8-K: Current report filing

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2004
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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 January 14, 2004, Merrill Lynch said that it had sent an internal
communication to employees alluding to Merrill Lynch's expected financial
results for the year 2003. Merrill Lynch said it expects to report record
full-year net earnings. The previous record full-year net earnings were $3.784
billion, reported in 2000. Merrill Lynch plans to announce 2003 earnings on
Wednesday, January 21, 2004.

* * *

Merrill Lynch may make forward-looking statements, including, for example,
statements about management expectations, strategic objectives, business
prospects, anticipated expense savings and financial results, anticipated
results of litigation and regulatory proceedings, and other similar matters.
These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts and
represent only Merrill Lynch's beliefs regarding future events, which are
inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond
Merrill Lynch's control, which affect its operations, performance, business
strategy and results and could cause its actual results and experience to differ
materially from the expectations and objectives expressed in any forward-looking
statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, actions and
initiatives taken by both current and potential competitors, the effect of
current, pending and future legislation and regulation, and the other risks
detailed in Merrill Lynch's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Accordingly, readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as
of the date on which they are made. Merrill Lynch does not undertake to update
forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that
arise after the date the forward-looking statement was made. The reader should,
however, consult any further disclosures Merrill Lynch may make in its reports
on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.

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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: January 14, 2004

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