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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
  February 15, 2006
 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.


(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
         
Delaware   1-7182   13-2740599
 
(State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
4 World Financial Center, New York, New York   10080
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (212) 449-1000
 

 


(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

     
¨
  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
þ
  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
¨
  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


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Item 8.01 Other Events.
Item 9.01. Exhibits.
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1: PRESS RELEASE


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Item 8.01 Other Events.

On February 15, 2006, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. issued a press release announcing that it had reached an agreement to merge Merrill Lynch’s investment management business, Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, with BlackRock to create a new independent company. Merrill Lynch will have a 49.8% economic interest (which includes a 45% voting interest) in the combined company. The new company will operate under the BlackRock name. The transaction, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the third quarter of 2006.

A copy of the above-referenced press release is being filed as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Item 9.01. Exhibits.
     
  
  (d)  
Exhibits
     
  
  99.1  
Press release dated February 15, 2006 issued by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and BlackRock, Inc.

* * *

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
 
      MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
 
       
 
      (Registrant)
 
       
 
  By:   /s/ Judith A. Witterschein
 
       
 
      Judith A. Witterschein
 
      Corporate Secretary

Date: February 15, 2006

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EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit No.   Description
 
   
99.1
  Press release dated February 15, 2006 issued by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

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