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): August 31, 2004

 

 

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.    

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware   1-7182   13-2740599

(State or other

jurisdiction of

incorporation)

  

(Commission

File Number)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

4 World Financial Center, New York, New York     10080

 

(Address of principal executive offices)             (Zip Code)

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01.      Other Events

 

Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-109802) 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 shall issue $31,000,000 aggregate original public offering price of Accelerated Return Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index due October 31, 2005 under the Indenture. The exhibits consist of the form of Securities and an opinion of counsel relating thereto.

 

Item 9.01.      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 Accelerated Return Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index due October 31, 2005.
(5) & (23)    Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.
     Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP relating to the Accelerated Return Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index due October 31, 2005 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement 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: August 31, 2004

 

 

3

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBITS TO CURRENT REPORT ON

FORM 8-K DATED AUGUST 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Accelerated Return Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index due October 31, 2005.

     

 

(5) & (23)

   

 

Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.

          
    

 

Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP relating to the Accelerated Return Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index due October 31, 2005 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Securities).