Subject to Completion
Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated May 10, 2007
(To MTN prospectus supplement, general prospectus supplement and prospectus, each dated March 31, 2006) Pricing Supplement Number: |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) Registration No. 333-132911 |
Units
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Medium-Term Notes, Series C
100% Principal Protected Currency Notes
Linked to the Swiss Franc/Japanese Yen Exchange Rate
due September , 2008
(the Notes)
$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 Notes 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 |
$10.00 | $ | ||
Underwriting discount |
$.10 | $ | ||
Proceeds, before expenses, to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. |
$9.90 | $ |
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 , 2007.
Pricing Supplement | ||
PS-3 | ||
PS-7 | ||
PS-10 | ||
PS-14 | ||
PS-15 | ||
PS-19 | ||
PS-20 | ||
PS-20 | ||
PS-20 | ||
PS-21 | ||
Medium-Term Notes, Series C Prospectus Supplement (the MTN prospectus supplement) | ||
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) | ||
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 | ||
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION |
2 | |
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC |
2 | |
EXPERTS |
2 |
PS-2
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 100% Principal Protected Currency Notes Linked to the Swiss Franc/Japanese Yen Exchange Rate due September , 2008 (the Notes). 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 Notes, the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate and the tax and other considerations that are important to you in making a decision about whether to invest in the Notes. You should carefully review the Risk Factors section in this pricing supplement and the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement, which highlights certain risks associated with an investment in the Notes, to determine whether an investment in the Notes 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 Notes?
The Notes will be a series of senior debt securities issued by ML&Co. entitled Medium-Term Notes, Series C and will not be secured by collateral. The Notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The Notes are expected to mature in September 2008. Depending on the date the Notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the Pricing Date), which may be in May or June, the settlement date may occur in May or June and the maturity date may occur in August or September. Any reference in this pricing supplement to the month in which the settlement date or maturity date will occur is subject to change as specified above.
We cannot redeem the Notes prior to the maturity date and we will not make any payment on the Notes until the maturity date.
Each unit will represent a single Note with a $10 principal amount. You may transfer the Notes 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 Notes 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 Notes. You should refer to the section entitled Description of Debt SecuritiesDepositary in the accompanying general prospectus supplement.
Are there any risks associated with my investment?
Yes, an investment in the Notes is subject to risks. Please refer to the section entitled Risk Factors in this pricing supplement and the accompanying MTN prospectus supplement.
Who determines the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate and what does the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate reflect?
Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., as calculation agent (the Calculation Agent), will determine the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate as described in the section entitled Description of the Notes in this pricing supplement. The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate reflects the number of Japanese yen for which one Swiss franc can be exchanged. The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate decreases as the value of the Japanese yen appreciates relative to the Swiss franc and increases as the value of the Japanese yen depreciates relative to the Swiss franc. The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will be as reported by Bloomberg on page FXC on the relevant dates, as described in the section entitled Description of the Notes in this pricing supplement.
How has the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate performed historically?
We have included a table and graph showing month-end values of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate, from January 2002 through April 2007, in the section entitled The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate in this pricing supplement. We have provided this historical information to help you evaluate the behavior of the Japanese yen relative to the Swiss franc in various economic environments; however, this past performance is not necessarily indicative of how the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will fluctuate in the future.
PS-3
What will I receive on the maturity date of the Notes?
On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment in United States dollars per unit equal to the Redemption Amount.
The Redemption Amount per unit which you will be entitled to receive on the maturity date will equal the $10 principal amount per unit plus the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any.
(i) | If the Ending Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is less than the Starting Value, the Supplemental Redemption Amount will equal: |
$10 × |
Leverage Factor × |
(
|
Starting Value Ending Value | )
|
||||||||
Starting Value |
(ii) | If the Ending Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is equal to or greater than the Starting Value, you will receive only the $10 principal amount per unit. |
In no event will you receive less than the $10 principal amount per unit.
The Starting Value will equal the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate as determined on the Pricing Date, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement made available in connection with sales of the Notes.
The Ending Value will equal the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate as determined on the seventh scheduled Business Day (as defined herein) prior to the maturity date of the Notes.
The Leverage Factor will be a fixed percentage of between 115% and 135%. The actual Leverage Factor will be determined on the Pricing Date and set forth in the final pricing supplement made available in connection with sales of the Notes.
Will I receive interest payments on the Notes?
You will not receive any interest payments on the Notes, but you will instead receive the Redemption Amount per unit on the maturity date. The Notes are designed for investors who believe that the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will decrease (meaning that the Japanese yen appreciates relative to the Swiss franc) from the Starting Value to the Ending Value and are willing to forego interest payments on the Notes, such as fixed or floating interest rates paid on interest bearing debt securities, in exchange for the ability to participate in a potential decrease in the value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.
PS-4
Examples:
Set forth below are three examples of Redemption Amount calculations per each $10 principal amount per Note, assuming a hypothetical Starting Value of 99.15, the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate on May 7, 2007 and a Leverage Factor of 125%, the midpoint of the range of 115% and 135%.
Example 1The hypothetical Ending Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is equal to 120% of the hypothetical Starting Value:
Hypothetical Starting Value: 99.15
Hypothetical Ending Value: 118.98
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.00 |
(Redemption Amount be less than $10 per unit) |
Example 2 The hypothetical Ending Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is equal to 99% of the hypothetical Starting Value:
Hypothetical Starting Value: 99.15
Hypothetical Ending Value: 98.15
$10 + | (
|
$10 × 1.25 × | (
|
99.15 98.15 | )
|
)
|
= $10.13 | |||||||||
99.15 |
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $10.13 (Subject to rounding)
Example 3 The hypothetical Ending Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is equal to 90% of the hypothetical Starting Value:
Hypothetical Starting Value: 99.15
Hypothetical Ending Value: 89.23
$10 + | (
|
$10 × 1.25 × | (
|
99.15 89.23 | )
|
)
|
= $11.25 | |||||||||
99.15 |
Redemption Amount (per unit) = $11.25
What about taxes?
Each year, you will be required to pay taxes on ordinary income from the Notes over their term based upon an estimated yield for the Notes, 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 Note. This estimated yield is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of what the actual cash payment on the maturity date will be, or that the actual cash payment on the maturity date will exceed the principal amount per unit of the Notes. We have determined that this estimated yield will equal % 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 unit of the Notes for $10 and hold the Note until the maturity date, you will be required to pay taxes on the following amounts of ordinary income from the Note each year: $ in 2007 and $ in 2008. However, in 2008 the amount of ordinary income that you will be required to pay taxes on from owning each unit of the Notes may be greater or less than $ depending upon the cash payment you receive on the maturity date. Also, if the cash payment on the maturity date is less than $ , you may have a loss which you could deduct against other income you may have in 2008, 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 Notes be listed on a stock exchange?
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and we do not expect a trading market for the Notes to develop, which may affect the price that you receive for your Notes upon any sale prior to the maturity date. You should review the section entitled Risk FactorsA trading market for
PS-5
the Notes is not expected to develop and if trading does develop, the market price you may receive or be quoted for your Notes 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 Notes in this pricing supplement.
What price can I expect to receive if I sell the Notes prior to the stated maturity date?
In determining the economic terms of the Notes, and consequently the potential return on the Notes to you, a number of factors are taken into account. Among these factors are certain costs associated with creating, hedging and offering the Notes. In structuring the economic terms of the Notes, 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 Notes.
If you sell your Notes prior to the stated maturity date, you will receive a price determined by market conditions for the Notes. This price may be influenced by many factors, such as interest rates and the volatility of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate, and the expectations of the amount, if any, by which the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will change. In addition, the price, if any, at which you could sell your Notes in a secondary market transaction is expected to be affected by the factors that we considered in setting the economic terms of the Notes, namely the underwriting discount paid in respect of the Notes and other costs associated with the Notes, 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 Notes if sold before the stated maturity date.
In a situation where the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate has not decreased and there have been no changes in the market conditions or any other relevant factors from those existing on the date of this pricing supplement, the price, if any, at which you could sell your Notes in a secondary market transaction is expected to be lower than the principal amount of the Notes. This is due to, among other things, our costs of developing, hedging and distributing the Notes. Any potential purchasers for your Notes 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 Notes. After the initial offering, MLPF&S currently intends to buy and sell Notes to create a secondary market for holders of the Notes, and may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Notes 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.
What is the role of the Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc.?
Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. will serve as Calculation Agent for purposes of determining, among other things, the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate and the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any. Under certain circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., 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.
PS-6
Your investment in the Notes 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 Notes is suitable for you.
You may not earn a return on your investment
If the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate does not decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value, you will only receive the $10 principal amount per unit on the maturity date. We have no control over a number of matters, including economic, financial and political events, that may affect the volatility of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate. In recent years, the volatility of the CHF/JPY Exchange change rate has been variable and such variability may be expected in the future. However, past experience is not necessarily indicative of what may occur in the future.
Your yield may be lower than the yield on other debt securities of comparable maturity
The yield that you receive on your Notes 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 CHF/JPY Exchange Rate
In the ordinary course of their businesses, affiliates of ML&Co. from time to time express views on expected movements in foreign currency exchange rates. These views are sometimes communicated to clients who participate in foreign exchange markets. However, these views, depending upon world-wide economic, political and other developments, may vary over differing time-horizons and are subject to change. Moreover, other professionals who deal in foreign currencies may at any time have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. For reasons such as these, we believe that most investors in foreign exchange markets derive information concerning those markets from multiple sources. In connection with your purchase of the Notes, you should investigate the foreign exchange markets and not rely on views which may be expressed by our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses with respect to future exchange rate movements. In addition, since the Notes are designed for investors who anticipate that the Japanese yen will appreciate against the Swiss Franc, you should purchase the Notes only if you anticipate that the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will, or is likely to, decline from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. We cannot assure you of the direction of or percentage change in the level of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate during the term of your Notes.
You should make such investigation as you deem appropriate as to the merits of an investment linked to the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate. Neither the offering of the Notes nor any views which may from time to time be expressed by our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses with respect to future exchange rate movements constitutes a recommendation as to the merits of an investment in the Notes.
The return on your Notes depends on the value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate, which is affected by many complex factors outside of our control
The value of any currency, including the Japanese yen, may be affected by complex political and economic factors. The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is at any moment a result of the supply and demand for the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc, and changes in the exchange rate result over time from the interaction of many factors directly or indirectly affecting economic and political conditions in Japan and Switzerland, including economic and political developments in other countries. Of particular importance are the relative rates of inflation, interest rate levels, balance of payments and extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in those countries, all of which are in turn sensitive to the monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by the governments of those countries, and other countries important to international trade and finance.
Even though currency trades around-the-clock, your Notes will not and the prevailing market prices of your Notes may not reflect the underlying currency prices and rates
The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market. Therefore, the hours of trading for the Notes will not conform to the hours during which the Japanese yen or Swiss franc are traded.
PS-7
Significant price and rate movements may take place in the underlying foreign exchange markets that will not be reflected immediately in the market price of the Notes. The possibility of these movements should be taken into account in relating the value of the Notes to those in the underlying foreign exchange markets.
There is no systematic reporting of last-sale information for foreign currencies. Reasonably current bid and offer information is available in certain brokers offices, in bank foreign currency trading offices and to others who wish to subscribe for this information, but this information will not necessarily be reflected in the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate used to calculate the Redemption Amount. There is no regulatory requirement that those quotations be firm or revised on a timely basis. The absence of last-sale information and the limited availability of quotations to individual investors may make it difficult for many investors to obtain timely, accurate data about the state of the underlying foreign exchange markets.
A trading market for the Notes is not expected to develop and, if trading does develop, the market price you may receive or be quoted for your Notes 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 Notes
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and we do not expect a trading market for the Notes to develop. Although MLPF&S, our subsidiary, has indicated that it currently expects to bid for Notes offered for sale to it by holders of the Notes, it is not required to do so and may cease making those bids at any time. The limited trading market for your Notes may affect the price that you receive for your Notes if you do not wish to hold your investment until the maturity date.
If MLPF&S makes a market in the Notes, 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 Notes in a secondary market transaction is expected to be affected by the factors that we considered in setting the economic terms of the Notes, namely the underwriting discount paid in respect of the Notes and other costs associated with the Notes, including compensation for developing and hedging the product. This quoted price could be higher or lower than the principal amount. Furthermore, there is no assurance that MLPF&S or any other party will be willing to buy the Notes. MLPF&S is not obligated to make a market in the Notes.
Assuming no changes in the market conditions or any other relevant factors from those existing on the date of this pricing supplement, the price, if any, at which you could sell your Notes in a secondary market transaction is expected to be lower than the principal amount of the Notes. This is due to, among other things, the fact that the principal amount included, and secondary market prices are likely to exclude, underwriting discount paid with respect to, and the developing and hedging costs associated with, the Notes.
Many factors affect the trading value of the Notes; 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 Notes 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 Notes caused by another factor and the effect of one factor may exacerbate the decrease in the trading value of the Notes caused by another factor. The following paragraphs describe the expected impact on the trading value of the Notes given a change in a specific factor, assuming all other conditions remain constant.
The level of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is expected to affect the trading value of the Notes. We expect that the trading value of the Notes will depend substantially on the amount, if any, by which the level of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate changes from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.
Changes in the volatility of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate are expected to affect the trading value of the Notes. Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of price and/or market fluctuations. If the volatility of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate increases or decreases, the trading value of the Notes may be adversely affected.
Changes in the levels of interest rates are expected to affect the trading value of the Notes. We expect that changes in interest rates will affect the trading value of the Notes. In general, if U.S. interest rates increase, we expect that the trading value of the Notes will decrease and, conversely, if U.S. interest rates decrease, we expect that the trading value of the Notes will increase. If interest rates increase or decrease in markets based on the Japanese yen or Swiss franc, the trading value of the Notes may be adversely affected. Interest rates may also affect
PS-8
the economies of Japan and Switzerland, which will affect the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate and therefore, the trading value of the Notes.
As the time remaining to the stated maturity date of the Notes decreases, the time premium associated with the Notes is expected to decrease. We anticipate that before their stated maturity date, the Notes may trade at a value above that which would be expected based on the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate. This difference will reflect a time premium due to expectations concerning the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate prior to the stated maturity date of the Notes. However, as the time remaining to the stated maturity date of the Notes decreases, we expect that this time premium will decrease, lowering the trading value of the Notes.
Changes in our credit ratings may affect the trading value of the Notes. 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 Notes. However, because the return on your Notes is dependent upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our obligations under the Notes, such as the change in the level of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate over the term of the Notes, an improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the Notes.
In general, assuming all relevant factors are held constant, we expect that the effect on the trading value of the Notes of a given change in some of the factors listed above will be less if it occurs later in the term of the Notes than if it occurs earlier in the term of the Notes.
Potential conflicts of interest could arise
Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., our subsidiary, is our agent for the purposes of determining, among other things, the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate and Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any. Under certain circumstances, Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. as our subsidiary and its responsibilities as Calculation Agent for the Notes could give rise to conflicts of interest. These conflicts could occur, for instance, in connection with how the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will be determined. See the section entitled The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate in this pricing supplement. Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc. is required to carry out its duties as Calculation Agent in good faith and using its reasonable judgment. However, because we control Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., potential conflicts of interest could arise.
We expect to enter into arrangements to hedge the market risks associated with our obligation to pay the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any, due on the maturity date on the Notes. We may seek competitive terms in entering into the hedging arrangements for the Notes, 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.
Tax consequences
You should consider the tax consequences of investing in the Notes. See United States Federal Income Taxation in this pricing supplement.
PS-9
ML&Co. will issue the Notes 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 Notes will mature on September , 2008. 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 Notes is .
The Notes will not be subject to redemption by ML&Co. or repayment at the option of any holder of the Notes before the maturity date.
ML&Co. will issue the Notes in denominations of whole units each with a $10 principal amount per unit. You may transfer the Notes 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 Notes 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 Notes. You should refer to the section entitled Description of Debt SecuritiesDepositary in the accompanying general prospectus supplement.
The Notes will not have the benefit of any sinking fund.
Payment on the Maturity Date
On the maturity date, for each Note that you own you will be entitled to receive a cash payment in United States dollars per unit equal to the Redemption Amount, as provided below. There will be no other payment of interest, periodic or otherwise, on the Notes prior to the maturity date.
Determination of the Redemption Amount
The Redemption Amount per unit will be determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal the $10 principal amount per unit, plus the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if any.
(i) | If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate, the Supplemental Redemption Amount will equal: |
$10 × |
Leverage Factor × |
(
|
Starting Value Ending Value | )
|
||||||||
Starting Value |
(ii) | If the Ending Value of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is equal to or greater than the Starting Value, you will receive only the $10 principal amount per unit. |
In no event will you receive less than the $10 principal amount per unit.
The Starting Value will equal the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate at approximately 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the date the Notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the Pricing Date), and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement made available in connection with sales of the Notes.
The Ending Value will equal the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate at approximately 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the seventh scheduled Business Day prior to the maturity date of the Notes.
The Leverage Factor will be a fixed percentage between 115% and 135%. The actual Leverage Factor will be determined on the Pricing Date and set forth in the final pricing supplement made available in connection with sales of the Notes.
PS-10
A Business Day means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close and those banks are open for dealing in a foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits.
The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will be the currency exchange rate in the interbank market quoted for one Swiss franc in Japanese yen as reported by Bloomberg on page FXC, or any substitute page thereto. For purposes of determining the Starting Value and Ending Value, such currency exchange rate was and will be, as the case might be, that reported by Bloomberg on page FXC, or any substitute page thereto, or calculated in accordance with any substitute procedure, as described below, at approximately 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the relevant date. If the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is not so reported on Bloomberg page FXC, or any substitute page thereto, then the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will equal the noon buying rate in New York for cable transfers in foreign currencies as announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for customs purposes (the Noon Buying Rate) on Reuters page 1FEE. If the Noon Buying Rate is not announced on that date, then the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will be calculated on the basis of the arithmetic mean of the applicable spot quotations received by the Calculation Agent at approximately 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the relevant date for the purchase or sale for deposits in the relevant currencies by the London offices of three leading banks engaged in the interbank market (selected in the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent) (the Reference Banks). If fewer than three Reference Banks provide spot quotations, then the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will be calculated on the basis of the arithmetic mean of the applicable spot quotations received by the Calculation Agent at approximately 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the relevant date from two leading commercial banks in New York (selected in the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent), for the purchase or sale for deposits in the relevant currencies. If these spot quotations are available from only one bank, then the Calculation Agent, in its sole discretion, will determine which quotation is available and reasonable to be used. If no spot quotation is available, then the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate will be the rate the Calculation Agent, in its sole discretion, determines to be fair and reasonable under the circumstances at approximately 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the relevant date.
All determinations made by the Calculation Agent in good faith and on a reasonable basis and, 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 Notes.
PS-11
Hypothetical Returns
The following table illustrates, for the hypothetical Starting Value of 99.15, the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate as of May 7, 2007, and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate:
| the percentage change from the hypothetical Starting Value to the hypothetical Ending Value; |
| the total amount payable on the maturity date per unit; |
| the total rate of return to holders of the Notes; and |
| the pretax annualized rate of return to holders of the Notes. |
The table below includes a Leverage Factor of 125%, the midpoint of the range of 115% to 135%. The actual Leverage Factor will be determined on the Pricing Date, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement made available in connection with sales of the Notes.
Hypothetical Ending Value |
Percentage change from the hypothetical Starting Value to the hypothetical Ending Value |
Total amount payable on the per unit |
Total rate of return on the Notes |
Pretax annualized on the Notes(1) | ||||
95.68 | 3.50% | 10.44 | 4.38% | 3.44% | ||||
96.17 | 3.00% | 10.38 | 3.75% | 2.96% | ||||
96.67 | 2.50% | 10.31 | 3.13% | 2.47% | ||||
97.16 | 2.00% | 10.25 | 2.50% | 1.98% | ||||
97.66 | 1.50% | 10.19 | 1.88% | 1.49% | ||||
98.15 | 1.00% | 10.13 | 1.25% | 0.99% | ||||
98.65 | 0.50% | 10.06 | 0.63% | 0.50% | ||||
99.15 (2) | 0.00% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
99.64 | 0.50% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
100.14 | 1.00% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
100.63 | 1.50% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
101.13 | 2.00% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
101.62 | 2.50% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
102.12 | 3.00% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
102.62 | 3.50% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
103.11 | 4.00% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
103.61 | 4.50% | 10.00 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
(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 8, 2007 to August 8, 2008, a term expected to be equal to that of the Notes. |
(2) | This is the hypothetical Starting Value. The actual Starting Value will be the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate on the Pricing Date and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement made available in connection with sales of the Notes. |
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 Starting Value, Ending Value, Leverage Factor and the term of your investment.
PS-12
Events of Default and Acceleration
In case an Event of Default with respect to any Notes has occurred and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of a Note upon any acceleration permitted by the Notes, with respect to each unit of the Notes, will be equal to the Redemption Amount per unit, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the stated maturity date of the Notes.
In case of default in payment of the Notes, whether on the stated maturity date or upon acceleration, from and after that date the Notes will bear interest, payable upon demand of their holders, at the then current Federal Funds Rate, reset daily, as determined by reference to Bloomberg 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 Notes 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.
PS-13
The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is a foreign exchange spot rate that measures the relative values of two currencies, the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc, expressed as a rate that reflects the amount of Japanese yen that can be exchanged for one Swiss franc. The CHF/JPY Exchange Rate decreases when the value of the Japanese yen appreciates relative to the Swiss franc and increases when the value of the Japanese yen depreciates relative to the Swiss franc.
The following table sets forth the historical month-end values obtained from Bloomberg of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate for each month from January 2002 through April 2007. This historical data on the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is not necessarily indicative of the future volatility of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate. Any historical upward or downward movement in the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate during any period set forth below is not any indication that the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate is more or less likely to remain stable or fluctuate at any time over the term of the Notes.
2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |||||||
January |
78.35 | 87.94 | 84.14 | 87.21 | 91.71 | 97.01 | ||||||
February |
78.60 | 87.34 | 86.46 | 89.94 | 88.27 | 97.22 | ||||||
March |
78.94 | 87.37 | 82.36 | 89.56 | 90.29 | 96.94 | ||||||
April |
79.49 | 87.75 | 85.30 | 87.66 | 91.86 | 98.98 | ||||||
May |
79.19 | 91.85 | 87.32 | 86.98 | 92.38 | |||||||
June |
80.74 | 88.70 | 87.11 | 86.55 | 93.57 | |||||||
July |
80.69 | 87.92 | 86.88 | 87.24 | 93.11 | |||||||
August |
79.01 | 83.52 | 86.20 | 88.29 | 95.40 | |||||||
September |
82.58 | 84.54 | 88.32 | 87.73 | 94.50 | |||||||
October |
82.96 | 82.10 | 88.58 | 90.33 | 94.02 | |||||||
November |
82.61 | 84.93 | 90.32 | 91.09 | 96.67 | |||||||
December |
85.86 | 86.51 | 89.89 | 89.64 | 97.67 |
The following graph sets forth the historical levels of the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate presented in the preceding table. On May 7, 2007, at approximately 10:00 a.m. New York City time, the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate was 99.15.
PS-14
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 Notes. 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 Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations 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 Notes 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 Notes 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 Notes 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 Notes, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, equals the principal amount thereof. If a partnership holds the Notes, 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 Notes should consult their own tax advisors. Moreover, all persons considering the purchase of the Notes 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 Notes 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 Note 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 Note 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 Note 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 Notes or securities with terms substantially the same as the Notes. However, although the matter is not free from doubt, under current law, each Note should be treated as a debt instrument of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes. ML&Co. currently intends to treat each Note 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 Notes. Prospective investors in the Notes should be aware, however, that the IRS is not bound by ML&Co.s characterization of the Notes as indebtedness, and the IRS could possibly take a different position as to the proper characterization of the Notes 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 Notes is based upon the assumption that each Note will be treated as a debt instrument of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes. If the Notes 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 Notes could differ from the treatment discussed below with the result that the timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized in respect of a Note could differ from the timing and
PS-15
character of income, gain or loss recognized in respect of a Note had the Notes in fact been treated as debt instruments of ML&Co. for United States federal income tax purposes.
U.S. Holders
On August 30, 2004, the Treasury Department issued final regulations (the Foreign Currency Regulations) under Section 988 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), addressing the United States federal income tax treatment of debt instruments having terms similar to the Notes. In general, under the Foreign Currency Regulations, since the amount payable on the maturity date with respect to a Note in excess of the principal amount of the Note, if any, will be determined by reference to the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate while repayment of 100% of the principal amount of each Note will not be affected by changes in the CHF/JPY Exchange Rate, the Notes will be taxed pursuant to the rules contained in certain final Treasury regulations (the CPDI Regulations) addressing the proper United States federal income tax treatment of contingent payment debt instruments. The CPDI Regulations generally require a U.S. Holder of this type of 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).
In particular, solely for purposes of applying the CPDI Regulations to the Notes, ML&Co. has determined that the projected payment schedule for the Notes will consist of a projected cash payment on the maturity date (i.e., a Redemption Amount) of an amount equal to $ per unit of the Notes (the Projected Redemption Amount). This represents an estimated yield on the Notes equal to % per annum, compounded semi-annually. Accordingly, during the term of the Notes, a U.S. Holder of a Note will be required to include in income as ordinary interest an amount equal to the sum of the daily portions of interest on the Note 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 Note. The amount of interest that will be deemed to accrue in any accrual period (i.e., generally each six-month period during which the Notes are outstanding) will equal the product of this estimated yield (properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period) and the Notes 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 Notes adjusted issue price will equal the Notes issue price (i.e., $10), increased by the interest previously accrued on the Note. On the maturity date of a Note, in the event that the actual cash payment on the maturity date (the Actual Redemption Amount) exceeds $ per unit of the Notes (i.e., the Projected Redemption Amount), a U.S. Holder will be required to include the excess of the Actual Redemption Amount over $ per unit of the Notes (i.e., the Projected Redemption Amount) in income as ordinary interest on the maturity date. Alternatively, in the event that the Actual Redemption Amount, if any, is less than $ per unit of the Notes (i.e., the Projected Redemption Amount), the amount by which the Projected Redemption Amount (i.e., $ per unit of the Notes) exceeds the Actual 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 Note for the taxable year in which the 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 Redemption Amount (i.e., $ per unit of the Notes) in excess of the Actual Redemption Amount that is not treated as an interest offset pursuant to the foregoing rules. In addition, U.S. Holders purchasing a Note at a price that differs from the adjusted issue price of the Note as of the purchase date (e.g., subsequent purchasers) will be subject to rules providing for certain adjustment 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 Note prior to the maturity date, a U.S. Holder would 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. Holders adjusted tax basis in the Note as of the date of disposition. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in a Note generally would equal the U.S. Holders initial investment in the Note increased by any interest previously included in income with respect to the Note by the U.S. Holder. Any taxable gain would be treated as ordinary income. Any taxable loss would generally be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holders total interest inclusions on the Note. Any remaining loss generally would be treated as long-term or short-term capital loss (depending upon the U.S. Holders holding period for the Note). All amounts
PS-16
includible in income by a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest pursuant to the CPDI Regulations would be treated as original issue discount.
All prospective investors in the Notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the potential application of the CPDI Regulations to their investment in the Notes. Investors in the Notes are able to obtain the projected payment schedule, as determined by ML&Co. for purposes of applying the CPDI Regulations to the Notes, by submitting a written request for that information to Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Corporate Secretarys 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 Redemption Amount and the estimated yield on the Notes) will have been determined solely for United States federal income tax purposes (i.e., for purposes of applying the CPDI Regulations to the Notes), and will be neither a prediction nor a guarantee of what the Actual Redemption Amount will be, or that the Actual Redemption Amount will even exceed the $10 principal amount per unit of the Notes.
Hypothetical Table
The following table sets forth the amount of interest that would be deemed to have accrued with respect to each $10 principal amount per unit of the Notes during each accrual period over an assumed term of approximately one year and three months for the Notes based upon a hypothetical projected payment schedule for the Notes (including both a hypothetical Projected Redemption Amount and a hypothetical estimated yield equal to 5.1629% per annum (compounded semi-annually)) as determined by ML&Co. for purposes of illustrating the application of the CPDI Regulations to the Notes as if the Notes had been issued on May 10, 2007 and were scheduled to mature on August 10, 2008. The following table is for illustrative purposes only. The actual projected payment schedule for the Notes (including both the actual Projected Redemption Amount and the actual estimated yield) will be determined by ML&Co. on the Pricing Date and will depend upon actual market interest rates (and thus ML&Co.s borrowing costs for debt instruments with comparable maturities) as of that date. The actual projected payment schedule for the Notes (including both the actual Projected Redemption Amount and the actual estimated yield) and the actual tax accrual table will be set forth in the final pricing supplement made available to investors in connection with the initial sale of the Notes.
Accrual Period |
Interest deemed to (per Unit) |
Total interest accrual period (per Unit) | ||||
May 10, 2007 through August 10, 2007 |
$ | 0.1293 | $ | 0.1293 | ||
August 11, 2007 through February 10, 2007 |
$ | 0.2615 | $ | 0.3908 | ||
February 11, 2007 through August 10, 2008 |
$ | 0.2682 | $ | 0.6590 |
Hypothetical Projected Redemption Amount = $10.6590 per unit of the Notes
Unrelated Business Taxable Income
Section 511 of 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 Notes are held for investment purposes, the amount of income or gain realized with respect to the Notes will not constitute unrelated business taxable income. However, if a Note constitutes debt-financed property (as defined in Section 514(b) of the Code) by reason of indebtedness incurred by a holder of a Note to purchase the Note, all or a portion of any income or gain realized with respect to such Note may be classified as unrelated business taxable income pursuant to Section 514 of the Code. Moreover, prospective investors in the Notes should be aware that whether or not any income or gain realized with respect to a Note which is owned by an organization that is generally exempt from United States 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
PS-17
the Notes that are generally exempt from United States federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(a) of the Code are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to them of investing in the Notes.
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 Note, 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 Note 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 Note 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 Note 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 individuals death, payments in respect of that Note 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 Notes to registered owners who are not exempt recipients and who fail to provide certain identifying information (such as the registered owners 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 Notes 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 Note 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 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 a 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 owners 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 owners United States federal income tax provided the required information is furnished to the IRS.
PS-18
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 Plans particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the Notes. 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 arms-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 Plans 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.
PS-19
The net proceeds from the sale of the Notes 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, if any.
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
MLPF&S has advised ML&Co. that it proposes initially to offer all or part of the Notes 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 Notes if any are taken.
The consolidated financial statements, the related financial statement schedule, and managements 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 managements 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 Companys 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 LiabilitiesIncluding 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.
PS-20
INDEX OF CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS
Business Day |
PS-11 | |
Calculation Agent |
PS-3 | |
Ending Value |
PS-4 | |
CHF/JPY Exchange Rate |
PS-11 | |
Leverage Factor |
PS-4 | |
Notes |
PS-1 | |
Pricing Date |
PS-3 | |
Redemption Amount |
PS-4 | |
Starting Value |
PS-4 | |
Supplemental Redemption Amount |
PS-4 |
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.
PS-21
Units
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
Medium-Term Notes, Series C
100% Principal Protected Currency Notes
Linked to the Swiss Franc/Japanese Yen Exchange Rate
due September , 2008
(the Notes)
$10 principal amount per unit
PRICING SUPPLEMENT
|
Merrill Lynch & Co.
May , 2007