8-K: Current report filing
Published on April 19, 2002
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 18, 2002
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Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 1-7182 13-2740599
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(State or Other (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
Jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
Incorporation)
4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events
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On April 18, 2002, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. announced that it had reached
agreement with the New York State Attorney General to include additional
disclosures in securities research reports. As a result of this agreement, the
state court vacated all of the injunctive provisions against the firm originally
contained in an order issued April 8, 2002, which had been stayed by the court
since that date. Merrill Lynch also stated that it is continuing discussions
with the Attorney General's office, the objective of which is to resolve all
remaining matters.
Under the terms of the agreement, Merrill Lynch will implement by April 24,
2002, a website listing those companies covered by Merrill Lynch research as to
which Merrill Lynch has received, or is entitled to receive, compensation in
connection with publicly announced equity underwritings and merger and
acquisition transactions over the prior 12 months. By June 3, 2002, it will move
this disclosure about a particular covered company from the website directly
into the equity research report on such company. It agreed to also include a
statement on the first page of equity research reports stating that investors
should assume that Merrill Lynch is seeking, or will seek investment banking and
other business from the covered company.
In addition, by June 3, 2002, Merrill Lynch will include in its equity research
reports specific disclosure, on a percentage basis, of the intermediate-term
ratings for stocks in the following categories:
o All stocks in the sector or industry group applicable to the covered
company
o All stocks in the applicable sector or industry group from which
Merrill Lynch has received or is entitled to receive compensation
for publicly announced equity underwriting and merger and acquisition
transactions over the prior 12 months
o All stocks covered by Merrill Lynch Global Equity Research
o All stocks covered by Merrill Lynch Global Equity Research from which
Merrill Lynch has received or is entitled to receive compensation for
publicly announced equity underwriting and merger and acquisition
transactions over the prior 12 months.
* * *
Merrill Lynch may make or publish forward-looking statements about management
expectations, strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated expense
savings and financial results, and other similar matters. A variety of factors,
many of which are beyond Merrill Lynch's control, affect its operations,
performance, business strategy, and results and could cause actual results and
experience to differ materially from the expectations and objectives expressed
in these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, actions and
initiatives by both current and potential competitors, the effect of current,
pending, and future legislation or regulation both in the U.S. and throughout
the world, and additional factors described in Merrill Lynch's Annual Report on
Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Form 8-K and Form 10-Q, which are available
at the Securities and Exchange Commission's website, http://www.sec.gov.
Merrill Lynch undertakes no responsibility to update or revise any
forward-looking statements.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
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(Registrant)
By: /s/ Andrea L. Dulberg
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Andrea L. Dulberg
Corporate Secretary
Date: April 19, 2002