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As Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 17, 2003

Registration No. 333-            

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

under

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

(212) 449-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

RICHARD ALSOP, ESQ.

General Counsel

Corporate Law

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

4 World Financial Center

New York, New York 10080

(212) 449-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:    From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement as determined by market conditions.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. ¨

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(Footnotes on next page)

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(Footnotes from previous page)

The Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE

This registration statement contains:

(a)  a prospectus to be used by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., or ML&Co., in connection with offerings of its:

(b)  a prospectus to be used by ML&Co. in connection with offerings of its Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock ^SM_;

(c)  a prospectus to be used in connection with offerings of:

(d)  a prospectus supplement to be used by ML&Co. in connection with offerings of its medium-term notes; and

(e)  a prospectus supplement to be used by ML&Co. in connection with offerings of its Merrill Lynch  CoreNotes Due Nine Months or More from Date of Issue.

Each such prospectus may also be used by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated in market making transactions in such securities.

^SM  Service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated October 17, 2003

 P R O S P E C T U S

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

Debt Securities, Warrants, Preferred Stock,

Depositary Shares and Common Stock

We may offer from time to time in one or more series, together or separately:

When we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement describing the terms of the specific issue of securities including the offering price of the securities.

You should read this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of securities carefully before you invest.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MER” and also on the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Pacific Exchange, the Paris Bourse, the London Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Merrill Lynch & Co.

The date of this prospectus is                 , 2003.

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MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

We are a holding company that, through our U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates such as Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., Merrill Lynch International, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Bank Ltd., Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P., Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Limited, Merrill Lynch Bank U.S.A., Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited, Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd., Merrill Lynch Canada, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., provides investment, financing, advisory, insurance, and related products and services on a global basis, including:

We provide these products and services to a wide array of clients, including individual investors, small businesses, corporations, governments, governmental agencies and financial institutions.

Our principal executive office is located at 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080; our telephone number is (212) 449-1000.

If you want to find more information about us, please see the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC” in this prospectus.

In this prospectus, “ML&Co.”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer specifically to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., the holding company. ML&Co. is the issuer of all the securities offered under this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a specific issue of securities. Our general corporate purposes may include financing the activities of our subsidiaries, financing our assets and those of our subsidiaries, lengthening the average maturity of our borrowings and financing acquisitions. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness or for temporary investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance our growth, through acquisitions or otherwise, or to lengthen the average maturity of our borrowings. To the extent that securities being purchased for resale by our subsidiary Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, referred to in this prospectus as MLPF&S, are not resold, the aggregate proceeds that we and our subsidiaries would receive would be reduced.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED

CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

In July 2000, ML&Co. acquired Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc. (“Herzog”) through an exchange offer followed by a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML&Co. with and into Herzog. The merger was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The following information for the fiscal years 1998 and 1999 has been restated by the management of ML&Co. to give effect to the merger.

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges and ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated:

For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges, excluding amortization of capitalized interest and preferred security dividend requirements. “Fixed charges” consist of interest costs, the interest factor in rentals, amortization of debt issuance costs, preferred security dividend requirements of subsidiaries and capitalized interest.

THE SECURITIES

ML&Co. intends to sell its securities from time to time. These securities may include the following, in each case, as specified by ML&Co. at the time of offering:

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We may offer the securities independently or together with other securities and the securities may be attached to, or separate from other securities. We will offer the securities to the public on terms determined by market conditions at the time of sale. The terms will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of securities.

ML&Co. will offer up to $                 aggregate public offering price of the securities or its equivalent in 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 ML&Co. at the time of offering, subject to reduction on account of the sale of other securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the senior debt securities are to be issued under an indenture (the “Senior Indenture”), dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated through the date of this prospectus and as it may be further amended in the future, between ML&Co. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the subordinated debt securities are to be issued under an indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”), between ML&Co. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, 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 Indenture 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 applicable trustee, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. A copy of each indenture is filed, or, in the case of a Subsequent Indenture, will be filed, as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to the securities. The following summaries of the material provisions of the indentures are not complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all provisions of the respective indentures, including the definitions of terms.

Terms of the Debt Securities

ML&Co. may issue the debt securities from time to time, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount and in one or more series. ML&Co. may issue debt securities upon the satisfaction of conditions, including the delivery to the applicable Trustee of a resolution of the Board of Directors of ML&Co., or a committee of the Board of Directors, or a certificate of an officer of ML&Co. who has been authorized by the Board of Directors to take that kind of action, which fixes or establishes the terms of the debt securities being issued. Any resolution or officer’s certificate approving the issuance of any issue of debt securities will include the terms of that issue of debt securities, including:

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Please see the accompanying prospectus supplement you have received or will receive for the terms of the specific debt securities being offered. ML&Co. may issue debt securities under the indentures upon the exercise of warrants to purchase debt securities. 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.

Prospective purchasers of debt securities should be aware that special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as the debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to an issue of debt securities will describe these considerations, if they apply.

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ML&Co. will issue each series of debt securities, as described 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. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer of registered debt securities or exchange of debt securities, but ML&Co. may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charges imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange. Each indenture provides that ML&Co. may issue debt securities in global form. If any series of debt securities is issued in global form, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the circumstances, if any, under which beneficial owners of interests in any of those global debt securities may exchange their interests for debt securities of that series and of like tenor and principal amount in any authorized form and denomination.

The provisions of the indentures permit ML&Co., without the consent of holders of any debt securities, to issue additional debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued and to reopen a previous series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series.

The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of ML&Co. The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinated to all existing and future senior indebtedness of ML&Co. Because ML&Co. is a holding company, the right of ML&Co. and its creditors, 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 a bankruptcy court may recognize the claims of ML&Co. itself as a creditor of the subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to ML&Co. are restricted by net capital requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.

ML&Co. will pay or deliver principal and any premium, Additional Amounts, Maturity Consideration and interest in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable indenture, the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. However, at its option, ML&Co. may pay any interest and any Additional Amounts by check mailed to the holders of registered debt securities at their registered addresses.

Holders may present debt securities for exchange, and registered debt securities for registration of transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the applicable indenture, the debt securities and the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may transfer debt securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, pertaining to the debt securities by delivery. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, but ML&Co. may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, ML&Co. will issue the debt securities under the indentures. If so specified in a prospectus supplement, ML&Co. may issue senior or subordinated debt securities under a separate indenture which provides for a single issue of zero coupon convertible senior or subordinated debt securities, a form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. If ML&Co. issues debt securities under any indenture, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the debt securities and will identify the applicable indenture and trustee.

Merger and Consolidation

ML&Co. may consolidate or merge with or into any other person, and ML&Co. may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any person, provided that:

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Modification and Waiver

Each indenture may be modified and amended by ML&Co. and the applicable trustee with the consent of holders of at least 66 ²/3% in principal amount or aggregate issue price of each series of debt securities affected. However, without the consent of each holder of any debt security affected, no amendment or modification to any indenture may:

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 ML&Co.’s senior indebtedness without the consent of each holder affected. The holders of at least a majority in principal amount or aggregate issue price of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, with respect to that series, waive past defaults under the applicable indenture and waive compliance by ML&Co. with certain provisions of that indenture, except as described under “—Events of Default”.

Events of Default

Each of the following will be an Event of Default with respect to each series of debt securities issued under each indenture:

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If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing for any series of debt securities, the applicable trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount or aggregate issue price of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare all amounts, or any lesser amount provided for in the debt securities of that series, due and payable or deliverable immediately. At any time after the applicable trustee or the holders have made a declaration of acceleration with respect to the debt securities of any series but before the applicable trustee has obtained a judgment or decree for payment of money due, the holders of a majority in principal amount or aggregate issue price of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind any declaration of acceleration and its consequences, provided that all payments and/or deliveries due, other than those due as a result of acceleration, have been made and all Events of Default have been remedied or waived.

The holders of a majority in principal amount or aggregate issue price of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive an Event of Default with respect to that series, except a default:

The holders of a majority in principal amount or aggregate issue price 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 the trustee with respect to debt securities of that series, provided that any direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or the applicable indenture. Subject to the provisions of each indenture relating to the duties of the appropriate trustee, before proceeding to exercise any right or power under an indenture at the direction of the holders, the applicable trustee is entitled to receive from those holders reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in complying with any direction.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any series of debt securities issued under any indenture will not have the benefit of any cross-default provisions with other indebtedness of ML&Co.

ML&Co. will be required to furnish to each trustee annually a statement as to the fulfillment by ML&Co. of all of its obligations under the applicable indenture.

Special Terms Relating to the Senior Debt Securities

Limitations Upon Liens

ML&Co. may not, and may not permit any majority-owned subsidiary to, create, assume or incur any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a pledge of, lien on or security interest in, other than any liens specifically permitted by the Senior Indenture, the Voting Stock of any Significant Subsidiary, unless the outstanding senior debt securities are secured equally and ratably with the secured indebtedness.

“Voting Stock” is defined in the Senior Indenture as the stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a person provided that, for the purposes of the Senior Indenture, stock that carries only the right to vote conditionally on the occurrence of an event is not considered Voting Stock whether or not the event has happened.

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“Significant Subsidiary” is defined in the Senior Indenture as any majority-owned subsidiary the consolidated net worth of which constituted at least 15 percent of the consolidated net worth of ML&Co. as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

Special Terms Relating to the Subordinated Debt Securities

Upon any distribution of assets of ML&Co. resulting from any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, payments on subordinated debt securities are 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 ML&Co. to make payments on the subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. ML&Co. may not make any payment on subordinated debt securities at any time when there is a default in the payment or delivery of any amounts due on any senior indebtedness, including payment of any sinking fund. Because the subordinated debt securities are subordinated in right of payment to any senior indebtedness, in the event of a distribution of assets upon insolvency, some creditors of ML&Co. may recover more, ratably, than holders of subordinated debt securities. 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 proceedings in respect of subordinated debt securities.

As of June 27, 2003, a total of approximately $84.6 billion of ML&Co.’s indebtedness was senior indebtedness.

Special Terms Relating to Convertible Debt Securities

The following provisions will apply to debt securities that will be convertible into common stock or preferred stock of ML&Co. unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of debt securities.

The holder of any convertible debt securities will have the right, exercisable at any time during the time period specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless previously redeemed, to convert convertible debt securities into shares of common stock or preferred stock of ML&Co. as specified in the prospectus supplement, at the conversion rate per principal amount of convertible debt securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In the case of convertible debt securities called for redemption, conversion rights will expire at the close of business on the date fixed for the redemption specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, except that, in the case of redemption at the option of the holder, if applicable, the conversion right will terminate upon receipt of written notice of the exercise of the option.

For each series of convertible debt securities, the conversion price or rate will be subject to adjustment as contemplated in the applicable indenture. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, these adjustments may occur as a result of:

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In any case, no adjustment of the conversion price or rate will be required unless an adjustment would require a cumulative increase or decrease of at least 1% in such price or rate. ML&Co. will not issue any fractional shares of ML&Co. common stock upon conversion, but, instead, ML&Co. will pay a cash adjustment. If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, convertible debt securities convertible into common stock of ML&Co. which are surrendered for conversion between the record date for an interest payment, if any, and the interest payment date, other than convertible debt securities called for redemption on a redemption date during that period, must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to interest which the registered holder is entitled to receive.

ML&Co. will determine the adjustment provisions for convertible debt securities at the time of issuance of each series of convertible debt securities. These adjustment provisions will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, any convertible debt securities called for redemption, unless surrendered for conversion on or before the close of business on the redemption date, are subject to being purchased from the holder of the convertible debt securities by one or more investment banking firms or other purchasers who may agree with ML&Co. to purchase convertible debt securities and convert them into common stock or preferred stock of ML&Co., as the case may be.

Depositary

Description of the Global Securities

Upon issuance, the debt securities will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC (DTC, together with any successor, being a “depositary”), as depositary, registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s partnership nominee. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for a debt security in definitive form, no global security may be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee of the depositary or by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary or by the depositary or any nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of that successor.

So long as DTC, or its nominee, is a registered owner of a global security, DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, the beneficial owners of the debt securities represented by a global security will not be entitled to have the debt securities represented by a global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders of the debt securities including for purposes of receiving any reports delivered by ML&Co. or the trustee under the applicable indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant of DTC, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the applicable indenture. ML&Co. understands that under existing industry practices, in the event that ML&Co. requests any action of holders or that an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security desires to give or take any action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the applicable indenture, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action, and those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to participants, by participants to indirect participants and by participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

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DTC Procedures

The following is based on information furnished by DTC:

DTC will act as securities depositary for the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued as fully registered securities registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s partnership nominee. One or more fully registered global securities will be issued for the debt securities in the aggregate principal amount of such issue, and will be deposited with DTC.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants of DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the NYSE, the AMEX, and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to DTC’s system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of the debt securities under DTC’s system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the debt securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each beneficial owner is in turn to be recorded on the records of direct and indirect participants. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the debt securities are to be made by entries on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all debt securities deposited with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of the debt securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. effect no change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities; DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the debt securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will consent or vote with respect to the debt securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to ML&Co. as soon as possible after the applicable record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy to whose accounts the debt securities are credited on the record date.

Principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, payments made in cash on the debt securities will be made in immediately available funds to DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts on the applicable payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on the depositary’s records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that date. Payments by participants to beneficial

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owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name”, and will be the responsibility of that participant and not of DTC, the trustee or ML&Co., subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time. Payment of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, if any, to DTC is the responsibility of ML&Co. or the trustee, disbursement of those payments to direct participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of those payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct participants and indirect participants.

Exchange for Certificated Securities

If:

the global securities will be exchangeable for debt securities in definitive form of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of the principal amount per unit and integral multiples of the principal amount per unit. The definitive debt securities will be registered in the name or names as the depositary shall instruct the trustee. It is expected that instructions may be based upon directions received by the depositary from participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depositary with respect to the debt securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to ML&Co. or the trustee. Under these circumstances, in the event that a successor securities depositary is not obtained, debt securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

ML&Co. may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC or a successor securities depositary. In that event, debt securities certificates will be printed and delivered.

The information in this section concerning DTC and DTC’s system has been obtained from sources that ML&Co. believes to be reliable, but ML&Co. takes no responsibility for its accuracy.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

Settlement for the debt securities will be made by the underwriter in immediately available funds. ML&Co. will make all payments in immediately available funds so long as the debt securities are maintained in book-entry form.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS

ML&Co. may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities (“Debt Warrants”). The Debt Warrants are to be issued under debt warrant agreements to be entered into between ML&Co. and a bank or trust company, as debt warrant agent, as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of Debt Warrants being offered. We have filed a copy of the form of debt warrant agreement, including the form of warrant certificates representing the Debt Warrants, 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, as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The following summaries of the material provisions of the debt warrant agreement and the debt warrant certificates are not 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 of terms.

Terms of the Debt Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the specific issue of Debt Warrants being offered, the debt warrant agreement relating to the Debt Warrants and the debt warrant certificates representing the Debt Warrants, including the following:

Holders may exchange debt warrant certificates for new debt warrant certificates of different denominations. Holders may exercise Debt Warrants at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of their Debt Warrants, holders of Debt Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the debt securities that may be purchased upon exercise of the Debt Warrants and will not be entitled to payment or delivery of any amounts which may be due on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the Debt Warrants.

Prospective purchasers of Debt Warrants should be aware that special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as Debt Warrants and to the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the Debt Warrants. The prospectus supplement relating to any issue of Debt Warrants will describe these considerations.

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Ranking

The Debt Warrants are unsecured contractual obligations of ML&Co. and will rank equally with its other unsecured contractual obligations and with its unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Because ML&Co. is a holding company, the right of ML&Co. and its creditors, including the debt warrantholders, 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 a bankruptcy court may recognize claims of ML&Co. itself as a creditor of the subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to ML&Co. are restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.

Book-Entry Procedures

Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Debt Warrants will be issued in the form of global debt warrant certificates, registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, beneficial owners will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Debt Warrants unless the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ML&Co. decides to have the Debt Warrants represented by definitive certificates. A beneficial owner’s interest in a Debt Warrant will be recorded on or through the records of the brokerage firm or other entity that maintains the beneficial owner’s account. In turn, the total number of Debt Warrants held by an individual brokerage firm for its clients will be maintained on the records of the depositary in the name of the brokerage firm or its agent. Transfer of ownership of any Debt Warrant will be effected only through the selling beneficial owner’s brokerage firm.

Exercise of Debt Warrants

Each Debt Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash a principal amount of debt securities at the exercise price set forth in, or determined in the manner set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exercise Debt Warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised Debt Warrants will become void.

Holders may exercise Debt Warrants in the manner described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and properly completed and duly executed debt warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the debt warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, ML&Co. will, as soon as practicable, forward the debt securities purchased. If less than all of the Debt Warrants represented by any debt warrant certificate are exercised, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of Debt Warrants.

Listing

ML&Co. may list an issue of Debt Warrants on a national securities exchange. Any listing will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF CURRENCY WARRANTS

ML&Co. may issue “Currency Warrants” either in the form of:

ML&Co. may issue the Currency Warrants under a currency put warrant agreement or a currency call warrant agreement, as applicable, to be entered into between ML&Co. and a bank or trust company, as currency warrant agent, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to Currency Warrants being offered. Copies of the forms of currency put warrant agreement and currency call warrant agreement, including the forms of certificates representing the Currency Put Warrants and Currency Call Warrants, 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 of which this prospectus is a part. The following summaries of the material provisions of the currency warrant agreements and the currency warrant certificates are not 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 of terms.

Terms of the Currency Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the specific issue of Currency Warrants being offered, the currency warrant agreement relating to the Currency Warrants and the currency warrant certificates representing the Currency Warrants, including the following:

Prospective purchasers of Currency Warrants should be aware that special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as Currency Warrants. The prospectus supplement relating to any issue of Currency Warrants will describe these considerations, if they apply.

Ranking

The Currency Warrants are unsecured contractual obligations of ML&Co. and will rank equally with its other unsecured contractual obligations and with its unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Because ML&Co. is a

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holding company, the right of ML&Co. and its creditors, including the currency warrantholders, 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 a bankruptcy court may recognize claims of ML&Co. itself as a creditor of the subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to ML&Co. are restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.

Book-Entry Procedures

Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Currency Warrants will be issued in the form of global currency warrant certificates, registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. In that case, beneficial owners will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Currency Warrants unless the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ML&Co. decides to have the Currency Warrants represented by definitive certificates. A beneficial owner’s interest in 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 depositary in the name of the 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 that Currency Warrant on the applicable exercise date as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If a Currency Warrant has more than one exercise date and is not exercised before the time specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, on the fifth business day preceding the expiration date, the Currency Warrants will be deemed automatically exercised.

Listing

ML&Co. will apply to list each issue of Currency Warrants on a national securities exchange. In the event that the Currency Warrants are delisted from, or permanently suspended from trading on, any exchange, the expiration date for the exercise of the Currency Warrants will be the date the delisting or trading suspension becomes effective and Currency Warrants not previously exercised will be deemed automatically exercised on the business day immediately preceding the expiration date. Under the applicable currency warrant agreement, ML&Co. will agree not to seek delisting of the Currency Warrants, or suspension of their trading, on any exchange.

DESCRIPTION OF INDEX WARRANTS

ML&Co. may issue from time to time “Index Warrants” consisting of index put warrants or index call warrants. Subject to applicable law, ML&Co. will pay or deliver consideration on each Index Warrant in an amount determined by reference to the level or value of an index such as:

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The payment or delivery of any consideration on any index put warrant will be determined by the decrease in the level or value of the applicable index and the payment or delivery of any consideration on any index call warrant will be determined by the increase in the level or value of the applicable Index.

Method of Issuance

Index Warrants issued without a Minimum Expiration Value will be issued under one or more index warrant agreements to be entered into between ML&Co. and a bank or trust company, as index warrant agent, as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the specific issue of Index Warrants. The index warrant agent will act solely as the agent of ML&Co. 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.

Index Warrants issued with a Minimum Expiration Value will be issued under one or more index warrant trust indentures to be entered into between ML&Co. and a corporation or other person permitted by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, to act as index warrant trustee, as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the 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.

ML&Co. has filed forms of the index warrant agreement and the index warrant trust indenture and the related global index warrant certificates as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The summaries set forth in this section of the material provisions of the index warrant agreement, the index warrant trust indenture and the global index warrant certificates are not complete, 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 the global index warrant certificates, respectively.

Unless otherwise specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement, payments, if any, upon 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. ML&Co. will have the right to reopen a previous issue of Index Warrants and to issue additional Index Warrants of that issue without the consent of any index warrantholder.

Terms of the Index Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific issue of Index Warrants being offered, the indenture or agreement under which the Index Warrants will be issued, as the case may be, and the index warrant certificates representing the Index Warrants, including the following:

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Prospective purchasers of Index Warrants should be aware that special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as the Index Warrants. The prospectus supplement relating to any issue of Index Warrants will describe these considerations, if they apply.

Ranking

The Index Warrants are unsecured contractual obligations of ML&Co. and will rank equally with its other unsecured contractual obligations and with its unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Because ML&Co. is a holding company, the right of ML&Co. and its creditors, including the index warrantholders, to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily

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subject to the prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that a bankruptcy court may recognize claims of ML&Co. itself as a creditor of the subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to ML&Co. are restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.

Payment and Delivery

If specified, and under the circumstances described in the prospectus supplement:

Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, the Index Warrants will be deemed to be automatically exercised upon expiration or any earlier date that may be specified. Upon any automatic exercise, ML&Co. will deliver or pay to each index warrantholder an amount 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 the 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 the Index Warrants, will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Cancellation or Postponement

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, ML&Co. may cancel the Index Warrants. In addition, ML&Co. may delay or postpone the exercise or valuation of, or payment or delivery for, the Index Warrants upon the occurrence of an extraordinary event. Any extraordinary events relating to an issue of Index Warrants will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon cancellation, the related index warrantholders will be entitled to receive only the applicable payment or delivery on cancellation specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The amount payable or deliverable upon cancellation may be either a predetermined amount or an amount that varies during the term of the Index Warrants in accordance with a schedule or formula.

Waiver of Default

If ML&Co. defaults with respect to any of its obligations under any Index Warrants issued with a Minimum Expiration Value under an index warrant trust indenture, the index warrantholders of a majority in interest of all outstanding Index Warrants may waive a default, except a default:

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Modification

ML&Co. and the index warrant agent or index warrant trustee, as the case may be, may amend any index warrant agreement or index warrant indenture and the terms of the related Index Warrants by a supplemental agreement or supplemental indenture (each, a “Supplemental Agreement”), without the consent of the holders of any Index Warrants, for the purpose of:

ML&Co. 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, by 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 the 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. However, without the consent of each index warrantholder affected, no amendment may be made that:

Events of Default

Specified events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of ML&Co. will constitute Events 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 any unexercised Index Warrants. Any settlement payment or delivery will immediately become due to the index warrantholders upon any election. Assuming

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ML&Co. is able to satisfy its obligations when due under the Index Warrants, the settlement payment or delivery will be an amount equal to the market value of the Index Warrants as of the date ML&Co. is notified of the intended liquidation. The market value of the Index Warrants will be determined by a nationally recognized securities broker-dealer unaffiliated with ML&Co. and mutually selected by ML&Co. and the index warrant trustee.

Merger, Consolidation, Sale, Lease or Other Dispositions

ML&Co. may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation and ML&Co. may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any corporation, provided that:

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.

Book-Entry Procedures

Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Index Warrants will be issued in book-entry form and represented by global Index Warrants, registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. In that case, index warrantholders will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Index Warrants, unless the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ML&Co. 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 the 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 depositary in the name of the brokerage firm or other entity or its agent. Transfer of ownership of any Index Warrant will be effected only through the selling beneficial owner’s brokerage firm.

Listing

ML&Co. may list an issue of Index Warrants on a national securities exchange. Any listing will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

The following description sets forth certain general terms of preferred stock which ML&Co. may issue. The terms of any series of the preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock being offered. The description set forth below and in any prospectus supplement is not complete, and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and the certificate of designations relating to each particular series of the preferred stock, which was or will be filed with the SEC at or before the issuance of the series of preferred stock.

Terms of the Preferred Stock

Under ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation, ML&Co. is authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share. The Board of Directors of ML&Co. has the authority, without approval of the stockholders, to issue all of the shares of preferred stock which are currently authorized in one or more series and to fix the number of shares and the rights, preferences, privileges, qualifications, restrictions and limitations of each series. As of June 27, 2003, ML&Co. had 24,957,500 shares of preferred stock available for issuance.

ML&Co. has authorized the issuance of shares of Series A junior preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, of ML&Co. upon exercise of preferred share purchase rights associated with each share of common stock outstanding. See “Description of Common Stock—Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Preferred Stock”.

In addition, as described under “Description of Depositary Shares”, ML&Co., at its option, instead of offering full shares of any series of preferred stock, may offer depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts, each representing a fraction of a share of the particular series of preferred stock issued and deposited with a depositary. The fraction of a share of preferred stock which each depositary share represents will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of each series of preferred stock, including, where applicable, the following:

The preferred stock will be, when issued against payment, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which ML&Co. may issue. Unless otherwise

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specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the shares of each series of preferred stock will rank equally with all other outstanding series of preferred stock issued by ML&Co. as to payment of dividends, other than with respect to cumulation of dividends, and as to the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of ML&Co. As of June 27, 2003, there were 42,500 shares of ML&Co.’s 9% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A (the “9% Preferred Stock”) represented by 17,000,000 depositary shares and one Special Voting Share outstanding. See “—Outstanding Preferred Stock”. Each series of preferred stock will rank senior to the common stock, and any other stock of ML&Co. that is expressly made junior to that series of preferred stock.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, Citibank, N.A., will be the transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the shares of the preferred stock.

Because ML&Co. is a holding company, its rights and the rights of holders of its securities, including the holders of preferred stock, to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary of ML&Co. upon its liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors and preferred stockholders, except to the extent ML&Co. may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary or a holder of preferred stock of the subsidiary.

Dividends and Distributions

Holders of shares of the preferred stock will be entitled to receive, as, if and when declared by the Board of Directors of ML&Co., or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, cash dividends at the rate set forth in, or calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the preferred stock being offered.

Dividends on the preferred stock may be cumulative or noncumulative as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends on the cumulative preferred stock will accumulate from the date of original issue and will be payable quarterly in arrears on the dates specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any date so specified as a dividend payment date is not a business day, declared dividends on the preferred stock will be paid on the immediately succeeding business day, without interest. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the applicable dividend period with respect to a dividend payment date. If the Board of Directors of ML&Co. or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, fails to declare a dividend on any series of noncumulative preferred stock for any dividend period, ML&Co. will have no obligation to pay a dividend for that period, whether or not dividends on that series of noncumulative preferred stock are declared for any future dividend period. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, dividends on the preferred stock will be payable to record holders as they appear on the stock books of ML&Co. on each record date, not more than 30 nor less than 15 days preceding the applicable payment date, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors of ML&Co. or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors.

No dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on the preferred stock of any series ranking, as to dividends, equally with or junior to any other series of preferred stock for any period unless dividends have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those dividends has been set apart for,

When dividends are not paid in full upon any series of preferred stock, and any other preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends with that series of preferred stock, all dividends declared upon shares of that series of preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking equally as to dividends will be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on that series of preferred stock and any other preferred stock ranking

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equally as to dividends will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends per share on the shares of that series of preferred stock and the other preferred stock bear to each other. In the case of noncumulative preferred stock, any accrued dividends described in the immediately preceding paragraph will not include any cumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods.

Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of preferred stock have been declared and paid,

then:

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the amount of dividends payable for any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months, a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed in any period of less than one month.

As of June 27, 2003, subsidiaries of ML&Co. had outstanding approximately $2.7 billion of perpetual Trust Originated Preferred Securities^SM (“TOPrS”). In connection with the issuance of the TOPrS, ML&Co. has agreed, among other things, that if full distributions on the TOPrS have not been paid or set apart for payment or if ML&Co. is in default of their related guarantee obligations, ML&Co., with certain exceptions, will not declare or pay dividends, make distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of its capital stock, including the preferred stock.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co., the holders of the preferred stock will have preference and priority over the common stock of ML&Co. and any other class of stock of ML&Co. ranking junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, for payments out of or distributions of the assets of ML&Co. or proceeds from any liquidation, whether from capital or surplus, of the amount per share set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement plus all accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not earned or declared, to the date of final distribution to such holders. After any liquidating payment, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to no other payments. If, in the case of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co., the assets of ML&Co. or the proceeds from any liquidation should be insufficient to make the full liquidation payment in the amount per share set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock, plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on that preferred stock, and liquidating payments on any other preferred stock ranking as to liquidation, dissolution or winding up equally with that preferred stock, then any assets and proceeds will be distributed among the holders of the preferred

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stock and any other preferred stock ratably in accordance with the respective amounts which would be payable on those shares of preferred stock and any other preferred stock if all amounts payable were paid in full. In the case of noncumulative preferred stock, accrued and unpaid dividends will not include cumulation of unpaid dividends from prior dividend periods. A consolidation or merger of ML&Co. with one or more corporations will not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of ML&Co.

Redemption

If specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock being offered, ML&Co. may, at its option, at any time or from time to time on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, redeem that series of preferred stock in whole or in part at the redemption prices and on the dates set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If less than all outstanding shares of a series of preferred stock are to be redeemed, the selection of the shares to be redeemed shall be determined by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the Board of Directors of ML&Co. or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors to be equitable. From and after the redemption date, unless ML&Co. is in default in providing for the payment of the redemption price, dividends shall cease to accrue on the shares of that series of preferred stock called for redemption and all rights of the holders shall cease, other than the right to receive the redemption price.

Voting Rights

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the preferred stock will have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by law.

Whenever dividends payable on the preferred stock are in arrears for a number of dividend periods, whether or not consecutive, which in the aggregate is equivalent to six calendar quarters, the holders of outstanding shares of the preferred stock, voting as a class with holders of shares of all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the preferred stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, will be entitled to vote for the election of two additional directors on the terms set forth below. These voting rights will continue, in the case of any series of cumulative preferred stock, until all past dividends accumulated on shares of cumulative preferred stock are paid in full and, in the case of noncumulative preferred stock, until all dividends on shares of noncumulative preferred stock are paid in full for at least one calendar year. Upon payment in full of these dividends, the voting rights will terminate except as expressly provided by law. These voting rights are subject to re-vesting in the event of each and every subsequent default in the payment of dividends. Holders of all series of preferred stock which are granted these voting rights and which rank equally with the preferred stock will vote as a class, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each holder of shares of the preferred stock will have one vote for each share of stock held and each other series will have the number of votes, if any, for each share of stock held as may be granted to them. In the event that the holders of shares of the preferred stock are entitled to vote as described in this paragraph, the Board of Directors of ML&Co. will be increased by two directors, and the holders of the preferred stock will have the exclusive right as members of that class, as outlined above, to elect two directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders.

Upon termination of the right of the holders of the preferred stock to vote for directors as discussed in the preceding paragraph, the term of office of all directors then in office elected by those holders will terminate immediately. Whenever the term of office of the directors elected by those holders ends and the related special voting rights expire, the number of directors will automatically be decreased to the number of directors as would otherwise prevail.

So long as any shares of preferred stock remain outstanding, ML&Co. shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares of the preferred stock outstanding at the time, voting

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as a class with all other series of preferred stock ranking equally with the preferred stock either as to dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up and upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or at a meeting:

provided, however, that any increase in the amount of authorized preferred stock or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, of other series of preferred stock, or any increase in the amount of authorized shares of preferred stock, in each case ranking equally with or junior to the preferred stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co. will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect these rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers.

The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if all outstanding shares of preferred stock have been redeemed or sufficient funds have been deposited in trust to effect such a redemption which is scheduled to be consummated within three months after the time that such rights would otherwise be exercisable.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock that is convertible or exchangeable will state the terms on which shares of that series are convertible or exchangeable into common stock, another series of preferred stock or debt securities.

Outstanding Preferred Stock

As of June 27, 2003, there were 42,500 shares of 9% Preferred Stock represented by 17,000,000 depositary shares and one Special Voting Share outstanding.

9% Preferred Stock

The 9% Preferred Stock has preference over ML&Co.’s common stock and the Series A junior preferred stock issuable under the Rights Plan described under “Description of Common Stock” with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co. Holders of the 9% Preferred Stock do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which may be issued by ML&Co. Dividends on the 9% Preferred Stock are cumulative and payable quarterly at the rate per annum of 9% of the $10,000 liquidation preference per share. Holders of the 9% Preferred Stock have no voting rights except as set forth above under “—Voting Rights” above. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co., the holders of outstanding shares of 9% Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of assets of ML&Co. available for distribution to stockholders a distribution of $10,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any. The 9% Preferred Stock is not redeemable before December 30, 2004. On and after that date, the 9% Preferred Stock is redeemable at the option of ML&Co., in whole at any time or from time to time in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at a redemption price of $10,000 per share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any.

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Special Voting Share

In connection with the acquisition of Midland Walwyn Inc. by ML&Co. in August 1998, ML&Co. issued a single share of preferred stock with special voting rights (the “Special Voting Share”), under the terms of a Voting and Exchange Trust Agreement entered into by Merrill Lynch & Co., Canada Ltd. (“ML Canada”), ML&Co. and Montreal Trust Company of Canada, as trustee (the “Voting Trust Agreement”). The Special Voting Share possesses a number of votes equal to the number of exchangeable shares of ML Canada (the “Exchangeable Shares”) issued and outstanding from time to time that are not owned by ML&Co. or its affiliates, which votes may be exercised for the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to a vote of ML&Co.’s stockholders. The holders of ML&Co.’s common stock and the holder of the Special Voting Share vote together as a class on all matters. See “Description of Common Stock—Voting Rights”. The Special Voting Share was issued to the trustee under the Voting Trust Agreement. The holder of the Special Voting Share is not entitled to receive dividends, and, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co., will receive an amount equal to the par value of the Special Voting Share. When the Special Voting Share has no votes attached to it because there are no Exchangeable Shares outstanding not owned by ML&Co. or any of its affiliates, the Special Voting Share will cease to have any rights.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

ML&Co. may issue depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of preferred stock. ML&Co. will deposit shares of preferred stock of each class or series represented by depositary shares under deposit agreements to be entered into among ML&Co., a bank or trust company, as depositary, and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. A copy of the form of deposit agreement, including the form of certificates representing the depositary receipts, is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The following summaries of the material provisions of the deposit agreements and the depositary receipt certificates are not complete, are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipt certificates, respectively, including the definitions of terms.

Terms of the Depositary Shares

Depositary receipts issued under the applicable deposit agreement will evidence the depositary shares. Immediately following the issuance and delivery of the preferred stock by ML&Co. to the depositary, ML&Co. will cause the depositary to issue, on behalf of ML&Co., the depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the applicable deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the applicable depositary shares, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock being represented, including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights, all as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares being offered.

The depositary shares will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting and conversion or exchange rights set forth below unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the specific issue of the depositary shares being offered, the deposit agreement relating to the depositary shares and the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares, including the following:

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Book-Entry Procedures

Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary shares will be evidenced by global depositary receipts, registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. In that case, beneficial owners will not be entitled to receive depositary receipts evidencing their depositary shares unless the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or ML&Co. decides to have the depositary shares represented by separate depositary receipts. A beneficial owner’s interest in depositary shares will be recorded on or through the records of the brokerage firm or other entity that maintains the beneficial owner’s account. In turn, the total number of depositary shares held by an individual brokerage firm for its clients will be maintained on the records of the depositary in the name of the brokerage firm or its agent. Transfer of ownership of depositary shares will be effected only through the selling beneficial owner’s brokerage firm.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders, subject to the obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary.

In the event of a distribution in respect of the preferred stock other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property it receives to the record holders of the depositary shares, subject to certain obligations of holders to file proofs, certificates and other information and to pay certain charges and expenses to the depositary, unless the depositary, after consultation with ML&Co., determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, in which case the depositary may, with the approval of ML&Co., sell any property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

Withdrawal of Stock

Unless the related depositary shares have been previously called for redemption, upon surrender of the depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the depositary, the holder of the depositary shares will be entitled to delivery, at the corporate trust office of the depositary to or upon his or her order, of the number of whole shares of the preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. In no event will the depositary deliver fractional shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever ML&Co. redeems shares of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of depositary shares representing shares of the preferred stock so redeemed, provided ML&Co. has paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be

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redeemed plus an amount equal to any accumulated and unpaid dividends on the preferred stock to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the depositary.

After the date fixed for redemption, depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights of the holders of depositary shares called for redemption will cease, except the right to receive any moneys payable upon redemption and any money or other property to which the holders of the depositary shares were entitled upon redemption upon surrender to the depositary of the depositary receipts evidencing the depositary shares.

Voting the Preferred Stock

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice of meeting to the record holders of the depositary receipts relating to that preferred stock. The record date for the depositary receipts relating to the preferred stock will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of preferred stock represented by that holder’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of preferred stock represented by the depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and ML&Co. will agree to take all reasonable action which may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote any shares of preferred stock except to the extent it receives specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing that number of shares of preferred stock.

Exchange of Preferred Stock

Whenever ML&Co. exchanges all of the shares of a series of preferred stock held by the depositary for debt securities, common stock or other shares of preferred stock, the depositary will exchange as of the same exchange date the number of depositary shares representing all of the shares of the preferred stock so exchanged for debt securities, common stock or other shares of preferred stock, provided ML&Co. has issued and deposited with the depositary, debt securities, common stock or other shares of preferred stock, as applicable, for all of the shares of the preferred stock to be exchanged. The exchange rate per depositary share will be equal to the exchange rate per share of preferred stock multiplied by the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by one depositary share, plus all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares, including all amounts paid by ML&Co. in respect of dividends which on the exchange date have accumulated on the shares of preferred stock to be so exchanged and have not already been paid.

Conversion of Preferred Stock

The depositary shares are not convertible or exchangeable into common stock or any other securities or property of ML&Co. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each depositary receipt may be surrendered by its holder to the depositary with written instructions to the depositary to instruct ML&Co. to cause conversion or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares evidenced by that depositary receipt into whole shares of common stock, other shares of preferred stock or debt securities of ML&Co. ML&Co. has agreed that upon the receipt of any instructions to convert or exchange any depositary shares and the payment of any fees or other amounts applicable to any conversion or exchange, it will convert or exchange the depositary shares using the same procedures as those provided for delivery of preferred stock to effect conversions or exchange. If the depositary shares represented by a depositary receipt are converted in part only, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not converted or exchanged.

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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between ML&Co. and the depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts will not be effective unless it has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. No amendment to the form of depositary receipt or any provision of the deposit agreement relating to or affecting rights to receive dividends or distributions or voting, redemption or conversion rights will be effective unless approved by the holders of at least two-thirds of the depositary shares then outstanding.

ML&Co. may terminate the deposit agreement at any time upon 60 days prior written notice to the depositary, in which case the depositary will deliver to the record holders, upon surrender of the depositary receipts, the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as is represented by those depositary receipts. The deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:

Charges of Depositary

ML&Co. will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. ML&Co. will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. Holders of depositary receipts will pay transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges that are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts. The depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of a depositary receipt or any withdrawals of preferred stock evidenced by a depositary receipt until all taxes and charges with respect to the depositary receipt or preferred stock are paid by their holders.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to ML&Co. notice of its election to do so, and ML&Co. may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon ML&Co.’s appointment of a successor depositary, which must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.

Notices

The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications received from ML&Co. and the depositary and which ML&Co. is required to furnish to holders of the related underlying preferred stock. The depositary will also, promptly after its receipt, transmit to the holders of depositary receipts, copies of all notices and reports required by law, the rules of any national securities exchange or ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation to be furnished to the record holders of depositary receipts.

Limitation of Liability

Neither the depositary nor ML&Co. will assume any obligation or be subject to any liability under the deposit agreement to holders of depositary receipts other than for negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

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The depositary will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or any shares of preferred stock unless it is furnished with satisfactory indemnification. ML&Co. and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine. Neither the depositary nor ML&Co. will be liable if it is prevented from or delayed, by law, by provision of ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation or any circumstances beyond its control, in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS

ML&Co. may issue warrants for the purchase of preferred stock (“Preferred Stock Warrants”). Each series of Preferred Stock Warrants is to be issued under a preferred stock warrant agreement to be entered into between ML&Co. and a bank or trust company, as preferred stock warrant agent, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the Preferred Stock Warrants being offered. A copy of the form of preferred stock warrant agreement, including the form of warrant certificates representing the Preferred Stock Warrants, is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The following summaries of the material provisions of the preferred stock warrant agreement and preferred stock warrant certificates are not complete and are subject to and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the preferred stock warrant agreement and the preferred stock warrant certificates, respectively, including the definitions of terms.

Terms of the Preferred Stock Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the specific issue of Preferred Stock Warrants being offered, the preferred stock warrant agreement relating to the Preferred Stock Warrants and the preferred stock warrant certificates representing the Preferred Stock Warrants, including the following:

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Holders may exchange preferred stock warrant certificates for new preferred stock warrant certificates of different denominations, may, if in registered form, present for registration of transfer, and may exercise the Preferred Stock Warrants, at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of any Preferred Stock Warrant, a holder will not have the rights of a holder of shares of the preferred stock that may be purchased upon exercise of the Preferred Stock Warrant, including the right to receive payment of dividends, if any, on the underlying preferred stock or the right to vote the underlying preferred stock.

Prospective purchasers of Preferred Stock Warrants should be aware that special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as Preferred Stock Warrants. The prospectus supplement relating to any issue of Preferred Stock Warrants will describe these considerations.

Book-Entry Procedures

Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Preferred Stock Warrants will be issued in the form of global preferred stock warrant certificates, registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. In that case, beneficial owners will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Preferred Stock Warrants unless the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency occur with respect to ML&Co. or ML&Co. decides to have the Preferred Stock Warrants represented by definitive certificates. A beneficial owner’s interest in a Preferred Stock Warrant will be recorded on or through the records of the brokerage firm or other entity that maintains the beneficial owner’s account. In turn, the total number of Preferred Stock Warrants held by an individual brokerage firm for its clients will be maintained on the records of the depositary in the name of the brokerage firm or its agent. Transfer of ownership of any Preferred Stock Warrant will be effected only through the selling beneficial owner’s brokerage firm.

Exercise of Preferred Stock Warrants

Each Preferred Stock Warrant will entitle its holder to purchase a number of shares of preferred stock at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the date the right to exercise the Preferred Stock Warrants expires, or any later date if extended by ML&Co., unexercised Preferred Stock Warrants will become void.

Holders may exercise the Preferred Stock Warrants in the manner set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and a properly completed and duly executed preferred stock warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, ML&Co. will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the shares of preferred stock purchased upon exercise. If less than all of the Preferred Stock Warrants represented by any preferred stock warrant certificate are exercised, ML&Co. will issue a new preferred stock warrant certificate for the remaining number of Preferred Stock Warrants.

Listing

ML&Co. may list an issue of Preferred Stock Warrants on a national securities exchange. Any listing will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Modifications

ML&Co. and the preferred stock warrant agent may amend any preferred stock warrant agreement and the terms of the related Preferred Stock Warrants, without the consent of the holders of the Preferred Stock Warrants, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other manner which ML&Co. may deem necessary or desirable and which will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the preferred stock warrantholders.

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ML&Co. and the preferred stock warrant agent also may amend any preferred stock warrant agreement and the terms of the related Preferred Stock Warrants, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in number of the then outstanding unexercised Preferred Stock Warrants affected by the amendment. However, without the consent of each of the preferred stock warrantholders affected, no amendment will be effective that:

Enforceability of Rights by Preferred Stock Warrantholders

Any preferred stock warrantholder may, without the consent of the related preferred stock warrant agent, enforce by appropriate legal action, in and of its own behalf, its right to exercise its Preferred Stock Warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

The following description sets forth the general terms of common stock which ML&Co. may issue. The description set forth below and in any prospectus supplement is not complete, is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, ML&Co’s restated certificate of incorporation which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Terms of the Common Stock

Under ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation, ML&Co. is authorized to issue up to 3,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.33 ¹/3 per share. As of August 1, 2003, there were 935,038,958 shares of common stock and 3,113,596 Exchangeable Shares outstanding. The Exchangeable Shares are exchangeable at any time into common stock on a one-for-one basis and entitle holders to dividend, voting and other rights equivalent to common stock. The common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MER” and also on the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Pacific Exchange, the Paris Bourse, the London Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The common stock has the dividend, voting, liquidation and preemptive rights set forth below unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement being used to offer the common stock. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the common stock including, where applicable, the following:

The common stock will be, when issued against payment therefor, fully paid and nonassessable. Holders of the common stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional securities which may be issued by ML&Co. The rights of holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that has been issued and may be issued in the future. As of June 27, 2003,

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17,000,000 depositary shares, each representing a one-four-hundredth interest in a share of 9% Preferred Stock, and one Special Voting Share were outstanding. See “Description of Preferred Stock—Outstanding Preferred Stock” for a description of that preferred stock. The Board of Directors of ML&Co. may issue additional shares of preferred stock to obtain additional financing, in connection with acquisitions, to officers, directors and employees of ML&Co. and its subsidiaries pursuant to benefit plans or otherwise and for other proper corporate purposes.

ML&Co. is the principal transfer agent for the common stock.

Because ML&Co. is a holding company, its rights, and the rights of holders of its securities, including the holders of common stock, to participate in the distribution of assets of any subsidiary of ML&Co. upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors and preferred stockholders, except to the extent ML&Co. may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary or a holder of preferred stock of the subsidiary.

Dividends

ML&Co. may pay dividends on the common stock out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends as, if and when declared by the Board of Directors of ML&Co. or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors.

As of June 27, 2003, subsidiaries of ML&Co. had outstanding approximately $2.7 billion of perpetual TOPrS. In connection with the issuance of the TOPrS, ML&Co. has agreed, among other things, that if full distributions on the TOPrS have not been paid or set apart for payment or ML&Co. is in default of its related guarantee obligations, ML&Co., with certain exceptions, will not declare or pay dividends, make distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to any of its capital stock, including the common stock.

Liquidation Rights

Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of ML&Co., the holders of its common stock will be entitled to receive, after payment of all of its debts, liabilities and of all sums to which holders of any preferred stock may be entitled, all of the remaining assets of ML&Co.

Voting Rights

Except as described under “Description of Preferred Stock—Outstanding Preferred Stock”, the holders of the common stock currently possess exclusive voting rights in ML&Co. The Board of Directors of ML&Co. may, however, give voting power to any preferred stock which may be issued in the future. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote per share with respect to all matters. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. Actions requiring approval of stockholders generally require approval by a majority vote of outstanding shares.

The Board of Directors of ML&Co. is currently comprised of 11 directors, divided into three classes, the precise number of members to be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The directors of the class elected at each annual election hold office for a term of three years, with the term of each class expiring at successive annual meetings of stockholders.

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Rights to Purchase Series A Junior Preferred Stock

Under the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, adopted on December 2, 1997 (the “Rights Agreement”), preferred purchase rights were distributed to holders of common stock. The preferred purchase rights are attached to each outstanding share of common stock and will attach to all subsequently issued shares, including common stock that may be offered by ML&Co. pursuant to an applicable prospectus supplement. The preferred purchase rights entitle the holder to purchase fractions of a share (“Units”) of Series A junior preferred stock at an exercise price of $300 per Unit, subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in the Rights Agreement. The exercise price and the number of Units issuable are subject to adjustment to prevent dilution.

The preferred purchase rights will separate from the common stock ten days following the earlier of:

If, after the preferred purchase rights have separated from the common stock,

then, in each case, each holder of a preferred purchase right will have the right to purchase Units of Series A junior preferred stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the preferred purchase right. In addition, preferred purchase rights held by or transferred in certain circumstances by an acquiring party may immediately become void.

In the event that, at any time,

each holder of a right will have the right to purchase common stock of the acquiring party having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the preferred purchase right.

The preferred purchase rights expire on December 2, 2007. The preferred purchase rights are redeemable at the option of a majority of the independent directors of ML&Co. at $.01 per right at any time until the tenth day following an announcement of the acquisition of 15% or more of the common stock.

The foregoing provisions of the Rights Agreement may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of ML&Co.

The certificate of designations of the Series A junior preferred stock provides that the holders of Units of the Series A junior preferred stock will be entitled to receive quarterly dividends in an amount to be determined in accordance with the formula set forth in the certificate of designations. These dividend rights are cumulative. The

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Series A junior preferred stock rank junior in right of payment of dividends to the 9% Preferred Stock and to all other preferred stock issued by ML&Co., unless the terms of any other preferred stock provide otherwise. The holders of Units of the Series A junior preferred stock will have one vote per Unit on all matters submitted to the stockholders of ML&Co., subject to adjustment. If at any time dividends on any Units of the Series A junior preferred stock are in arrears for a number of periods, whether or not consecutive, which in the aggregate is equivalent to six calendar quarters, then during that period of default, the holders of all Units, voting separately as a class, will have the right to elect two directors to the Board of Directors of ML&Co. Additionally, whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A junior preferred stock are in arrears, ML&Co. shall not, among other things, declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares or capital stock of ML&Co. which ranks junior in right of payment to the Series A junior preferred stock, including the common stock. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ML&Co., the holders of outstanding Units of the Series A junior preferred stock will be entitled to receive a distribution in an amount to be determined in accordance with the formula set forth in the certificate of designations before the payment of any distribution to the holders of common stock. The Units of Series A junior preferred stock are not redeemable. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no shares of Series A junior preferred stock outstanding.

Material Charter Provisions

ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that, except under specified circumstances, ML&Co. may not merge or consolidate with any one or more corporations, joint-stock associations or non-stock corporations; sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property and assets or dissolve without the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the entire Board of Directors of ML&Co. and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote. Additionally, ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation provides that specified business combinations involving ML&Co. and an interested stockholder or an affiliate or associate of that stockholder must be approved by 80% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of ML&Co. entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. The vote of 80% of the voting power of the voting stock referred to in the immediately preceding sentence is required for amendment of these provisions. ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation also provides that only the Board of Directors of ML&Co. has the authority to call special stockholder meetings.

The foregoing provisions of ML&Co.’s restated certificate of incorporation may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of ML&Co.

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WARRANTS

ML&Co. may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock (“Common Stock Warrants”). Each series of Common Stock Warrants will be issued under a common stock warrant agreement to be entered into between ML&Co. and a bank or trust company, as common stock warrant agent, all as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A copy of the form of common stock warrant agreement, including the form of warrant certificates representing the Common Stock Warrants, reflecting the provisions to be included in the common stock warrant agreements that will be entered into with respect to particular offerings of Common Stock Warrants, is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The following summaries of the material provisions of the common stock warrant agreement and common stock warrant certificates are not complete, are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the common stock warrant agreement and the common stock warrant certificates, including the definitions of terms.

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Terms of the Common Stock Warrants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the Common Stock Warrants being offered, the common stock warrant agreement relating to the Common Stock Warrants and the common stock warrant certificates, including the following:

Holders may exchange common stock warrant certificates for new common stock warrant certificates of different denominations, may, if in registered form, present for registration of transfer, and may exercise the Common Stock Warrants, at the corporate trust office of the common stock warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Before the exercise of any Common Stock Warrants to purchase common stock, holders of the Common Stock Warrants will not have any rights of holders of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrants, including the right to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the common stock purchasable upon any exercise or the right to vote the underlying common stock.

Prospective purchasers of Common Stock Warrants should be aware that special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations may be applicable to instruments such as Common Stock Warrants. The prospectus supplement relating to any issue of Common Stock Warrants will describe these considerations.

Book-Entry Procedures

Except as may otherwise be provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Common Stock Warrants will be issued in the form of global common stock warrant certificates, registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee. In that case, beneficial owners will not be entitled to receive definitive certificates representing Common Stock Warrants unless the depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary, certain specified events of bankruptcy or insolvency occur with respect to ML&Co. or ML&Co. decides to have the Common Stock Warrants represented by definitive certificates. A beneficial owner’s interest in a Common Stock 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 Common Stock Warrants held by an individual brokerage firm for

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its clients will be maintained on the records of the depositary in the name of the brokerage firm or its agent. Transfer of ownership of any Common Stock Warrant will be effected only through the selling beneficial owner’s brokerage firm.

Exercise of Common Stock Warrants

Each Common Stock Warrant will entitle its holder to purchase a specific number of shares of common stock at the exercise price described in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the date the right to exercise the Common Stock Warrants expires, or any later date if extended by ML&Co., unexercised Common Stock Warrants will become void.

Common Stock Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and a properly completed and duly executed common stock warrant certificate at the corporate trust office of the common stock warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, ML&Co. will, as soon as practicable, issue and deliver the shares of common stock purchased upon exercise. If less than all of the Common Stock Warrants represented by any common stock warrant certificate are exercised, a new common stock warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining Common Stock Warrants.

Listing

ML&Co. may list an issue of Common Stock Warrants on a national securities exchange. Any listing will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Modifications

ML&Co. and the common stock warrant agent may amend any common stock warrant agreement and the terms of the related Common Stock Warrants, without the consent of the holders of the Common Stock Warrants, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective or inconsistent provision, or in any other manner which ML&Co. may deem necessary or desirable and which will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the common stock warrantholders.

ML&Co. and the common stock warrant agent also may amend any common stock warrant agreement and the terms of the related Common Stock Warrants, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in number of the then outstanding unexercised Common Stock Warrants affected by amendment. However, without the consent of each of the common stock warrantholders affected, no amendment will be effective that:

Enforceability of Rights by Common Stock Warrantholders

Any common stock warrantholder may, without the consent of the related common stock warrant agent, enforce by appropriate legal action, in and for its own behalf, its right to exercise its Common Stock Warrant.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

ML&Co. may sell securities:

Any at the market offering of common stock will be through MLPF&S, acting as principal or as agent for ML&Co. The prospectus supplement with respect to the securities of a particular series describes the terms of the offering of the securities, including the name of the agent or the name or names of any underwriters, the public offering or purchase price, whether the underwriters will purchase on a firm commitment or best efforts basis, any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to the agent or underwriters, all other items constituting underwriting compensation, any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers and any exchanges 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 being offered. Under certain circumstances, ML&Co. may repurchase securities and reoffer them to the public as set forth above. ML&Co. may also arrange for repurchases and resales of the securities by dealers.

If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, ML&Co. will authorize underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase debt securities from ML&Co. pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and, unless ML&Co. otherwise agrees, the aggregate principal amount of debt securities sold pursuant to the contracts shall not be more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may 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 ML&Co. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that the purchase by an institution of the debt securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which that institution is subject.

ML&Co. has agreed to indemnify any agent or underwriters against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or contribute to payments any agent or underwriters may be required to make.

MLPF&S may use this prospectus for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the Notes. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.

MLPF&S, a broker-dealer subsidiary of ML&Co., is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and will participate in distributions of the securities. Accordingly, offerings of the securities will conform to the requirements of Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the NASD.

In no event will the commission or discount received by any NASD member or independent broker-dealer participating in a distribution of securities exceed eight percent of the aggregate principal amount of the offering of securities in which such NASD member or independent broker-dealer participates.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s Internet site is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link. You may also read and copy any document we file by visiting the SEC’s public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. You may also inspect our SEC reports and other information at the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

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We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the securities described in this prospectus and other securities. For further information on ML&Co. and these securities, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents. We have included copies of these documents as exhibits to our registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means:

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below which were filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act (other than information in the documents that is deemed not to be filed):

We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that we will file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus until this offering is completed or after the date of this registration statement and before the effectiveness of the registration statement (other than information in the documents that is deemed not to be filed):

You should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.

You may request a copy of any filings referred to above (excluding exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the filing), at no cost, by contacting us in writing or by telephone at the following address: Mr. Lawrence M. Egan, Jr., Corporate Secretary’s Office, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 222 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10038, Telephone (212) 670-0432.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 27, 2002 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports (which express an unqualified opinion and which report on the consolidated financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph for the change in accounting method for goodwill amortization to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets), which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 28, 2003 and March 29, 2002 and June 27, 2003 and June 28, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for reviews of such information. However, as stated in their reports included in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries’ Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 28, 2003 and June 27, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express opinions on those unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements because such reports are not “reports” or “parts” of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer and sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated October 17, 2003

PROSPECTUS

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock ^SM

STRYPES ^SM

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Merrill Lynch & Co.

The date of this prospectus is                         , 2003.

^SM Service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

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MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

We are a holding company that, through our U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates such as Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., Merrill Lynch International, Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Bank Ltd., Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P., Merrill Lynch Investment Managers Limited, Merrill Lynch Bank U.S.A., Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited, Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd., Merrill Lynch Canada, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc., provides investment, financing, advisory, insurance, and related products and services on a global basis, including:

We provide these products and services to a wide array of clients, including individual investors, small businesses, corporations, governments, governmental agencies and financial institutions.

Our principal executive office is located at 4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080; our telephone number is (212) 449-1000.

If you want to find more information about us, please see the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC” in this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the STRYPES for general corporate purposes, unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a specific issue of STRYPES. Our general corporate purposes may include financing the activities of our subsidiaries, financing our assets and those of our subsidiaries, lengthening the average maturity of our borrowings and financing acquisitions. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of any of our securities for general corporate purposes, we will use the net proceeds to reduce our short-term indebtedness or for temporary investments. We expect that we will, on a recurrent basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance our growth, through acquisitions or otherwise, or to lengthen the average maturity of our borrowings. To the extent that STRYPES being purchased for resale by our subsidiary Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, referred to in this prospectus as MLPF&S, are not resold, the aggregate proceeds that we and our subsidiaries would receive would be reduced.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

In July 2000, ML&Co. acquired Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc. (“Herzog”) through an exchange offer followed by a merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of ML&Co. with and into Herzog. The merger was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The following information for the fiscal years 1998 and 1999 has been restated by the management of ML&Co. to give effect to the merger.

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consist of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and fixed charges, excluding amortization of capitalized interest and preferred security dividend requirements. “Fixed charges” consist of interest costs, the interest factor in rentals, amortization of debt issuance costs, preferred security dividend requirements of subsidiaries and capitalized interest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STRYPES

Each issue of STRYPES will be a series of senior debt securities of ML&Co. to be issued under an indenture (the “1983 Indenture”), dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated, between ML&Co. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. For each series of STRYPES, ML&Co. and the trustee will enter into a supplemental indenture which will further amend and supplement the 1983 Indenture. Any supplemental indenture relating to a specific series of STRYPES and the 1983 Indenture are collectively referred to as the indenture. The following summary of the material provisions of the indenture is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture.

Terms of the STRYPES

The supplemental indenture will provide that ML&Co. may issue STRYPES of the related series from time to time under the indenture, up to a specified aggregate issue price, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions before issuance. The supplemental indenture will establish the terms of the related series of STRYPES, including:

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The terms of the specific series of STRYPES being offered including special U.S. Federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable to instruments such as the STRYPES, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Under the indenture, ML&Co., without the consent of holders of any STRYPES, is permitted to issue STRYPES with terms different from those of STRYPES previously issued and to reopen a previous series of STRYPES and issue additional STRYPES of that series.

Issue price and interest, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and Underlying Securities will be payable or deliverable in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the indenture, the applicable supplemental indenture, the form of the STRYPES and the applicable prospectus supplement, provided that payment of any interest and any Additional Amounts may be made at the option of ML&Co. by check mailed to the holders of registered STRYPES at their registered addresses.

Holders may present the STRYPES for exchange, and may present registered STRYPES for registration of transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the indenture, the applicable supplemental indentures, the form of the STRYPES and the applicable prospectus supplement. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of STRYPES, but ML&Co. may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

Ranking

The STRYPES will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of ML&Co. Because ML&Co. is a holding company, the rights of ML&Co. and its creditors, including the holders of the STRYPES, 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 a bankruptcy court may recognize the claims of ML&Co. itself as a creditor of the subsidiary. In addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to ML&Co. are restricted by net capital requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and under rules of exchanges and other regulatory bodies.

Merger and Consolidation

ML&Co. may consolidate or merge with or into any other person and ML&Co. may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any person, provided that:

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Limitations Upon Liens

ML&Co. may not, and may not permit any majority-owned subsidiary to, create, assume or incur any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a pledge, lien or security interest in, other than any liens specifically permitted by the indenture, the Voting Stock of any Significant Subsidiary, unless the outstanding STRYPES are secured equally and ratably with the secured indebtedness.

“Voting Stock” is defined in the indenture as the stock of the class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees of a corporation provided that, for the purposes of the indenture, stock that carries only the right to vote conditionally on the occurrence of an event is not considered Voting Stock whether or not the event has happened.

“Significant Subsidiary” is defined in the indenture as any majority-owned subsidiary the consolidated net worth of which constituted at least 15 percent of the consolidated net worth of ML&Co. as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, each of the following will be an Event of Default under the indenture with respect to each series of STRYPES:

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Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing for any series of STRYPES, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate issue price of the outstanding STRYPES of that series, by notice as provided in the indenture, may declare an amount equal to the aggregate issue price of all the STRYPES of that series, the accrued interest on the STRYPES and all Additional Amounts payable with respect to the STRYPES of that series immediately due and payable in cash. The trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate issue price of the outstanding STRYPES may declare these amounts due immediately as described in the preceding sentence without any other declaration or other action by the trustee or any holder. At any time after a declaration of acceleration, but before the trustee has obtained a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority of the aggregate issue price of the outstanding STRYPES of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul any acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the amount equal to the aggregate issue price of all the STRYPES of that series due by reason of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. See “Modification and Waiver” below.

The holders of a majority in aggregate issue price of the outstanding STRYPES of a series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust power conferred on the trustee with respect to the STRYPES of that series, provided that any direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or the indenture. Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of STRYPES of any series, unless the holders of that series shall have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with any request or direction.

Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the STRYPES and other series of senior debt securities issued under the indenture will not have the benefit of any cross-default provisions with other indebtedness of ML&Co.

ML&Co. will be required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement as to the fulfillment by ML& Co. of its obligations under the indenture.

Modification and Waiver

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, ML&Co. and the trustee may modify and amend provisions in the indenture affecting a series of STRYPES with the consent of holders of at least 66 ²/3% in aggregate issue price of the series of STRYPES affected. However, without the consent of each holder of any STRYPES affected, no amendment or modification to any indenture may:

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Except as provided in the indenture, no modification of or amendment to the indenture may adversely affect the rights of a holder of any other senior debt security without the consent of each holder affected.

The holders of a majority of the aggregate issue price of each series of STRYPES may waive compliance by ML&Co. with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. Any past default with respect to any series of STRYPES may be waived by the holders of a majority in aggregate issue price of the outstanding STRYPES of that series, except a default:

Governing Law

The indenture and the STRYPES will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

ML&Co. may sell STRYPES to the public solely through MLPF&S or through a syndicate of underwriters of which MLPF&S is a member. The accompanying prospectus supplement describes the terms of the STRYPES being offered, including the public offering or purchase price, any discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid, 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 STRYPES will be listed. Under certain circumstances, ML&Co. may repurchase STRYPES and reoffer them to the public as set forth above. ML&Co. may also arrange for repurchases and resales of the STRYPES by dealers.

MLPF&S may use this prospectus for offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the Notes. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and the sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.

MLPF&S, a broker-dealer subsidiary of ML&Co., is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and will participate in distributions of the securities. Accordingly, offerings of the securities will conform to the requirements of Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the NASD.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov. The address of the SEC’s Internet site is provided solely for the information of prospective investors and is not intended to be an active link. You may also read and copy any document we file by visiting the SEC’s public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. You may also inspect our SEC reports and other information at the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

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We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC covering the STRYPES and other securities. For further information on ML&Co. and the STRYPES, you should refer to our registration statement and its exhibits. This prospectus summarizes material provisions of contracts and other documents that we refer you to. Because the prospectus may not contain all the information that you may find important, you should review the full text of these documents. We have included copies of these documents as exhibits to our registration statement.

INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means:

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below which were filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act (other than information in the documents that is deemed not to be filed):

We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that we will file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus until this offering is completed or after the date of this registration statement and before the effectiveness of the registration statement (other than information in the documents that is deemed not to be filed):

You should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate as of the date of this prospectus only. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date.

You may request a copy of any filings referred to above (excluding exhibits not specifically incorporated by reference into the filing), at no cost, by contacting us in writing or by telephone at the following address: Mr. Lawrence M. Egan, Jr., Corporate Secretary’s Office, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., 222 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10038, Telephone: (212) 670-0432.

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 27, 2002 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports (which express an unqualified opinion and which report on the consolidated financial statements includes an explanatory paragraph for the change in accounting method for goodwill amortization to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets), which are incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

With respect to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods ended March 28, 2003 and March 29, 2002 and June 27, 2003 and June 28, 2002, which are incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional standards for reviews of such information. However, as stated in their reports included in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and subsidiaries’ Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 28, 2003 and June 27, 2003 and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express opinions on those unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 for their reports on the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements because such reports are not “reports” or “parts” of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Prospectus dated October 17, 2003

PROSPECTUS

  % Trust Originated Preferred Securities

  (“TOPrS”)

Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust VI

Liquidation Amount $25 per TOPrS

guaranteed to the extent described in this prospectus by

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

Investing in the TOPrS involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page 6.

If you purchase the TOPrS and settlement occurs after                         , 20    , you will be required to pay accumulated distributions on the aggregate liquidation amount of your TOPrS at a rate of     % per year from that date. Expenses of the offering and underwriting commissions of $             per TOPrS, or $             per TOPrS for sales of more than 10,000 TOPrS to a single purchaser, will be paid by ML&Co.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Merrill Lynch & Co.

The date of this prospectus is            , 2003.

^SM  “TOPrS” and “Trust Originated Preferred Securities” are service marks owned by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

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SUMMARY INFORMATION—Q&A

This summary includes questions and answers that highlight selected information from the prospectus to help you understand the TOPrS. This summary may not contain all the information that may be important to you. You should carefully read this prospectus to fully understand the terms of the TOPrS, as well as the tax and other considerations that should be important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the TOPrS. You should pay special attention to the “Risk Factors” section to determine whether an investment in the TOPrS is appropriate for you.

In this prospectus:

What are the TOPrS?

Each TOPrS is a preferred interest in the assets of ML Trust. We will own all of the common securities of ML Trust. The sole assets of ML Trust will be the partnership preferred securities issued by ML Partnership, which represent preferred ownership interests in the assets of ML Partnership. ML Partnership will use substantially all of the proceeds from the sale of its partnership preferred securities and our capital contribution as general partner of ML Partnership to purchase debentures from us and one or more of our affiliates.

What is the ML Trust?

ML Trust is a business trust established under Delaware law that exists for the sole purpose of issuing the TOPrS and investing the proceeds and engaging in incidental activities.

What is ML Partnership?

ML Partnership is a limited partnership established under Delaware law. The assets of ML Partnership will be:

We are the general partner of ML Partnership.

What distributions will I receive on the TOPrS?

The TOPrS provide for a quarterly cash distribution at the rate of             % or $         per year for each TOPrS you own. Distributions are payable on each            ,            ,             and             ,              beginning                         ,                         . Distributions will accumulate from the date ML Trust originally issues the TOPrS. Because the sole assets of ML Trust will be the partnership preferred securities of ML Partnership and substantially all of ML Partnership’s assets will be the debentures issued by us and our affiliates, ML Trust’s ability to pay distributions on the TOPrS is ultimately dependent upon our and our affiliates’ ability to make interest payments on those debentures. If we or our affiliates exercise our right to defer making an interest payment on our debentures then held by ML Partnership, ML Partnership will not be able to pay any distributions on its preferred partnership securities and ML Trust will not be able to pay quarterly distributions to you until we resume making interest payments on those debentures.

In addition, ML Partnership is required to make distributions on its partnership preferred securities only if they are declared by us as general partner of ML Partnership. As a result, you may not receive any distributions on your TOPrS if ML Trust does not receive distributions on the partnership preferred securities.

What are the debentures?

The debentures are long term loans made by ML Partnership to us or our affiliates from time to time. These debentures will be substantially all of ML Partnership’s assets. The debentures that we issue to ML Partnership will be subordinated unsecured obligations of ours and will rank equally with all of our other subordinated unsecured obligations. The  

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debentures issued by our affiliates to ML Partnership will be unsecured obligations of our affiliates and we will guarantee those obligations on a subordinated basis. We and our affiliates may exercise our right to defer interest payments on the debentures for a period of not more than six consecutive calendar quarters.

Can the TOPrS be redeemed?

Yes. If ML Partnership redeems the partnership preferred securities, each TOPrS will be redeemed for $25 plus any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the date of redemption. ML Partnership can redeem the partnership preferred securities in whole or in part from time to time on or after                  .

The trustees of ML Trust can elect to liquidate ML Trust and distribute the partnership preferred securities to you if at any time the specified changes in U.S. tax law or U.S. investment company law described in this prospectus occur.

Additionally, we, as general partner of ML Partnership, have the right to redeem the partnership preferred securities and you will receive cash from the subsequent automatic redemption of the TOPrS if at any time the specified changes in U.S. tax law or U.S. investment company law described in this prospectus occur.

Neither the partnership preferred securities nor the TOPrS can be redeemed at any time at the option of their holders. Neither the TOPrS nor the partnership preferred securities have any scheduled maturity.

Are there any risks associated with my investment?

Yes, an investment in the TOPrS is subject to risk. Please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus for a description of these risks.

What happens if ML Trust doesn’t pay distributions on the TOPrS?

If you have not received a distribution on the TOPrS for any calendar quarter then until all scheduled quarterly distributions are paid or set aside for payment to you, we may not declare or pay dividends on, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of our outstanding capital stock. In addition, we will not permit any of our finance subsidiaries to make any dividend payment on, any distribution with respect to, any acquisition of or any liquidation payment with respect to, any of their outstanding preferred securities.