8-K: Current report filing
Published on May 20, 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): May 17, 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
On May 17, 2002, Fitch Ratings announced that it downgraded its long-term
debt ratings for Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. as follows: its senior debt rating to
"AA-" from "AA"; its preferred stock rating to "A+" from "AA-"; and its Trust
Originated Preferred Securities(SM) (TOPrS(SM)) rating to "A+" from "AA-".
Merrill Lynch's short-term debt rating of "F1+" was affirmed. It also stated
that Merrill Lynch remains on "Rating Outlook Negative". That same day, Fitch
also announced rating downgrades and negative outlooks for several other
securities firms.
As noted in their announcement, the "AA-" rating indicates a company of
very high credit quality with very strong capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments.
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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/ Judith A. Witterschein
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Judith A. Witterschein
Corporate Secretary
Date: May 20, 2002
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