determining the existence of Extraordinary Events could conflict with the
interests of MLPF&S as an affiliate of the issuer of the warrants, ML&Co.
Market Disruption Events. If the calculation agent determines that on a
Valuation Day a Market Disruption Event has occurred and is continuing, the
Valuation Day shall be postponed to the first succeeding Index Calculation Day
on which no Market Disruption Event occurs; provided that, if the Valuation Day
has not occurred on or prior to the fifth scheduled Index Calculation Day
following an Exercise Date because of Market Disruption Events, the calculation
agent shall, on that fifth scheduled Index Calculation Day, calculate an amount
which, in its reasonable opinion, fairly reflects the value of the underlying
stocks on that day in order to determine the Cash Settlement Amount. "Market
Disruption Event" means with respect to any Valuation Day the occurrence or
existence during the one-half hour period that ends at the determination of the
closing index value for that scheduled Index Calculation Day of:
(1) a suspension, material limitation or absence of trading on the
NYSE, AMEX or the over-the-counter market of 20% or more of
the underlying stocks which then comprise the index or a
successor index during the one-half hour period preceding the
close of trading on the applicable exchange; or
(2) the suspension or material limitation on the Chicago Board
Options Exchange (the "CBOE"), Chicago Mercantile Exchange
(the "CME") or any other major futures or securities market of
trading in futures or options contracts related to the index
or a successor index during the one-half hour period preceding
the close of trading on the applicable exchange.
For the purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has
occurred:
(1) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading will
not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an
announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant
exchange,
(2) a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant
futures or options contract will not constitute a Market
Disruption Event,
(3) a suspension in trading in a futures or options contract on
the index by a major securities market by reason of (a) a
price change violating limits set by the securities market,
(b) an imbalance of orders relating to these contracts or (c)
a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to these contracts
will constitute a suspension or material limitation of trading
in futures or options contracts related to the index,
(4) an absence of trading on an exchange will not include any time
when the exchange is closed for trading under ordinary
circumstances, and
(5) the occurrence of an Extraordinary Event described in Clause
(i) of Extraordinary Event will not constitute, and will
supersede the occurrence of, a Market Disruption Event.
Under certain circumstances, the duties of MLPF&S as calculation agent
in determining the existence of Market Disruption Events could conflict with the
interests of MLPF&S as an affiliate of the issuer of the warrants, ML&Co.
Modification
The Warrant Agreement and the terms of the warrants may be amended by
ML&Co. and the Warrant Agent without the consent of the beneficial owners of any
warrants for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or
supplementing any defective or inconsistent provision contained in the Warrant
Agreement or the terms of the warrants, or in any other manner which ML&Co. may
deem necessary or desirable and which will not materially and adversely affect
the interests of the beneficial owners of the warrants.
ML&Co. and the Warrant Agent also may modify or amend the Warrant
Agreement and the terms of the warrants, with the consent of the beneficial
owners of not less than a majority in number of the then outstanding warrants
affected, provided that no modification or amendment that changes the Index
Strike Value so as to adversely affect the beneficial owner, shortens the period
of time during which the warrants may be exercised or otherwise materially and
adversely affects the exercise rights of the beneficial owners of the warrants
or reduces the percentage of the number of outstanding warrants, the consent of
whose beneficial owners is required for modification or amendment of the Warrant
Agreement or the terms of the warrants may be made without the consent of the
beneficial owners of warrants affected by these changes.
Merger and Consolidation
ML&Co. may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, and
ML&Co. may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any
corporation, provided that the corporation, if other than ML&Co., formed by or
resulting from any consolidation or merger or which shall have received these
assets shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
United States of America or a state thereof and shall assume payment of the Cash
Settlement Amount or Alternative Settlement Amount with respect to all
unexercised warrants, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual
performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Warrant
Agreement and of the warrants to be performed by ML&Co.
THE INDEX
Unless otherwise stated, all information in this prospectus on the
index is derived from FRC or other publicly available sources. This information
reflects the policies of FRC as stated in these sources and these policies are
subject to change by FRC. FRC is under no obligation to continue to publish the
index and may discontinue publication of the index at any time.
The index is an index calculated, published and disseminated by FRC,
and measures the composite price performance of stocks of 2,000 companies
domiciled in the U.S. and its territories. All 2,000 stocks are traded on either
the NYSE or the AMEX or in the over-the-counter market and form a part of the
Russell 3000(R) Index. The Russell 3000 Index is composed of the 3,000 largest
U.S. companies as determined by market capitalization and represents
approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.
The index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the
Russell 3000 Index. The index is designed to track the performance of the small
capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.
Selection of stocks underlying the index
Only common stocks belonging to corporations domiciled in the U.S. and
its territories are eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000 Index and the
index. Stocks traded on U.S. exchanges but domiciled in other countries are
excluded. Preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, participating preferred
stock, paired shares, warrants and rights are also excluded. Trust receipts,
Royalty Trusts, limited liability companies, OTC Bulletin Board companies, pink
sheets, closed-end mutual funds, and limited partnerships that are traded on
U.S. exchanges, are also ineligible for inclusion. Real Estate Investment Trusts
and Beneficial Trusts are eligible for inclusion, however. Generally, only one
class of securities of a company is allowed in the Russell 3000 Index, although
exceptions to this general rule have been made where FRC has determined that
each class of securities acts independent of the other.
The primary criteria used to determine the initial list of securities
eligible for the Russell 3000 Index is total market capitalization, which is
defined as the price of the shares times the total number of shares outstanding.
Based on closing values on May 31 of each year, FRC reconstitutes the
composition of the Russell 3000 Index using the then existing market
capitalizations of eligible companies. As of June 30 of each year, the index is
adjusted to reflect the reconstitution of the Russell 3000 Index for that year.
Real-time dissemination of the index began on January 1, 1987.
As a capitalization-weighted index, the Russell 2000 Index reflects
changes in the capitalization, or market value, of the component stocks relative
to the capitalization on a base date. The current index value is calculated by
adding the market values of the index's component stocks, which are derived by
multiplying the price of each stock by the number of shares outstanding, to
arrive at the total market capitalization of the 2,000 stocks. The total market
capitalization is then divided by a divisor, which represents the "adjusted"
capitalization of the index on the base date of December 31, 1986. To calculate
the index, last sale prices will be used for exchange-traded and NASDAQ stocks.
If a component stock is not open for trading, the most recently traded price for
that security will be used in calculating the index. In order to provide
continuity for the index's value, the divisor is adjusted periodically to
reflect events including changes in the number of common shares outstanding for
component stocks, company additions or deletions, corporate restructurings and
other capitalization changes.
The value of the index is reported on the AMEX under the Symbol "RTY",
on Bloomberg under the symbol "RTY" and on Reuters under the symbol ".RTY".
All disclosure contained in this prospectus regarding the index, or its
publisher, is derived from publicly available information. All copyrights and
other intellectual property rights relating to the index are owned by FRC. FRC
has no relationship with ML&Co. or the warrants; it does not sponsor, endorse,
authorize, sell or promote the warrants, and has no obligation or liability in
connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the warrants.
The index is a trademark of FRC and has been licensed for use by ML&Co.
The warrants are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FRC and FRC makes
no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the warrants.
The warrants are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FRC. FRC
makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the
warrants or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in
securities generally or in the warrants particularly or the ability of the index
to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FRC's
publication of the index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FRC as to
the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the
index is based. FRC's only relationship to ML&Co. is the licensing of certain
trademarks, and trade names of FRC and of the index which is determined,
composed and calculated by FRC without regard to ML&Co. or the warrants. FRC is
not responsible for and has not reviewed the warrants or any associated
literature or publications and FRC makes no representation or warranty express
or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FRC reserves the
right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way
change the index. FRC has no obligation or liability in connection with the
administration, marketing or trading of the warrants.
FRC DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE
INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND FRC SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY
ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. FRC MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ML&CO., INVESTORS, OWNERS OF THE
WARRANTS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA
INCLUDED THEREIN. FRC MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING
ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL FRC HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL,
PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF
NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC.
Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file by visiting
the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and
Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information
about the public reference rooms. You may also inspect our SEC reports and other
information at the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005.
We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC
covering the STRYPES and other securities. For further information on ML&Co. and
the STRYPES, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits.
This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents
that we refer you to. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information
that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents.
We have included copies of these documents as exhibits to our registration
statement of which this prospectus is a part.
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file
with them, which means:
o incorporated documents are considered part of the prospectus;
o we can disclose important information to you by referring you to
those documents; and
o information that we file with the SEC will automatically update
and supersede this incorporated information.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below which were filed
with the SEC under the Exchange Act:
o annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 1998;
o quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 26, 1999;
and
o current reports on Form 8-K dated December 28, 1998, January 19,
1999, February 17, 1999, February 18, 1999, February 22, 1999,
February 23, 1999, March 26, 1999, April 13, 1999, April 19, 1999,
May 26, 1999, May 28, 1999 and June 1, 1999.
We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that we will
file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus until this offering is
completed:
o reports filed under Sections 13(a) and (c) of the Exchange Act;
o definitive proxy or information statements filed under Section 14
of the Exchange Act in connection with any subsequent
stockholders' meeting; and
o any reports filed under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
You should rely only on information contained or incorporated by
reference in this prospectus. We have not, and MLPF&S has not, authorized any
other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you
with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are
not, and MLPF&S is not, making an offer to sell these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is
accurate as of the date of this prospectus only. Our business, financial
condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
You may request a copy of any filings referred to above (excluding
exhibits), at no cost, by contacting us at the following address: Mr. Lawrence
M. Egan, Jr., Corporate Secretary's Office, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 100
Church Street, New York, New York 10080-6512, Telephone: (212) 602-8435.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
This prospectus has been prepared in connection with secondary sales of
the warrants and is to be used by MLPF&S when making offers and sales related to
market-making transactions in the warrants.
MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making
transactions.
The warrants may be offered on the NYSE or off the exchange in
negotiated transactions or otherwise.
The distribution of the warrants will conform to the requirements set
forth in the applicable sections of Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the NASD.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and the related financial
statement schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries have been
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their
reports (which express an unqualified opinion and which report on the
consolidated financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph for the
change in accounting method for certain internal-use software development
costs), which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so
incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
With respect to unaudited interim financial information for the periods
included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q which are incorporated herein by
reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance
with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated
in their reports included in such Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and
incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express an
opinion on such interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of
reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP is
not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act for
any such report on unaudited interim financial information because any such
report is not a "report" or a "part" of the Registration Statement prepared or
certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the
Securities Act.