SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 28, 2003

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-7182   13-2740599

(State or other

jurisdiction of

incorporation)

  

(Commission

File Number)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

4 World Financial Center, New York, New York        10080

 

(Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000

 

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Item 5.    Other Events

 

Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (File No. 333-97937 and 333-105098) filed by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering Senior Debt Securities issuable under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended through the date hereof, between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank (as so amended, the “Indenture”). The Company will issue $44,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7% Callable STock Return Income DEbt SecuritiesSM due October 28, 2004, payable at maturity with Cisco Systems, Inc. common stock, under the Indenture. The exhibits consist of the form of Securities and an opinion of counsel relating thereto.

 

 

Item 7.    Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

 

         EXHIBITS
(4)        Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.
         Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s 7% Callable STock Return Income DEbt SecuritiesSM due October 28, 2004, payable at maturity with Cisco Systems, Inc. common stock.
(5) & (23)        Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.
         Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP relating to the 7% Callable STock Return Income DEbt SecuritiesSM due October 28, 2004, payable at maturity with Cisco Systems, Inc. common stock (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statements relating to such Securities).

 

2

SIGNATURE

 

 

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

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

                  (Registrant)

By:

  

/S/    RUSSELL L. STEIN        

    Russell L. Stein
    Treasurer

 

Date: October 28, 2003

 

 

3

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS TO CURRENT REPORT ON

FORM 8-K DATED OCTOBER 28, 2003

 

 

 

Commission File Number 1-7182

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.        Description    Page
(4)        Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.     
         Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s 7% Callable STock Return Income Debt SecuritiesSM due October 28, 2004, payable at maturity with Cisco Systems, Inc. common stock.     
(5) & (23)        Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.     
         Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP relating to the 7% Callable STock Return Income Debt SecuritiesSM due October 28, 2004, payable at maturity with Cisco Systems, Inc. common stock (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statements relating to such Securities).