PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT |
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5) Registration No. 333-83374
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(To prospectus dated April 1, 2002) |
2,950,000 Units
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
7% Callable STock Return Income DEbt SecuritiesSM
due September 1, 2004
Callable STRIDESSM
Payable at maturity with Citigroup Inc. common stock
The Callable STRIDES: Principal amount per unit and original issue price per unit of the Callable STRIDES equals $34.20, the closing market price of one share of Citigroup Inc. common stock on August 27, 2002, the date the Callable
STRIDES were priced for initial sale to the public. We will pay interest on the principal amount of the Callable
STRIDES quarterly, at the rate of 7% per year, beginning December 1, 2002. Callable at the option of Merrill Lynch
& Co., Inc. beginning September 2, 2003. If the closing market price of Citigroup Inc. common stock falls below a
specified level, the Callable STRIDES will be redeemed prior to their stated maturity date. If redeemed, we will deliver for each Callable STRIDES one share of Citigroup Inc. common stock, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating
to Citigroup Inc. as described in this prospectus supplement, plus the redemption amount described in this prospectus supplement. Senior unsecured debt securities of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Linked to the price
of Citigroup Inc. common stock (trading symbol C). Citigroup Inc. has no obligations relating to, and does not sponsor or endorse, the Callable STRIDES. The Callable STRIDES have been approved for listing on the American Stock Exchange under the trading symbol CGR, subject to official notice of issuance. Expected settlement date: August 30, 2002. |
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Payment at maturity: If
the Callable STRIDES have not been redeemed or we have not called the Callable STRIDES prior to or on the stated maturity date, for each Callable STRIDES you own at maturity, in addition to accrued and unpaid interest, we will deliver to you one
share of Citigroup Inc. common stock, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to Citigroup Inc. as described in this prospectus supplement. At maturity, if the price of Citigroup Inc. common stock has decreased, the value of the Citigroup Inc. common stock that you will receive will be less than the principal amount of your Callable
STRIDES. Payment if called by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.: If we call the Callable STRIDES on or after September 2, 2003, we will pay you a cash amount that, together with all other payments made
on the Callable STRIDES from the original issue date to and including the call date, will provide a yield to call of 14% per year on the principal amount of the Callable STRIDES from the original issue date until the call date. |
Investing in the Callable STRIDES involves risks that are
described in the Risk Factors section beginning on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Unit
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Total
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Public offering price (1) |
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$34.20 |
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$100,890,000 |
Underwriting discount |
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$.6840 |
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$2,017,800 |
Proceeds, before expenses, to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. |
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$ |
33.5160 |
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$98,872,200 |
(1) Plus accrued interest from August 30, 2002, if
settlement occurs after that date
Merrill Lynch & Co.
The date of this prospectus
supplement is August 27, 2002.
STock Return Income DEbt Securities and STRIDES are service marks of Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc.
Prospectus Supplement
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Page
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S-4 |
What are the Callable STRIDES? |
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S-4 |
When will I receive interest? |
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S-4 |
What will I receive on the stated maturity date of the Callable STRIDES? |
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S-4 |
How does the call feature work? |
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S-5 |
What is Citigroup? |
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S-5 |
What is Citigroups role in the Callable STRIDES? |
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S-6 |
How has Citigroup common stock performed historically? |
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S-6 |
When will I receive cash instead of shares of Citigroup common stock? |
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S-6 |
What about taxes? |
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S-6 |
Will the Callable STRIDES be listed on a stock exchange? |
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S-6 |
What is the role of MLPF&S? |
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S-6 |
What is ML&Co.? |
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S-7 |
Are there any risks associated with an investment in the Callable STRIDES? |
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S-7 |
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S-8 |
Your investment may result in a loss |
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S-8 |
The Callable STRIDES are subject to being called at our option |
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S-8 |
Your yield may be lower than the yield on other standard debt securities of comparable maturity |
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S-8 |
Your return may be limited and will not be identical to the return of owning Citigroup common stock |
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S-8 |
There may be an uncertain trading market for the Callable STRIDES |
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S-9 |
Many factors affect the trading value of the Callable STRIDES; these factors interrelate in complex ways and the effect
of any one factor may offset or magnify the effect of another factor |
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S-9 |
Amounts payable on the Callable STRIDES may be limited by state law |
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S-10 |
No Affiliation Between ML&Co. and Citigroup |
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S-10 |
No stockholders rights |
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S-11 |
Purchases and sales of Citigroup common stock by us and our affiliates may affect your return |
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S-11 |
Potential conflicts |
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S-11 |
Uncertain tax consequences |
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S-11 |
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S-12 |
Interest |
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S-12 |
Payment at maturity |
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S-12 |
Fractional Shares |
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S-13 |
Call at the option of ML&Co. |
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S-13 |
Call Prices |
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S-14 |
Hypothetical returns at maturity |
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S-15 |
Redemption Event |
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S-16 |
Events of Default and Acceleration |
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S-16 |
Share Multiplier Adjustments |
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S-17 |
Reorganization Events |
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S-21 |
Alternative Dilution and Reorganization Adjustments |
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S-22 |
Depositary |
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S-23 |
Same-Day Settlement and Payment |
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S-25 |
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S-25 |
Citigroup |
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S-25 |
Historical data |
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S-26 |
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S-27 |
General |
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S-27 |
Tax Treatment of a Callable STRIDES |
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S-28 |
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of the Callable STRIDES |
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S-28 |
Premium |
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S-29 |
Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in a Callable STRIDES |
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S-29 |
Constructive Ownership Law |
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S-30 |
S-2
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Page
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Non-U.S. Holders |
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S-30 |
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting |
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S-30 |
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S-30 |
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S-32 |
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S-32 |
ML&Co. |
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S-32 |
Citigroup |
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S-32 |
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S-33 |
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S-34 |
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S-34 |
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S-35 |
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A-1 |
Prospectus
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Page
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MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC |
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2 |
USE OF PROCEEDS |
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2 |
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
DIVIDENDS |
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3 |
THE SECURITIES |
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3 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES |
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4 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS |
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10 |
DESCRIPTION OF CURRENCY WARRANTS |
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12 |
DESCRIPTION OF INDEX WARRANTS |
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14 |
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK |
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19 |
DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES |
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24 |
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS |
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28 |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK |
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30 |
DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WARRANTS |
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34 |
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION |
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36 |
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
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37 |
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC |
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37 |
EXPERTS |
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38 |
S-3
This summary includes questions and answers
that highlight selected information from this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to help you understand the Callable STock Return Income DEbt SecuritiesSM due September 1, 2004 (the Callable STRIDESSM) payable at maturity with Citigroup Inc. (Citigroup) common stock. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to fully understand
the terms of the Callable STRIDES, as well as the tax and other considerations that are important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the Callable STRIDES. You should carefully review the Risk Factors section, which
highlights certain risks, to determine whether an investment in the Callable STRIDES is appropriate for you.
References in this prospectus supplement to ML&Co., we, us and our are to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., and references to MLPF&S are to Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
What are the Callable STRIDES?
The Callable STRIDES will be a series of senior debt securities issued by ML&Co. and will not be secured by collateral. The Callable STRIDES will rank equally with all
of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Callable STRIDES will mature on September 1, 2004, if not called by us, or redeemed, on or prior to that date. We have designed the Callable STRIDES for investors who want to receive interest
payments on their investment and who also want to participate in the change in the price of Citigroup common stock over the term of the Callable STRIDES, subject to ML&Co.s right to call the Callable STRIDES.
Each unit of Callable STRIDES represents $34.20 principal amount of Callable STRIDES, the closing market price of one share of Citigroup
common stock on August 27, 2002, the date the Callable STRIDES were priced for initial sale to the public (the Pricing Date). For a detailed explanation of the closing market price, please see the section entitled Description of
the Callable STRIDESShare Multiplier Adjustments.
You may transfer the Callable STRIDES only in whole
units. You will not have the right to receive physical certificates evidencing your ownership except under limited circumstances. Instead, we will issue the Callable STRIDES in the form of a global certificate, which will be held by The Depository
Trust Company, also known as DTC, or its nominee. Direct and indirect participants in DTC will record your ownership of the Callable STRIDES. You should refer to the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDESDepositary in
this prospectus supplement.
When will I receive interest?
Interest on the Callable STRIDES will accrue at the rate of 7% per year on the principal amount of each unit from August 30, 2002 to but excluding the maturity date,
redemption date or the date we call the Callable STRIDES. You will receive quarterly interest payments on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning December 1, 2002. If any interest payment date is not a Business Day, you
will receive payment on the following Business Day.
What will I receive on the stated maturity date of the Callable STRIDES?
If the Callable STRIDES have not been redeemed or we have not called the Callable STRIDES on or prior to the
stated maturity date, for each unit of the Callable STRIDES that you own at maturity, in addition to accrued and unpaid interest, we will deliver to you one share of Citigroup common stock, subject to adjustment to account for certain corporate
events relating to Citigroup described in this prospectus supplement.
For more specific information regarding the
corporate events referred to above, please see the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDESShare Multiplier Adjustment and Reorganization Events in this prospectus supplement.
You should understand that the opportunity to participate in possible increases in the price of Citigroup common stock through an
investment in
S-4
the Callable STRIDES is limited because if we call the Callable STRIDES the total yield on your investment will never exceed 14% per year. However, in the event that the price of Citigroup common
stock declines over the term of the Callable STRIDES, you will realize the entire decline in the value of the Callable STRIDES and may lose a part or all of your initial investment. For more information about risks associated with the Callable
STRIDES, please see the section entitled Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement.
How does the call feature work?
We may call the Callable STRIDES on any scheduled Business Day beginning on September 2, 2003, through and
including the maturity date (the day on which the call occurs, if any, being the Call Date) by giving notice to the trustee of the Callable STRIDES at least ten Business Days prior to the Call Date as described in this prospectus
supplement and specifying the Call Date, Call Price and amount of accrued and unpaid interest payable on the Call Date. The Call Price will be determined based upon the applicable Call Date. The Call Price will equal $36.4852 if we call the Callable
STRIDES on September 2, 2003, the first date the Callable STRIDES may be called, and $39.0694 if we call the Callable STRIDES on September 1, 2004, the last date the Callable STRIDES may be called. For a list of month-end, midmonth, first and last
Call Prices from September 2, 2003 through the maturity date, please see the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDESCall Prices in this prospectus supplement; and for an example of the Call Price calculation, please
see Annex A to this prospectus supplement. If we elect to exercise our call option, the Call Price will be disclosed to DTC, or its nominee, while the Callable STRIDES are held by DTC as depositary. So long as DTC, or its nominee, is the registered
holder of the Callable STRIDES, notice of our election to exercise the call option will be forwarded as described in the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDESDepositary in this prospectus supplement. The Call Price
does not include the amount of unpaid interest accrued to but excluding the Call Date; however, on the Call Date you will receive an amount equal to the Call Price plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the Call Date (the Final
Amount).
The Call Price on any Call Date is the amount of cash, per Callable STRIDES, that when
discounted from the Call Date to the original issue date by a discount factor based on an annual yield to call of 14% and added to the present value of all interest payments made through and including the applicable Call Date discounted to the
original issue date by that same discount factor, will equal the original issue price. The yield to call represents the interest rate per year used in determining the present values, discounted to the original issue date, of all payments made or to
be made on the Callable STRIDES, including the Call Price and all interest payments, such that the sum of these present values is equal to the original issue price. The present values of the interest payments made on the Callable STRIDES will be
calculated assuming each payment is made on the calendar day scheduled for that payment, without regard to whether that day is a Business Day.
What is Citigroup?
Citigroup has disclosed that it is a global financial services holding
company that provides a broad range of financial services to both consumer and corporate customers. You should independently investigate Citigroup and decide whether an investment in the Callable STRIDES linked to Citigroup common stock is
appropriate for you.
Because Citigroup common stock is registered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
Citigroup is required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by Citigroup can be located by reference to SEC file number 1-9924
and inspected at the SECs public reference facilities or accessed over the Internet through the SECs web site. In addition, information regarding Citigroup may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases,
newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated information. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such information. For further information, please see the sections entitled Citigroup Common
StockCitigroup and Where You Can Find More Information in this prospectus supplement.
S-5
What is Citigroups role in the Callable STRIDES?
Citigroup has no obligations relating to the Callable STRIDES or amounts to be paid to you, including any obligation to take the needs of
ML&Co. or of beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES into consideration for any reason. Citigroup will not receive any of the proceeds of the offering of the Callable STRIDES and is not responsible for, and has not participated in, the
offering of the Callable STRIDES and is not responsible for, and will not participate in, the determination or calculation of the amount receivable by beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES. ML&Co. is not affiliated with Citigroup.
How has Citigroup common stock performed historically?
You can find a table with the high and low closing prices per share of Citigroup common stock during each quarter from 1998 to the present in the section entitled
Citigroup Common StockHistorical Data in this prospectus supplement. We have provided this historical information to help you evaluate the behavior of Citigroup common stock in various economic environments; however, past
performance of Citigroup common stock is not necessarily indicative of how it will perform in the future.
When will I receive cash
instead of shares of Citigroup common stock?
If we call the Callable STRIDES, you will receive the Call Price
in cash. Please see the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDESCall at the option of ML&Co. in this prospectus supplement.
Also, we will not distribute fractional shares of Citigroup. In the event that the number of shares of Citigroup common stock to be delivered for each unit of Callable STRIDES is adjusted to account
for certain corporate events described in this prospectus supplement and the number of shares to be delivered on the maturity date is not divisible by a whole number, we will aggregate all share amounts due on the maturity date, and in lieu of
delivering a fractional share of Citigroup common stock, we will pay the cash value of the fractional share as more fully described in the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDESFractional Shares in this prospectus
supplement.
What about taxes?
The U.S. Federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Callable STRIDES are complex and uncertain. Pursuant to the terms of the Callable STRIDES, ML&Co. and you agree, in the absence of
an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize a Callable STRIDES for all tax purposes as an investment unit consisting of a debt instrument of ML&Co. and a forward contract to acquire Citigroup common stock. Under this
characterization of the Callable STRIDES, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, you will generally include payments of interest on the Callable STRIDES in income in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. You should review the
discussion under the section entitled United States Federal Income Taxation in this prospectus supplement.
Will the
Callable STRIDES be listed on a stock exchange?
The Callable STRIDES have been approved for listing on the
AMEX under the trading symbol CGR, subject to official notice of issuance. You should be aware that listing of the Callable STRIDES on the AMEX will not necessarily ensure that a liquid trading market will be available for the Callable
STRIDES. You should review the section entitled Risk FactorsThere may be an uncertain trading market for the Callable STRIDES in this prospectus supplement.
What is the role of MLPF&S?
MLPF&S, our
subsidiary, is the underwriter for the offering and sale of the Callable STRIDES. After the initial offering, MLPF&S intends to buy and sell Callable STRIDES to create a secondary market for holders of the Callable STRIDES, and may stabilize or
maintain the closing market price of
S-6
the Callable STRIDES during the initial distribution. However, MLPF&S will not be obligated to engage in any of these market activities or to continue them once it has started.
MLPF&S also will be our agent for purposes of calculating, among other things, the Call Price and the number of shares of
Citigroup common stock deliverable to you at maturity. Under certain circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between MLPF&Ss status as our subsidiary and its responsibilities as calculation agent.
What is ML&Co.?
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is a holding company with various subsidiaries and affiliated companies that provide investment, financing, insurance and related services on a global basis. For information about ML&Co., please see
the section entitled Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. in the accompanying prospectus. You should also read the other documents we have filed with the SEC, which you can find by referring to the section entitled Where You Can Find More
Information in this prospectus supplement.
Are there any risks associated with an investment in the Callable STRIDES?
Yes, an investment in the Callable STRIDES is subject to certain risks. Please refer to the section entitled
Risk Factors in this prospectus supplement.
S-7
Your investment in the Callable STRIDES will involve certain risks. You
should consider carefully the following discussion of risks before you decide that an investment in the Callable STRIDES is suitable for you.
Your investment may result in a loss
The Callable STRIDES do not provide for a minimum
repayment amount at maturity. If we do not elect to exercise our call option on or prior to the stated maturity date for each Callable STRIDES you own at stated maturity, you will receive one share of Citigroup common stock, subject to adjustment as
described in this prospectus supplement. Because the price of Citigroup common stock is subject to market fluctuations, the value of the Citigroup common stock that we will deliver to you at maturity may be more or less than the principal amount of
your Callable STRIDES. The value of the Callable STRIDES may decline, and that decline could be substantial. If you purchase your Callable STRIDES in the initial distribution, and if, at maturity, the closing market price of Citigroup common stock
is less than the initial issue price of each Callable STRIDES, your investment in the Callable STRIDES will result in a loss to you of part or all of your initial investment.
In addition, if on any date the product of the Share Multiplier and the closing price of Citigroup common stock declines to less than $2.00, the Callable STRIDES will be
redeemed early and you will receive for each Callable STRIDES then owned by you (1) shares of Citigroup common stock equal to the Share Multiplier, (2) accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the Redemption Date, as defined in this prospectus
supplement, and (3) a cash amount equal to the present value of the additional interest that would have been paid through the stated maturity but for such early redemption.
The Callable STRIDES are subject to being called at our option
We may call all of the Callable STRIDES on any scheduled Business Day beginning September 2, 2003 to and including the maturity date. In the event that we elect to call the Callable STRIDES, you will receive only the Call Price and
any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the Call Date, and you will not be entitled to receive shares of Citigroup common stock at maturity. You should not expect to obtain a total annualized yield of more than 14% on the original issue
price.
Your yield may be lower than the yield on other standard debt securities of comparable maturity
The yield that you will receive on your Callable STRIDES, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other
investments. Your yield may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a standard senior non-callable debt security of ML&Co. with the same stated maturity date. Your investment may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you
take into account factors that affect the time value of money. Unlike standard senior non-callable debt securities, the Callable STRIDES do not guarantee the return of a principal amount at maturity.
Your return may be limited and will not be identical to the return of owning Citigroup common stock
You should understand that the opportunity to participate in the possible increases in the price of Citigroup common stock through an investment in the Callable
STRIDES is limited because the amount you receive if we call the Callable STRIDES will never exceed a total annualized yield of 14% on the original issue price. However, if we choose not to exercise our call option and the value of Citigroup common
stock declines over the term of the Callable STRIDES, you will realize the entire decline in value of the Callable STRIDES and will lose a part or all of your initial investment.
In addition, your return on the Callable STRIDES will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned Citigroup common stock and received the dividends, if
any, paid on Citigroup common stock.
S-8
You will not be entitled to receive dividends, if any, paid on the Citigroup common stock unless and until you actually hold Citigroup common stock on the applicable record date for the payment
of a dividend.
There may be an uncertain trading market for the Callable STRIDES
The Callable STRIDES have been approved for listing on the AMEX under the trading symbol CGR, subject to official notice of
issuance. Listing the Callable STRIDES on the AMEX does not necessarily ensure that a trading market will develop for the Callable STRIDES. 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 Callable STRIDES will depend on our financial performance and other factors such as the appreciation, if any, in the price of Citigroup common stock. In addition, it is unlikely that the secondary
market price of the Callable STRIDES will correlate exactly with the price of Citigroup common stock.
If the
trading market for the Callable STRIDES is limited, there may be a limited number of buyers if you decide to sell your Callable STRIDES rather than hold your investment until the maturity date. This may affect the price you receive.
Many factors affect the trading value of the Callable STRIDES; these factors interrelate in complex ways and the effect of any one factor may
offset or magnify the effect of another factor
The trading value of the Callable STRIDES will be affected by
factors that interrelate 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 Callable STRIDES caused by another factor, and that the effect of one factor may
exacerbate the decrease in the trading value of the Callable STRIDES caused by another factor. For example, an increase in U.S. interest rates may offset some or all of any increase in the trading value of the Callable STRIDES attributable to
another factor, such as an increase in the price of Citigroup common stock. The following paragraphs describe the expected impact on the market value of the Callable STRIDES given a change in a specific factor, assuming all other conditions remain
constant.
The price of Citigroup common stock is expected to affect the trading value of the Callable
STRIDES. We expect that the market value of the Callable STRIDES will depend substantially on the price of Citigroup common stock, as adjusted for certain dilution and reorganization events described in this prospectus supplement. However,
you generally should not expect the market value of your Callable STRIDES to be identical to the market value of the Citigroup common stock. For example, if you choose to sell your Callable STRIDES when the price of Citigroup common stock, as
adjusted, exceeds the principal amount, you may receive substantially less than the current market value of the Citigroup common stock because of the expectation that the price of Citigroup common stock will continue to fluctuate until the maturity
date.
Changes in the levels of interest rates are expected to affect the trading value of the Callable
STRIDES. We expect that changes in interest rates will affect the trading value of the Callable STRIDES. In general, if U.S. interest rates increase, we expect that the trading value of the Callable STRIDES will decrease and, conversely, if
U.S. interest rates decrease, we expect that the trading value of the Callable STRIDES will increase.
Changes in the volatility of Citigroup common stock are expected to affect the trading value of the Callable STRIDES. Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of price and/or market fluctuations.
If the volatility of Citigroup common stock increases, we expect the trading value of the Callable STRIDES will decrease; and, if the volatility of Citigroup common stock decreases, we expect that the trading value of the Callable STRIDES will
increase.
S-9
As the time remaining to maturity of the Callable STRIDES decreases, the
time premium or discount associated with the Callable STRIDES will decrease. We anticipate that before their maturity, the Callable STRIDES may trade at a value above or below that which would be expected based on the level of
interest rates and the price of Citigroup common stock. This difference will reflect a time premium or discount due to expectations concerning the price of Citigroup common stock during the period before the stated maturity of the
Callable STRIDES. As the time remaining to maturity decreases, any discount or premium attributed to the trading value of the Callable STRIDES will diminish, increasing or decreasing the trading value of the Callable STRIDES.
Changes in dividend yields of Citigroup common stock are expected to affect the trading value of the Callable
STRIDES. In general, if the dividend yield on Citigroup common stock were to increase, we expect that the value of the Callable STRIDES would decrease. However, should there be a subsequent decrease in the dividend yield on Citigroup common
stock, we expect the value of the Callable STRIDES would increase.
Changes in our credit ratings may affect
the trading value of the Callable STRIDES. 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 Callable STRIDES.
However, because your return on your Callable STRIDES is dependent upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our obligations under the Callable STRIDES, such as the percentage change in the price of Citigroup common stock at maturity, an
improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the Callable STRIDES.
In
general, assuming all relevant factors are held constant, we expect that the effect on the trading value of the Callable STRIDES of a given change in most of the factors listed above will be less if it occurs later in the term of the Callable
STRIDES than if it occurs earlier in the term of the Callable STRIDES. However, we expect that the effect on the trading value of the Callable STRIDES of a given change in the price of Citigroup common stock will be greater if it occurs later in the
term of the Callable STRIDES than if it occurs earlier in the term of the Callable STRIDES.
Amounts payable on the Callable STRIDES
may be limited by state law
New York State law governs the 1983 Indenture under which the Callable STRIDES
will be issued. New York has usury laws that limit the amount of interest that can be charged and paid on loans, which includes debt securities like the Callable STRIDES. Under present New York law, the maximum rate of interest is 25% per annum on a
simple interest basis. This limit may not apply to debt securities in which $2,500,000 or more has been invested.
While we believe that New York law would be given effect by a state or Federal court sitting outside of New York, many other states also have laws that regulate the amount of interest that may be charged to and paid by a borrower. We
promise, for the benefit of the holders of the Callable STRIDES, to the extent permitted by law, not to voluntarily claim the benefits of any laws concerning usurious rates of interest.
No Affiliation Between ML&Co. and Citigroup
We are not affiliated with Citigroup, and Citigroup has no obligations relating to the Callable STRIDES or amounts to be paid to you, including any obligation to take the needs of ML&Co. or of beneficial owners of the Callable
STRIDES into consideration for any reason. Citigroup will not receive any of the proceeds of the offering of the Callable STRIDES and is not responsible for, and has not participated in, the offering of the Callable STRIDES and is not responsible
for, and will not participate in, the determination or calculation of the amount receivable by beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES.
S-10
No stockholders rights
Beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES will not be entitled to any rights in Citigroup common stock including, for example, the right to receive dividends or other
distributions, voting rights and the right to tender or exchange common stock in any tender or exchange offer by Citigroup or any third party.
Purchases and sales of Citigroup common stock by us and our affiliates may affect your return
We and our affiliates may from time to time buy or sell Citigroup common stock or futures or option contracts on Citigroup common stock for our own accounts for business reasons. We expect to enter into such transactions in
connection with hedging our obligations under the Callable STRIDES. These transactions could affect the price of Citigroup common stock and, in turn, the value of the Callable STRIDES in a manner that would be adverse to your investment in the
Callable STRIDES. Any purchases by us, our affiliates or others on our behalf on or before the Pricing Date may temporarily increase the price of Citigroup common stock. Temporary increases in the market price of Citigroup common stock may also
occur as a result of the purchasing activities of other market participants in anticipation of this transaction. Consequently, the price of Citigroup common stock may decline subsequent to the Pricing Date reducing the market value of the Callable
STRIDES.
Potential conflicts
The calculation agent for the Callable STRIDES is MLPF&S, our subsidiary. Under certain circumstances, MLPF&S role as our subsidiary and its responsibilities as calculation agent for the
Callable STRIDES could give rise to conflicts of interests. 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 obligations in connection with the Callable STRIDES. This subsidiary expects to make a profit in connection with this arrangement. We did not seek competitive bids for this arrangement from unaffiliated
parties.
Uncertain tax consequences
You should consider the tax consequences of investing in the Callable STRIDES, aspects of which are uncertain. See the section entitled United States Federal Income Taxation in this
prospectus supplement.
S-11
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALLABLE STRIDES
ML&Co. will issue the Callable STRIDES as a
series of senior debt securities under the 1983 Indenture which is more fully described in the accompanying prospectus. The stated maturity date of the Callable STRIDES will be September 1, 2004.
The Callable STRIDES may be called by ML&Co. as described below, but are not otherwise subject to redemption by us at our option or by
any beneficial owner at its option before stated maturity except as described under the sections entitled Redemption Event and Reorganization Event. If an Event of Default occurs with respect to the Callable
STRIDES, beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES may accelerate the maturity of the Callable STRIDES, as described under the sections entitled Events of Default and Acceleration in this prospectus supplement and Description of
Debt Securities Events of Default in the accompanying prospectus of ML&Co.
ML&Co. will issue the
Callable STRIDES in denominations of whole units with a principal amount per unit of $34.20, the closing market price of one share of Citigroup common stock on the Pricing Date.
The Callable STRIDES will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.
Interest
The Callable STRIDES will bear interest at a rate of 7% per year on the principal
amount of each unit from August 30, 2002 or from the most recent interest payment date for which interest has been paid or provided for, to but excluding the stated maturity date, the Call Date or Redemption Date, as applicable. We will pay interest
on the Callable STRIDES in cash quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, of each year and on the maturity date, Redemption Date or Call Date, beginning December 1, 2002. We will pay this interest to the persons in whose
names the Callable STRIDES are registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15, respectively, whether or not a Business Day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon redemption or if called
by ML&Co., the final payment of interest will be paid to the person to whom ML&Co. delivers Citigroup common stock or the Call Price, as the case may be, subject to the conditions described under Redemption Event in this
prospectus supplement. Interest on the Callable STRIDES will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If an interest payment date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, that interest payment will be made on the next
Business Day and no additional interest will accrue as a result of the delayed payment.
Business
Day means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or obligated by law to close and with respect to the stated maturity is also a day that
is a Trading Day.
Payment at maturity
If the Callable STRIDES are not redeemed or we do not call the Callable STRIDES on or prior to the maturity date, then at maturity, for each unit of Callable STRIDES you own, you will receive a cash
payment of accrued and unpaid interest and one share of Citigroup common stock; provided, however, if the Share Multiplier is more or less than one (1) due to certain corporate events, you will receive the number of shares equal to the Share
Multiplier.
If the maturity date is not a Business Day, we will deliver the Citigroup common stock and make all
accrued and unpaid interest payments on the first Business Day following the maturity date and no additional interest will accrue.
Share Multiplier initially means 1.0, but is subject to adjustment for certain events described under Share Multiplier Adjustments and Alternative Dilution and Reorganization
Adjustments.
Trading Day means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange, the AMEX and
the Nasdaq Stock Market are open for trading as determined by the calculation agent.
S-12
All determinations made by the calculation agent shall be at the sole discretion
of the calculation agent and, absent a determination by the calculation agent of a manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on ML&Co. and beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES.
Fractional Shares
We will not distribute any fractional shares of Citigroup common stock. In the event that the Share Multiplier is adjusted to account for certain corporate events described in this prospectus supplement and the number of shares to be
delivered on the maturity date is not divisible by a whole number, we will aggregate all share amounts due to a registered holder on the maturity date, and, in lieu of delivering a fractional share of Citigroup common stock, we will pay to the
registered holder the cash value of the fractional share based on the closing market price. While the Callable STRIDES are held at the depositary, the sole registered holder will be the depositary. Depositary participants have different policies
pertaining to fractional shares. You should consult the participant through which you hold the Callable STRIDES to ascertain a participants specific policy.
Call at the option of ML&Co.
ML&Co., in its sole
discretion, may call the Callable STRIDES, in whole but not in part, on any scheduled Business Day beginning on September 2, 2003, to and including the maturity date (the date on which the call, if any, occurs being the Call Date) by
giving notice to the trustee on any Business Day at least ten Business Days prior to the Call Date. The notice to the trustee will specify the Call Date, Call Price and amount of interest payable on the Call Date. The trustee will provide notice of
the call election to the registered holders of the Callable STRIDES, specifying the Call Date, Call Price and amount of interest payable on the Call Date. The depositary, as the registered holder, will receive the notice of the call. So long as the
depositary is the registered holder of the Callable STRIDES, notice of our election to exercise the call option will be forwarded as more fully described below under Depositary.
The Call Price on any Call Date will be the amount of cash, per Callable STRIDES, that when discounted from the Call Date to the original issue date by a discount
factor based on an annual yield to call of 14% and added to the present value of all interest payments made through and including the applicable Call Date discounted to the original issue date by that same discount factor, will equal the original
issue price. The present value of each interest payment on the Callable STRIDES used to determine the Call Price will be calculated assuming each payment is made on the calendar day scheduled for that payment. A delay in payment may arise for
reasons such as a scheduled interest payment date falling on a day that is not a Business Day and, as a result, the payment being delayed until the next succeeding Business Day. Any delay will not be taken into account when calculating the
applicable Call Price. The Call Price will not include the amount of unpaid interest accrued to but excluding the Call Date; however, on the Call Date you will receive the Call Price plus an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid interest (the
Final Amount). The yield to call represents the annual interest rate used in determining the present values, discounted to the original issue date, of all payments made or to be made on the Callable STRIDES, including the Call Price and
all interest payments, such that the sum of these present values is equal to the original issue price.
S-13
Call Prices
The following table sets forth the month-end, midmonth, first and last Call Prices from September 2, 2003 through September 1, 2004, based on the assumptions specified below. For an example of the Call Price calculation, see Annex A
to this prospectus supplement. If we elect to exercise our call option, the Call Price will be disclosed in the notice we deliver to DTC in connection with our call of the Callable STRIDES.
Call Date
|
|
Call Price per Callable STRIDES
|
|
Interest Payable on Call Date
per Callable STRIDES
|
|
Final Amount per Callable STRIDES
|
September 2, 2003 |
|
$36.4852 |
|
$0.0067 |
|
$36.4919 |
September 15, 2003 |
|
$36.5719 |
|
$0.0931 |
|
$36.6650 |
September 30, 2003 |
|
$36.6728 |
|
$0.1929 |
|
$36.8657 |
October 15, 2003 |
|
$36.7749 |
|
$0.2926 |
|
$37.0675 |
October 31, 2003 |
|
$36.8714 |
|
$0.3990 |
|
$37.2704 |
November 17, 2003 |
|
$36.9963 |
|
$0.5054 |
|
$37.5017 |
November 28, 2003 |
|
$37.0736 |
|
$0.5786 |
|
$37.6522 |
December 15, 2003 |
|
$37.1912 |
|
$0.0931 |
|
$37.2843 |
December 31, 2003 |
|
$37.2889 |
|
$0.1995 |
|
$37.4884 |
January 15, 2004 |
|
$37.4011 |
|
$0.2926 |
|
$37.6937 |
January 30, 2004 |
|
$37.5077 |
|
$0.3924 |
|
$37.9000 |
February 17, 2004 |
|
$37.6298 |
|
$0.5054 |
|
$38.1352 |
February 27, 2004 |
|
$37.7024 |
|
$0.5719 |
|
$38.2743 |
March 15, 2004 |
|
$37.8312 |
|
$0.0931 |
|
$37.9243 |
March 31, 2004 |
|
$37.9324 |
|
$0.1995 |
|
$38.1319 |
April 15, 2004 |
|
$38.0481 |
|
$0.2926 |
|
$38.3407 |
April 30, 2004 |
|
$38.1582 |
|
$0.3924 |
|
$38.5506 |
May 17, 2004 |
|
$38.2844 |
|
$0.5054 |
|
$38.7898 |
May 28, 2004 |
|
$38.3669 |
|
$0.5786 |
|
$38.9455 |
June 15, 2004 |
|
$38.4925 |
|
$0.0931 |
|
$38.5856 |
June 30, 2004 |
|
$38.6040 |
|
$0.1929 |
|
$38.7968 |
July 15, 2004 |
|
$38.7166 |
|
$0.2926 |
|
$39.0092 |
July 30, 2004 |
|
$38.8304 |
|
$0.3924 |
|
$39.2228 |
August 16, 2004 |
|
$38.9531 |
|
$0.4988 |
|
$39.4519 |
August 31, 2004 |
|
$39.0549 |
|
$0.5985 |
|
$39.6534 |
September 1, 2004 (stated maturity date) |
|
$39.0694 |
|
$0.5985 |
|
$39.6679 |
S-14
Hypothetical returns at maturity
The following table illustrates, for a range of hypothetical closing market prices of Citigroup common stock at maturity:
|
|
the percentage change from the original issue price to the hypothetical closing market price at maturity, |
|
|
the Final Amount payable on the Callable STRIDES, including the payment of accrued and unpaid interest on the maturity date, |
|
|
the total annualized yield on the Callable STRIDES at maturity, and |
|
|
the total annualized yield from direct ownership of Citigroup common stock. |
This table assumes that the Callable STRIDES have not been called or redeemed prior to the maturity date and will be called by ML&Co. on the maturity date if the total
annualized yield on the Callable STRIDES would otherwise be greater than or equal to 14% at maturity.
Hypothetical closing market price at maturity
|
|
Percentage change from the
original issue price to the hypothetical
closing market price at maturity
|
|
Final Amount
payable on the Callable STRIDES(1)
|
|
Total annualized yield on
the Callable STRIDES at maturity(2)
|
|
Total annualized yield
from direct ownership of Citigroup
common stock(3)
|
6.84 |
|
-80% |
|
$ |
7.4385 |
|
-46.43% |
|
-52.53% |
10.26 |
|
-70% |
|
$ |
10.8585 |
|
-36.96% |
|
-42.67% |
13.68 |
|
-60% |
|
$ |
14.2785 |
|
-28.83% |
|
-34.32% |
17.10 |
|
-50% |
|
$ |
17.6985 |
|
-21.59% |
|
-26.93% |
20.52 |
|
-40% |
|
$ |
21.1185 |
|
-15.00% |
|
-20.25% |
23.94 |
|
-30% |
|
$ |
24.5385 |
|
-8.92% |
|
-14.10% |
27.36 |
|
-20% |
|
$ |
27.9585 |
|
-3.24% |
|
-8.37% |
30.78 |
|
-10% |
|
$ |
31.3785 |
|
2.11% |
|
-2.98% |
34.20(4) |
|
0% |
|
$ |
34.7985 |
|
7.19% |
|
2.11% |
37.62 |
|
10% |
|
$ |
38.2185 |
|
12.02% |
|
6.96% |
41.04 |
|
20% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
11.59% |
44.46 |
|
30% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
16.04% |
47.88 |
|
40% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
20.32% |
51.30 |
|
50% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
24.44% |
54.72 |
|
60% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
28.44% |
58.14 |
|
70% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
32.31% |
61.56 |
|
80% |
|
$ |
39.6679 |
|
14.00% |
|
36.06% |
(1) |
The Final Amounts specified in this column include payment of accrued and unpaid interest payable on the maturity date. |
(2) |
The total annualized yield at maturity represents the interest rate per year used in determining the present values, discounted to the original issue date
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months), of all payments made or to be made on the Callable STRIDES, including the Call Price and all interest payments made through and including the applicable Call Date, the sum of these
present values being equal to the original issue price. This annualized yield assumes: |
|
(a) |
coupon payments are (i) made quarterly on the 1st of March, June, September and December of each year beginning December 1, 2002, and (ii) reinvested for the remainder of the term of the Callable STRIDES at the applicable yield listed in this column,
|
|
(b) |
an investment term from August 30, 2002 to September 1, 2004, and |
|
(c) |
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months compounded annually. |
S-15
(3) |
This annualized yield assumes: |
|
(a) |
a percentage change in the value of the Callable STRIDES that equals the percentage change in the price of Citigroup common stock from the assumed original
issue price to the relevant hypothetical closing market price at maturity, |
|
(b) |
a dividend payment of $0.18 per quarter per share, |
|
(c) |
no transaction fees or expenses, and |
|
(d) |
an investment term from August 30, 2002 to September 1, 2004. |
(4) |
This was the closing market price of Citigroup common stock on August 27, 2002, the Pricing Date, and is the principal amount of one unit of Callable
STRIDES. |
Redemption Event
If on any date the product of the closing market price of Citigroup common stock and the Share Multiplier is less than $2.00, the Callable STRIDES will be redeemed on the
third Business Day following such date (the Redemption Date). If a redemption is triggered as described above, then on the Redemption Date for each unit of Callable STRIDES, ML&Co. will deliver, in addition to such number of shares
of Citigroup common stock equal to the then current Share Multiplier plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date (the accrued interest amount), a cash amount equal to the present value of the additional interest that would
have been paid through the stated maturity but for the early redemption of the Callable STRIDES (the present value amount). The number of shares of Citigroup common stock deliverable, plus the accrued interest amount and present value
amount payable, in connection with one Callable STRIDES are together referred to as the Redemption Price of such Callable STRIDES. The present value amount will be calculated at the sole discretion of the calculation agent, whose
determination shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on ML&Co. and the Holders and beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES.
The Redemption Price will be delivered and paid to the holder of a Callable STRIDES on the Redemption Date; provided, however, that in the event that the Redemption Date falls after a record date for
the payment of interest on the Callable STRIDES but prior to the next succeeding scheduled interest payment date, the portion of the Redemption Price equal to the accrued interest amount will be paid to the person who was the holder of the Callable
STRIDES as of such record date.
Events of Default and Acceleration
In case an Event of Default with respect to any Callable STRIDES has occurred and is continuing, the amount payable to a beneficial owner of a Callable STRIDES upon any
acceleration permitted by the Callable STRIDES will be equal to the consideration due at maturity, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the maturity date. The value of such consideration shall not, however, be greater than an amount
equal to the Final Amount, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Call Date (whether or not such date is before or after September 2, 2003). If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of ML&Co., the claim of the
beneficial owner of a Callable STRIDES may be limited, under Section 502(b)(2) of Title 11 of the United States Code, to the principal amount of the Callable STRIDES plus an additional amount of contingent interest calculated as though the date of
the commencement of the proceeding were the maturity date of the Callable STRIDES.
In case of default in payment
of the Callable STRIDES, whether at any interest payment date, the stated maturity date, the Call Date, the Redemption Date or upon acceleration, from and after that date the Callable STRIDES will bear interest, payable upon demand of their
beneficial owners, at the rate of 2.10% per year, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, on the unpaid amount due and payable on that date in accordance with the terms of the Callable STRIDES to the date payment of
that amount has been made or duly provided for.
S-16
Share Multiplier Adjustments
The Share Multiplier used to determine the number of shares of Citigroup common stock to be delivered at maturity is subject to adjustment by the calculation agent as
described in this section. However, if we elect to call the Callable STRIDES, you will receive only the Final Amount, and you will not be entitled to receive Citigroup common stock.
No adjustments to the Share Multiplier will be required unless the Share Multiplier adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the Share Multiplier then in
effect. The Share Multiplier resulting from any of the adjustments specified below will be rounded to the nearest one-thousandth with five ten-thousandths being rounded upward. The calculation agent will not be required to make any adjustments to
the Share Multiplier after the close of business on the fourth Business Day immediately prior to the maturity date or early redemption date, as applicable.
No adjustments to the Share Multiplier will be required other than those specified below. However, the calculation agent may, at its sole discretion, make additional adjustments to the Share Multiplier
to reflect changes occurring in relation to Citigroup common stock or any other security received in a reorganization event in other circumstances where the calculation agent determines that it is appropriate to reflect those changes to ensure an
equitable result. The required adjustments specified below do not cover all events that could affect the closing market price of Citigroup common stock, including, without limitation, a partial tender or exchange offer for Citigroup common stock.
MLPF&S, as calculation agent, will be solely responsible for the determination and calculation of any
adjustments to the Share Multiplier and of any related determinations and calculations with respect to any distributions of stock, other securities or other property or assets, including cash, in connection with any corporate event described below;
and its determinations and calculations will be conclusive absent manifest error.
No adjustments will be made for
certain other events, such as offerings of common stock by Citigroup for cash or in connection with the occurrence of a partial tender or exchange offer for Citigroup common stock by Citigroup.
ML&Co. will, within ten Business Days following the occurrence of an event that requires an adjustment to the Share Multiplier, or, if later, within ten Business
Days following the date on which ML&Co. becomes aware of this occurrence, provide written notice to the trustee, which will provide notice to the holders of the Callable STRIDES of the occurrence of this event and a statement in reasonable
detail setting forth the adjusted Share Multiplier.
Stock splits and reverse stock splits
If Citigroup common stock is subject to a stock split or reverse stock split, then once any split has
become effective, the Share Multiplier relating to Citigroup common stock will be adjusted to equal the product of the prior Share Multiplier and the number of shares which a holder of one share of Citigroup common stock before the effective date of
that stock split or reverse stock split would have owned or been entitled to receive immediately following the applicable effective date.
Stock dividends
If Citigroup common stock is subject to a (i) stock
dividend, i.e., issuance of additional shares of Citigroup common stock, that is given ratably to all holders of shares of Citigroup common stock or (ii) distribution of shares of Citigroup common stock as a result of the triggering of any
provision of the corporate charter of Citigroup, then, once the dividend has become effective and the shares are trading
S-17
ex-dividend, the Share Multiplier will be adjusted so that the new Share Multiplier shall equal the prior Share Multiplier plus the product of:
|
|
the number of shares of Citigroup common stock issued with respect to one share of Citigroup common stock and |
|
|
the prior Share Multiplier. |
Extraordinary Dividends
There will be no adjustments to the Share
Multiplier to reflect any cash dividends or cash distributions paid with respect to Citigroup common stock other than Extraordinary Dividends, as described below, and distributions described under the section entitled Reorganization
Events below.
An Extraordinary Dividend means, with respect to a cash dividend or other
distribution with respect to Citigroup common stock, a dividend or other distribution which exceeds the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend on Citigroup common stock (as adjusted for any subsequent corporate event requiring an
adjustment hereunder, such as a stock split or reverse stock split) by an amount equal to at least 10% of the closing market price of Citigroup common stock on the Trading Day preceding the ex-dividend date with respect to the Extraordinary Dividend
(the ex-dividend date). If an Extraordinary Dividend occurs with respect to Citigroup common stock, the Share Multiplier will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date with respect to the Extraordinary Dividend so that the new Share Multiplier
will equal the product of:
|
|
the prior Share Multiplier and |
|
|
a fraction, the numerator of which is the closing market price per share of Citigroup common stock on the Trading Day preceding the ex-dividend date, and the
denominator of which is the amount by which the closing market price on the Trading Day preceding the ex-dividend date exceeds the Extraordinary Dividend Amount. |
The Extraordinary Dividend Amount with respect to an Extraordinary Dividend for Citigroup common stock will equal:
|
|
in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that constitute quarterly dividends, the amount per share of that Extraordinary Dividend minus the amount
per share of the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for such shares of Citigroup common stock, or |
|
|
in the case of cash dividends or other distributions that do not constitute quarterly dividends, the amount per share of that Extraordinary Dividend.
|
To the extent an Extraordinary Dividend is not paid in cash, the value of the non-cash
component will be determined by the calculation agent, whose determination shall be conclusive. A distribution on Citigroup common stock described in clause (a), (d) or (e) of the section entitled Reorganization Events below that
also constitutes an Extraordinary Dividend shall only cause an adjustment pursuant to clause (a), (d) or (e) under the section entitled Reorganization Events. A distribution on Citigroup common stock described in the section
entitled Issuance of transferable rights or warrants that also constitutes an Extraordinary Dividend shall only cause an adjustment pursuant to such section.
Closing market price means:
If Citigroup common stock (or any other security for which a closing market price must be determined for purposes of the Callable STRIDES) is listed on a national securities exchange in the United States, is a Nasdaq
National Market System (Nasdaq NMS) security or is included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service (OTC Bulletin Board) operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD), then the closing
market price for any date of determination on any Trading
S-18
Day means for one share of Citigroup common stock (or any other security for which a closing market price must be determined for purposes of the Callable STRIDES):
|
|
the last reported sale price, regular way, on that day on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act on which that
security is listed or admitted to trading (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), or |
|
|
if not listed or admitted to trading on any such securities exchange or if the last reported sale price is not obtainable, the last reported sale price on the
over-the-counter market as reported on the Nasdaq NMS or OTC Bulletin Board on that day (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), or |
|
|
if the last reported sale price is not available for any reason, including, without limitation, the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event, as described below,
the mean of the last reported bid and offer price of the principal trading session on the over-the-counter market as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market or OTC Bulletin Board on that day as determined by the calculation agent or from as many dealers
in such security, but not exceeding three, as have made the bid prices available to the calculation agent after 3:00 p.m., local time in the principal market, on that date (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading
session). |
If Citigroup common stock (or any other security for which a closing market price
must be determined for purposes of the Callable STRIDES) is not listed on a national securities exchange in the United States, is not a Nasdaq NMS security or included in the OTC Bulletin Board, then the closing market price for any date of
determination on any Trading Day means for one share of Citigroup common stock (or any other security for which a closing market price must be determined for purposes of the Callable STRIDES) the last reported sale price on that day on the
securities exchange on which that security is listed or admitted to trading with the greatest volume of trading for the calendar month preceding such Trading Day as determined by the calculation agent; provided that if such last reported sale price
is for a transaction which occurred more than four hours prior to the close of that exchange, then the closing market price shall mean the average (mean) of the last available bid and offer price on that exchange.
If Citigroup common stock (or any other security for which a closing market price must be determined for purposes of the Callable STRIDES)
is not listed or admitted to trading on any such securities exchange or if such last reported sale price or bid and offer are not obtainable, then the closing market price shall mean the average (mean) of the last available bid and offer prices in
such market of the three dealers which have the highest volume of transactions in that security in the immediately preceding calendar month as determined by the calculation agent based on information that is reasonably available to it.
Market Disruption Event means:
|
(1) |
a suspension of, absence of, including the absence of an official closing price, or material limitation on, trading of Citigroup common stock on the primary
market for Citigroup common stock for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion; or the suspension or material limitation on the
primary market for trading in options contracts related to Citigroup common stock, if available, during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading in the applicable market, in each case as determined by the calculation agent in its sole
discretion; and |
|
(2) |
a determination by the calculation agent in its sole discretion that the event described in clause (1) above materially interfered with the ability of
ML&Co., MLPF&S or any of their affiliates to unwind all or a material portion of the hedge with respect to the Callable STRIDES. |
S-19
For 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 options contracts related to Citigroup common stock will not constitute a Market Disruption Event,
|
|
(3) |
limitations pursuant to any rule or regulation enacted or promulgated by the NYSE or the Nasdaq Stock Market or other regulatory organization with jurisdiction
over the NYSE or the Nasdaq Stock Market on trading during significant market fluctuations will constitute a suspension or material limitation of trading in Citigroup common stock, |
|
(4) |
a suspension of trading in an options contract on Citigroup common stock by the primary securities market trading in the options contracts related to Citigroup
common stock, if available, by reason of: |
|
|
a price change exceeding limits set by the securities exchange or market, |
|
|
an imbalance of orders relating to options contracts on Citigroup common stock, or |
|
|
a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to options contracts on Citigroup common stock |
|
|
will constitute a suspension or material limitation of trading in options contracts related to Citigroup common stock, and |
|
(5) |
a suspension of, absence of or material limitation on trading on the primary securities market on which options contracts related to Citigroup common stock are
traded will not include any time when that securities market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. |
If the Exchange Property includes securities other than Citigroup common stock, then the above definition shall be revised to include each such security in the same manner as Citigroup common stock is considered in
determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.
Issuance of transferable rights or warrants
If Citigroup issues transferable rights or warrants to all holders of Citigroup common stock to subscribe
for or purchase Citigroup common stock, including new or existing rights to purchase Citigroup common stock pursuant to a shareholders rights plan or arrangement, then the Share Multiplier will be adjusted on the Business Day immediately
following the issuance of such transferable rights or warrants so that the new Share Multiplier shall equal the prior Share Multiplier plus the product of:
|
|
the prior Share Multiplier, and |
|
|
the number of shares of Citigroup common stock that can be purchased with the cash value of such warrants or rights distributed on a single share of Citigroup
common stock. |
The number of shares that can be purchased will be based on the closing market price (as defined above)
of Citigroup common stock on the date the new Share Multiplier is determined. The cash value of such warrants or rights, if the warrants or rights are traded on a national securities exchange, will equal the closing price of such warrant or right,
or, if the warrants or rights are not traded on a national securities exchange, will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal the average (mean) of the bid prices obtained from three dealers at 3 p.m. on the date the new Share
Multiplier is determined, provided that if only two such bid prices are available, then the cash value of such warrants or rights will equal the average (mean) of such bids and if only one such bid is available, then the cash value of such warrants
or rights will equal such bid.
S-20
Reorganization Events
If prior to the maturity date of the Callable STRIDES,
|
(a) |
there occurs any reclassification or change of Citigroup common stock, including, without limitation, as a result of the issuance of tracking stock by
Citigroup, |
|
(b) |
Citigroup, or any surviving entity or subsequent surviving entity of Citigroup (a Successor Entity), has been subject to a merger, combination or
consolidation and is not the surviving entity, |
|
(c) |
any statutory exchange of securities of Citigroup or any Successor Entity with another corporation occurs, other than pursuant to clause (b) above,
|
|
(d) |
Citigroup is liquidated or is subject to a proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, |
|
(e) |
Citigroup issues to all of its shareholders equity securities of an issuer other than Citigroup, other than in a transaction described in clauses (b), (c) or
(d) above (a Spin-off Event), or |
|
(f) |
a tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction is consummated for all the outstanding shares of Citigroup (an event in clauses (a) through (f) a
Reorganization Event), |
then the method of determining the amount payable on each Callable STRIDES will be
adjusted as set forth below.
Exchange Property will consist of the securities, cash or any other assets distributed to
holders of Citigroup common stock in or as a result of the Reorganization Event, and where Citigroup common stock continues to be held by the holders receiving such distribution, the Citigroup common stock . The Exchange Property will either:
|
A. |
be delivered at maturity to the holders of the Callable STRIDES in an amount per unit equal to the amount of Exchange Property delivered with respect to the
number of shares of Citigroup common stock equal to the Share Multiplier at the time of the Reorganization Event, or |
|
B. |
at the option of the calculation agent, the Exchange Property will be liquidated and the cash proceeds will be paid to the holders of the Callable STRIDES as
described below. |
If the Exchange Property received in a Reorganization Event:
|
|
consists only of cash or if the calculation agent exercises its option to liquidate the Exchange Property following its distribution, then, unless we exercise
our right to call the Callable STRIDES, the Callable STRIDES will be redeemed: (i) in the case where the Exchange Property delivered to the holders of Citigroup common stock consists of cash only, on the third Business Day succeeding the day on
which that cash is distributed to holders of Citigroup common stock, or (ii) in the case where the Exchange Property is liquidated, on the date specified by ML&Co. as described below, and holders of the Callable STRIDES will receive, in lieu of
any Citigroup common stock and in full satisfaction of our obligations under the Callable STRIDES, the lesser of: |
|
(i) |
the product of (a) the amount of cash received with respect to one share of Citigroup common stock and the then current Share Multiplier or (b) the value of the
Exchange Property liquidated with respect to one share of Citigroup common stock and the then current Share Multiplier, as applicable, plus in either case accrued and unpaid interest to the early redemption date, and |
|
(ii) |
the Call Price calculated as though the early redemption date were the Call Date (regardless of whether the early redemption date is a day which occurs prior to
September 2, 2003) plus accrued and unpaid interest to the early redemption date, |
in
each case, no interest will accrue on the Callable STRIDES following the early redemption date. If the calculation agent exercises the option to liquidate the Exchange Property, ML&Co. will give notice to the Trustee under the 1983 Indenture as
to the election to liquidate the Exchange Property, which notice will specify the method by which the Exchange Property will be sold. The date of early redemption of the Callable STRIDES will be the fifth Business Day following the last date on
which the Exchange Property is sold.
S-21
|
|
consists of more than one type of property and the calculation agent has not exercised its option to liquidate the Exchange Property, then holders of Callable
STRIDES will receive at maturity a pro rata share of each such type of Exchange Property; and |
|
|
includes a cash component and the calculation agent has not exercised its option to liquidate the Exchange Property, then holders will not receive any interest
accrued on such cash component. |
In the event Exchange Property consists of securities, those securities will, in
turn, be subject to the antidilution adjustments set forth in this prospectus supplement.
In the case of a
consummated tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction involving Exchange Property of a particular type, Exchange Property shall be deemed to include the amount of cash or other property paid by the offeror in the tender or exchange offer
with respect to such Exchange Property (in an amount determined on the basis of the rate of exchange in such tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction). In the event of a tender or exchange offer or a going-private transaction with
respect to Exchange Property in which an offeree may elect to receive cash or other property, Exchange Property shall be deemed to include the kind and amount of cash and other property received by offerees who elect to receive cash.
If we elect to call the Callable STRIDES you will receive only the Final Amount, and you will not be entitled to receive
Citigroup common stock, any Exchange Property or any other consideration at maturity.
MLPF&S, as calculation
agent, shall be solely responsible for determination and calculation of the Exchange Property if a Reorganization Event occurs and the amount due upon early redemption, including the determination of the cash value of any Exchange Property, if
necessary, and its determinations and calculations shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
Alternative Dilution and Reorganization
Adjustments
The calculation agent may elect at its discretion to not make any of the adjustments to the Share
Multiplier or to the method of determining the amount payable on each Callable STRIDES described above under Share Multiplier Adjustments and Reorganization Events, but may instead make adjustments in its discretion to the
Share Multiplier or the method of determining the amount payable on each Callable STRIDES that will reflect the adjustments to the extent practicable made by the Options Clearing Corporation on option contracts on Citigroup common stock or any
successor common stock. ML&Co. will provide notice of any such election to the trustee not more than two Business Days following the date that the Options Clearing Corporation publishes notice of its adjustments relating to Citigroup common
stock and will detail in such notice the actual adjustment made to the Share Multiplier or to the method of determining the amount payable on each Callable STRIDES.
S-22
Depositary
Description of the Global Securities
Upon issuance, all Callable STRIDES will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC (DTC, together with any successor, being a
depositary), as depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTCs partnership nominee. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Callable STRIDES in definitive form, no global security 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 that
successor.
So long as DTC, or its nominee, is a registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Callable STRIDES represented by the global security for all purposes under the 1983 Indenture. Except as provided below, the beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES represented by a
global security will not be entitled to have the Callable STRIDES represented by a global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Callable STRIDES in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders of the Callable STRIDES including for purposes of receiving any reports delivered by ML&Co. or the trustee under the 1983 Indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security 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 1983 Indenture. 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 in a global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the
1983 Indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take that action or
would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC 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 will act as securities depositary for the Callable STRIDES. The Callable STRIDES will be issued as fully
registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTCs partnership nominee. One or more fully registered global securities will be issued for the Callable STRIDES in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be
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 AMEX, and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to DTCs
system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
S-23
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 Callable STRIDES under DTCs system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for
the Callable STRIDES on DTCs 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 the beneficial owner entered
into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the Callable STRIDES are to be made by entries on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners.
To facilitate subsequent transfers, all Callable STRIDES deposited with DTC are registered in the name of DTCs partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of
Callable STRIDES 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 Callable STRIDES; DTCs records reflect only the identity of
the direct participants to whose accounts the Callable STRIDES 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.
Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to the Callable STRIDES. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus
proxy to ML&Co. as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy to whose
accounts the Callable STRIDES are credited on the record date.
Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if
any, payments made in cash on the Callable STRIDES will be made in immediately available funds to DTC. DTCs practice is to credit direct participants accounts on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective holdings
shown on the depositarys records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that date. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of that participant and not of DTC, the trustee or ML&Co., subject to any statutory or regulatory
requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to DTC is the responsibility of ML&Co. or the trustee, disbursement of those payments to direct participants will be the
responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of those payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct participants and indirect participants.
Exchange for Certificated Securities
If:
|
|
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,
|
|
|
ML&Co. executes and delivers to the trustee a company order to the effect that the global securities shall be exchangeable, or
|
|
|
an Event of Default under the 1983 Indenture has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Callable STRIDES, |
S-24
the global securities will be exchangeable for Callable STRIDES in definitive form of like tenor and of
an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of the principal amount per unit and integral multiples of the principal amount per unit. The definitive Callable STRIDES will be registered in the name or names as the depositary shall instruct
the trustee. It is expected that instructions may be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.
DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the Callable STRIDES at any time by giving reasonable notice to ML&Co. or the
trustee. Under these circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, Callable STRIDES 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, Callable STRIDES
certificates will be printed and delivered.
The information in this section concerning DTC and DTCs system
has been obtained from sources that ML&Co. believes to be reliable, but ML&Co. takes no responsibility for its accuracy.
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
Settlement for the Callable STRIDES will be made by the
underwriter in immediately available funds. ML&Co. will make all payments in immediately available funds so long as the Callable STRIDES are maintained in book-entry form.
Citigroup
The following information has been derived from publicly available documents published by Citigroup. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or
completeness of the following information.
Citigroup has disclosed that it is a global financial
services holding company that provides a broad range of financial services to both consumer and corporate customers. Because Citigroup common stock is registered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, Citigroup is required to periodically
file certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by Citigroup can be located at the SECs facilities or through the SECs web site by reference to SEC file number 1-9924. See
Where You Can Find More Information. ML&Co. makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or reports.
The selection of Citigroup common stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell Citigroup common stock and neither ML&Co. nor any of its affiliates make any representation to any purchaser of the
Callable STRIDES as to the performance of Citigroup common stock.
Citigroup common stock trades on the NYSE under
the symbol C.
ML&Co. is not affiliated with Citigroup. Citigroup has no obligations with respect
to the Callable STRIDES. This prospectus supplement relates only to the Callable STRIDES and does not relate to Citigroup common stock or other securities of Citigroup. All disclosures contained in this prospectus supplement regarding Citigroup are
derived from the publicly available documents described above. Neither ML&Co. nor MLPF&S has participated in the preparation of these documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to Citigroup in connection with the offering of
the Callable STRIDES. Neither ML&Co. nor MLPF&S makes any representation that the publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding
S-25
Citigroup are accurate or complete. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of
the publicly available documents described above, that would affect the trading price of Citigroup common stock have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events
concerning Citigroup could affect the value of the Citigroup common stock to be received at maturity of the Callable STRIDES and therefore the trading prices of the Callable STRIDES. Neither ML&Co. nor any of its affiliates make any
representation to any purchaser of the Callable STRIDES as to the performance of Citigroup common stock.
ML&Co. or its affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business, directly or indirectly, with Citigroup including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, Citigroup or providing investment banking or
advisory services to Citigroup, including merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of such business, ML&Co. or its affiliates may acquire non-public information with respect to Citigroup and, in addition, one or more affiliates of
ML&Co. may publish research reports with respect to Citigroup.
Any prospective purchaser of the Callable
STRIDES should undertake an independent investigation of Citigroup as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in the Callable STRIDES.
Historical data
Citigroup common stock is principally
traded on the NYSE. The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for the calendar quarters during calendar years 1998 through 2002. On August 27, 2002, the closing price for Citigroup common stock was $34.20 per share. The closing
prices listed below were obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets. The historical closing prices of Citigroup common stock should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the price of Citigroup common
stock will not decrease. In addition, no assurance can be given that the price of Citigroup common stock will increase above the original issue price so that the value of Citigroup common stock that the beneficial owners of the Callable STRIDES may
receive at maturity, if not previously called by us, or redeemed, will exceed the principal amount of the Callable STRIDES.
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
1998 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$29.379 |
|
$21.947 |
Second Quarter |
|
$34.042 |
|
$27.688 |
Third Quarter |
|
$33.867 |
|
$17.487 |
Fourth Quarter |
|
$24.657 |
|
$14.806 |
1999 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$30.778 |
|
$23.462 |
Second Quarter |
|
$35.587 |
|
$29.073 |
Third Quarter |
|
$34.319 |
|
$29.466 |
Fourth Quarter |
|
$40.658 |
|
$29.554 |
2000 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$43.238 |
|
$33.620 |
Second Quarter |
|
$46.954 |
|
$39.478 |
Third Quarter |
|
$54.444 |
|
$43.675 |
Fourth Quarter |
|
$52.929 |
|
$43.602 |
2001 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$52.509 |
|
$37.866 |
Second Quarter |
|
$49.944 |
|
$39.825 |
Third Quarter |
|
$49.879 |
|
$33.912 |
Fourth Quarter |
|
$47.743 |
|
$38.939 |
2002 |
|
|
|
|
First Quarter |
|
$48.499 |
|
$39.377 |
Second Quarter |
|
$46.120 |
|
$34.509 |
Third Quarter (through August 27, 2002) |
|
$36.887 |
|
$25.182 |
S-26
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
The following discussion is based upon the
opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to ML&Co. (Tax Counsel). As the law applicable to the U.S. Federal income taxation of instruments such as the Callable STRIDES is technical and complex, the
discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary. The following summary is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (including changes in effective dates) or possible
differing interpretations. It deals only with Callable STRIDES held as capital assets and does not purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, dealers
in securities or currencies, persons holding Callable STRIDES as a hedge against currency risks, as a position in a straddle or as part of a hedging or conversion transaction for tax purposes, or persons whose
functional currency is not the United States dollar. It also does not deal with holders other than original purchasers (except where otherwise specifically noted). Persons considering the purchase of the Callable STRIDES should consult their own tax
advisors concerning the application of United States Federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Callable STRIDES arising under the laws of any other taxing
jurisdiction.
As used herein, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of a Callable STRIDES
that is for United States Federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation or a partnership (including an entity treated as a corporation or a partnership for United States Federal income tax purposes)
created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (unless, in the case of a partnership, Treasury regulations are adopted that provide otherwise), (iii) an estate whose income is subject to
United States Federal income tax regardless of its source, (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (v) any other person whose income or gain in respect of a Callable STRIDES is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. Certain trusts not described in clause (iv)
above in existence on August 20, 1996 that elect to be treated as a United States person will also be a U.S. Holder for purposes of the following discussion. As used herein, the term non-U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of a Callable
STRIDES that is not a U.S. Holder.
General
There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing or involving the characterization and treatment, for U.S. Federal income
tax purposes, of the Callable STRIDES or securities with terms substantially the same as the Callable STRIDES. Accordingly, the proper U.S. Federal income tax characterization and treatment of the Callable STRIDES is uncertain. Pursuant to the terms
of the Callable STRIDES, ML&Co. and every holder of a Callable STRIDES agree (in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary) to characterize a Callable STRIDES for all tax purposes as an investment unit
consisting of the following components (the Components): (i) a debt instrument of ML&Co. (the Debt Instrument) with a fixed principal amount unconditionally payable on the maturity date equal to the principal amount of
the Callable STRIDES and bearing stated interest at the stated interest rate for the Callable STRIDES (the Interest Rate) and (ii) a contract (the Forward Contract) pursuant to which the holder agrees to use the principal
payment due on the Debt Instrument to make a payment to ML&Co. in exchange for the right to receive one share of Citigroup common stock at maturity, subject to adjustment as described in this prospectus supplement. In the opinion of Tax Counsel,
such characterization and tax treatment of the Callable STRIDES, although not the only reasonable characterization and tax treatment, is based on reasonable interpretations of law currently in effect and, even if successfully challenged by the
Internal Revenue Service (the IRS), will not result in the imposition of penalties. Furthermore, based on ML&Co.s determination of the relative fair market values of the Components at the time of issuance of the Callable
STRIDES, ML&Co. will assign $35.73 (i.e., 104.48%) of the initial issue price of the Callable STRIDES to the Debt Instrument and will assign $1.53 (i.e., 4.48%) of the initial issue price of the Callable STRIDES to the Forward
Contract. Based upon the foregoing, a U.S. Holder who
S-27
acquires a Callable STRIDES in connection with the original issuance thereof will be treated as having purchased the Debt Instrument for $35.73 and as having received an initial payment (the
Initial Forward Contract Payment) with respect to the Forward Contract in an amount equal to $1.53. The initial payment deemed to have been received by a U.S. Holder with respect to the Forward Contract (i.e., the Initial Forward
Contract Payment) should only be taken into account by the U.S. Holder as an additional amount realized with respect to the Forward Contract on the earlier of the sale or other disposition of the Callable STRIDES by the U.S. Holder (including a
redemption of the Callable STRIDES if we call the Callable STRIDES prior to maturity) or at maturity (which would reduce the U.S. Holders tax basis in any Citigroup common stock received thereby at maturity). ML&Co.s allocation of
the issue price will be binding on a U.S. Holder of a Callable STRIDES, unless such U.S. Holder timely and explicitly discloses to the IRS that its allocation is different from ML&Co.s. The treatment of the Callable STRIDES described above
and ML&Co.s allocation are not, however, binding on the IRS or the courts. No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Callable STRIDES or instruments similar to the Callable STRIDES
for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to the Callable STRIDES.
Due to the absence of authorities that directly address instruments that are similar to the Callable STRIDES, significant aspects of the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Callable STRIDES are not certain,
and no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the characterization described above. Accordingly, prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of an
investment in a Callable STRIDES (including alternative characterizations of a Callable STRIDES) and with respect to any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction. Unless otherwise stated, the
following discussions are based on the assumption that the treatment and the allocation described above are accepted for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.
Tax Treatment of a Callable STRIDES
Interest on the Debt
Instrument. As described above, the Debt Instrument is treated as bearing interest at a stated rate of 7% per annum (i.e., the Interest Rate). A U.S. Holder will include qualified stated interest equal to the
stated interest on the Callable STRIDES in income in accordance with the U.S. Holders method of accounting for U.S. Federal income tax purposes (subject to the bond premium rules). Based on ML&Co.s determination set forth above, the
U.S. Holders tax basis in the Debt Instrument will initially be 104.48% of the issue price.
Settlement
of the Forward Contract. Upon the final settlement of the Forward Contract on the maturity date, a U.S. Holder would be deemed to have applied an amount (the Forward Contract Payment Amount) equal to the
principal amount of the Debt Instrument less the Initial Forward Contract Payment toward the purchase of Citigroup common stock, and such U.S. Holder should not recognize any gain or loss with respect to the Citigroup common stock received upon the
final settlement of the Forward Contract. However, a U.S. Holder would be required to recognize gain or loss with respect to any cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Citigroup common stock. The amount of such gain or loss would be equal to
the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received and the portion of the Forward Contract Payment Amount that is allocable to such fractional shares. Any such gain or loss would be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. A U.S.
Holders tax basis in the Citigroup common stock so received would be equal to the Forward Contract Payment Amount less the portion of the Forward Contract Payment Amount that is allocable to any fractional shares. Such U.S. Holders
holding period for the Citigroup common stock would begin on the day immediately following the maturity date.
Sale, Exchange or
Redemption of the Callable STRIDES
Upon a sale, exchange or redemption of a Callable STRIDES prior to the
maturity of the Callable STRIDES, a U.S. Holder would recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
S-28
realized on such sale, exchange or redemption (as allocated among the Components in accordance with their relative fair market values) and such U.S. Holders tax basis in the Components
deemed so sold, exchanged or redeemed. Any such gain or loss would generally be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss (depending on the U.S. Holders holding period for the Callable STRIDES). For these purposes, the amount realized does
not include any amount attributable to accrued interest on the Debt Instrument, which would be taxed as described under Tax Treatment of a Callable STRIDESInterest on the Debt Instrument above. If on any date the product of the
closing market price of Citigroup common stock and the Share Multiplier is less than $2.00 and, as a result, the Callable STRIDES are redeemed on the third Business Day following such date, for these purposes, the Debt Instrument should be treated
as having been redeemed for an amount equal to the sum of the principal amount of the Debt Instrument and the present value amount. In addition, in such event, the amount realized should not include any Citigroup common stock received by a U.S.
Holder, which would be treated as a purchase of such Citigroup common stock in settlement of the Forward Contract for an amount equal to the Forward Contract Payment Amount.
Premium
If a U.S. Holder purchases the Debt Instrument for
an amount that is greater than the sum of all amounts payable on the Debt Instrument after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest (i.e., the principal amount), such U.S. Holder will be considered to have purchased the
Debt Instrument with amortizable bond premium equal in amount to such excess. A U.S. Holder may elect to amortize such premium using a constant yield method over the remaining term of the Debt Instrument and may offset interest otherwise
required to be included in respect of the Debt Instrument during any taxable year by the amortized amount of such excess for the taxable year. However, since the Callable STRIDES may be optionally called by ML&Co. on or after September 2, 2003,
special rules would apply which could possibly result in a deferral of the amortization of some bond premium until later in the term of the Debt Instrument. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these
special rules. Any election to amortize bond premium applies to all taxable debt instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and may be revoked only with the consent of
the IRS.
Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in a Callable STRIDES
Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper characterization of the Callable STRIDES, no assurance can be given
that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the characterization and tax treatment described above. In particular, the IRS could seek to analyze the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of owning a Callable STRIDES under Treasury
regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments (the Contingent Payment Regulations).
ML&Co. will take the position that the Contingent Payment Regulations do not apply to the Callable STRIDES. If the IRS were successful in asserting that the Contingent Payment Regulations applied to the Callable STRIDES, the
timing and character of income thereon would be significantly affected. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue as original issue discount, subject to the adjustments described below, income at a comparable yield on
the issue price, regardless of the U.S. Holders usual method of accounting for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Contingent Payment Regulations require that a projected payment schedule, which results in such a
comparable yield, be determined, and that adjustments to income accruals be made to account for differences between actual payments and projected amounts (including upon receipt of Citigroup common stock at maturity). Furthermore, any
gain realized with respect to a Callable STRIDES would generally be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized would generally be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holders prior ordinary income inclusions (which were
not previously reversed) with respect to the Callable STRIDES.
Even if the Contingent Payment Regulations do not
apply to the Callable STRIDES, other alternative U.S. Federal income tax characterizations or treatments of the Callable STRIDES are also possible, which may
S-29
also affect the timing and the character of the income or loss with respect to the Callable STRIDES. Accordingly, prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S.
Federal income tax consequences of an investment in a Callable STRIDES.
Constructive Ownership Law
Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) treats a taxpayer owning certain types of derivative
positions in property as having constructive ownership of that property, with the result that all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by such taxpayer with respect to the derivative position will be recharacterized as
ordinary income. In its current form, Section 1260 of the Code does not apply to a Callable STRIDES. If Section 1260 of the Code were to apply to a Callable STRIDES in the future, however, the effect on a U.S. Holder of a Callable STRIDES would be
to treat all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by such U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of a Callable STRIDES (or upon the sale of any Citigroup common stock received thereon) as ordinary income. In
addition, Section 1260 of the Code would impose an interest charge on any such gain that was recharacterized. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code, if any, to the purchase,
ownership and disposition of a Callable STRIDES.
Non-U.S. Holders
In the case of a non-U.S. Holder, ML&Co. intends to withhold applicable United States withholding taxes at a rate of 30% on payments of interest made with respect to
the Callable STRIDES subject to reduction by applicable treaty or upon the receipt of a Form W-8ECI from a non-U.S. Holder claiming that the payments are effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. Any capital gain
realized upon the sale or other disposition of a Callable STRIDES by a non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to United States Federal income tax if (i) such gain is not effectively connected with a United States trade or business of
such non-U.S. Holder and (ii) in the case of an individual non-U.S. Holder, such individual is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition and such individual does not have a tax
home (as defined for United States Federal income tax purposes) in the United States.
Backup Withholding and Information
Reporting
A beneficial owner of a Callable STRIDES may be subject to information reporting with respect to
certain amounts paid to the beneficial owner. A beneficial owner of a Callable STRIDES may also be subject to backup withholding at the applicable statutory rate of United States Federal income tax on certain amounts paid to the beneficial owner
unless such beneficial owner provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit
against such beneficial owners United States Federal income tax provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee
benefit plan (a plan) subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the plans particular circumstances before
authorizing an investment in the Callable STRIDES. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents
and instruments governing the plan, and whether the investment would involve a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code).
S-30
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit plans, as well as
individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (also plans) from engaging in certain transactions involving plan assets with persons who are parties in interest
under ERISA or disqualified persons under the Code (parties in interest) with respect to the plan or account. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules may result in civil penalties or other liabilities under ERISA
and/or an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory, regulatory or administrative exemption. Certain employee benefit plans and arrangements including those that
are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) (non-ERISA arrangements) are not subject to the
requirements of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code but may be subject to similar provisions under applicable federal, state, local, foreign or other regulations, rules or laws (similar laws).
The acquisition of the Callable STRIDES by a plan with respect to which we, MLPF&S, or certain of our affiliates is or becomes a party
in interest may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless those Callable STRIDES are acquired pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable exemption. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued
five prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may provide exemptive relief if required for direct or indirect prohibited transactions that may arise from the purchase or holding of the Callable STRIDES. These exemptions
are:
|
(1) |
PTCE 84-14, an exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers; |
|
(2) |
PTCE 90-1, an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts; |
|
(3) |
PTCE 91-38, an exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds; |
|
(4) |
PTCE 95-60, an exemption for transactions involving certain insurance company general accounts; or |
|
(5) |
PTCE 96-23, an exemption for plan asset transactions managed by in-house asset managers. |
The Callable STRIDES may not be purchased or held by (1) any plan, (2) any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets
by reason of any plans investment in the entity (a plan asset entity) or (3) any person investing plan assets of any plan, unless in each case the purchaser or holder is eligible for the exemptive relief available under
any of the PTCEs listed above or another applicable similar exemption. Any purchaser or holder of the Callable STRIDES or any interest in the Callable STRIDES will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding of the Callable STRIDES
that it either (1) is not a plan or a plan asset entity and is not purchasing those Callable STRIDES on behalf of or with plan assets of any plan or plan asset entity or (2) with respect to the purchase or holding, is eligible for the
exemptive relief available under any of the PTCEs listed above or another applicable exemption. In addition, any purchaser or holder of the Callable STRIDES or any interest in the Callable STRIDES which is a non-ERISA arrangement will be deemed to
have represented by its purchase and holding of the Callable STRIDES that its purchase and holding will not violate the provisions of any similar law.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is important that fiduciaries or other persons considering
purchasing the Callable STRIDES on behalf of or with plan assets of any plan, plan asset entity or non-ERISA arrangement consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief under any of the PTCEs listed above or any
other applicable exemption, or the potential consequences of any purchase or holding under similar laws, as applicable.
S-31
USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING
The net proceeds from the sale of the Callable STRIDES
will be used as described under Use of Proceeds in the accompanying prospectus and to hedge market risks of ML&Co. associated with its obligations in connection with the Callable STRIDES.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
ML&Co.
We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SECs web site at
http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SECs Internet site is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link. You may also read and copy any document we file by visiting the SECs
public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., and New York, New York. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms and their copy charges. 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 Callable STRIDES and other securities. For further information on ML&Co. and the Callable STRIDES, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. The prospectus
accompanying this prospectus supplement 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.
You should
rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We have not, and the underwriter 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 the underwriter 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 supplement and the accompanying prospectus is accurate as
of the date on the front cover of this prospectus supplement only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.
Citigroup
Citigroup files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by Citigroup pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 can be located at the SECs facilities or accessed through the SECs web site by reference to SEC file number 1-9924. You
may also inspect Citigroups SEC reports and other information at the NYSE. In addition, information regarding Citigroup may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly
disseminated documents. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or reports.
S-32
MLPF&S has agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the
underwriting agreement and a terms agreement, to purchase from ML&Co. $100,890,000 aggregate principal amount of Callable STRIDES. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriter are subject to certain conditions and
that the underwriter will be obligated to purchase all of the Callable STRIDES if any are purchased.
The
underwriter has advised ML&Co. that it proposes initially to offer the Callable STRIDES directly to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. After the initial public offering, the public
offering price may be changed. The underwriter is offering the Callable STRIDES subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters right to reject any order in whole or in part. Proceeds to be received by ML&Co. will be net
of the underwriting discount and expenses payable by ML&Co.
MLPF&S, a broker-dealer subsidiary of
ML&Co. is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and will participate in distributions of the Callable STRIDES. Accordingly, offerings of the Callable STRIDES will conform to the requirements of Rule 2720 of the Conduct
Rules of the NASD.
The underwriter is permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the
Callable STRIDES. These transactions consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the Callable STRIDES.
If the underwriter creates a short position in the Callable STRIDES in connection with the offering, i.e., if it sells more units of the Callable STRIDES than are set forth on the cover page of this
prospectus supplement, the underwriter may reduce that short position by purchasing units of the Callable STRIDES in the open market. In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the
price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of these purchases. Naked short sales are sales in excess of the underwriters overallotment option or, where no overallotment option exists, sales in excess of the
number of units an underwriter has agreed to purchase from the issuer. Because MLPF&S, as underwriter for the Callable STRIDES, has no overallotment option, it would be required to close out a short position in the Callable STRIDES by purchasing
Callable STRIDES in the open market. Neither ML&Co. nor the underwriter makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the Callable STRIDES. In
addition, neither ML&Co. nor the underwriter makes any representation that the underwriter will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.
MLPF&S may use this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for offers and sales related to market-making transactions
in the Callable STRIDES. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale.
ML&Co. has previously marketed and anticipates continuing to market series of securities under the servicemark STRIDES. The Callable STRIDES we are offering
hereby contain certain terms and provisions which are different from the other previously marketed STRIDES, the terms and conditions of which also vary. Please see the section entitled Description of the Callable STRIDES in this
prospectus supplement.
S-33
VALIDITY OF THE CALLABLE STRIDES
The validity of the Callable STRIDES will be passed
upon for ML&Co. and for the underwriter by Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York.
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 for the year ended December 28, 2001 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, as stated in their reports, 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 the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 29, 2002 and March 30,
2001 and June 28, 2002 and June 29, 2001 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 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 29, 2002 and June 28, 2002 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not
express an opinion on those unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. 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 are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements because those reports are not
reports or a part of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
S-34
|
|
Page
|
accrued interest amount |
|
S-16 |
Business Day |
|
S-12 |
Call Date |
|
S-5 |
Call Price |
|
S-5 |
Callable STRIDES |
|
S-1 |
Citigroup |
|
S-4 |
closing market price |
|
S-18 |
Code |
|
S-30 |
Components |
|
S-27 |
Contingent Payment Regulations |
|
S-29 |
Debt Instrument |
|
S-27 |
depositary |
|
S-23 |
DTC |
|
S-4 |
ERISA |
|
S-30 |
Exchange Property |
|
S-21 |
ex-dividend date |
|
S-18 |
Extraordinary Dividend |
|
S-18 |
Extraordinary Dividend Amount |
|
S-18 |
Final Amount |
|
S-5 |
Forward Contract |
|
S-27 |
Forward Contract Payment Amount |
|
S-28 |
Initial Forward Contract Payment |
|
S-28 |
Interest Rate |
|
S-27 |
IRS |
|
S-27 |
Market Disruption Event |
|
S-19 |
ML&Co. |
|
S-4 |
MLPF&S |
|
S-4 |
NASD |
|
S-18 |
Nasdaq NMS |
|
S-18 |
non-ERISA arrangments |
|
S-31 |
non-U.S. Holder |
|
S-27 |
OTC Bulletin Board |
|
S-18 |
parties in interest |
|
S-31 |
plan |
|
S-30 |
plan asset entity |
|
S-31 |
plans |
|
S-31 |
PTCEs |
|
S-31 |
present value amount |
|
S-16 |
Pricing Date |
|
S-4 |
Redemption Date |
|
S-16 |
Reorganization Event |
|
S-21 |
Share Multiplier |
|
S-12 |
similar laws |
|
S-31 |
Spin-off Event |
|
S-21 |
Successor Entity |
|
S-21 |
Tax Counsel |
|
S-27 |
Trading Day |
|
S-12 |
U.S. Holder |
|
S-27 |
S-35
Call Price Calculation Methodology
The Call Price is the amount of cash, per Callable STRIDES, that when discounted from the Call Date to the original issue date by a discount factor based on an annual yield to call of 14% and added to the present value of all
interest payments made through and including the applicable Call Date discounted to the original issue date by that same discount factor, will equal the original issue price.
As an example, the following steps describe the calculation of the Call Price for July 30, 2004:
|
|
First, the sum of the present values on the original issue date of all interest payments made (assuming a discount factor based on the annual yield to
call of 14% per year) on the Callable STRIDES through and including the applicable Call Date is calculated. For a more detailed description of this calculation, please see the table below. |
The following table illustrates, for the scheduled interest payment dates and the scheduled Call Date listed, the:
|
(a) |
|
amount of interest payable (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months) on the applicable date; |
|
(b) |
|
years from the original issue date to the applicable interest payment date (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months);
|
|
(c) |
|
discount factor(1) based upon the annual yield to call of 14%; |
|
(d) |
|
present value at the original issue date of the interest payments; and |
|
(e) |
|
the sum of the present values of all interest payments discounted to the original issue date. |
Date(2)
|
|
Interest Amount Payable
|
|
Years From Original Issue Date
|
|
Discount Factor(1) Based on
the Yield to Call
|
|
Present Value at Original
Issue Date of Interest Payments(3)
|
August 30, 2002 |
|
|
|
0.000000 |
|
1.000000 |
|
|
December 1, 2002 |
|
$0.605150 |
|
0.252778 |
|
0.967421 |
|
$0.585435 |
March 1, 2003 |
|
$0.598500 |
|
0.502778 |
|
0.936245 |
|
$0.560343 |
June 1, 2003 |
|
$0.598500 |
|
0.752778 |
|
0.906073 |
|
$0.542285 |
September 1, 2003 |
|
$0.598500 |
|
1.002778 |
|
0.876874 |
|
$0.524809 |
December 1, 2003 |
|
$0.598500 |
|
1.252778 |
|
0.848615 |
|
$0.507896 |
March 1, 2004 |
|
$0.598500 |
|
1.502778 |
|
0.821268 |
|
$0.491529 |
June 1, 2004 |
|
$0.598500 |
|
1.752778 |
|
0.794801 |
|
$0.475688 |
July 30, 2004 |
|
$0.392350 |
|
1.916667 |
|
0.777915 |
|
$0.305215 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sum of the present values of all interest payments: |
|
|
|
$3.993200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next, the sum of the present values of the interest payments is subtracted from the original issue price to produce the present value of the Call Price
on the original issue date: |
|
|
$34.20 $3.993200 = $30.206800 (the present value of the Call Price) |
|
|
Finally, the present value of the Call Price is divided by the applicable discount factor(1) and rounded to the fourth decimal place, the quotient being the present value of the Call Price payable on the applicable Call Date:
|
|
$30.206800 |
|
= $38.8304 (the Call
Price) |
|
0.777915 |
|
|
|
|
( |
1 |
) |
x |
(1) |
|
The discount factor is equal to |
|
, where X is the number of years from the original issue date |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
|
(computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months compounded annually). |
(2) |
|
The dates in this column reflect the original issue date, the scheduled interest payment dates and July 30, 2004, the Call Date used in calculating this
example. If a scheduled interest payment date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, payment will be made on the following Business Day, however, the present values of the interest payments will be calculated assuming each payment is made on the
calendar day scheduled for that payment. |
(3) |
|
The present values in this column represent the product of the applicable interest payment amount and the corresponding discount factor. Due to rounding,
the numbers in this column may not equal the sum of the present values of all interest payments. |
A-1
2,950,000 Units
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
7% Callable STock Return Income DEbt SecuritiesSM
due September 1, 2004
Callable STRIDESSM
Payable at maturity with Citigroup Inc. common stock
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
Merrill Lynch & Co.
August 27, 2002
Stock Return Income Debt Securities and
STRIDES are service marks of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.