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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
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) : February 1, 2000
MERRILL LYNCH DEPOSITOR, INC.
(ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC STEERS(R) SERIES 1998 H-Z3 TRUST)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 333-29015-01 13-3891329
(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)
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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
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
99.1 Distribution to holders of the Public STEERS(R) Series
1998 H-Z3 Trust Class A Certificates on February 1, 2000.
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.
99.1 Trustee's report in respect of the February 1, 2000
distribution to holders of the Public STEERS(R) Series
1998 H-Z3 Trust 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 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 DEPOSITOR, INC.
Date: February 11, 2000 By: \ s \ Barry Finkelstein
Name: Barry Finkelstein
Title: President
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EXHIBIT INDEX
99.1 Trustee's report in respect of the February 1, 2000
distribution to holders of the Public STEERS(R) Series 1998
H-Z3 Trust Class A Certificates.
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EXHIBIT 99.1
DISTRIBUTION REPORT
FOR
PUBLIC STEERS(R) SERIES 1998 H-Z3 TRUST
DISTRIBUTION DATE
FEBRUARY 1, 2000
CUSIP NUMBER 744593AF1
(i) the amounts received by the Trustee as of the last such statement in
respect of principal, interest and premium on the Harcourt General,
Inc. 7.30% Debentures due August 1, 2097 (the "Underlying
Securities"):
Interest: $985,500.00
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: $1,000.00
Paid by the Depositor: .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: $714,044.85
Principal: $271,000.00
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.
Principal Amount: $27,000,000
Interest Rate: 7.30%
Rating:
Moody's Investor Service BAA2
Standard & Poor's Rating Service BBB
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(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:
Initial Principal Balance: $21,427,000
Reduction: ($1,031,000)
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Principal Balance 2/1/00: $20,396,000
