Table of Contents

PRICING SUPPLEMENT

(To MTN prospectus supplement,

general prospectus supplement and

prospectus, each dated March 31, 2006)

Pricing Supplement Number: 2734

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

Registration No. 333-132911

LOGO

3,610,000 Units

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

Medium-Term Notes, Series C

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

Linked to a Greater China Index Basket

due May 9, 2012

(the “MITTS® Securities”)

$10 principal amount per unit

 


 

The MITTS Securities:

 

 

The MITTS Securities are designed for investors who anticipate that the value of a Greater China Index Basket (the “Basket”) comprised of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index and the Hang Seng Index (each initially equally weighted), will increase from the starting value of the Basket on the pricing date to the ending value of the Basket determined on the valuation dates shortly before the maturity date of the MITTS Securities. Investors must also be willing to forego interest payments on the MITTS Securities.

 

 

100% principal protection on the maturity date.

 

 

There will be no payments on the MITTS Securities prior to the maturity date and we cannot redeem the MITTS Securities prior to the maturity date.

 

 

The MITTS Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

 

 

The MITTS Securities will be senior unsecured debt securities of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., denominated and payable in United States dollars, and part of a series entitled “Medium-Term Notes, Series C”. The MITTS Securities will have the CUSIP No. 59022W505.

 

 

The settlement date is expected to be May 9, 2007.

Payment on the maturity date:

 

 

The amount you receive on the maturity date per unit will be based upon the direction of and percentage change in the value of the Basket from the starting value of the Basket on the pricing date to the ending value of the Basket determined on certain valuation dates shortly before the maturity date of the MITTS Securities. If the value of the Basket:

 

   

has increased, you will receive the $10 principal amount per unit plus a supplemental redemption amount equal to $10 multiplied by 105% of the percentage increase; or

 

   

has decreased or has not increased, you will receive the $10 principal amount per unit.


Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, general prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent that it is different from that information.

Investing in the MITTS Securities involves risks that are described in the “ Risk Factors” section beginning on page PS-7 of this pricing supplement and beginning on page S-3 of the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement.

 


 

     Per Unit      Total

Public offering price (1)

   $10.00      $36,100,000

Underwriting discount (1)

   $.25      $90,250

Proceeds, before expenses, to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

   $9.75      $3,519,750
 
  (1) The public offering price and the underwriting discount for any single transaction to purchase between 100,000 to 299,999 units will be $9.95 per unit and $.20 per unit, respectively, for any single transaction to purchase between 300,000 to 499,999 units will be $9.90 per unit and $.15 per unit, respectively, and for any single transaction to purchase 500,000 units or more will be $9.85 per unit and $.10 per unit, respectively.

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

 


Merrill Lynch & Co.

 


The date of this pricing supplement is May 3, 2007.

“MITTS” and “Market Index Target-Term Securities” are registered service marks of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

All copyright in the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index values and constituent list vest in FTSE/Xinhua Index Limited. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. has obtained full license from FTSE/Xinhua Index Limited to use such copyright in the creation of the MITTS Securities.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pricing Supplement

 

     Page

SUMMARY INFORMATION—Q&A

   PS-3

RISK FACTORS

   PS-7

DESCRIPTION OF THE MITTS SECURITIES

   PS-11

THE BASKET

   PS-16

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

   PS-24

ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

   PS-29

USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING

   PS-30

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   PS-30

EXPERTS

   PS-30

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

   PS-31

Medium-Term Notes, Series C Prospectus Supplement

(the “MTN prospectus supplement”)

     Page

RISK FACTORS

   S-3

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

   S-4

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

   S-22

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   S-29

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

   S-30

Debt Securities, Warrants, Preferred Stock,

Depositary Shares and Common Stock Prospectus Supplement

(the “general prospectus supplement”)

     Page

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

   S-3

USE OF PROCEEDS

   S-3

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

   S-4

THE SECURITIES

   S-4

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

   S-5

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT WARRANTS

   S-16

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENCY WARRANTS

   S-18

DESCRIPTION OF INDEX WARRANTS

   S-20

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

   S-25

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

   S-32

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK WARRANTS

   S-36

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

   S-38

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK WARRANTS

   S-42

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   S-44

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   S-45

INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC

   S-46

EXPERTS

   S-46
Prospectus
     Page

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   2

INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC

   2

EXPERTS

   2

 

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SUMMARY INFORMATION—Q&A

This summary includes questions and answers that highlight selected information from this pricing supplement and the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, general prospectus supplement and prospectus to help you understand the Market Index Target-Term Securities® Linked to a Greater China Index Basket due May 9, 2012 (the “MITTS Securities”). You should carefully read this pricing supplement and the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, general prospectus supplement and prospectus to fully understand the terms of the MITTS Securities, the Greater China Index Basket (the “Basket”) and the tax and other considerations that are important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the MITTS Securities. You should carefully review the “Risk Factors” sections in this pricing supplement and the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, which highlight certain risks associated with an investment in the MITTS Securities, to determine whether an investment in the MITTS Securities is appropriate for you.

References in this pricing supplement to “ML&Co.”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and references to “MLPF&S” are to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.

What are the MITTS Securities?

The MITTS Securities will be part of a series of senior debt securities issued by ML&Co. entitled “Medium-Term Notes, Series C” and will not be secured by collateral. The MITTS Securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The MITTS Securities will mature on May 9, 2012. We cannot redeem the MITTS Securities prior to the maturity date. We will not make any payments on the MITTS Securities until the maturity date.

Each unit of MITTS Securities represents a single MITTS Security with a $10 principal amount. You may transfer the MITTS Securities only in whole units. You will not have the right to receive physical certificates evidencing your ownership except under limited circumstances. Instead, we will issue the MITTS Securities in the form of a global certificate, which will be held by The Depository Trust Company, also known as DTC, or its nominee. Direct and indirect participants in DTC will record your ownership of the MITTS Securities. You should refer to the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities—Depositary” in the accompanying general prospectus supplement.

Are there any risks associated with my investment?

Yes, an investment in the MITTS Securities is subject to risks. Please refer to the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this pricing supplement and the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement.

Who determines the value of the Basket and what does the Basket reflect?

MLPF&S, as calculation agent, will determine the value of the Basket as described in the section entitled “The Basket” in this pricing supplement. The Basket is designed to allow investors to participate in the movement of the levels of three equity indices, as reflected by changes in the value of the Basket, from the Starting Value to the Ending Value (as defined below). The indices that comprise the Basket are the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index and the Hang Seng Index (each a “Basket Component Index” and together the “Basket Component Indices”). Each Basket Component Index was assigned a weighting so that each Basket Component Index contributed equally to the Basket level on May 3, 2007, the date the MITTS Securities were priced for initial sale to the public (the “Pricing Date”).

A fixed factor (the “Multiplier”) was determined for each Basket Component Index by taking the weighting for that Basket Component Index, multiplying that weighting (as a percentage) by 100, and then dividing the result by the closing level of that Basket Component Index on the Pricing Date. The Multipliers can be used to calculate the value of the Basket on any given day by summing the products of each Basket Component Index and its designated Multiplier, as described in this pricing supplement. The Multipliers for each Basket Component Index are listed in the section entitled “The Basket”.

An investment in the MITTS Securities does not entitle you to any dividends, voting rights or any other ownership interest in the stocks of the companies included in any of the Basket Component Indices (the “Underlying Stocks”).

 

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How has the Basket performed historically?

The Basket did exist until the Pricing Date. We have, however, included a table and a graph showing hypothetical historical month-end values of the Basket from January 2002 through April 2007 based upon the Multiplier for each Basket Component Index calculated as of the Pricing Date and historical levels of each Basket Component Index. In addition, we have included tables and graphs showing the historical month-end levels of each Basket Component Index from January 2002 through April 2007. The tables and graphs referred to in this paragraph are included in the section entitled “The Basket” in this pricing supplement.

We have provided this hypothetical historical and historical information to help you evaluate the behavior of the Basket in various economic environments; however, this hypothetical historical and historical information is not necessarily indicative of how the Basket will perform in the future.

What will I receive on the maturity date of the MITTS Securities?

On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit equal to the sum of the $10 principal amount per unit plus the “Supplemental Redemption Amount”, if any.

Supplemental Redemption Amount

The “Supplemental Redemption Amount” per unit will equal:

 

 

$10 ×

 

(

 

  Ending Value – Starting Value  

)

 

  × Participation Rate  
      Starting Value      

but will not be less than zero.

The “Starting Value” was set to 100 on the Pricing Date.

The “Ending Value” means the average of the closing values of the Basket for five business days shortly before the maturity date of the MITTS Securities, as more fully described in the section entitled “Description of the MITTS Securities—Payment on the Maturity Date—Determination of the Supplemental Redemption Amount.” We may calculate the Ending Value by reference to fewer than five or even a single day’s closing value if, during the period shortly before the maturity date of the MITTS Securities, there is a disruption in the trading of a sufficient number of stocks included in any Basket Component Index or certain futures or options contracts relating to a Basket Component Index.

The “Participation Rate” equals 105%.

We will pay you a Supplemental Redemption Amount only if the Ending Value is greater than the Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than, or equal to, the Starting Value, the Supplemental Redemption Amount will be zero. We will pay you the $10 principal amount per unit of your MITTS Securities regardless of whether any Supplemental Redemption Amount is payable.

For more specific information about the Supplemental Redemption Amount, please see the section entitled “Description of the MITTS Securities” in this pricing supplement.

Will I receive interest payments on the MITTS Securities?

You will not receive any interest payments on the MITTS Securities, but you instead will receive the $10 principal amount per unit plus the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any, on the maturity date. We have designed the MITTS Securities for investors who are willing to forego interest payments on the MITTS Securities, such as fixed or floating interest rates paid on traditional interest bearing debt securities, in exchange for the ability to participate in the increases, if any, in the value of the Basket from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

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Examples:

Set forth below are two examples of Supplemental Redemption Amount calculations including a Participation Rate equal to 105%:

Example 1—The hypothetical Ending Value is 10% lower than the Starting Value:

Starting Value: 100

Hypothetical Ending Value: 90

 

Supplemental Redemption Amount (per unit)  =    $10 ×     (

 

   90 – 100

 

   )

 

   ×  105 % = $0     

(Supplemental

Redemption Amount

Cannot be less than zero)

        100           

Total payment on the maturity date (per unit) = $10 + $0 = $10

Example 2—The hypothetical Ending Value is 30% greater than the Starting Value:

Starting Value: 100

Hypothetical Ending Value: 130

 

Supplemental Redemption Amount (per unit)  =    $10 ×     (

 

   130 – 100

 

   )

 

   ×  105 % = $3.15     
        100           

Total payment on the maturity date (per unit) = $10 + $3.15 = $13.15

What about taxes?

Each year, you will be required to pay taxes on ordinary income from the MITTS Securities over their term based upon an estimated yield for the MITTS Securities, even though you will not receive any payments from us until the maturity date. We have determined this estimated yield, in accordance with regulations issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, solely in order for you to calculate the amount of taxes that you will owe each year as a result of owning a MITTS Security. This estimated yield is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of what the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount will be, or that the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount will even exceed zero. We have determined that this estimated yield will equal 5.152% per annum, compounded semi-annually.

Based upon this estimated yield, if you pay your taxes on a calendar year basis and if you purchase a MITTS Security for $10 and hold the MITTS Security until the maturity date, you will be required to pay taxes on the following amounts of ordinary income from the MITTS Security each year: $0.3352 in 2007, $0.5398 in 2008, $0.5676 in 2009, $0.5971 in 2010, $0.6277 in 2011 and $0.2314 in 2012. However, in 2012, the amount of ordinary income that you will be required to pay taxes on from owning each MITTS Security may be greater or less than $0.2314, depending upon the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any, you receive. Also, if the Supplemental Redemption Amount is less than $2.8988, you may have a loss which you could deduct against other income you may have in 2012, but under current tax regulations, you would neither be required nor allowed to amend your tax returns for prior years. For further information, see “United States Federal Income Taxation” in this pricing supplement.

Will the MITTS Securities be listed on a stock exchange?

The MITTS Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and we do not expect a trading market for the MITTS Securities to develop, which may affect the price that you receive for your MITTS Securities upon any sale prior to the maturity date. You should review the section entitled “Risk Factors—A trading market for the MITTS Securities is not expected to develop and if trading does develop, the market price you may receive or be quoted for your MITTS Securities on a date prior to the stated maturity date will be affected by this and other important factors including our costs of developing, hedging and distributing the MITTS Securities” in this pricing supplement.

 

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What price can I expect to receive if I sell the MITTS Securities prior to the stated maturity date?

In determining the economic terms of the MITTS Securities, and consequently the potential return on the MITTS Securities to you, a number of factors are taken into account. Among these factors are certain costs associated with creating, hedging and offering the MITTS Securities. In structuring the economic terms of the MITTS Securities, we seek to provide investors with what we believe to be commercially reasonable terms and to provide MLPF&S with compensation for its services in developing the securities.

If you sell your MITTS Securities prior to the stated maturity date, you will receive a price determined by market conditions for the security. This price may be influenced by many factors, such as interest rates, volatility and the prevailing value of the Basket. In addition, the price, if any, at which you could sell your MITTS Securities in a secondary market transaction is expected to be affected by the factors that we considered in setting the economic terms of the MITTS Securities, namely the underwriting discount paid in respect of the MITTS Securities, and compensation for developing and hedging the product. Depending on the impact of these factors, you may receive significantly less than the $10 principal amount per unit of your MITTS Securities if sold before the stated maturity date.

In a situation where there had been no movement in the value of the Basket and no changes in the market conditions from those existing on the date of this pricing supplement, the price, if any, at which you could sell your MITTS Securities in a secondary market transaction is expected to be lower than the original issue price. This is due to, among other things, our costs of developing, hedging and distributing the MITTS Securities. Any potential purchasers for your MITTS Securities in the secondary market are unlikely to consider these factors.

What is the role of MLPF&S?

MLPF&S, our subsidiary, is the underwriter for the offering and sale of the MITTS Securities. After the initial offering, MLPF&S currently intends to buy and sell the MITTS Securities to create a secondary market for holders of the MITTS Securities, and may stabilize or maintain the market price of the MITTS Securities during their initial distribution. However, MLPF&S will not be obligated to engage in any of these market activities or continue them once it has started.

MLPF&S will also be our agent (in such capacity, the “Calculation Agent”) for purposes of determining, among other things, the Starting Value and the Ending Value and calculating the Supplemental Redemption Amount. Under certain circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between MLPF&S, as our subsidiary, and its responsibilities as Calculation Agent.

What is ML&Co.?

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is a holding company with various subsidiaries and affiliated companies that provide investment, financing, insurance and related services on a global basis.

For information about ML&Co., see the section entitled “Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.” in the accompanying general prospectus supplement. You should also read other documents ML&Co. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which you can find by referring to the sections entitled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Information We File with the SEC” in the accompanying general prospectus supplement and prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the MITTS Securities will involve risks. You should carefully consider the following discussion of risks and the discussion of risks included in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement before deciding whether an investment in the MITTS Securities is suitable for you.

You may not earn a return on your investment

If the Ending Value does not exceed the Starting Value, the Supplemental Redemption Amount will be $0. This will be true even if the value of the Basket was higher than the Starting Value at some time during the term of the MITTS Securities but later falls below the Starting Value. If the Supplemental Redemption Amount is $0, we will pay you only the $10 principal amount per unit of your MITTS Securities.

Your yield may be lower than other debt securities of comparable maturity

The yield that you will receive on the MITTS Securities may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Your yield may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a traditional interest bearing debt security of ML&Co. with the same stated maturity date. Your investment may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you take into account factors that affect the time value of money.

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Basket

In the ordinary course of their businesses, affiliates of ML&Co. may express views on expected movements in the Underlying Stocks and these views are sometimes communicated to clients who participate in these shares. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in equity markets may at any time have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. For these reasons, you are encouraged to derive information concerning the Underlying Stocks from multiple sources and should not rely on the views expressed by affiliates of ML&Co.

Your return on the Notes will not reflect dividends on the common stocks included in the Basket Component Indices

You will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other ownership rights in the stocks included in the Basket Component Indices and your return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the common stocks of included in the Basket Component Indices and received the dividends paid on those stocks. This is because the Calculation Agent will calculate the amount payable to you on the maturity date by reference to the Ending Value. The Ending Value reflects the prices of the common stocks included in the Basket Component Indices without taking into consideration the value of dividends paid on those stocks.

Your return will not reflect the return on a direct investment in the Underlying Stocks included in the Basket

Your return will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the Underlying Stocks included in the Basket Component Indices and received the dividends paid on those stocks, if any, because the value of the Basket Component Indices are calculated by reference to the prices of the Underlying Stocks included in such Basket Component Indices without taking into consideration the value of dividends paid on those stocks.

Your return may be affected by factors affecting international securities markets

The Basket Component Indices are computed by reference to the value of the equity securities of companies listed on various Asian exchanges. The return on the MITTS Securities will be affected by factors affecting the value of securities in the relevant markets. The relevant foreign securities markets may be more volatile than United States or other securities markets and may be affected by market developments in different ways than United States or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize a particular securities market and cross-shareholdings in companies in the relevant foreign markets may affect prices and the volume of trading in those markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about United States companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements in foreign countries differ from those applicable to United States reporting companies.

The prices and performance of securities of companies in foreign countries may be affected by political, economic, financial and social factors in those regions. In addition, recent or future changes in government,

 

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economic and fiscal policies in the relevant jurisdictions, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions, and possible fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, are factors that could negatively affect the relevant securities markets. Moreover, the relevant foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the United States economy in economic factors such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.

The value of the Basket Component Indices will not be adjusted for changes in exchange rates that might affect the Basket Component Indices

Although the stocks composing the Basket Component Indices are traded in currencies other than U.S. dollars, and the MITTS Securities, which are linked to the Basket, are denominated in U.S. dollars, the amount payable on the MITTS Securities on the maturity date will not be adjusted for changes in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and each of the currencies in which the stocks composing the Basket Component Indices are denominated. Changes in exchange rates, however, may reflect changes in various non-U.S. economies that in turn may affect the value of the Basket Component Indices. The amount we pay in respect of the MITTS Securities on the maturity date will be determined solely in accordance with the procedures described in “Description of the MITTS Securities — Payment on the Maturity Date.”

A trading market for the MITTS Securities is not expected to develop and if trading does develop, the market price you may receive or be quoted for your MITTS Securities on a date prior to the stated maturity date will be affected by this and other important factors including our costs of developing, hedging and distributing the MITTS Securities

The MITTS Securities will not be listed on any securities exchange and we do not expect a trading market for the MITTS Securities to develop. Although, MLPF&S, our affiliate has indicated that it currently expects to bid for MITTS Securities offered for sale to it by holders of the MITTS Securities, it is not required to do so and may cease making those bids at any time. The limited trading market for your MITTS Securities may affect the price that you receive for your MITTS Securities if you do not wish to hold your investment until the maturity date.

If MLPF&S makes a market in the MITTS Securities, the price it quotes would reflect any changes in market conditions and other relevant factors. In addition, the price, if any, at which you could sell your MITTS Securities in a secondary market transaction is expected to be affected by the factors that we considered in setting the economic terms of the MITTS Securities, namely the underwriting discount paid in respect of the MITTS Securities and other costs associated with the MITTS Securities, and compensation for developing and hedging the product. This quoted price could be higher or lower than the $10 principal amount per unit. Furthermore, there is no assurance that MLPF&S or any other party will be willing to buy the MITTS Securities. MLPF&S is not obligated to make a market in the MITTS Securities.

Assuming there is no change in the value of the Basket and no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which MLPF&S or another purchaser might be willing to purchase your MITTS Securities in a secondary market transaction is expected to be lower than the $10 principal amount per unit. This is due to, among other things, the fact that the $10 principal amount per unit included, and secondary market prices are likely to exclude, the underwriting discount paid with respect to, and the developing and hedging costs associated with, the MITTS Securities.

The respective publishers of the Basket Component Indices may adjust the Basket Component Indices in a way that affects their levels, and these respective publishers have no obligation to consider your interests

FTSE/Xinhua Index Limited (“FXI”) and HSI Services Limited (“HSI”) (together the “Index Publishers” and each an “Index Publisher”) are the publishers of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index and the Hang Seng Index, respectively. The Index Publishers can add, delete or substitute the stocks underlying the Basket Component Indices or make other methodological changes that could change the value of the Basket. You should realize that the changing of companies included in the Basket Component Indices may affect the Basket, as a newly added company may perform significantly better or worse than the company or companies it replaces. Additionally, an Index Publisher may alter, discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of its respective Basket Component Index. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of the MITTS Securities. The Index Publishers have no obligation to consider your interests in calculating or revising the Basket Component Indices. See “The Basket.”

 

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Many factors affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities; these factors interrelate in complex ways and the effect of any one factor may offset or magnify the effect of another factor

The trading value of the MITTS Securities will be affected by factors that interrelate in complex ways. The effect of one factor may offset the increase in the trading value of the MITTS Securities caused by another factor and the effect of one factor may exacerbate the decrease in the trading value of the MITTS Securities caused by another factor. For example, an increase in United States interest rates may offset some or all of any increase in the trading value of the MITTS Securities attributable to another factor, such as an increase in the value of the Basket. The following paragraphs describe the expected impact on the trading value of the MITTS Securities given a change in a specific factor, assuming all other conditions remain constant.

The value of the Basket is expected to affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. We expect that the trading value of the MITTS Securities will depend substantially on the amount, if any, by which the value of the Basket exceeds or does not exceed the Starting Value. However, if you choose to sell your MITTS Securities when the value of the Basket exceeds the Starting Value, you may receive substantially less than the amount that would be payable on the maturity date based on this value because of the expectation that the level of the Basket will continue to fluctuate until the Ending Value is determined.

Changes in the volatility of the Basket is expected to affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of price and/or market fluctuations. If the volatility of the Basket increases or decreases, the trading value of the MITTS Securities may be adversely affected.

Changes in the levels of interest rates are expected to affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. We expect that changes in interest rates will affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. Generally, if United States interest rates increase, we expect the trading value of the MITTS Securities will decrease and, conversely, if United States interest rates decrease, we expect the trading value of the MITTS Securities will increase. The level of interest rates in the relevant foreign countries may also affect their economies and in turn the value of the related Basket Component Index and, thus, the trading value of the MITTS Securities.

Changes in dividend yields on the stocks included in the Basket Component Indices are expected to affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. The Basket will not reflect the payment of dividends, if any, on the Underlying Stocks. In general, if dividend yields on the stocks included in the Basket Component Indices increase, we expect that the trading value of the MITTS Securities will decrease and, conversely, if dividend yields on these stocks decrease, we expect that the trading value of the MITTS Securities will increase.

As the time remaining to the stated maturity date of the MITTS Securities decreases, the “time premium” associated with the MITTS Securities is expected to decrease. We anticipate that before their stated maturity date, the MITTS Securities may trade at a value above that which would be expected based on the level of interest rates and the value of the Basket. This difference will reflect a “time premium” due to expectations concerning the value of the Basket during the period before the stated maturity date of the MITTS Securities. However, as the time remaining to the stated maturity date of the MITTS Securities decreases, we expect that this time premium will decrease, lowering the trading value of the MITTS Securities.

Changes in our credit ratings may affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. Our credit ratings are an assessment of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings may affect the trading value of the MITTS Securities. However, because the return on your MITTS Securities is dependent upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our obligations under the MITTS Securities, such as the percentage increase, if any, in the value of the Basket from the Starting Value to the Ending Value, an improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the MITTS Securities.

In general, assuming all relevant factors are held constant, we expect that the effect on the trading value of the MITTS Securities of a given change in some of the factors listed above will be less if it occurs later in the term of the MITTS Securities than if it occurs earlier in the term of the MITTS Securities. We expect, however, that the effect on the trading value of the MITTS Securities of a given change in the value of the Basket will be greater if it occurs later in the term of the MITTS Securities than if it occurs earlier in the term of the MITTS Securities.

 

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Amounts payable on the Notes may be limited by state law

New York State law governs the 1983 Indenture under which the Notes will be issued. New York has usury laws that limit the amount of interest that can be charged and paid on loans, which includes debt securities like the Notes. Under present New York law, the maximum rate of interest is 25% per annum on a simple interest basis. This limit may not apply to debt securities in which $2,500,000 or more has been invested.

While we believe that New York law would be given effect by a state or federal court sitting outside of New York, many other states also have laws that regulate the amount of interest that may be charged to and paid by a borrower. We will promise, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, to the extent permitted by law, not to voluntarily claim the benefits of any laws concerning usurious rates of interest.

Purchases and sales by us and our affiliates may affect your return

We and our affiliates may from time to time buy or sell the Underlying Stocks or futures or options contracts on the Basket Component Indices for our own accounts for business reasons and expect to enter into these transactions in connection with hedging our obligations under the MITTS Securities. These transactions could affect the price of these stocks and, in turn, the value of the Basket in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the MITTS Securities. Any purchases or sales by us, our affiliates or others on our behalf on or before the Pricing Date may temporarily increase or decrease the prices of the Underlying Stocks. Temporary increases or decreases in the market prices of these stocks may also occur as a result of the purchasing activities of other market participants. Consequently, the prices of these stocks may change subsequent to the Pricing Date, affecting the value of the Basket and therefore the trading value of the MITTS Securities.

Potential conflicts of interest could arise

MLPF&S, our subsidiary, is our agent for the purposes of determining the Starting Value and calculating the Ending Value and the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any. Under certain circumstances, MLPF&S as our subsidiary and its responsibilities as Calculation Agent for the MITTS Securities could give rise to conflicts of interest. These conflicts could occur, for instance, in connection with its determination as to whether the level of a Basket Component Index can be calculated on a particular trading day, or in connection with judgments that it would be required to make in the event of a discontinuance or unavailability of a Basket Component Index. See the sections entitled “Description of the MITTS Securities—Adjustments to the Basket Component Indices” and “Description of the MITTS Securities—Discontinuance of the Basket Component Indices “ in this pricing supplement. MLPF&S is required to carry out its duties as Calculation Agent in good faith and using its reasonable judgment. However, because we control MLPF&S, potential conflicts of interest could arise.

We expect to enter into arrangements to hedge the market risks associated with our obligation to pay the Redemption Amount due on the maturity date on the MITTS Securities. We may seek competitive terms in entering into the hedging arrangements for the MITTS Securities, but are not required to do so, and we may enter into such hedging arrangements with one of our subsidiaries or affiliated companies. Such hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially expected, but which could also result in a loss for the hedging counterparty.

ML&Co. or its affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business with one or more of the companies included in the Basket Component Indices including extending loans to, or making equity investments in, those companies or providing advisory services to those companies, including merger and acquisition advisory services. In the course of business, ML&Co. or its affiliates may acquire non-public information relating to those companies and, in addition, one or more affiliates of ML&Co. may publish research reports about those companies. ML&Co. does not make any representation to any purchasers of the MITTS Securities regarding any matters whatsoever relating to the companies included in the Basket Component Indices. Any prospective purchaser of the MITTS Securities should undertake an independent investigation of the companies included in the Basket Component Indices as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision regarding an investment in the MITTS Securities. The composition of those companies does not reflect any investment recommendations of ML&Co. or its affiliates.

Tax consequences

You should consider the tax consequences of investing in the MITTS Securities. See “United States Federal Income Taxation” in this pricing supplement.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE MITTS SECURITIES

ML&Co. will issue the MITTS Securities as part of a series of senior unsecured debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes, Series C,” which is more fully described in the MTN prospectus supplement, under the 1983 Indenture, which is more fully described in the accompanying general prospectus supplement. The Bank of New York has succeeded JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the trustee under such indenture. The MITTS Securities will mature on May 9, 2012. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, general prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent that it is different from that information. The CUSIP number for the MITTS Securities is 59022W505.

While on the maturity date a holder of a MITTS Security will receive an amount equal to the sum of the $10 principal amount per unit plus the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any, there will be no other payment of interest, periodic or otherwise prior to the maturity date. See the section entitled “—Payment on the Maturity Date” in this pricing supplement.

The MITTS Securities will not be subject to redemption by ML&Co. or repayment at the option of any holder of the MITTS Securities before the maturity date.

ML&Co. will issue the MITTS Securities in denominations of whole units each with a $10 principal amount per unit. You may transfer the MITTS Securities only in whole units. You will not have the right to receive physical certificates evidencing your ownership except under limited circumstances. Instead, we will issue the MITTS Securities in the form of a global certificate, which will be held by The Depository Trust Company, also known as DTC, or its nominee. Direct and indirect participants in DTC will record your ownership of the MITTS Securities. You should refer to the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities—Depositary” in the accompanying general prospectus supplement.

The MITTS Securities will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.

Payment on the Maturity Date

On the maturity date, you will be entitled to receive the sum of the $10 principal amount per unit plus a Supplemental Redemption Amount per unit, if any, as provided below. If the Ending Value does not exceed the Starting Value, you will be entitled to receive only the $10 principal amount per unit of the MITTS Securities.

Determination of the Supplemental Redemption Amount

The “Supplemental Redemption Amount” per unit will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal:

 

 

$10 ×

 

(

 

  Ending Value – Starting Value  

)

 

  × Participation Rate   
      Starting Value       

provided, however, that in no event will the Supplemental Redemption Amount be less than zero.

The “Starting Value” was set to 100 on May 3, 2007, the date the MITTS Securities were priced for initial sale to the public (the “Pricing Date”).

The “Ending Value” will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal the average of the closing values of the Basket determined on each of the first five Calculation Days during the Calculation Period. If there are fewer than five Calculation Days during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value will equal the average of the closing values of the Basket on those Calculation Days. If there is only one Calculation Day during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value will equal the closing value of the Basket on that Calculation Day. If no Calculation Days occur during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value will equal the closing value of the Basket determined (or, if not determinable, estimated by the Calculation Agent in a manner which is considered commercially reasonable under the circumstances) on the last scheduled Basket Business Day in the Calculation Period, regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as described below) on that scheduled Basket Business Day.

The “Participation Rate” equals 105%.

 

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The “Calculation Period” means the period from and including the seventh scheduled Basket Business Day before the maturity date to and including the second scheduled Basket Business Day before the maturity date.

A “Calculation Day” means any Basket Business Day during the Calculation Period on which a Market Disruption Event has not occurred.

A “Basket Business Day” means a day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the American Stock Exchange (the “AMEX”) and The Nasdaq Stock Market (the “Nasdaq”) are open for trading and the Basket Component Indices or any successor indices are calculated and published.

“Market Disruption Event” means either of the following events as determined by the Calculation Agent:

 

  (A) the suspension of or material limitation on trading, in each case, for more than two hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, on the primary exchange where Underlying Stocks of a Basket Component Index trade as determined by the Calculation Agent (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), in 20% or more of the stocks which then comprise the Basket Component Index or any successor index; or

 

  (B) the suspension of or material limitation on trading, in each case, for more than two hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, on the primary exchange that trades options contracts or futures contracts related to a Basket Component Index as determined by the Calculation Agent (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), whether by reason of movements in price otherwise exceeding levels permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise, in options contracts or futures contracts related to such Basket Component Index, or any successor index.

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred:

 

  (1) a limitation on the hours in a trading day and/or number of days of trading will not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange;

 

  (2) a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant futures or options contracts related to the applicable Basket Component Index, or any successor index, will not constitute a Market Disruption Event;

 

  (3) a suspension in trading in a futures or options contract on the applicable Basket Component Index, or any successor index, by a major securities market by reason of (a) a price change violating limits set by that securities market, (b) an imbalance of orders relating to those contracts or (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to those contracts will constitute a suspension of or material limitation on trading in futures or options contracts related to that Basket Component Index; and

 

  (4) a suspension of or material limitation on trading on the relevant exchange will not include any time when that exchange is closed for trading under ordinary circumstances.

All determinations made by the Calculation Agent, absent a determination of a manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on ML&Co. and the holders and beneficial owners of the MITTS Securities.

 

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Hypothetical Returns

The following table illustrates, for the Starting Value and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the Basket:

 

   

the percentage change from the Starting Value to the hypothetical Ending Value;

 

   

the total amount payable on the maturity date for each unit of MITTS Securities;

 

   

the total rate of return to holders of the MITTS Securities;

 

   

the pretax annualized rate of return to holders of MITTS Securities; and

 

   

the pretax annualized rate of return of an investment in the Underlying Stocks, which includes an assumed aggregate dividend yield of 2.14% per annum, as more fully described below.

This table includes a Participation Rate of 105%.

 

Hypothetical

Ending Value

 

Percentage change

from the

Starting Value

to the hypothetical

Ending Value

 

Total amount

payable on the

maturity date

per unit

 

Total rate of

return on the

MITTS
Securities

 

Pretax annualized

rate of return

on the MITTS
Securities(1)

 

Pretax annualized

rate of return

of the

Underlying Stocks(1)(2)

  60.00   –40.00%   10.00     0.00%   0.00%   –7.89%
  70.00   –30.00%   10.00     0.00%   0.00%   –4.93%
  80.00   –20.00%   10.00     0.00%   0.00%   –2.32%
  90.00   –10.00%   10.00     0.00%   0.00%     0.02%
     100.00 (3)       0.00%        10.00 (4)     0.00%   0.00%     2.13%
110.00     10.00%   11.05   10.50%   2.00%     4.07%
120.00     20.00%   12.10   21.00%   3.84%     5.85%
130.00     30.00%   13.15   31.50%   5.55%     7.51%
140.00     40.00%   14.20   42.00%   7.13%     9.06%
150.00     50.00%   15.25   52.50%   8.61%   10.51%

(1) The annualized rates of return specified in this column are calculated on a semiannual bond equivalent basis and assume an investment term from May 9, 2007 to 9, 2012, the term of the MITTS Securities.
(2) This rate of return assumes:
  (a) a percentage change in the aggregate price of the Underlying Stocks that equals the percentage change of each Basket Component Index, that equals the percentage change in the Basket from the Starting Value to the relevant hypothetical Ending Value;
  (b) a constant dividend yield of 2.14% per annum (which equals the average of a dividend yield of 1.685% for the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index and the 2.593% for the Hang Seng Index), paid quarterly from the date of initial delivery of the MITTS Securities, applied to the value of the Basket at the end of each quarter assuming this value increases or decreases linearly from the Starting Value to the applicable hypothetical Ending Value; and
  (c) no transaction fees or expenses.
(3) This is the Starting Value.
(4) The amount you receive on the maturity date will not be less than $10 per unit.

The above figures are for purposes of illustration only. The actual amount received by you and the resulting total and pretax annualized rates of return will depend on the actual Ending Value and the term of your investment.

 

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Adjustments to the Basket Component Indices

If at any time an Index Publisher makes a material change in the formula for or the method of calculating its respective Basket Component Index or in any other way materially modifies that Basket Component Index so that the Basket Component Index does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the level of that Basket Component Index had those changes or modifications not been made, then, from and after that time, the Calculation Agent will, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the closing value of the Basket is to be calculated, make any adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a calculation of a level of a stock index comparable to that Basket Component Index as if those changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the closing level with reference to the Basket Component Index, as so adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating a Basket Component Index is modified so that the level of the Basket Component Index is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified, then the Calculation Agent will adjust such Basket Component Index in order to arrive at a level of the Basket Component Index as if it had not been modified.

Discontinuance of the Basket Component Indices

If an Index Publisher discontinues publication of its respective Basket Component Index and the Index Publisher or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to that Basket Component Index (a “successor index”), then, upon the Calculation Agent’s notification of that determination to the trustee and ML&Co., the Calculation Agent will substitute the successor index as calculated by the relevant Index Publisher or any other entity for the Basket Component Index and calculate the Ending Value as described above under “—Payment on the Maturity Date”. Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a successor index, ML&Co. will cause notice to be given to holders of the MITTS Securities.

In the event that an Index Publisher discontinues publication of its respective Basket Component Index and:

 

   

the Calculation Agent does not select a successor index; or

 

   

the successor index is not published on any of the Calculation Days,

the Calculation Agent will compute a substitute level for that Basket Component Index in accordance with the procedures last used to calculate that Basket Component Index before any discontinuance. If a successor index is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a level as a substitute for a Basket Component Index as described below, the successor index or level will be used as a substitute for that Basket Component Index for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.

If an Index Publisher discontinues publication of its respective Basket Component Index before the Calculation Period and the Calculation Agent determines that no successor index is available at that time, then on each Business Day until the earlier to occur of:

 

   

the determination of the Ending Value; and

 

   

a determination by the Calculation Agent that a successor index is available,

the Calculation Agent will determine the value that would be used in computing the Supplemental Redemption Amount as described in the preceding paragraph as if that day were a Calculation Day. The Calculation Agent will cause notice of each value to be published not less often than once each month in The Wall Street Journal or another newspaper of general circulation and arrange for information with respect to these values to be made available by telephone.

A “Business Day” is any day on which (i) the Basket Component Indices or any successor indices, if any, that have not been discontinued, are calculated and published and (ii) with respect to the Basket Component Indices, or any successor indices, which have been discontinued, a day on which the applicable exchanges listing the stocks of companies used to calculate a substitute level for a Basket Component Index following a discontinuance, as discussed above, are open for trading.

Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of a Basket Component Index may adversely affect trading in the MITTS Securities.

 

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Events of Default and Acceleration

In case an Event of Default with respect to any MITTS Securities has occurred and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of a MITTS Security upon any acceleration permitted by the MITTS Securities, with respect to each $10 principal amount per unit, will be equal to the principal amount and the Supplemental Redemption Amount per unit, if any, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the stated maturity date of the MITTS Securities.

In case of default in payment of the MITTS Securities, whether on the stated maturity date or upon acceleration, from and after that date the MITTS Securities will bear interest, payable upon demand of their holders, at the then current Federal Funds Rate, reset daily, as determined by reference to Reuters page FEDFUNDS1 under the heading “EFFECT”, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, on the unpaid amount due and payable on that date in accordance with the terms of the MITTS Securities to the date payment of that amount has been made or duly provided for. “Reuters page FEDFUNDS1” means such page or any successor page, or page on a successor service, displaying such rate. If the Federal Funds Rate cannot be determined by reference to Reuters page FEDFUNDS1, such rate will be determined in accordance with the procedures set forth in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement relating to the determination of the Federal Funds Rate in the event of the unavailability of Moneyline Telerate page 120.

 

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THE BASKET

The Basket is designed to allow investors to participate in the percentage changes in the levels of the Basket Component Indices from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. The Basket Component Indices are described in the sections below. Each Basket Component Index initially was assigned an equal weighting so that each Basket Component Index represents an equal portion of the value of the Basket on the Pricing Date.

The Index Publishers have no obligations relating to the MITTS Securities or amounts to be paid to you, including any obligation to take the needs of ML&Co. or of holders of the MITTS Securities into consideration for any reason. The Index Publishers will not receive any of the proceeds of the offering of the MITTS Securities and are not responsible for, and have not participated in, the offering of the MITTS Securities and are not responsible for, and will not participate in, the determination or calculation of the amount receivable by holders of the MITTS Securities.

Determination of the Multiplier for each Basket Component Index

A fixed factor (the “Multiplier”) was determined for each Basket Component Index, based upon the weighting of that Basket Component Index. The Multiplier for each Basket Component Index was calculated on the Pricing Date and equaled:

 

   

the weighting (as a percentage) for that Basket Component Index, multiplied by 100; and

 

   

divided by the closing level of that Basket Component Index on the Pricing Date and rounded to eight decimal places.

The Multipliers were calculated in this way so that the value of the Basket equaled 100 on the Pricing Date. The Multipliers will not be revised subsequent to their determination on the Pricing Date except that the Calculation Agent may in its good faith judgment adjust the Multiplier of any Basket Component Index in the event that Basket Component Index is materially changed or modified in a manner that does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the level of that Basket Component Index had those material changes or modifications not been made.

The Multipliers for each Basket Component Index are listed under “—Computation of the Basket” below.

Computation of the Basket

The Calculation Agent will calculate the value of the Basket by summing the products of the closing level for each Basket Component Index on a Calculation Day and the Multiplier applicable to each Basket Component Index. The value of the Basket will vary based on the increase or decrease in the level of each Basket Component Index. Any increase in the level of a Basket Component Index (assuming no change in the levels of the other Basket Component Indices) will result in an increase in the value of the Basket. Conversely, any decrease in the level of a Basket Component Index (assuming no change in the levels of the other Basket Component Indices) will result in a decrease in the value of the Basket. For each Basket Component Index, the weighting, the closing level, the Multiplier and the initial contribution to the Basket level are as follows:

 

Basket Component Index

   Bloomberg
Symbol
   Region    Weighting  

Closing

Level(1)

   Multiplier(2)    Initial
Basket Level
Contribution

FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index

   XIN0I    China    50.00%   16,257.27    0.00307555      50.00

Hang Seng Index

   HSI    Hong Kong    50.00%   20,681.58    0.00241761      50.00

Starting Value

                 100.00

(1) This is the closing level of each Basket Component Index on the Pricing Date.
(2) The Multiplier equals the weighting of the Basket Component Index (as a percentage) multiplied by 100, and then divided by the closing level of that Basket Component Index on the Pricing Date and rounded to eight decimal places.

 

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Hypothetical Historical Data on the Basket

While historical information on the Basket did not exist before the Pricing Date, the following table sets forth the hypothetical historical month-end values of the Basket from January 2002 through April 2007 based upon historical levels of each Basket Component Index, the Multipliers and a Basket value of 100 on the Pricing Date. This hypothetical historical data on the Basket is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Basket or what the value of the MITTS Securities may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the value of the Basket during any period set forth below is not an indication that the Basket is more or less likely to increase or decrease in value at any time over the term of the MITTS Securities.

 

     2002      2003      2004      2005      2006      2007

January

   39.94      36.54      57.53      58.26      70.35      96.55

February

   39.68      36.06      60.67      61.28      72.05      93.98

March

   41.50      34.52      55.90      58.07      72.26      95.96

April

   42.94      34.62      50.49      58.93      76.04      98.63

May

   42.79      37.89      52.41      58.45      71.98     

June

   40.80      39.05      52.51      60.46      74.13     

July

   39.35      41.95      52.48      64.02      76.68     

August

   38.44      45.21      54.08      63.93      78.29     

September

   35.25      45.88      56.07      66.23      79.36     

October

   36.00      51.55      55.33      60.59      82.90     

November

   37.90      52.18      59.85      63.57      88.83     

December

   35.81      56.01      59.91      64.27      99.33     

The following graph sets forth the hypothetical historical performance of the Basket presented in the preceding table. This hypothetical historical information is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Basket, and no assurance can be given that the value of the Basket will not decline and thereby reduce the amount which may be payable to you on the maturity date.

LOGO

 

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The Basket Component Indices

FTSE/Xinhua China 25

All disclosure contained in this pricing supplement regarding the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, unless otherwise stated, has been derived from information made publicly available by FXI. This information reflects the policies of the FXI, as stated in this publicly available information, and is subject to change by FXI at its discretion. ML&Co. and MLPF&S have not independently verified the accuracy of such FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index or information.

The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is a stock index calculated, published and disseminated by FXI, a joint venture of FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) and Xinhua Financial Network Limited (“Xinhua”), and is designed to represent the performance of the mainland Chinese market that is available to international investors. The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is quoted in Hong Kong dollars (“HKD”) and currently is based on the 25 largest and most liquid Chinese stocks (called “H” shares and “Red Chip” shares), listed and trading on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd. (“HKSE”). “H” shares are securities of companies incorporated in the People’s Republic of China and nominated by the Chinese Government for listing and trading on the HKSE. “Red Chip” shares are securities of Hong Kong-incorporated companies, which are substantially owned directly or indirectly by the Chinese government and have the majority of their business interests in mainland China. Both “H” shares and “Red Chip” shares are quoted and traded in HKD and are available only to international investors and not to those from the People’s Republic of China.

The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “XIN0I.”

Computation of the Index

The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is calculated using the free float index calculation methodology of the FTSE Group. The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is calculated using the following algorithm:

S p (n) e (n) s (n) f (n) c (n)

d

where p is the latest trade price of the component security n, e is the exchange rate required to convert the security’s home currency into the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index’s base currency, s is the number of shares of the security in issue, f is the portion of free floating shares, adjusted in accordance with the policies of FXI, c is the capping factor published by FXI at the most recent quarterly review of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index, and d is the divisor, a figure that represents the total issued share capital of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index at the base date, which may be adjusted to allow for changes in the issued share capital of individual securities without distorting the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index.

The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index uses actual trade prices for securities with local stock exchange quotations and Reuters real-time spot currency rates for its calculations. Under this methodology, FXI excludes from free floating shares trade investments in a FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index constituent company by another FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index constituent company, significant long-term holdings by founders, directors and/or their families, employee share schemes (if restricted), government holdings, foreign ownership limits, and portfolio investments subject to lock-in clauses (for the duration of the clause). Free float restrictions are calculated using available published information. The initial weighting of a FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index constituent stock is applied in bands, as follows:

 

Free float less than or equal to 15%    Ineligible for inclusion in the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index, unless free float is also greater than 5% and the full market capitalization is greater than US$2.5 billion (or local currency equivalent), in which case actual free float is used.

Free float greater than 15% but less than or equal to 20%

   20%

Free float greater than 20% but less than or equal to 30%

   30%

 

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Free float greater than 30% but less than or equal to 40%

   40%

Free float greater than 40% but less than or equal to 50%

   50%

Free float greater than 50% but less than or equal to 75%

   75%

Free float greater than 75%

   100%

These bands are narrow at the lower end, to ensure that there is sufficient sensitivity in order to maintain accurate representation, and broader at the higher end, in order to ensure that the weightings of larger companies do not fluctuate absent a significant corporate event. Following the application of an initial free float restriction, a FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index constituent stock’s free float will only be changed if its actual free float is more than 5 percentage points above the minimum or 5 percentage points below the maximum of an adjacent band. This 5 percentage point threshold does not apply if the initial free float is less than 15%. Foreign ownership limits, if any, are applied after calculating the actual free float restriction, but before applying the bands shown above. If the foreign ownership limit is more restrictive than the free float restriction, the precise foreign ownership limit is applied. If the foreign ownership limit is less restrictive or equal to the free float restriction, the free float restriction is applied, subject to the bands shown above. The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is periodically reviewed for changes in free float. These reviews coincide with the quarterly reviews undertaken of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index. Implementation of any changes takes place after the close of the index calculation on the third Friday in January, April, July and October. A stock’s free float is also reviewed and adjusted if necessary following certain corporate events. If the corporate event includes a corporate action which affects the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index, any change in free float is implemented at the same time as the corporate action. If there is no corporate action, the change in free float is applied as soon as practicable after the corporate event. Securities must be sufficiently liquid to be traded. The following criteria, among others, are used to ensure that illiquid securities are excluded:

Price. FXI must be satisfied that an accurate and reliable price exists for the purposes of determining the market value of a company. FXI may exclude a security from the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index if it considers that an “accurate and reliable” price is not available. The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index uses the last trade prices from the relevant stock exchanges, when available.

Liquidity. Securities in the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index will be reviewed annually for liquidity. Securities which do not turn over at least 2% of their shares in issue, after the application of any free float restrictions, per month for ten of the twelve months prior to the quarterly review by FXI will not be eligible for inclusion in the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index. An existing constituent failing to trade at least 2.0% of its shares in issue, after the application of any free float restrictions, per month for more than four of the twelve months prior to the quarterly review will be removed after close of the index calculation on the next trading day following the third Friday in January, April, July and October. Any period when a share is suspended will be excluded from the calculation.

New Issues. New issues must have a minimum trading record of at least 20 trading days prior to the date of the review and turnover of a minimum of 2% of their shares in issue, after the application of any free float restrictions, per month each month, except in certain circumstances.

The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index, like other indices of FXI, is governed by an independent advisory committee that ensures that the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is operated in accordance with its published ground rules, and that the rules remain relevant to the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index.

 

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Historical data on the FTSE/Xinhua China 25

The following table sets forth the closing level of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index at the end of each month in the period from January 2002 through April 2007. This historical data on the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index or what the value of the MITTS Securities may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index during any period set forth below is not any indication that the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the MITTS Securities.

 

     2002      2003      2004      2005      2006      2007

January

   4,556.58      4,601.71      8,260.51      8,155.44      10,490.11      15,586.50

February

   4,660.83      4,554.19      8,795.51      8,767.79      10,914.41      15,110.18

March

   4,822.18      4,437.62      8,207.84      8,254.83      11,069.71      15,634.92

April

   4,922.55      4,403.46      7,029.97      8,226.15      11,625.95      16,095.23

May

   5,027.92      4,860.58      7,450.70      8,105.44      10,937.19     

June

   4,934.55      5,169.87      7,414.40      8,496.46      11,314.83     

July

   4,723.40      5,672.64      7,442.02      9,117.31      11,590.71     

August

   4,602.79      6,124.15      7,481.39      9,072.70      11,783.91     

September

   4,329.55      6,089.77      7,916.39      9,404.92      12,012.99     

October

   4,284.63      7,177.30      7,727.28      8,391.56      12,551.81     

November

   4,408.58      7,282.98      8,409.06      8,927.68      13,977.39     

December

   4,317.23      8,324.97      8,294.66      9,203.65      16,603.60     

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index for the period presented in the preceding table. This historical information is furnished as a matter of information only and should not be taken as an indication of future performance.

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License Agreement

The MITTS Securities are not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FXI, FTSE or Xinhua or by the London Stock Exchange PLC (the “London Stock Exchange”) or by The Financial Times Limited (“FT”) and neither FXI, FTSE, Xinhua nor the London Stock Exchange nor FT makes any warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index and/or the figure at which the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index stands at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise. The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is compiled and calculated by or on behalf of FXI. However, neither FXI or FTSE or Xinhua or the London Stock Exchange or FT shall be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index and neither FXI, FTSE, Xinhua or the London Stock Exchange or FT shall be under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.

The FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index is calculated by or on behalf of FXI. FXI does not sponsor, endorse or promote the MITTS Securities.

All copyright in the FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index values and constituent list vest in FXI. Merrill Lynch & Co. has obtained full license from FXI to use such copyright in the creation of the MITTS Securities.

“FTSETM” is a trade mark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange PLC and The Financial Times Limited. “FTSE/Xinhua” is a trade mark of FTSE International Limited. “Xinhua” are service marks and trade marks of Xinhua Financial Network Limited. All marks are licensed for use by FXI.

The Hang Seng Index

All disclosure in this pricing supplement regarding the Hang Seng Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, unless otherwise stated is derived from publicly available information. This information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by HSI and Hang Seng Data Services Limited. ML&Co. and MLPF&S have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of that information.

The Hang Seng Index (index symbol “HSI”) is compiled, published and managed by HSI and was first calculated and published on November 24, 1969. The Hang Seng Index is a market-capitalization weighted index consisting of 38 constituent stocks that, as of December 29, 2006, accounted for about 66.2% of the total market capitalization of all eligible stocks listed on the HKSE. To be eligible for selection, a company: (1) must be among those that constitute the top 90% of the total market capitalization of all ordinary shares listed on the HKSE (market capitalization is expressed as an average of the past 12 months); (2) must be among those that constitute the top 90% of the total turnover on the HKSE (turnover is aggregated and individually assessed for eight quarterly subperiods for the past 24 months); (3) should normally have a listing history of at least 24 months; and (4) should not be a secondary listed company. From the many eligible candidates, final selections are based on the following: (1) the market capitalization and turnover rankings of the companies; (2) the representation of the subsectors within the Hang Seng Index directly reflecting that of the market; and (3) the financial performance of the companies.

 

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Historical data on the Hang Seng Index

The following table sets forth the closing level of the Hang Seng Index at the end of each month in the period from January 2002 through April 2007. This historical data on the Hang Seng Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Hang Seng Index or what the value of the MITTS Securities may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Hang Seng Index during any period set forth below is not an indication that the Hang Seng Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the MITTS Securities.

 

     2002      2003      2004      2005      2006      2007

January

   10,725.30      9,258.95      13,289.37      13,721.69      15,753.14      20,106.42

February

   10,482.55      9,122.66      13,907.03      14,195.35      15,918.48      19,651.51

March

   11,032.92      8,634.45      12,681.67      13,516.88      15,805.04      19,800.93

April

   11,497.58      8,717.22      11,942.96      13,908.97      16,661.30      20,318.98

May

   11,301.94      9,487.38      12,198.24      13,867.07      15,857.89     

June

   10,598.55      9,577.12      12,285.75      14,201.06      16,267.62     

July

   10,267.36      10,134.83      12,238.03      14,880.98      16,971.34     

August

   10,043.87      10,908.99      12,850.28      14,903.55      17,392.27     

September

   9,072.21      11,229.87      13,120.03      15,428.52      17,543.05     

October

   9,441.25      12,190.10      13,054.66      14,386.37      18,324.35     

November

   10,069.87      12,317.47      14,060.05      14,937.14      18,960.48     

December

   9,321.29      12,575.94      14,230.14      14,876.43      19,964.72     

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the Hang Seng Index presented in the preceding table. Past movements of the Hang Seng Index are not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Hang Seng Index.

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License Agreement

ML&Co. expects to enter into a non-exclusive license agreement with HSI and Hang Seng Data Services Limited providing for the license to ML&Co., in exchange for a fee, of the right to use certain indices calculated by HSI in connection with the issuance and marketing of securities, including the MITTS Securities.

The license agreement is expected to provide that the following information must be set forth in this pricing supplement:

“The Hang Seng Index (the “Index”) is published and compiled by HSI Services Limited pursuant to a license from Hang Seng Data Services Limited. The mark and name Hang Seng Index is proprietary to Hang Seng Data Services Limited. HSI Services Limited and Hang Seng Data Services Limited have agreed to the use of, and reference to, the Index by ML&Co. in connection with the MITTS Securities (the “Product”), BUT NEITHER HSI SERVICES LIMITED NOR HANG SENG DATA SERVICES LIMITED WARRANTS OR REPRESENTS OR GUARANTEES TO ANY BROKER OR HOLDER OF THE PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON (i) THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX AND ITS COMPUTATION OR ANY INFORMATION RELATED THERETO; OR (ii) THE FITNESS OR SUITABILITY FOR ANY PURPOSE OF THE INDEX OR ANY COMPONENT OR DATA COMPRISED IN IT; OR (iii) THE RESULTS WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY ANY PERSON FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR ANY COMPONENT OR DATA COMPRISED IN IT FOR ANY PURPOSE, AND NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER RELATING TO THE INDEX IS GIVEN OR MAY BE IMPLIED. The process and basis of computation and compilation of the Index and any of the related formula or formulae, constituent stocks and factors may at any time be changed or altered by HSI Services Limited without notice. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NO RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY IS ACCEPTED BY HSI SERVICES LIMITED OR HANG SENG DATA SERVICES LIMITED (i) IN RESPECT OF THE USE OF AND/OR REFERENCE TO THE INDEX BY ML&CO. IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCT; OR (ii) FOR ANY INACCURACIES, OMISSIONS, MISTAKES OR ERRORS OF HSI SERVICES LIMITED IN THE COMPUTATION OF THE INDEX; OR (iii) FOR ANY INACCURACIES, OMISSIONS, MISTAKES, ERRORS OR INCOMPLETENESS OF ANY INFORMATION USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMPUTATION OF THE INDEX WHICH IS SUPPLIED BY ANY OTHER PERSON; OR (iv) FOR ANY ECONOMIC OR OTHER LOSS WHICH MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY SUSTAINED BY ANY BROKER OR HOLDER OF THE PRODUCT OR ANY OTHER PERSON DEALING WITH THE PRODUCT AS A RESULT OF ANY OF THE AFORESAID, AND NO CLAIMS, ACTIONS OR LEGAL PROCEEDINGS MAY BE BROUGHT AGAINST HSI SERVICES LIMITED AND/OR HANG SENG DATA SERVICES LIMITED in connection with the Product in any manner whatsoever by any broker, holder or other person dealing with the Product. Any broker, holder or other person dealing with the Product does so therefore in full knowledge of this disclaimer and can place no reliance whatsoever on HSI Services Limited and Hang Seng Data Services Limited. For the avoidance of doubt, this disclaimer does not create any contractual or quasi-contractual relationship between any broker, holder or other person and HSI Services Limited and/or Hang Seng Data Services Limited and must not be construed to have created such relationship.”

 

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UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

Set forth in full below is the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP, tax counsel to ML&Co., as to certain United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the MITTS Securities. This opinion is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change (including retroactive changes in effective dates) or possible differing interpretations. The discussion below supplements the discussion set forth under the section entitled “United States Federal Income Taxation” that is contained in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement and supersedes that discussion to the extent that it contains information that is inconsistent with that which is contained in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement. The discussion below deals only with MITTS Securities held as capital assets and does not purport to deal with persons in special tax situations, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to mark to market, tax-exempt entities or persons holding MITTS Securities in a tax-deferred or tax-advantaged account (except to the extent specifically discussed below), persons whose functional currency is not the United States dollar, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax or persons holding MITTS Securities as a hedge against currency risks, as a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging”, “conversion” or “integrated” transaction for tax purposes. It also does not deal with holders other than original purchasers (except where otherwise specifically noted in this pricing supplement). The following discussion also assumes that the issue price of the MITTS Securities, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, equals the principal amount thereof. If a partnership holds the MITTS Securities, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Thus, persons who are partners in a partnership holding the MITTS Securities should consult their own tax advisors. Moreover, all persons considering the purchase of the MITTS Securities should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the United States federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the MITTS Securities arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

As used in this pricing supplement, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a MITTS Security that is for United States federal income tax purposes (a) a citizen or resident of the United States, (b) a corporation, partnership or other entity treated as a corporation or a partnership that is created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (other than a partnership that is not treated as a United States person under any applicable Treasury regulations), (c) an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, (d) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (e) any other person whose income or gain in respect of a MITTS Security is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. Notwithstanding clause (d) of the preceding sentence, to the extent provided in Treasury regulations, certain trusts in existence on August 20, 1996, and treated as United States persons prior to that date that elect to continue to be treated as United States persons also will be U.S. Holders. As used herein, the term “non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a MITTS Security that is not a U.S. Holder.

General

There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing or involving the characterization, for United States federal income tax purposes, of the MITTS Securities or securities with terms substantially the same as the MITTS Securities. However, although the matter is not free from doubt, under current law, each MITTS Security should be treated as a debt instrument of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes. ML&Co. currently intends to treat each MITTS Security as a debt instrument of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes and, where required, intends to file information returns with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) in accordance with this treatment, in the absence of any change or clarification in the law, by regulation or otherwise, requiring a different characterization of the MITTS Securities. Prospective investors in the MITTS Securities should be aware, however, that the IRS is not bound by ML&Co.’s characterization of the MITTS Securities as indebtedness, and the IRS could possibly take a different position as to the proper characterization of the MITTS Securities for United States federal income tax purposes. The following discussion of the principal United States federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the MITTS Securities is based upon the assumption that each MITTS Security will be treated as a debt instrument of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes. If the MITTS Securities are not in fact treated as debt instruments of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes, then the United States federal income tax treatment of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the MITTS Securities could differ from the treatment

 

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discussed below with the result that the timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized in respect of a MITTS Security could differ from the timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized in respect of a MITTS Security had the MITTS Securities in fact been treated as debt instruments of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes.

U.S. Holders

On June 11, 1996, the Treasury Department issued final regulations (the “CPDI Regulations”) concerning the proper United States federal income tax treatment of contingent payment debt instruments such as the MITTS Securities, which apply to debt instruments issued on or after August 13, 1996 and, accordingly, will apply to the MITTS Securities. In general, the CPDI Regulations cause the timing and character of income, gain or loss reported on a contingent payment debt instrument to substantially differ from the timing and character of income, gain or loss reported on a conventional noncontingent payment debt instrument. Specifically, the CPDI Regulations generally require a U.S. Holder of such an instrument to include future contingent and noncontingent interest payments in income as that interest accrues based upon a projected payment schedule. Moreover, in general, under the CPDI Regulations, any gain recognized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, or retirement of a contingent payment debt instrument is treated as ordinary income, and all or a portion of any loss realized could be treated as ordinary loss as opposed to capital loss (depending upon the circumstances). The CPDI Regulations provide no definitive guidance as to whether or not an instrument is properly characterized as a debt instrument for United States federal income tax purposes.

In particular, solely for purposes of applying the CPDI Regulations to the MITTS Securities, ML&Co. has determined that the projected payment schedule for the MITTS Securities will consist of a payment on the maturity date of the principal amount thereof and a projected Supplemental Redemption Amount equal to $2.8988 per unit (the “Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount”). This represents an estimated yield on the MITTS Securities equal to 5.152% per annum, compounded semi-annually. Accordingly, during the term of the MITTS Securities, a U.S. Holder of a MITTS Security will be required to include in income as ordinary interest an amount equal to the sum of the daily portions of interest on the MITTS Security that are deemed to accrue at this estimated yield for each day during the taxable year (or portion of the taxable year) on which the U.S. Holder holds the MITTS Security. The amount of interest that will be deemed to accrue in any accrual period (i.e., generally each six-month period during which the MITTS Securities are outstanding) will equal the product of this estimated yield (properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period) and the MITTS Security’s adjusted issue price (as defined below) at the beginning of the accrual period. The daily portions of interest will be determined by allocating to each day in the accrual period the ratable portion of the interest that is deemed to accrue during the accrual period. In general, for these purposes a MITTS Security’s adjusted issue price will equal the MITTS Security’s issue price (i.e., $10), increased by the interest previously accrued on the MITTS Security. At maturity of a MITTS Security, in the event that the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any, exceeds $2.8988 per unit (i.e., the Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount), a U.S. Holder will be required to include the excess of the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount over $2.8988 per unit (i.e., the Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount) in income as ordinary interest on the stated maturity date. Alternatively, in the event that the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any, is less than $2.8988 per unit (i.e., the Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount), the amount by which the Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount (i.e., $2.8988 per unit) exceeds the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount will be treated first as an offset to any interest otherwise includible in income by the U.S. Holder with respect to the MITTS Security for the taxable year in which the stated maturity date occurs to the extent of the amount of that includible interest. Further, a U.S. Holder will be permitted to recognize and deduct, as an ordinary loss that is not subject to the limitations applicable to miscellaneous itemized deductions, any remaining portion of the Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount (i.e., $2.8988 per unit) in excess of the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount that is not treated as an interest offset pursuant to the foregoing rules. In addition, U.S. Holders purchasing a MITTS Security at a price that differs from the adjusted issue price of the MITTS Security as of the purchase date (e.g., subsequent purchases) will be subject to rules providing for certain adjustments to the foregoing rules and these U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning these rules.

Upon the sale or exchange of a MITTS Security prior to the stated maturity date, a U.S. Holder will be required to recognize taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder upon that sale or exchange and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the MITTS Security as of the date of disposition. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a MITTS Security generally will equal the U.S. Holder’s initial investment in the MITTS Security increased by any interest previously included in income with respect to the MITTS Security by the U.S. Holder. Any taxable gain will be treated as ordinary income. Any taxable

 

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loss will be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s total interest inclusions on the MITTS Security. Any remaining loss generally will be treated as long-term or short-term capital loss (depending upon the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the MITTS Security). All amounts includible in income by a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest pursuant to the CPDI Regulations will be treated as original issue discount.

All prospective investors in the MITTS Securities should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the CPDI Regulations to their investment in the MITTS Securities. Investors in the MITTS Securities may obtain the projected payment schedule, as determined by ML&Co. for purposes of applying the CPDI Regulations to the MITTS Securities, by submitting a written request for that information to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Corporate Secretary’s Office, 222 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, New York 10038, (212) 670-0432, corporatesecretary@exchange.ml.com.

The projected payment schedule (including both the Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount and the estimated yield on the MITTS Securities) has been determined solely for United States federal income tax purposes (i.e., for purposes of applying the CPDI Regulations to the MITTS Securities), and is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of what the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount will be, or that the actual Supplemental Redemption Amount will even exceed zero.

The following table sets forth the amount of interest that would be deemed to have accrued with respect to each MITTS Security during each accrual period over an assumed term of five years for the MITTS Securities based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule for the MITTS Securities (including both a hypothetical Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount and a hypothetical estimated yield equal to 5.152% per annum (compounded semi-annually)) as determined by ML&Co. for purposes of illustrating the application of the CPDI Regulations to the MITTS:

 

Accrual Period

  

Interest deemed

to accrue on
MITTS Securities
during accrual period
(per MITTS Security)

  

Total interest deemed
to have accrued on
MITTS Securities

as of end of

accrual period

(per MITTS Security)

May 9, 2007 through November 9, 2007

   $0.2597    $0.2597

November 10, 2007 through May 9, 2008

   $0.2643    $0.5240

May 10, 2008 through November 9, 2008

   $0.2711    $0.7951

November 10, 2008 through May 9, 2009

   $0.2781    $1.0732

May 10, 2009 through November 9, 2009

   $0.2853    $1.3585

November 10, 2009 through May 9 2010

   $0.2926    $1.6511

May 10, 2010 through November 9, 2010

   $0.3001    $1.9512

November 10, 2010 through May 9, 2011

   $0.3079    $2.2591

May 10, 2011 through November 9, 2011

   $0.3157    $2.5748

November 10, 2011 through May 9, 2012

   $0.3240    $2.8988

Projected Supplemental Redemption Amount = $2.8988 per MITTS Security.

 

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Unrelated Business Taxable Income

Section 511 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally imposes a tax, at regular corporate or trust income tax rates, on the “unrelated business taxable income” of certain tax-exempt organizations, including qualified pension and profit sharing plan trusts and individual retirement accounts. In general, if the MITTS Securities are held for investment purposes, the amount of income or gain realized with respect to the MITTS Securities will not constitute unrelated business taxable income. However, if a MITTS Security constitutes debt-financed property (as defined in Section 514(b) of the Code) by reason of indebtedness incurred by a holder of a MITTS Security to purchase the MITTS Security, all or a portion of any income or gain realized with respect to such MITTS Security may be classified as unrelated business taxable income pursuant to Section 514 of the Code. Moreover, prospective investors in the MITTS Securities should be aware that whether or not any income or gain realized with respect to a MITTS Security which is owned by an organization that is generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(a) of the Code constitutes unrelated business taxable income will depend upon the specific facts and circumstances applicable to such organization. Accordingly, any potential investors in the MITTS Securities that are generally exempt from U.S. federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(a) of the Code are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of investing in the MITTS Securities.

Non-U.S. Holders

A non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to United States federal income taxes on payments of principal, premium (if any) or interest (including original issue discount) on a MITTS Security, unless the non-U.S. Holder is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of ML&Co., a controlled foreign corporation related to ML&Co. or a bank receiving interest described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code. However, income allocable to non-U.S. Holders will generally be subject to annual tax reporting on IRS Form 1042-S. For a non-U.S. Holder to qualify for the exemption from taxation, any person, U.S. or foreign, that has control, receipt or custody of an amount subject to withholding, or who can disburse or make payments of an amount subject to withholding (the “Withholding Agent”) must have received a statement that (a) is signed by the beneficial owner of the MITTS Security under penalties of perjury, (b) certifies that the owner is a non-U.S. Holder and (c) provides the name and address of the beneficial owner. The statement may generally be made on IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) or a substantially similar form, and the beneficial owner must inform the Withholding Agent of any change in the information on the statement within 30 days of that change by filing a new IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form). Generally, an IRS Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period starting on the date the form is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year, unless a change in circumstances makes any information on the form incorrect. If a MITTS Security is held through a securities clearing organization or certain other financial institutions, the organization or institution may provide a signed statement to the Withholding Agent. Under certain circumstances, the signed statement must be accompanied by a copy of the applicable IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) or the substitute form provided by the beneficial owner to the organization or institution.

Under current law, a MITTS Security will not be includible in the estate of a non-U.S. Holder unless the individual is a direct or indirect 10% or greater shareholder of ML&Co. or, at the time of the individual’s death, payments in respect of that MITTS Security would have been effectively connected with the conduct by the individual of a trade or business in the United States.

Backup withholding

Backup withholding at the applicable statutory rate of United States federal income tax may apply to payments made in respect of the MITTS Securities to registered owners who are not “exempt recipients” and who fail to provide certain identifying information (such as the registered owner’s taxpayer identification number) in the required manner. Generally, individuals are not exempt recipients, whereas corporations and certain other entities generally are exempt recipients. Payments made in respect of the MITTS Securities to a U.S. Holder must be reported to the IRS, unless the U.S. Holder is an exempt recipient or establishes an exemption. Compliance with the identification procedures described in the preceding section would establish an exemption from backup withholding for those non-U.S. Holders who are not exempt recipients.

In addition, upon the sale of a MITTS Security to (or through) a broker, the broker must withhold on the entire purchase price, unless either (a) the broker determines that the seller is a corporation or other exempt recipient or (b) the seller provides, in the required manner, certain identifying information (e.g., an IRS Form W-9) and, in the

 

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case of a non-U.S. Holder, certifies that the seller is a non-U.S. Holder (and certain other conditions are met). This type of sale must also be reported by the broker to the IRS, unless either (a) the broker determines that the seller is an exempt recipient or (b) the seller certifies its non-U.S. status (and certain other conditions are met). Certification of the registered owner’s non-U.S. status would be made normally on an IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) under penalties of perjury, although in certain cases it may be possible to submit other documentary evidence.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against the beneficial owner’s United States federal income tax provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

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ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (a “Plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the Plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the MITTS Securities. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the Plan.

In addition, we and certain of our subsidiaries and affiliates, including MLPF&S, may be each considered a party in interest within the meaning of ERISA, or a disqualified person within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect to many Plans, as well as many individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans (also “Plans”). Prohibited transactions within the meaning of ERISA or the Code would likely arise, for example, if the securities are acquired by or with the assets of a Plan with respect to which MLPF&S or any of its affiliates is a party in interest, unless the securities are acquired pursuant to an exemption from the prohibited transaction rules. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules could result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.

Under ERISA and various prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, exemptive relief may be available for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase, holding or disposition of the securities. Those exemptions are PTCE 96-23 (for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), PTCE 95-60 (for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTCE 91-38 (for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds), PTCE 90-1 (for certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts), PTCE 84-14 (for certain transactions determined by independent qualified asset managers), and the exemption under new Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and new Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code for certain arm’s-length transactions with a person that is a party in interest solely by reason of providing services to Plans or being an affiliate of such a service provider (the “Service Provider Exemption”).

Because we may be considered a party in interest with respect to many Plans, the securities may not be purchased, held or disposed of by any Plan, any entity whose underlying assets include plan assets by reason of any Plan’s investment in the entity (a “Plan Asset Entity”) or any person investing plan assets of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding or disposition is eligible for exemptive relief, including relief available under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1, or 84-14 or the Service Provider Exemption, or such purchase, holding or disposition is otherwise not prohibited. Any purchaser, including any fiduciary purchasing on behalf of a Plan, transferee or holder of the securities will be deemed to have represented, in its corporate and its fiduciary capacity, by its purchase and holding of the securities that either (a) it is not a Plan or a Plan Asset Entity and is not purchasing such securities on behalf of or with plan assets of any Plan or with any assets of a governmental, church or foreign plan that is subject to any federal, state, local or foreign law that is substantially similar to the provisions of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or (b) its purchase, holding and disposition are eligible for exemptive relief or such purchase, holding and disposition are not prohibited by ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (or in the case of a governmental, church or foreign plan, any substantially similar federal, state, local or foreign law).

Under ERISA, assets of a Plan may include assets held in the general account of an insurance company which has issued an insurance policy to such plan or assets of an entity in which the Plan has invested. Accordingly, insurance company general accounts that include assets of a Plan must ensure that one of the foregoing exemptions is available. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any Plan consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief under PTCE 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 or 84-14 or the Service Provider Exemption.

Purchasers of the securities have exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase, holding and disposition of the securities do not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or any similar regulations applicable to governmental or church plans, as described above.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING

The net proceeds from the sale of the MITTS Securities will be used as described under “Use of Proceeds” in the accompanying general prospectus supplement and to hedge market risks of ML&Co. associated with its obligation to pay the Supplemental Redemption Amount.

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

MLPF&S has advised ML&Co. that it proposes initially to offer all or part of the MITTS Securities directly to the public on a fixed price basis at the offering price set forth on the cover of this pricing supplement. After the initial public offering, the public offering price may be changed. The obligations of MLPF&S are subject to certain conditions and it is committed to take and pay for all of the MITTS Securities if any are taken.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, the related financial statement schedule, and management’s report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated in this pricing supplement by reference from Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2006 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference (which reports (1) expressed an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule and include an explanatory paragraph regarding the change in accounting method in 2006 for share-based payments to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, (2) expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment regarding the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and (3) expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting) 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 interim financial information for the three-month periods ended March 30, 2007 and March 31, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, have applied limited procedures in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) for a review of such information. However, as stated in their report included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2007 (which report included an explanatory paragraph regarding the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement”, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115,” and FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.”) and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express an opinion on that interim financial information. Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied. Deloitte & Touche 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 interim financial information because those reports are not “reports” or a “part” of the registration statement prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.

 

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INDEX OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS

 

Basket

   PS-3

Basket Business Day

   PS-12

Basket Component Index

   PS-3

Business Day

   PS-14

Calculation Agent

   PS-6

Calculation Day

   PS-12

Calculation Period

   PS-12

Ending Value

   PS-4

Index Publisher

   PS-8

Market Disruption Event

   PS-12

MITTS Securities

   PS-1

Multiplier

   PS-3

Participation Rate

   PS-4

Pricing Date

   PS-3

Starting Value

   PS-4

successor index

   PS-14

Supplemental Redemption Amount

   PS-4

Underlying Stocks

   PS-3

Capitalized terms used in this pricing supplement and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, general prospectus supplement and prospectus, as applicable.

 

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LOGO

3,610,000 Units

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

Medium-Term Notes, Series C

Market Index Target-Term Securities®

Linked to a Greater China Index Basket

due May 9, 2012

(the “MITTS® Securities”)

$10 principal amount per unit

 

 

PRICING SUPPLEMENT

 

Merrill Lynch & Co.

May 3, 2007

“MITTS” and “Market Index Target-Term Securities” are registered service marks of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.