Rule No. 424(b)(5) Registration No. 33-51489 33-49947 PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT - --------------------- (TO PROSPECTUS DATED MARCH 15, 1994) LOGO $200,000,000 MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. 6 3/8% NOTES DUE MARCH 30, 1999 ---------------- Interest on the Notes is payable semiannually on March 30 and September 30 of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing September 30, 1994. The Notes are not subject to redemption by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") prior to maturity. Ownership of the Notes will be maintained in book-entry form by or through the Depository (as hereinafter defined). Interests in the Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depository and its participants. Beneficial owners of the Notes will not have the right to receive physical certificates evidencing their ownership except under the limited circumstances described herein. Settlement for the Notes will be made in immediately available funds. The Notes will trade in the Depository's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary market trading activity for the Notes will therefore settle in immediately available funds. All payments of principal and interest on the Notes will be made by the Company in immediately available funds so long as the Notes are maintained in book- entry form. Beneficial interests in the Notes may be acquired, or subsequently transferred, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. ---------------- THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO PUBLIC(1) DISCOUNT THE COMPANY(1)(2) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Per Note........................... 99.52% .5% 99.02% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total.............................. $199,040,000 $1,000,000 $198,040,000
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from March 30, 1994. (2) Before deduction of expenses payable by the Company. ---------------- The Notes are offered by the several Underwriters, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued by the Company and accepted by the Underwriters and subject to certain other conditions. The Underwriters reserve the right to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that delivery of the Notes will be made through the book-entry facilities of the Depository on or about March 30, 1994. ---------------- MERRILL LYNCH & CO. DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC. DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION KIDDER, PEABODY & CO. INCORPORATED PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED SALOMON BROTHERS INC ---------------- The date of this Prospectus Supplement is March 15, 1994. IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. The Commissioner of Insurance of the State of North Carolina has not approved or disapproved this offering nor has the Commissioner passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus. DESCRIPTION OF NOTES GENERAL The Notes are to be issued as a series of Senior Debt Securities under the Senior Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated, which is more fully described in the accompanying Prospectus. The Notes will mature on March 30, 1999. The Notes will bear interest from March 30, 1994, payable semiannually on March 30 and September 30 of each year (each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing September 30, 1994, to the persons in whose names the Notes are registered on the preceding March 15 and September 15, respectively. The Notes are not subject to redemption by the Company prior to maturity. The Notes will be issued in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. DEPOSITORY Upon issuance, all Notes will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities (the "Global Notes"). Each such Global Note will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company as Depository (the "Depository") registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee thereof. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Notes in definitive form, no Global Note may be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by such Depository or any such nominee to a successor of such Depository or a nominee of such successor. The Depository has advised the Company as follows: The Depository is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law of the State of New York, 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Depository was created to hold securities of its participants ("Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. The Depository's Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations, including the Underwriters. The Depository is owned by a number of Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the Depository's book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). Purchases of Notes must be made by or through Participants, which will receive a credit on the records of the Depository. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each Note (the "Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on the Participants' or Indirect Participants' records. Beneficial Owners will not receive S-2 written confirmation from the Depository 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 Participant or Indirect Participant through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Ownership of beneficial interests in Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depository (with respect to interests of Participants) and on the records of Participants (with respect to interests of persons held through Participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in Global Notes. So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a Global Note, the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or Holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as provided below, Beneficial Owners of a Global Note will not be entitled to have the Notes represented by such Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the Notes in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or Holders thereof under the Indenture. Accordingly, each Person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note must rely on the procedures of the Depository and, if such Person is not a Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through which such Person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture. The Company understands that under existing industry practices, in the event that the Company requests any action of Holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest in such a Global Note desires to give or take any action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture, the Depository would authorize the Participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such Participants would authorize Beneficial Owners owning through such Participants to give or take such action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of Beneficial Owners. Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Depository 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. Payment of principal of, and interest on, Notes registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of the Global Note or Notes representing such Notes. None of the Company, the Trustee or any other agent of the Company or agent of the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests or for supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. The Company expects that the Depository, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of a Global Note, will credit the accounts of beneficial interest in such Global Note as shown on the record of the Depository. The Company also expects that payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such Participants. If (x) the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 60 days, or (y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that the Global Notes shall be exchangeable, or (z) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Notes, the Global Note or Notes will be exchangeable for Notes in definitive form of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Such definitive Notes shall be registered in such name or names as the Depository shall instruct the Trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions received by the Depository from Participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interest in Global Notes. SAME-DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT Settlement for the Notes will be made by the Underwriters in immediately available funds. All payments of principal and interest on the Notes will be made by the Company in immediately available funds so long as the Notes are maintained in book-entry form. S-3 Secondary trading in long-term notes and debentures of corporate issuers is generally settled in clearing house or net-day funds. In contrast, the Notes will trade in the Depository's Same-Day Funds Settlement System and secondary trading activity in the Notes will therefore be required by the Depository to settle in immediately available funds. No assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading activity in the Notes. UNDERWRITING The Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters") have each severally agreed, subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement and a Terms Agreement, to purchase from the Company the principal amount of Notes set forth opposite their respective names. The Underwriters are committed to purchase all of the Notes if any of the Notes are purchased.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AMOUNT ----------- ------------ Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated....................................... $ 28,700,000 Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. ..................................... 28,550,000 Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation............ 28,550,000 Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated............................. 28,550,000 PaineWebber Incorporated....................................... 28,550,000 Prudential Securities Incorporated............................. 28,550,000 Salomon Brothers Inc .......................................... 28,550,000 ------------ Total..................................................... $200,000,000 ============
The Underwriters have advised the Company that they propose initially to offer all or part of the Notes directly to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of .3% of the principal amount of the Notes. The Underwriters may allow and such dealers may reallow a discount not in excess of .25% of the principal amount of the Notes to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed. The underwriting of the Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in the applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-Laws of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. VALIDITY OF NOTES The validity of the Notes will be passed upon for the Company by Brown & Wood, New York, New York, and for the Underwriters by Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, New York. S-4 PROSPECTUS LOGO MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") intends to sell from time to time up to $468,015,546 aggregate principal amount (or net proceeds in the case of warrants and in the case of securities issued at an original issue discount), or its equivalent in such foreign currencies or units of two or more currencies, based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of offering, as shall be designated by the Company at the time of offering, of its senior debt securities ("Senior Debt Securities"), subordinated debt securities ("Subordinated Debt Securities" and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities"), warrants to purchase Debt Securities ("Debt Warrants"), warrants entitling the holders thereof to receive from the Company a payment or delivery determined by reference to decreases or increases in the level of an index or portfolio based on one or more equity or debt securities (including the price or yield of such securities), any statistical measure of economic or financial performance (including any consumer price, currency or mortgage index) or the price or value of any commodity or a combination thereof (the "Index Warrants") and warrants to receive from the Company the cash value in U.S. dollars of the right to purchase ("Currency Call Warrants") or to sell ("Currency Put Warrants" and, together with the Currency Call Warrants, the "Currency Warrants") such foreign currencies or units of two or more currencies as shall be designated by the Company at the time of offering. The Debt Securities, Debt Warrants, Index Warrants and Currency Warrants, which are collectively called the "Securities", may be offered either jointly or separately and will be offered to the public on terms determined by market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in a prospectus supplement. The Securities will be unsecured and, except in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness of the Company. Each issue of Securities may vary, where applicable, as to aggregate principal amount, maturity date, public offering or purchase price, interest rate or rates, if any, and timing of payments thereof, provision for redemption, sinking fund requirements, if any, exercise provisions, currencies of denomination or currencies otherwise applicable thereto and any other variable terms and method of distribution. The accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") sets forth the specific terms with regard to the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered. ---------------- THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. ---------------- The Securities may be sold directly or through Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S") as agent or may be offered and reoffered through, or through underwriting syndicates managed or co-managed by, one or more of the following: MLPF&S; Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.; Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation; The First Boston Corporation; Goldman, Sachs & Co.; Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated; Lehman Brothers Inc.; Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated; Nomura Securities International, Inc.; PaineWebber Incorporated; and Salomon Brothers Inc, or directly to purchasers by the Company. The Company has entered into agreements with such firms with respect to the Securities providing for agency sales of the Securities through MLPF&S or the purchase and offering from time to time by one or more of such firms, either alone or with the several members of any syndicate formed by them. Additional agreements respecting the distribution of the Securities may be entered into from time to time by the Company. Securities may not be sold without delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing such issue of Securities and the method and terms of offering thereof. ---------------- The date of this Prospectus is March 15, 1994. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and in accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of the Commission: Chicago Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Reports, proxy and information statements and other information concerning the Company may also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 1992, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ending March 26, 1993, June 25, 1993 and September 24, 1993, and Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 25, 1993, January 26, 1993, January 28, 1993, February 1, 1993, February 22, 1993, March 1, 1993, March 19, 1993, April 13, 1993, April 15, 1993, April 22, 1993, April 27, 1993, April 29, 1993, June 24, 1993, June 28, 1993, July 7, 1993, July 13, 1993, July 27, 1993, September 8, 1993, September 13, 1993, September 23, 1993, October 7, 1993, October 11, 1993, October 15, 1993, October 27, 1993, December 17, 1993, December 22, 1993, December 27, 1993, December 30, 1993, January 20, 1994, January 24, 1994, January 27, 1994, February 3, 1994 and March 9, 1994 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, are hereby incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus. THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, ON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON, A COPY (WITHOUT EXHIBITS OTHER THAN EXHIBITS SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE) OF ANY OR ALL DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS. REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MR. GREGORY T. RUSSO, SECRETARY, MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., 100 CHURCH STREET, 12TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10080-6512; TELEPHONE NUMBER (212) 602-8435. 2 MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides investment, financing, insurance and related services worldwide. Its principal subsidiary, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S"), is one of the largest securities firms in the world. MLPF&S is a broker in securities, options contracts, commodity and financial futures contracts, a distributor of selected insurance products, a dealer in options and in corporate and municipal securities and an investment banking firm. Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc. is a primary dealer in obligations issued by the U.S. Government or agencies thereof or guaranteed or insured by Federal agencies or instrumentalities. Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Derivative Products, Inc. are the Company's primary derivative subsidiaries which enter into interest rate and currency swaps and other derivative transactions. Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P. manages mutual funds and provides investment advisory services. Other subsidiaries provide financial services outside the United States similar to those of MLPF&S and are engaged in such other activities as international banking, lending and providing other investment and financing services. The Company's insurance underwriting and marketing operations consist of the underwriting of life insurance and annuity products through subsidiaries of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., and the sale of life insurance and annuities through Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. and other life insurance agencies associated with MLPF&S. The principal executive office of the Company is located at World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281; its telephone number is (212) 449-1000. USE OF PROCEEDS The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities for general corporate purposes. Such uses may include the funding of investments in, or extensions of credit to, its subsidiaries, the funding of assets held by the Company or its subsidiaries, including securities inventories, customer receivables and loans (including business loans, home equity loans and loans in connection with investment banking-related merger and acquisition activities) and the lengthening of the average maturity of the Company's borrowings (including the refunding of maturing indebtedness). The precise amount and timing of investments in, and extensions of credit to, its subsidiaries will depend upon their funding requirements and the availability of other funds to the Company and its subsidiaries. Pending such applications, the net proceeds will be temporarily invested or applied to the reduction of short-term indebtedness. A substantial portion of the proceeds from the sale of any Currency Warrants or Index Warrants may be used to hedge market risks with respect to such Warrants. Management of the Company expects that it will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance the growth of the Company or to lengthen the average maturity of its borrowings. To the extent that Securities being purchased for resale by MLPF&S are not resold, the aggregate proceeds to the Company and its subsidiaries would be reduced. 3 SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION The following summary consolidated financial information was derived from, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the financial statements and other information and data contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 1992 and Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 1994. See "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference." The Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 9, 1994 (which includes the audited financial statements for the Company for its 1993 fiscal year and other supplementary information) and the other documents incorporated herein by reference will be superseded by the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993. The year-end results include 52 weeks for 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992 and 53 weeks for 1993. The Company conducts its business in highly volatile markets. Consequently, the Company's results can be affected by many factors, including general market conditions, the liquidity of secondary markets, the level and volatility of interest rates and currency values, the valuation of securities positions, competitive conditions, and the size, number and timing of transactions. In periods of unfavorable market activity, profitability can be adversely affected because certain expenses remain relatively fixed. As a result, net earnings and revenues can vary significantly from period to period.
YEAR ENDED LAST FRIDAY IN DECEMBER --------------------------------------------------------------- 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT RATIOS) Revenues................ $11,273,223 $11,147,229 $12,352,812 $ 13,412,668 $ 16,588,177 Net Revenues............ $ 5,902,195 $ 5,783,329 $ 7,246,468 $ 8,577,401 $ 10,558,230 Earnings (loss) before income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles(1).......... $ (158,386) $ 282,328 $ 1,017,418 $ 1,621,389 $ 2,424,808 Discontinued operations (net of income taxes)(1).............. $ 3,981 -- -- -- -- Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (net of applicable income taxes)(1).............. -- -- -- $ (58,580) $ (35,420) Net earnings (loss)(1).. $ (213,385) $ 191,856 $ 696,117 $ 893,825 $ 1,358,939 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)....... -- 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Total assets............ $63,942,263 $68,129,527 $86,259,343 $107,024,173 $152,910,362 Long-term borrowings(3). $ 6,897,109 $ 6,341,559 $ 7,964,424 $ 10,871,100 $ 13,468,900 Stockholders' equity(4). $ 3,151,343 $ 3,225,430 $ 3,818,088 $ 4,569,104 $ 5,485,913
- -------- (1) Net loss for 1989 includes an after-tax reduction of $395,000,000 ($470,000,000 before income taxes) resulting from a provision for the costs of divesting certain nonstrategic product lines and business activities, consolidating and relocating selected retail and support facilities and downsizing certain other operations. Results for 1989 have been restated to reflect the effects of discontinued operations related to the sale of the Company's real estate brokerage, relocation and related services subsidiary, Fine Homes International, L.P. ("FHI"), in the third quarter of 1989. Discontinued operations include the results of FHI's operations through September 15, 1989 (the date of final disposition) and the loss on disposal in 1989. Net earnings for 1992 have been reduced by $58,580,000 to reflect the effects of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions" and SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Net earnings for 1993 have been reduced by $35,420,000 to reflect the effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." (2) For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" consists of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges. "Fixed charges" consists of interest costs and that portion of rentals estimated to be representative of the interest factor. In 1989, fixed charges exceeded pretax earnings before fixed charges by $187,564,000. (3) To finance its diverse activities, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries borrow substantial amounts of short-term funds on a regular basis. Although the amount of short-term borrowings significantly varies with the level of general business activity, on December 31, 1993, $972,159,000 of bank loans and $14,895,540,000 of commercial paper were outstanding. In addition, certain of the Company's subsidiaries lend securities and enter into repurchase agreements to obtain financing. At December 31, 1993, cash deposits for securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase amounted to $1,047,059,000 and $56,418,148,000, respectively. From December 31, 1993 to March 11, 1994, long-term borrowings, net of repayments and repurchases, increased in the amount of approximately $1,297,664,000. (4) Stockholders' equity for 1993 has been increased by $21,355,000 to reflect the effects of the adoption of SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." 4 FISCAL YEAR 1993 Net earnings for 1993 were a record $1,358.9 million, an increase of $465.1 million (52%) above the $893.8 million reported for 1992. Results for 1993 include a non-recurring pretax lease charge in the first quarter totaling $103.0 million ($59.7 million after income taxes) related to the Company's decision not to occupy certain space at its World Financial Center Headquarters facility. The 1993 results also reflect the early adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits." The cumulative effect of this change in accounting principle reduced 1993 net earnings by $35.4 million. Revenues after interest expense ("net revenues") reached a record $10,558 million, up 23% over the $8,577 million reported in 1992. Total 1993 revenues advanced 24% to $16,588 million versus $13,413 million for the prior year. Commission revenues increased 19% in 1993 to $2,894 million due primarily to the continued growth of listed securities transactions, increases in sales of mutual funds and higher revenues from other commission categories. Commissions on listed securities benefited from higher trading volume and increases in average market prices. Mutual fund commissions benefited from increased sales of front-end funds. Strong 1992 sales led to an increase in 1993 distribution fees for deferred-charge funds, however, redemption fees declined from 1992 due to lower levels of redemptions. Interest and dividend revenues in 1993 were $7,099 million, up 22% from 1992. Interest expense (including dividend expense) rose 25% in 1993 to $6,030 million. As a result, in 1993 net interest and dividend profit advanced 10% to $1,069 million, compared to the $971 million reported in 1992. This increase in net interest and dividend profit resulted from the expansion of collateralized borrowing and lending activities, the increased use of interest-free funds due to a larger equity base, and reduced funding costs due to lower interest rates and improved credit ratings. Principal transactions revenues rose to record levels in 1993, up 35% to $2,920 million from the $2,166 million reported in 1992. Fixed-income and foreign exchange revenues, in the aggregate, increased on higher revenues from swaps and derivatives, corporate bonds and preferred stocks, and non-U.S. governments and agencies. These advances were somewhat offset by lower revenues from foreign exchange. In addition, 1993 mortgage-backed securities principal transactions revenues were essentially break-even; however, net revenues, including related hedges and net interest, were positive, although below 1992 levels. Equity trading revenues increased primarily due to higher volume and prices in over-the-counter and foreign equity markets. Investment banking revenues increased 23% to a record $1,831 million from the $1,484 million reported a year ago. Underwriting revenues benefited from the low interest rate environment, as corporations refinanced higher interest-bearing debt with lower rate issuances, or raised capital through equity offerings. Investor demand remained strong for equity and high-yield bond underwritings which offer the potential for increased returns compared with other investment alternatives. Asset management and portfolio service fees were also a record, advancing 24% to $1,558 million from the $1,253 million reported last year. Increased fees earned from asset management activities, the Merrill Lynch Consults(Registered Trademark) portfolio management service and other fee-based portfolio services businesses contributed to these favorable results. Asset management fees increased from 1992 due primarily to asset growth in stock and bond funds. Merrill Lynch Consults revenue increased due to the growth in the number of accounts and higher asset levels. Other revenues rose 1% to $285 million due to higher fees generated from increased home equity loan activity, partially offset by net investment losses related primarily to provisions for merchant banking activities. Non-interest expenses totaled $8,133 million, up 17% from the $6,956 million in 1992. Excluding the 1993 first quarter non-recurring lease charge totaling $103.0 million, non-interest expenses were up 15%. Compensation and benefits expense, which represented approximately 65% of total non-interest expenses, increased 20% from 1992 due to higher production-related compensation and increases in incentive compensation linked to the Company's improved profitability and return on common equity. Nevertheless, compensation and benefits expense, as a percentage of net revenues, declined to 49.8% from 50.9% in 1992. Facilities-related costs, including occupancy, communications and equipment rental, and depreciation and amortization, increased 13% from 1992 (3% excluding the non-recurring lease charge). Advertising and market development expenses increased 25% reflecting higher sales promotion and recognition program costs for Financial Consultants that are tied to increased business activity. In addition, travel costs were up as the increase in business volume required additional domestic and international travel, while favorable markets 5 contributed to the expansion of certain discretionary national and local advertising campaigns. Professional fees increased 13% due to technology upgrades which required the use of system and management consultants, as well as higher employment agency fees. Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees were up 1% as a result of increased trading volume, while other expenses increased 5% principally as a result of additions to loss provisions related to litigation and claims. Income tax expense was $1,030 million versus $669 million in the prior year as the effective rate in 1993 rose to 42.5%, compared with 41.3% a year ago. The higher effective tax rate in 1993 related to the increase in the Federal statutory rate from 34% in 1992 to 35% in 1993 due to legislation raising corporate income tax rates retroactive to January 1, 1993. The Company's Board of Directors declared a two-for-one common stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend paid November 24, 1993 to stockholders of record on October 22, 1993. All share and per share data presented herein have been restated to reflect the common stock split. The Company believes that its equity base is adequate relative to the level and composition of its assets and the mix of its businesses. In the normal course of business, the Company underwrites, trades, and holds non-investment grade securities in connection with its market-making, investment banking and derivative structuring activities. These activities are subject to risks related to the creditworthiness of the issuers and the liquidity of the market for such securities, in addition to the usual risks associated with investing, extending credit, underwriting and trading in investment grade instruments. At December 31, 1993, the fair value of long and short non-investment grade trading inventories amounted to $3,129 million and $214 million, respectively, and in the aggregate (i.e., the sum of long and short trading inventories), represented 4.6% of aggregate consolidated trading inventories. At December 31, 1993, the carrying value of extensions of credit provided to corporations entering into leveraged transactions aggregated $435 million (excluding unutilized revolving lines of credit and other lending commitments of $49 million), consisting primarily of senior term and subordinated financings to 42 medium-sized corporations. At December 31, 1993, the Company had no bridge loans outstanding. Loans to highly leveraged corporations are carried at unpaid principal balance less a reserve for estimated losses. The allowance for loan losses is estimated based on a review of each loan, and considerations of economic, market and credit conditions. Direct equity investments made in conjunction with the Company's investment and merchant banking activities aggregated $276 million at December 31, 1993, representing investments in 82 enterprises. Equity investments in privately held corporations for which sale is restricted by government or contractual requirements are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. At December 31, 1993, the Company held interests in partnerships, totaling $92 million that invest in highly leveraged transactions and non-investment grade securities. Subsequent to December 31, 1993, the Company increased its partnership interests by $15 million. The Company has a co-investment arrangement to enter into direct equity investments. At December 31, 1993, the additional co-investment commitments were $49 million. The Company also has committed to invest an additional $19 million in partnerships that invest in leveraged transactions. Subsequent to year-end, the Company increased its partnership commitments by up to $50 million. The Company's insurance subsidiaries hold non-investment grade securities. At December 31, 1993, non-investment grade insurance investments were $458 million, representing 5.8% of the total insurance investments. At December 31, 1993, non-investment grade securities of insurance subsidiaries were classified as trading or available-for-sale in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115 "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." At December 31, 1993, these investment securities were carried at fair value. At December 31, 1993, the largest non-investment grade concentration consisted of various issues of a Latin American sovereign totaling $341 million, of which $146 million represented on-balance sheet hedges. No one industry sector accounted for more than 15% of total non-investment grade positions. At December 31, 1993, the Company held an aggregate carrying value of $393 million in debt and equity securities of issuers who were in various stages of bankruptcy proceedings. Approximately 59% of this amount resulted from the Company's market-making activities. 6 DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture (the "Chemical Indenture"), dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated, between the Company and Chemical Bank (successor by merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as trustee or issued under an indenture (the "Chase Indenture"), dated as of October 1, 1993 between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. as trustee (each, a "Senior Debt Trustee"). The Chemical Indenture and the Chase Indenture are referred to herein as the "Senior Indentures". The Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture (the "Subordinated Indenture"), dated as of August 1, 1991, between the Company and Chemical Bank (successor by merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as trustee (the "Subordinated Debt Trustee"). The Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities may also be issued under one or more other indentures (each, a "Subsequent Indenture") and have one or more other trustees (each, a "Subsequent Trustee"). Any Subsequent Indenture relating to Senior Debt Securities will have terms and conditions identical in all material respects to the above-referenced Senior Indentures and any Subsequent Indenture relating to Subordinated Debt Securities will have terms and conditions identical in all material respects to the above-referenced Subordinated Indenture, including, but not limited to, the applicable terms and conditions described below. Any Subsequent Indenture relating to a series of Debt Securities, and the trustee with respect thereto, will be identified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Senior Indentures, the Subordinated Indenture and any Subsequent Indentures (whether senior or subordinated) are referred to herein as the "Indentures"; and the Senior Debt Trustees, the Subordinated Debt Trustee and any Subsequent Trustees are referred to herein as the "Trustees". A copy of each Indenture is filed (or, in the case of a Subsequent Indenture, will be filed) as an exhibit to the registration statements relating to the Securities (collectively, the "Registration Statement"). The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indentures do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the respective Indentures, including the definitions therein of certain terms. GENERAL Each Indenture provides that Debt Securities (Senior Debt Securities in the case of the Senior Indentures or a Subsequent Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, and Subordinated Debt Securities in the case of the Subordinated Indenture or a Subsequent Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities) may be issued thereunder, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount, in one or more series, by the Company from time to time upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including the delivery by the Company to the applicable Trustee of a resolution of the Board of Directors, or the Executive Committee thereof, of the Company which fixes or provides for the establishment of terms of such Debt Securities, including: (1) the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities and whether there is any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities that may be subsequently issued; (2) the date on which such Debt Securities will mature; (3) the principal amount payable with respect to such Debt Securities whether at maturity or upon earlier acceleration, and whether such principal amount will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method; (4) the rate or rates per annum (which may be fixed or variable) at which such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any; (5) the dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable; (6) the provisions for redemption of such Debt Securities, if any, the redemption price and any remarketing arrangements relating thereto; (7) the sinking fund requirements, if any, with respect to such Debt Securities; (8) whether such Debt Securities are denominated or provide for payment in United States dollars or a foreign currency or units of two or more of such foreign currencies; (9) the form (registered or bearer or both) in which such Debt Securities may be issued and any restrictions applicable to the exchange of one form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of such Debt Securities in either form; (10) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") in respect of such Debt Securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person (as defined in the Prospectus Supplement, as applicable) in respect of specified taxes, assessments or other governmental charges and whether the Company has the option to redeem the affected Debt Securities rather than pay such Additional Amounts; (11) whether such Debt Securities are to be issued in global form; (12) the title of the Debt Securities and the series of which such Debt Securities shall be a part; and (13) the denominations of such Debt Securities. Reference is made to 7 the Prospectus Supplement for the terms of the Debt Securities being offered thereby, including whether such Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities. Debt Securities may also be issued under the Indentures upon the exercise of Debt Warrants. See "Description of Debt Warrants". Nothing in the Indentures or in the terms of the Debt Securities will prohibit the issuance of securities representing subordinated indebtedness that is senior or junior to the Subordinated Debt Securities. The Debt Securities will be issued, to the extent provided in the Prospectus Supplement, in fully registered form without coupons, and/or in bearer form with or without coupons, and in denominations set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer of registered Debt Securities or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection therewith. Each Indenture provides that Debt Securities issued thereunder may be issued in global form. If any series of Debt Securities is issuable in global form, the applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the circumstances, if any, under which beneficial owners of interest in any such global Debt Securities may exchange such interests for Debt Securities of such series and of like tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination. Principal of, and any premium, Additional Amounts and interest on, a global Debt Security will be payable in the manner described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The provisions of the Indentures described above provide the Company with the ability, in addition to the ability to issue Debt Securities with terms different from those of Debt Securities previously issued, to "reopen" a previous issue of a series of Debt Securities and issue additional Debt Securities of such series. The Senior Debt Securities will be unsecured and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt Securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company. Since the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and hence the right of creditors of the Company (including the Holders of the Debt Securities), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to the Company are restricted by net capital requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies. Principal and interest, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, will be payable in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Indenture, the Debt Securities and the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, provided that payment of any interest and any Additional Amounts may be made at the option of the Company by check mailed to the holders of registered Debt Securities at their registered addresses. Debt Securities may be presented for exchange, and registered Debt Securities may be presented for transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable Indenture, the Debt Securities and the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. Debt Securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, pertaining thereto will be transferable by delivery. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION The Company may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, and the Company may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any corporation, provided that (i) the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have received such assets shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof and shall assume payment of the principal of, and any premium, Additional Amounts or interest on, the Debt Securities and the performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indentures to be performed or observed by the Company, and (ii) the Company or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not immediately thereafter be in default under the Indentures. 8 MODIFICATION AND WAIVER Modification and amendment of each Indenture may be effected by the Company and the applicable Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series issued pursuant to such Indenture and affected thereby, provided that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of, or any installment of interest or Additional Amounts on, any Debt Security or any premium payable on the redemption thereof, or change the Redemption Price; (b) reduce the principal amount of, or the interest or Additional Amounts payable on, any Debt Security or reduce the amount of principal which could be declared due and payable prior to the Stated Maturity; (c) change the place or currency of any payment of principal of, or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts on, any Debt Security; (d) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security; (e) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required to modify or amend such Indenture; or (f) modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of Outstanding Debt Securities necessary to waive any past default to less than a majority. No modification or amendment of the Subordinated Indenture or any Subsequent Indenture for Subordinated Debt Securities may adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Senior Indebtedness without the consent of such Holder. Except with respect to certain fundamental provisions, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may, with respect to such series, waive past defaults under the applicable Indenture and waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of such Indenture. EVENTS OF DEFAULT Under each Indenture, the following will be Events of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder: (a) default in the payment of any interest or Additional Amounts upon any Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (b) default in the payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt Security of that series when due; (c) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series; (d) default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company contained in such Indenture for the benefit of such series or in the Debt Securities of such series, continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in such Indenture; (e) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and (f) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series. The applicable Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the Debt Securities of that series) of all Outstanding Debt Securities of that series and the interest accrued thereon and Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof, if any, to be due and payable immediately if an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of such series shall occur and be continuing at the time of declaration. At any time after a declaration of acceleration has been made with respect to Debt Securities of any series but before a judgment or decree for payment of money due has been obtained by the applicable Trustee, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may rescind any declaration of acceleration and its consequences, if all payments due (other than those due as a result of acceleration) have been made and all Events of Default have been remedied or waived. Any Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of any series may be waived by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, except in a case of failure to pay principal of or premium, if any, or interest or Additional Amounts, if any, on any Debt Security of that series for which payment had not been subsequently made or in respect of a covenant or provision which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series affected. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of a series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the applicable Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of such series, provided that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or the applicable Indenture. Before 9 proceeding to exercise any right or power under an Indenture at the direction of such Holders, the applicable Trustee shall be entitled to receive from such Holders reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with any such direction. The Company will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement as to the fulfillment by the Company of all of its obligations under the applicable Indenture. SPECIAL TERMS RELATING TO THE SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES LIMITATIONS UPON LIENS The Senior Indentures provide that the Company may not, and may not permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or permit to exist any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a pledge, lien or other encumbrance (except for certain liens specifically permitted by the Senior Indentures) on the Voting Stock owned directly or indirectly by the Company of any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary which, at the time of incurrence of such secured indebtedness, has a net worth of less than $3,000,000) without making effective provision whereby the Outstanding Senior Debt Securities will be secured equally and ratably with such secured indebtedness. LIMITATION ON DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OF, AND MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS BY, MLPF&S The Senior Indentures provide that the Company may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any Voting Stock of MLPF&S or permit MLPF&S to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of any of its Voting Stock, unless, after giving effect to any such transaction, MLPF&S remains a Controlled Subsidiary (defined in the Senior Indentures to mean a corporation more than 80% of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock of which are owned directly or indirectly by the Company). In addition, the Senior Indentures provide that the Company may not permit MLPF&S to (i) merge or consolidate, unless the surviving company is a Controlled Subsidiary, or (ii) convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an entirety, except to one or more Controlled Subsidiaries. SPECIAL TERMS RELATING TO THE SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES Upon any distribution of assets of the Company resulting from any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, payments on Subordinated Debt Securities are to be subordinated to the extent provided in the Subordinated Indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, but the obligation of the Company to make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities will not otherwise be affected. No payment on Subordinated Debt Securities may be made at any time when there is a default in the payment of any principal, premium, interest, Additional Amounts or sinking fund of or on any Senior Indebtedness. Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities will be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made on Senior Indebtedness upon any distribution of assets in any such proceedings out of the distributive shares of Subordinated Debt Securities. By reason of such subordination, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, certain creditors of the Company may recover more, ratably, than Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities. Senior Indebtedness is defined in the Subordinated Indenture as the principal of, premium, if any, and unpaid interest on (a) indebtedness of the Company (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by the Company), other than the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether outstanding on the date of execution of the Subordinated Indentures or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, (i) for money owing to banks, (ii) for money borrowed from sources other than banks or (iii) in connection with the acquisition by the Company or a subsidiary of assets of any kind except in the ordinary course of business, unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding it is provided that such indebtedness is not superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities, and (b) renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness. As of December 31, 1993, a total of approximately $30.2 billion of the Company's indebtedness would have been Senior Indebtedness as so defined. 10 DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS The Company may issue, together with Debt Securities, Currency Warrants or Index Warrants or separately, Debt Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities. The Debt Warrants are to be issued under Debt Warrant Agreements (each a "Debt Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as Debt Warrant Agent (the "Debt Warrant Agent"), all as shall be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Debt Warrants being offered thereby. A copy of the form of Debt Warrant Agreement, including the form of Warrant Certificates representing the Debt Warrants (the "Debt Warrant Certificates"), reflecting the alternative provisions to be included in the Debt Warrant Agreements that will be entered into with respect to particular offerings of Debt Warrants, is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Debt Warrant Agreement and the Debt Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Debt Warrant Agreement and the Debt Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the definitions therein of certain terms. GENERAL The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Debt Warrants offered thereby, the Debt Warrant Agreement relating to such Debt Warrants and the Debt Warrant Certificates representing such Debt Warrants, including the following: (1) the designation, aggregate principal amount, price at which such principal amount may be purchased upon exercise and terms of the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants, including whether such Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, and the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Debt Warrants; (2) the designation and terms of any related Debt Securities with which such Debt Warrants are issued, including whether such Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, the number of such Debt Warrants issued with each such Debt Security, and the Indenture under which the Debt Securities will be issued; (3) the date, if any, on and after which such Debt Warrants and the related Debt Securities will be separately transferable; (4) the date on which the right to exercise such Debt Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire (the "Expiration Date"); (5) if the Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of such Debt Warrants are original issue discount Debt Securities, a discussion of Federal income tax considerations applicable thereto; and (6) whether the Debt Warrants represented by the Debt Warrant Certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form, and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered. Debt Warrant Certificates will be exchangeable for new Debt Warrant Certificates of different denominations and Debt Warrants may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Debt Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement. Prior to the exercise of their Debt Warrants, holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights of Holders of the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise and will not be entitled to payments of principal of, and any premium, Additional Amounts or interest on, the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise. EXERCISE OF DEBT WARRANTS Each Debt Warrant will entitle the Holder to purchase for cash such principal amount of Debt Securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Warrants offered thereby. Debt Warrants may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the Expiration Date set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Warrants offered thereby. After the close of business on the Expiration Date, unexercised Debt Warrants will become void. Debt Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Debt Warrants offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the Debt Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the Debt Warrant Agent or any other office indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will, as soon as practicable, forward the Debt Securities purchasable 11 upon such exercise. If less than all of the Debt Warrants represented by such Debt Warrant Certificate are exercised, a new Debt Warrant Certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of Debt Warrants. DESCRIPTION OF CURRENCY WARRANTS The Company may issue, together with Debt Securities, Debt Warrants or Index Warrants or separately, Currency Warrants either in the form of Currency Put Warrants entitling the Holders thereof to receive from the Company the cash settlement value in U.S. dollars of the right to sell a specified amount of a specified foreign currency or currency units for a specified amount of U.S. dollars, or in the form of Currency Call Warrants entitling the Holders thereof to receive from the Company the cash settlement value in U.S. dollars of the right to purchase a specified amount of a specified foreign currency or units of two or more currencies for a specified amount of U.S. dollars. The Currency Warrants are to be issued under a Currency Put Warrant Agreement or a Currency Call Warrant Agreement, as applicable (each a "Currency Warrant Agreement"), to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as Currency Warrant Agent (the "Currency Warrant Agent"), all as shall be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Copies of the forms of Currency Put Warrant Agreement and Currency Call Warrant Agreement, including the forms of global Warrant Certificates representing the Currency Put Warrants and Currency Call Warrants (the "Currency Warrant Certificates"), reflecting the provisions to be included in the Currency Warrant Agreements that will be entered into with respect to particular offerings of Currency Warrants, are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Currency Warrant Agreements and the Currency Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Currency Warrant Agreements and the Currency Warrant Certificates, respectively, including the definitions therein of certain terms. GENERAL The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of Currency Warrants offered thereby, the Currency Warrant Agreement relating to such Currency Warrants and the Currency Warrant Certificates representing such Currency Warrants, including the following: (1) whether such Currency Warrants shall be Currency Put Warrants, Currency Call Warrants, or both; (2) the formula for determining the cash settlement value of each Currency Warrant; (3) the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of such Currency Warrants; (4) the circumstances which will cause the Currency Warrants to be deemed to be automatically exercised; (5) any minimum number of Currency Warrants which must be exercised at any one time, other than upon automatic exercise; and (6) the date on which the right to exercise such Currency Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire (the "Expiration Date"), provided that the commencement date and the Expiration Date may be the same date. BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND SETTLEMENT Except as may otherwise be provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Currency Warrants will be issued in the form of global Currency Warrant Certificates, registered in the name of a depository or its nominee. Beneficial owners will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Currency Warrants. Ownership of a Currency Warrant will be recorded on or through the records of the brokerage firm or other entity that maintains a beneficial owner's account. In turn, the total number of Currency Warrants held by an individual brokerage firm for its clients will be maintained on the records of the depository in the name of such brokerage firm or its agent. Transfer of ownership of any Currency Warrant will be effected only through the selling beneficial owner's brokerage firm. EXERCISE OF CURRENCY WARRANTS Each Currency Warrant will entitle the Holder to the cash settlement value of such Currency Warrant on the applicable Exercise Date, in each case as such terms will be defined in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If a Currency Warrant has more than one exercise date and is not exercised prior to 1:30 P.M., New York City time, on the fifth New York Business Day preceding the Expiration Date, Currency Warrants will be deemed automatically exercised. 12 LISTING Each issue of Currency Warrants will be listed on a national securities exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance, as a condition of sale of any such Currency Warrants. In the event that the Currency Warrants are delisted from, or permanently suspended from trading on, such exchange, the Expiration Date for such Currency Warrants will be the date such delisting or trading suspension becomes effective and Currency Warrants not previously exercised will be deemed automatically exercised on such Expiration Date. The applicable Currency Warrant Agreement will contain a covenant of the Company not to seek delisting of the Currency Warrants, or suspension of their trading, on such exchange. DESCRIPTION OF INDEX WARRANTS The Company may issue from time to time Index Warrants consisting of put warrants (the "Index Put Warrants") or call warrants (the "Index Call Warrants"). The Index Warrants will entitle the holders to receive from the Company a payment or delivery, subject to applicable law, determined by reference to decreases (in the case of Index Put Warrants) or to increases (in the case of Index Call Warrants) in the level of an index or portfolio based on one or more equity or debt securities (including the price or yield of such securities), any statistical measure of economic or financial performance (including any consumer price, currency or mortgage index) or the price or value of any commodity or any combination thereof (the "Index"). Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, payments, if any, upon exercise (or deemed exercise) of the Index Warrants will be made in U.S. dollars. The Index Warrants will be offered on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The amount of Index Warrants offered by this Prospectus, other than those Index Warrants which will entitle the holders to receive a payment from the Company determined by reference to increases or decreases in the level of a specified stock or security index or the value of a portfolio of specified stocks or other securities, is currently limited to $300,000,000. This amount may be increased by the Company without the consent of Warrantholders. GENERAL The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture (each as defined below), as the case may be, relating to the Index Warrants being offered thereby and the terms of such Index Warrants, including, without limitation: (i) whether the Index Warrants to be issued will be Index Put Warrants, Index Call Warrants or both; (ii) the aggregate number and initial public offering price or purchase price; (iii) the Index for such Index Warrants; (iv) whether the Index Warrants will be deemed exercised as of a specified date or whether the Index Warrants may be exercised during a period and the date on which the right to exercise such Index Warrants commences and the date on which such right expires; (v) the manner in which such Index Warrants may be exercised and any restrictions on, or other special provisions relating to, the exercise of such Index Warrants; (vi) the minimum number, if any, of such Index Warrants exercisable at any one time; (vii) the maximum number, if any, of such Index Warrants that may, subject to the Company's election, be exercised by all Index Warrantholders (or by any person or entity) on any day; (viii) any provisions permitting an Index Warrantholder to condition an exercise notice on the absence of certain specified changes in the level of the applicable Index after the exercise date, any provisions permitting the Company to suspend exercise of such Index Warrants based on market conditions or other circumstances and any other special provision relating to the exercise of such Index Warrants; (ix) any provisions for the automatic exercise of such Index Warrants other than at expiration; (x) any provisions permitting the Company to cancel such Index Warrants upon the occurrence of certain events; (xi) any additional circumstances which would constitute an Event of Default with respect to such Index Warrants; (xii) the method of determining (a) the payment or delivery, if any, to be made in connection with the exercise or deemed exercise of such Index Warrants (the "Settlement Value"), (b) the minimum payment or delivery, if any, to be made upon expiration of such Index Warrants (the "Minimum Expiration Value"), (c) the payment or delivery to be made upon the exercise of any right which the Company may have to cancel such Index Warrants and (d) the value of the Index; (xiii) in the case of Index Warrants relating to an Index for which the trading prices of underlying securities, commodities or rates are expressed in a foreign currency, the method of converting amounts in the relevant foreign currency or currencies into U.S. dollars (or such 13 other currency or composite currency in which the Index Warrants are payable); (xiv) the method of providing for a substitute index or otherwise determining the payment or delivery, if any, to be made in connection with the exercise of such Index Warrants if the Index changes or ceases to be made available by its publisher; (xv) the time or times at which payment or delivery, if any, will be made in respect of such Index Warrants following exercise or deemed exercise; (xvi) the national securities exchange on which such Index Warrants will be listed, if any; (xvii) any provisions for issuing such Index Warrants in other than book-entry form; (xviii) if such Index Warrants are not issued in book- entry form, the place or places at which payment or delivery on cancellation, if any, and the Minimum Expiration Value, if any, of such Index Warrants is to be made by the Company; (xix) certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to such Index Warrants; and (xx) other specific provisions. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, each issue of Index Warrants will contain the terms set forth below. The Index Warrants which are issued without a Minimum Expiration Value will be issued under one or more index warrant agreements (each, an "Index Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the "Index Warrant Agent"), all as described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Index Warrants. The Index Warrant Agent will act solely as the agent of the Company under the applicable Index Warrant Agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any Index Warrantholders. A single bank or trust company may act as Index Warrant Agent for more than one issue of Index Warrants. The Index Warrants which are issued with a Minimum Expiration Value will be issued under one or more index warrant trust indentures (each an "Index Warrant Trust Indenture") to be entered into between the Company and a corporation (or other person permitted to so act by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time (the "Trust Indenture Act")), to act as trustee (the "Index Warrant Trustee"), all as described in the Prospectus Supplement relative to such Index Warrants. Any Index Warrant Trust Indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. To the extent allowed by the Trust Indenture Act, a single qualified corporation may act as Index Warrant Trustee for more than one issue of Index Warrants. Forms of Index Warrant Agreement and Index Warrant Trust Indenture and the respective global Index Warrant Certificates related thereto are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The summaries herein of certain provisions of the Index Warrant Agreement, the Index Warrant Trust Indenture and global Index Warrant Certificates do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the Index Warrant Agreement, the Index Warrant Trust Indenture and global Index Warrant Certificates, respectively. The Company will have the right to "reopen" a previous issue of Index Warrants and to issue additional Index Warrants of such issue without the consent of any Index Warrantholder. The Index Warrants involve a high degree of risk, including the risk that the Index Warrants will expire worthless except for the Minimum Expiration Value, if any, of such Index Warrants. Investors should therefore be prepared to sustain a total loss of the purchase price of the Index Warrants (except for the Minimum Expiration Value, if applicable). Investors who consider purchasing Index Warrants should be experienced with respect to options and option transactions and reach an investment decision only after carefully considering the suitability of the Index Warrants in light of their particular circumstances and the information set forth below and under "Description of Index Warrants" as well as additional information contained in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Index Warrants. Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, each Index Warrant will entitle Index Warrantholders to receive from the Company upon exercise the Settlement Value of such Index Warrant. Certain Index Warrants issued pursuant to an Index Warrant Trust Indenture will, if specified in the Prospectus Supplement, entitle the Index Warrantholder to receive from the Company, under certain circumstances specified in the Prospectus Supplement, a payment or delivery equal to the greater of the applicable Settlement Value and a Minimum Expiration Value of such Index Warrants. In addition, certain Index Warrants will, if specified in the Prospectus Supplement, entitle Index Warrantholders to receive from the Company a certain payment or delivery upon cancellation of the Index Warrants by the Company, upon 14 the occurrence of specified events. In addition, if so specified in the Prospectus Supplement, following the occurrence of an extraordinary event, the Settlement Value of an Index Warrant may, at the option of the Company, be determined on a different basis, including in connection with automatic exercise at expiration. Unless otherwise specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Index Warrants will be deemed to be automatically exercised upon expiration or such earlier date that may be specified. Upon such automatic exercise, Index Warrantholders will be entitled to receive a payment or delivery equal to the Settlement Value of the Index Warrants, except that holders of Index Warrants having a Minimum Expiration Value will be entitled to receive a payment or delivery equal to the greater of such Settlement Value and the applicable Minimum Expiration Value. The Minimum Expiration Value may be either a predetermined payment or delivery or a payment or delivery that varies during the term of the Index Warrants in accordance with a schedule or formula. Any Minimum Expiration Value applicable to an issue of Index Warrants, as well as any additional circumstances resulting in the automatic exercise of such Index Warrants, will be specified in the related Prospectus Supplement. If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement, the Index Warrants may be canceled by the Company, or the exercise or valuation of, or payment or delivery for, such Index Warrants may be delayed or postponed upon the occurrence of an extraordinary event. Any extraordinary events relating to an issue of Index Warrants will be set forth in the related Prospectus Supplement. Upon cancellation, the related Index Warrantholders will be entitled to receive only the applicable payment or delivery on cancellation specified in such Prospectus Supplement. The payment or delivery on cancellation may be either a predetermined payment or delivery or a payment or delivery that varies during the term of the Index Warrants in accordance with a schedule or formula. If the Company defaults with respect to any of its obligations under Index Warrants which are issued with a Minimum Expiration Value pursuant to an Index Warrant Trust Indenture, such default may be waived by the Index Warrantholders of a majority in interest of all outstanding Index Warrants, except a default in the payment or delivery of the Settlement Value, Minimum Expiration Value or cancellation payment or delivery (if applicable) on such Index Warrants or in respect of a covenant or provision of the applicable Index Warrant Trust Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Index Warrantholder of each outstanding Index Warrant affected. The Index Warrants are unsecured contractual obligations of the Company and will rank pari passu with the Company's other unsecured contractual obligations and with the Company's unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Since the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and hence the right of creditors of the Company (including the Holders of the Debt Securities), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to the Company are restricted by net capital requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies. Certain special United States federal income tax considerations may be applicable to instruments such as the Index Warrants. The related Prospectus Supplement will describe such tax considerations. The summary of United Stated federal income tax considerations contained in the Prospectus Supplement will be presented for informational purposes only, however, and will not be intended as legal or tax advice to prospective purchasers. Prospective purchasers of Index Warrants are urged to consult their own tax advisors prior to any acquisition of Index Warrants. BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES AND SETTLEMENT Except as may otherwise be provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, Index Warrants will be issued in book-entry form and represented by global Index Warrants, registered in the name of a depository or its nominee. Except as may otherwise be provided in an applicable Prospectus Supplement, Index 15 Warrantholders will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Index Warrants, unless the depository is unwilling or unable to continue as depository or the Company decides to have the Index Warrants represented by definitive certificates. A beneficial owner's interest in an Index Warrant represented by a global Index Warrant will be recorded on or through the records of the brokerage firm or other entity that maintains such beneficial owner's account. In turn, the total number of Index Warrants held by an individual brokerage firm or other entity for its clients will be maintained on the records of the depository in the name of such brokerage firm or other entity or its agent. LISTING Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Index Warrants will be listed on a national securities exchange as specified in the Prospectus Supplement. It is expected that such exchange will cease trading an issue of Index Warrants at the close of business on the related expiration date of such Index Warrants. MODIFICATION Any Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture and the terms of the related Index Warrants may be amended by the Company and the Index Warrant Agent or Index Warrant Trustee, as the case may be (which amendment shall take the form of a supplemental index warrant agreement or supplemental index warrant trust indenture (collectively referred to as "Supplemental Agreements")), without the consent of the holders of any Index Warrants, for the purpose of (i) curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent provision contained therein, or of making any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, which shall not be inconsistent with the provisions thereof or of the Index Warrants, (ii) evidencing the succession of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company contained in the Index Warrant Agreement or the Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, and the Index Warrants, (iii) appointing a successor depository, (iv) evidencing and providing for the acceptance of appointment by a successor Index Warrant Agent or Index Warrant Trustee with respect to the Index Warrants, as the case may be, (v) adding to the covenants of the Company, for the benefit of the Index Warrantholders or surrendering any right or power conferred upon the Company under the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, (vi) issuing Index Warrants in definitive form, or (vii) amending the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, in any manner which the Company may deem to be necessary or desirable and which will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the Index Warrantholders. The Company and the Index Warrant Agent may also amend any Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, and the terms of the related Index Warrants (which amendment shall take the form of a Supplemental Agreement) with the consent of the Index Warrantholders holding not less than 66 2/3 in number of the then outstanding unexercised Index Warrants affected by such amendment, for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Index Warrantholders; provided that no such amendment that (i) changes the determination of the Settlement Value or the payment or delivery to be made on cancellation, if any, or Minimum Expiration Value, if any, of the Index Warrants (or any aspects of such determination) so as to reduce the payment or delivery to be made upon exercise or deemed exercise, (ii) shortens the period of time during which the Index Warrants may be exercised, or otherwise materially and adversely affects the exercise rights of the Index Warrantholders or (iii) reduces the number of outstanding Index Warrants, the consent of whose holders is required for amendment of the Index Warrant Agreement, the Index Warrant Trust Indenture or the terms of the related Index Warrants, may be made without the consent of each Index Warrantholder affected thereby. 16 EVENT OF DEFAULT Certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company will constitute an Event of Default with respect to Index Warrants having a Minimum Expiration Value which are issued under an Index Warrant Trust Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the holders of 25% of unexercised Index Warrants may elect to receive a settlement payment or delivery for such unexercised Index Warrants, which will immediately become due to the Index Warrantholders upon such election in an amount equal to the market value of such Index Warrants (assuming the Company's ability to satisfy its obligations under such Index Warrants as they would become due) as of the date the Company is notified of the intended liquidation, as determined by a nationally recognized securities broker-dealer unaffiliated with the Company and mutually selected by the Company and the Index Warrant Trustee. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, SALE, LEASE OR OTHER DISPOSITIONS The Company may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation and the Company may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any corporation, provided that (i) the corporation (if other than the Company) formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall have received such assets shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or a State thereof and shall assume the Company's obligations in respect of the payment or delivery of the Settlement Value (or any Minimum Expiration Value or cancellation payment or delivery, if applicable) with respect to all the unexercised Index Warrants and the performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be, to be performed or observed by the Company, and (ii) the Company or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not immediately be in default under the Index Warrant Agreement or Index Warrant Trust Indenture, as the case may be. ENFORCEABILITY OF RIGHTS BY INDEX WARRANTHOLDERS Any Index Warrantholder may, without the consent of the related Index Warrant Agent, enforce by appropriate legal action, in and for its own behalf, its right to exercise, and receive payment or delivery for, its Index Warrants. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The Company may sell Securities (i) through MLPF&S as agent, (ii) to the public through, or through underwriting syndicates managed by, one or more of the firms named on the cover page of this Prospectus or (iii) directly to purchasers. The Prospectus Supplement with respect to the Securities of a particular series describes the terms of the offering of such Securities, including the name of the agent or the name or names of any underwriters, the public offering or purchase price, any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters, all other items constituting underwriting compensation, the discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers, if any, and the exchanges, if any, on which the Securities will be listed. Only the agents or underwriters so named in the Prospectus Supplement are agents or underwriters in connection with the Securities offered thereby. Under certain circumstances, the Company may repurchase Securities and reoffer them to the public as set forth above. The Company may also arrange for repurchases and resales of such Securities by dealers. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Debt Securities from the Company pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the Prospectus Supplement. Each such contract will be for an amount not less than, and, unless the Company otherwise agrees, the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be more than, the respective amounts stated in the Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with whom such contracts, when authorized, may 17 be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to the approval of the Company. Delayed Delivery Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that the purchase by an institution of the Debt Securities covered thereby shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject. The Company has agreed to indemnify the agent and the several underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), or contribute to payments the agent or the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof. The distribution of Securities will conform to the requirements set forth in the applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-Laws of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedules of the Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Company's 1992 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 1994, and incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche, independent auditors, as stated in their reports incorporated by reference herein. The information under the caption "Summary Financial Information" for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1993 included in this Prospectus and the Selected Financial Data under the captions "Operating Results", "Financial Position" and "Common Share Data" for (i) each of the five years in the period ended December 25, 1992 included in the 1992 Annual Report to Stockholders of the Company and (ii) each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 1993 included in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 9, 1994 of the Company, and incorporated by reference herein, has been derived from consolidated financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche, as set forth in their reports incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial statements and related financial statement schedules, such Summary Financial Information and such Selected Financial Data appearing or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, have been included or incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports of Deloitte & Touche given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. With respect to unaudited interim financial information for the periods included in any of the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q which may be incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in their report included in any such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on such interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Act for any such report on unaudited interim financial information because any such report is not a "report" or a "part" of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act. 18 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION. --------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
PAGE ---- Description of Notes....................................................... S-2 Underwriting............................................................... S-4 Validity of Notes.......................................................... S-4 PROSPECTUS Available Information...................................................... 2 Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference............................ 2 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ................................................. 3 Use of Proceeds............................................................ 3 Summary Financial Information.............................................. 4 Description of Debt Securities............................................. 7 Description of Debt Warrants............................................... 11 Description of Currency Warrants........................................... 12 Description of Index Warrants.............................................. 13 Plan of Distribution....................................................... 17 Experts.................................................................... 18
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOGO $200,000,000 MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. 6 3/8% NOTES DUE MARCH 30, 1999 ---------------- PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT ---------------- MERRILL LYNCH & CO. DEAN WITTER REYNOLDS INC. DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION KIDDER, PEABODY & CO. INCORPORATED PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED PRUDENTIAL SECURITIES INCORPORATED SALOMON BROTHERS INC MARCH 15, 1994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------