<PAGE> 1
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) : October 15, 1999
MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR, INC.
(ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC STEERS (R) SERIES 1998 HLT-1 TRUST)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 332-29015-03 513-3891329
(State or other (Commission (I. R. S. Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER, 10281
NEW YORK, NEW YORK (Zip Code)
(Address of principal
executive offices)
--------------------------
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
ITEM 1. CHANGES IN CONTROL OF REGISTRANT
Not Applicable
ITEM 2. ACQUISITION OF DISPOSITION OF ASSETS
Not Applicable
ITEM 3. BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP
Not Applicable
ITEM 4. CHANGES IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
Not Applicable
<PAGE> 2
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
1. Distribution to holders of the STEERS (R) Trust, Series 1998 HLT-1
Class A Certificates on October 15, 1999.
ITEM 6. RESIGNATION OF REGISTRANT'S DIRECTORS
Not Applicable
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Financial statements of business acquired.
Not applicable
(b) Pro forma financial information.
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
1. Trustee's report in respect of the October 15, 1999 distribution
to holders of the STEERS (R) Trust, Series 1998 HLT-1 Class A
Certificates.
ITEM 8. CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR
Not Applicable.
ITEM 9. SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES PURSUANT TO REGULATION S
Not Applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR, INC.
Date: December 2, 1999 By: /s/ Barry N. Finkelstein
Name: Barry N. Finkelstein
Title: President
<PAGE> 3
EXHIBIT INDEX
1. Trustee's report in respect of the October 15, 1999 distribution
to holders of the STEERS (R) Trust , Series 1998 HLT-1 Class
Certificates.
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 1
DISTRIBUTION REPORT
FOR
PUBLIC STEERS (R) SERIES 1998 HLT-1 TRUST
DISTRIBUTION DATE
OCTOBER 15, 1999
CLASS A CUSIP NUMBER 744593AK0
CLASS B CUSIP NUMBER 744593AL8
(i) the amounts received by the Trustee as of the last such statement
in respect of principal, interest and premium on the Hilton Hotels
Corporation Debentures due 2007 (the "Underlying Securities"):
Interest: $1,456,360.50
Principal: 0.00
Premium: 0.00
(ii) the amounts of compensation received by the Trustee, for the
period relating to such Distribution Date:
Paid by the Trust: $0.00
Paid by the Depositor: $1,000.00
(iii) the amount of distribution on such Distribution Date to Holders
allocable to principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the
Certificates of each such Class and the amount of aggregate unpaid
interest accrued as of such Distribution Date:
Class A:
Interest: $1,282,330.00
Principal: $0.00
Class B:
Interest: $174,030.50
Principal: 0.00
Unpaid Interest Accrued: 0.00
(iv) the aggregate stated principal amount and, if applicable, notional
amount of the Underlying Securities related to such Series, the
current interest rate or rates thereon at the close of business on
such Distribution Date, and the current rating assigned to the
Certificates.
<PAGE> 2
Principal Amount: $36,638,000
Interest Rate: 7.195%
Rating:
Moody's Investor Service Baa1
Standard & Poor's Rating Service BBB
(v) the aggregate Certificate Principal Balance (or Notional Amount,
if applicable) of each Class of such Series at the close of
business on such Distribution Date.
Class A:
Principal Balance: $36,638,000
Class B:
Principal Balance $36,638,000
Reduction due to any Realized Losses: N/A
