<PAGE>
RULE NO. 424(b)(1)
REGISTRATION NO. 33-65135
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
- ---------------------------------
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 22, 1996)
8,500,000 STRYPES (SM)
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
6% STRYPES (SM) DUE JUNE 1 , 1999
[LOGO] of PAYABLE WITH SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF [LOGO] of
Merrill Lynch & Co. COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC. COX COMMUNICATIONS
(OR CASH WITH AN EQUAL VALUE)
--------------
The issue price of each Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock (SM),
6% STRYPES(SM) Due June 1, 1999 (each, a "STRYPES") of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(the "Company") being offered hereby is $22.875, which amount is equal to the
last sale price of the Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the
"Cox Common Stock"), of Cox Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Cox"), on May 22, 1996, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange (the
"Initial Price"). The STRYPES will mature on June 1, 1999 (the "Maturity
Date"). Interest on the STRYPES, at the rate of 6% of the issue price per
annum, is payable in cash quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1
and December 1, beginning September 1, 1996. The STRYPES will be unsecured
obligations of the Company ranking pari passu with all of its other unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness. In addition, the STRYPES will not restrict
the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness ranking senior to, or
pari passu with, the STRYPES. See "Supplemental Description of the STRYPES--
Ranking."
On the Maturity Date, unless previously redeemed, the Company will pay and
discharge each STRYPES by delivering to the holder thereof a number of shares
of Cox Common Stock (subject to the Company's right to deliver, with respect
to all, but not less than all, shares of Cox Common Stock deliverable on the
Maturity Date, cash with an equal value) determined in accordance with the
following formula (the "Payment Rate Formula"), subject to certain
adjustments: (a) if the Maturity Price is greater than or equal to $27.91 per
share of Cox Common Stock (the "Threshold Appreciation Price"), .8196 shares
of Cox Common Stock per STRYPES, (b) if the Maturity Price is less than the
Threshold Appreciation Price but is greater than the Initial Price, a
fractional share of Cox Common Stock per STRYPES so that the value thereof
(determined based on the Maturity Price) equals the Initial Price and (c) if
the Maturity Price is less than or equal to the Initial Price, one share of
Cox Common Stock per STRYPES. The "Maturity Price" means the average Closing
Price (as defined herein) per share of Cox Common Stock on the 20 Trading Days
(as defined herein) immediately prior to the second Trading Day preceding the
Maturity Date. ACCORDINGLY, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE AMOUNT
RECEIVABLE BY HOLDERS OF THE STRYPES ON THE MATURITY DATE WILL BE EQUAL TO OR
GREATER THAN THE ISSUE PRICE OF THE STRYPES. IF THE MATURITY PRICE OF THE COX
COMMON STOCK IS LESS THAN THE INITIAL PRICE, SUCH AMOUNT RECEIVABLE ON THE
MATURITY DATE WILL BE LESS THAN THE ISSUE PRICE PAID FOR THE STRYPES, IN WHICH
CASE AN INVESTMENT IN THE STRYPES WILL RESULT IN A LOSS. See "Supplemental
Description of the STRYPES."
From and after a Tax Event Date (as defined herein), the STRYPES will be
redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole but not in part, at the Tax
Event Redemption Price (as defined herein). See "Supplemental Description of
the STRYPES--Special Redemption Upon Tax Event." The STRYPES are not subject
to any sinking fund.
Attached hereto as Appendix A is a prospectus of Cox covering the shares of
Cox Common Stock which may be received by a holder of the STRYPES on the
Maturity Date or upon redemption.
Cox is not affiliated with the Company, will not receive any of the proceeds
from the sale of the STRYPES and will have no obligations with respect to the
STRYPES.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE S-8 OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR
CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE STRYPES.
For a discussion of certain United States Federal income tax consequences
for holders of the STRYPES, see "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
The Cox Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under
the trading symbol "COX." The STRYPES have been approved for listing on the
NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance.
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THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRICE TO UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC(1) DISCOUNT(2) COMPANY(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per STRYPES.............................. $22.875 $.69 $22.185
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total(4)................................. $194,437,500 $5,865,000 $188,572,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from May 29, 1996 to the date of delivery.
(2) The Company, Cox and Cox Enterprises, Inc. have agreed to indemnify the
Underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting."
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company.
(4) The Company has granted the Underwriter an option for 30 days to purchase
up to an additional 1,275,000 STRYPES at the initial public offering price
per STRYPES, less the underwriting discount, solely to cover over-
allotments. If such over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total
Price to Public, Underwriting Discount and Proceeds to Company will be
$223,603,125, $6,744,750 and $216,858,375, respectively. See
"Underwriting."
--------------
The STRYPES are offered by the Underwriter, subject to prior sale, when, as
and if issued to and accepted by the Underwriter, and subject to certain other
conditions. The Underwriter reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the STRYPES will be made in New York, New York, on or about May
29, 1996.
This Prospectus may be used by the Underwriter in connection with offers and
sales related to market-making transactions in the STRYPES. The Underwriter
may act as principal or agent in such transactions. Such sales will be made at
prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale.
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SM Service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
--------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
--------------
The date of this Prospectus Supplement is May 22, 1996.
<PAGE>
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITER MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE STRYPES AND
THE COX COMMON STOCK AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE
OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE,
IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED,
MAY BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF
INSURANCE FOR THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, NOR HAS THE COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON
THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS.
S-2
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the information
included and incorporated by reference in the accompanying Prospectus (the
"ML&Co. Prospectus") and by the more detailed information included elsewhere in
this Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise indicated, the information
contained in this Prospectus Supplement assumes that the Underwriter's over-
allotment option is not exercised.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries
and affiliates, provides investment, financing, insurance, and related services
on a global basis. Its principal subsidiary, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S"), is one of the largest securities firms in the
world.
COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Cox Communications, Inc. is the fifth largest operator of cable television
systems in the United States and is a fully integrated, diversified media and
broadband communications company with operations and investments in three
related areas: (i) U.S. broadband networks; (ii) United Kingdom broadband
networks; and (iii) cable television programming.
Attached hereto as Appendix A is a prospectus of Cox (the "Cox Prospectus")
covering the shares of Cox Common Stock which may be received by a holder of
STRYPES on the Maturity Date or upon redemption. Cox is not affiliated with the
Company, will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the STRYPES and
will have no obligations with respect to the STRYPES. THE COX PROSPECTUS IS
BEING ATTACHED HERETO AND DELIVERED TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF STRYPES
TOGETHER WITH THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ML&CO. PROSPECTUS FOR
CONVENIENCE OF REFERENCE ONLY. THE COX PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PART OF
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE ML&CO. PROSPECTUS, NOR IS IT INCORPORATED BY
REFERENCE HEREIN OR THEREIN.
THE STRYPES
OFFERING.................... 8,500,000 STRYPES
ISSUE PRICE................. $22.875 per STRYPES
MATURITY DATE............... June 1, 1999
INTEREST RATE............... 6% of the issue price per annum, or $.3425 per
STRYPES per quarter, payable in cash quarterly in
arrears
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES...... March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1,
beginning September 1, 1996
PAYMENT AT MATURITY......... On the Maturity Date, unless previously redeemed,
the Company will pay and discharge each STRYPES by
delivering to the holder thereof a number of
shares of Cox Common Stock (subject to the
Company's right to deliver, with respect to all,
but not less than all, shares of Cox Common Stock
deliverable on the Maturity Date, cash with an
equal value) determined in accordance with the
following Payment Rate Formula, subject to certain
adjustments: (a) if the Maturity Price is greater
than or equal to $ 27.91 per share of Cox Common
Stock (the "Threshold Appreciation Price"), .8196
shares of Cox Common Stock per STRYPES, (b) if the
Maturity Price is less than the Threshold
Appreciation Price but is greater
S-3
<PAGE>
than the Initial Price, a fractional share of Cox
Common Stock per STRYPES so that the value thereof
(determined based on the Maturity Price) equals
the Initial Price and (c) if the Maturity Price is
less than or equal to the Initial Price, one share
of Cox Common Stock per STRYPES. The "Maturity
Price" means the sum of (A) the average Closing
Price per share of Cox Common Stock on the 20
Trading Days immediately prior to the second
Trading Day preceding the Maturity Date and (B)
the fair market value (as determined by the Board
of Directors of the Company, whose determination
shall be conclusive, and described in a resolution
adopted with respect thereto) as of the third
Trading Day preceding the Maturity Date of the
Distributed Assets (as defined herein) applicable
to one share of Cox Common Stock. ACCORDINGLY,
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE AMOUNT
RECEIVABLE BY HOLDERS OF THE STRYPES ON THE
MATURITY DATE WILL BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE
ISSUE PRICE OF THE STRYPES. IF THE MATURITY PRICE
OF THE COX COMMON STOCK IS LESS THAN THE INITIAL
PRICE, SUCH AMOUNT RECEIVABLE ON THE MATURITY DATE
WILL BE LESS THAN THE ISSUE PRICE PAID FOR THE
STRYPES, IN WHICH CASE AN INVESTMENT IN THE
STRYPES WILL RESULT IN A LOSS. See "Supplemental
Description of the STRYPES--General."
SPECIAL REDEMPTION UPON
TAX EVENT.................. From and after a Tax Event Date (as defined
herein), the STRYPES will be redeemable at the
option of the Company, in whole but not in part,
at the Tax Event Redemption Price (as defined
herein). See "Supplemental Description of the
STRYPES--Special Redemption Upon Tax Event."
NO SINKING FUND............. The STRYPES do not contain any sinking fund or
other mandatory redemption provisions. The STRYPES
are not subject to payment prior to the Maturity
Date at the option of the holder. See
"Supplemental Description of the STRYPES--No
Sinking Fund."
RANKING..................... The STRYPES will be unsecured obligations of the
Company ranking pari passu with all of its other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. See
"Supplemental Description of the STRYPES--Ranking"
herein and "Description of the STRYPES--Ranking"
in the ML&Co. Prospectus.
RELATIONSHIP TO COX
COMMON STOCK............ The STRYPES will bear interest at 6% of the issue
price per annum. Cox has never paid any cash
dividends on the Cox Common Stock and does not
expect to pay any cash dividends on the Cox Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. The opportunity
for equity appreciation afforded by an investment
in the STRYPES is less than the opportunity for
equity appreciation afforded by a direct
investment in the Cox Common Stock because the
amount
S-4
<PAGE>
receivable by a holder of a STRYPES on the
Maturity Date will only exceed the issue price of
such STRYPES if the Maturity Price of the Cox
Common Stock exceeds the Threshold Appreciation
Price (which represents an appreciation of 22%
over the Initial Price). Moreover, holders of the
STRYPES will only be entitled to receive on the
Maturity Date 81.96% (the percentage equal to the
Initial Price divided by the Threshold
Appreciation Price) of any appreciation of the
value of Cox Common Stock in excess of the
Threshold Appreciation Price. Holders of the
STRYPES will not be entitled to any rights with
respect to the Cox Common Stock (including,
without limitation, voting rights and rights to
receive any dividends or other distributions in
respect thereof) unless and until such time, if
any, as the Company shall have delivered shares of
Cox Common Stock for STRYPES on the Maturity Date
or upon redemption, and unless the applicable
record date, if any, for the exercise of such
rights occurs after such delivery. See "Risk
Factors--Limitations on Opportunity for Equity
Appreciation" and "--No Stockholder's Rights."
TRADING PRICES.............. The trading prices of the STRYPES in the secondary
market will be directly affected by the trading
prices of the Cox Common Stock in the secondary
market. It is impossible to predict whether the
price of Cox Common Stock will rise or fall. In
addition, any market that develops for the STRYPES
is likely to influence the market for Cox Common
Stock. For example, the price of Cox Common Stock
could be depressed by investors' anticipation of
the potential distribution into the market of
substantial amounts of Cox Common Stock on the
Maturity Date or upon redemption of the STRYPES,
by possible sales of Cox Common Stock by investors
who view the STRYPES as a more attractive means of
equity participation in Cox and by hedging or
arbitrage trading activity that may develop
involving the STRYPES and the Cox Common Stock.
See "Risk Factors--Factors Affecting Trading
Prices" and "--Impact of the STRYPES on the Market
for Cox Common Stock."
DILUTION.................... The number of shares (or the amount of cash) that
holders of the STRYPES are entitled to receive
upon payment and discharge on the Maturity Date or
upon redemption will not be adjusted for certain
events, such as offerings of Cox Common Stock for
cash or in connection with acquisitions. Cox is
not restricted from issuing additional Cox Common
Stock during the term of the STRYPES and has no
obligation to consider the interests of holders of
STRYPES for any reason. Additional issuances may
materially and adversely affect the price of Cox
Common Stock and, because of the relationship of
the number of shares (or cash amount) to be
received upon payment and discharge or redemption
to the price of the Cox Common Stock, such other
events may adversely affect the trading price of
the STRYPES. See "Risk Factors--Dilution of Cox
Common Stock."
S-5
<PAGE>
STRYPES AGREEMENT WITH COX
ENTERPRISES, INC. ......... Pursuant to an agreement (the "STRYPES Agreement")
among the Company, Merrill Lynch Capital Services,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the
"ML&Co. Subsidiary"), and Cox Enterprises, Inc.
("CEI"), CEI is obligated to deliver to the ML&Co.
Subsidiary immediately prior to the Maturity Date a
number of shares of Cox Common Stock equal to the
number required by the Company to pay and discharge
all of the STRYPES (including any STRYPES issued
pursuant to the over-allotment option granted by
the Company to the Underwriter). In lieu of
delivering shares of Cox Common Stock immediately
prior to the Maturity Date, CEI has the right to
satisfy its obligation under the STRYPES Agreement
by delivering at such time cash in an amount equal
to the value of such number of shares of Cox Common
Stock at the Maturity Price. Such right, if
exercised by CEI, must be exercised with respect to
all shares of Cox Common Stock then deliverable
pursuant to the STRYPES Agreement. Under the
STRYPES Agreement, the Company has agreed to pay
and discharge the STRYPES by delivering to the
holders thereof on the Maturity Date the form of
consideration that the ML&Co. Subsidiary receives
from CEI. CEI also has the option, exercisable on
or after a Tax Event Date, to satisfy and discharge
its obligations under the STRYPES Agreement by
delivering to the ML&Co. Subsidiary, on a date
fixed by CEI for early settlement, cash and shares
of Cox Common Stock in an amount and number,
respectively, equal to the amount and number
required by the Company to redeem all of the
STRYPES (including any STRYPES issued pursuant to
the over-allotment option granted by the Company to
the Underwriter). Under the STRYPES Agreement, the
Company has agreed to redeem all of the STRYPES in
the event that CEI exercises such option. The
consideration to be paid by the ML&Co. Subsidiary
under the STRYPES Agreement is $188,572,500 in the
aggregate, and is payable to CEI on or about May
29, 1996. No other consideration is payable by the
ML&Co. Subsidiary to CEI in connection with its
acquisition of the Cox Common Stock or the
performance of the STRYPES Agreement by CEI.
CEI has no obligations with respect to the
STRYPES or amounts to be paid to holders thereof,
including any obligation to take the needs of the
Company or of holders of the STRYPES into
consideration in determining whether to deliver
shares of Cox Common Stock or cash or for any
other reason. The STRYPES Agreement among the
Company, the ML&Co. Subsidiary and CEI is a
commercial transaction and does not create any
rights in, or for the benefit of, any third party,
including any holder of STRYPES. See "Certain
Arrangements with CEI."
S-6
<PAGE>
CERTAIN UNITED STATES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX
CONSIDERATIONS............. Prospective investors in the STRYPES should be
aware that there exists uncertainty concerning the
proper United States Federal income tax
characterization and treatment of the STRYPES.
Accordingly, prospective investors should consider
the tax consequences of investing in the STRYPES.
See "Risk Factors--Tax Matters" and "Certain
United States Federal Income Tax Considerations."
GLOBAL NOTES................ Upon issuance, all STRYPES will be represented by
one or more global securities deposited with, and
registered in the name of, The Depository Trust
Company, as Securities Depository (the "Securities
Depository"), or a nominee thereof. As a result,
the Securities Depository, or its nominee, will be
considered the sole owner of the STRYPES under the
Indenture. Ownership interests of actual
purchasers of STRYPES will be recorded on the
records of participants in the Securities
Depository. See "Description of the STRYPES--
Securities Depository" in the ML&Co. Prospectus.
USE OF PROCEEDS............. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of
the STRYPES are expected to be $188,572,500, which
will be used to purchase an obligation of the
ML&Co. Subsidiary. The ML&Co. Subsidiary will use
the consideration that it receives from the
Company to pay to CEI the consideration due under
the STRYPES Agreement.
S-7
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Prospective purchasers should read carefully this entire Prospectus
Supplement and the ML&Co. Prospectus and should consider, among other things,
the factors set forth below and under "Risk Factors" in the Cox Prospectus.
COMPARISON TO OTHER DEBT SECURITIES; RELATIONSHIP TO COX COMMON STOCK
The terms of the STRYPES differ from those of ordinary debt securities in
that the value of the Cox Common Stock (or, pursuant to the option of the
Company, the amount of cash) that a holder of a STRYPES will receive on the
Maturity Date is not fixed, but is based on the Maturity Price of the Cox
Common Stock (see "Supplemental Description of the STRYPES"). THERE CAN BE NO
ASSURANCE THAT SUCH AMOUNT RECEIVABLE BY THE HOLDER ON THE MATURITY DATE WILL
BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE ISSUE PRICE OF THE STRYPES. IF THE MATURITY
PRICE OF THE COX COMMON STOCK IS LESS THAN THE INITIAL PRICE, SUCH AMOUNT
RECEIVABLE ON THE MATURITY DATE WILL BE LESS THAN THE ISSUE PRICE PAID FOR THE
STRYPES, IN WHICH CASE AN INVESTMENT IN STRYPES WILL RESULT IN A LOSS.
ACCORDINGLY, A HOLDER OF STRYPES ASSUMES THE RISK THAT THE MARKET VALUE OF THE
COX COMMON STOCK MAY DECLINE, AND THAT SUCH DECLINE COULD BE SUBSTANTIAL. THE
COX PROSPECTUS COVERS THE SHARES OF COX COMMON STOCK WHICH MAY BE RECEIVED BY A
HOLDER OF THE STRYPES ON THE MATURITY DATE OR UPON REDEMPTION.
LIMITATION ON OPPORTUNITY FOR EQUITY APPRECIATION
The opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by an investment in the
STRYPES is less than the opportunity for equity appreciation afforded by a
direct investment in the Cox Common Stock because the amount receivable by a
holder of a STRYPES on the Maturity Date will only exceed the issue price of
such STRYPES if the Maturity Price of the Cox Common Stock exceeds the
Threshold Appreciation Price (which represents an appreciation of 22% over the
Initial Price). Moreover, holders of the STRYPES will only be entitled to
receive on the Maturity Date 81.96% (the percentage equal to the Initial Price
divided by the Threshold Appreciation Price) of any appreciation of the value
of Cox Common Stock in excess of the Threshold Appreciation Price. See
"Supplemental Description of the STRYPES." Because the price of the Cox Common
Stock is subject to market fluctuations, the value of the Cox Common Stock (or,
pursuant to the option of the Company, the amount of cash) received by a holder
of a STRYPES on the Maturity Date, determined as described herein, may be more
or less than the issue price of the STRYPES.
FACTORS AFFECTING TRADING PRICES
The trading prices of the STRYPES in the secondary market will be directly
affected by the trading prices of the Cox Common Stock in the secondary market.
It is impossible to predict whether the price of Cox Common Stock will rise or
fall. Trading prices of Cox Common Stock will be influenced by Cox's operating
results and prospects, by complex and interrelated political, economic,
financial and other factors and market conditions that can affect the capital
markets generally, the market segment of which Cox is a part, the NYSE (on
which the Cox Common Stock is traded), including the level of, and fluctuations
in, the trading prices of stocks generally and sales of substantial amounts of
Cox Common Stock in the market subsequent to the offering of the STRYPES or the
perception that such sales could occur, and by other events that are difficult
to predict and beyond the Company's control.
IMPACT OF STRYPES ON THE MARKET FOR COX COMMON STOCK
It is not possible to predict accurately how or whether the STRYPES will
trade in the secondary market or whether such market will be liquid. Any market
that develops for the STRYPES is likely to influence and be influenced by the
market for Cox Common Stock. For example, the price of Cox Common Stock could
be depressed by investors' anticipation of the potential distribution into the
market of substantial amounts of Cox Common Stock on the Maturity Date or upon
redemption of the STRYPES, by possible sales of Cox Common Stock by investors
who view the STRYPES as a more attractive means of equity participation in Cox
and by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving the
STRYPES and the Cox
S-8
<PAGE>
Common Stock. In addition, CEI is not precluded from selling shares of Cox
Common Stock, either pursuant to Rule 144 or by causing Cox to register such
shares. Any such sales could have an adverse effect on the market price of Cox
Common Stock and/or the STRYPES and could affect the Payment Rate Formula.
POSSIBLE ILLIQUIDITY OF THE SECONDARY MARKET
It is not possible to predict how the STRYPES will trade in the secondary
market or whether such market will be liquid or illiquid. The STRYPES are novel
securities and there is currently no secondary market for the STRYPES. The
STRYPES have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice
of issuance. However, there can be no assurance that an active trading market
for the STRYPES will develop, that such listing will provide the holders of the
STRYPES with liquidity of investment, or that the STRYPES will not later be
delisted or that trading of the STRYPES on the NYSE will not be suspended. In
the event of a delisting or suspension of trading on the NYSE, the Company will
apply for listing of the STRYPES on another national securities exchange or for
quotation on another trading market. If the STRYPES are not listed or traded on
any securities exchange or trading market, or if trading of the STRYPES is
suspended, pricing information for the STRYPES may be more difficult to obtain
and the liquidity of the STRYPES may be adversely affected.
NO STOCKHOLDER'S RIGHTS
Holders of the STRYPES will not be entitled to any rights with respect to the
Cox Common Stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to
receive any dividends or other distributions in respect thereof) unless and
until such time, if any, as the Company shall have delivered shares of Cox
Common Stock for STRYPES on the Maturity Date or upon redemption, and unless
the applicable record date, if any, for the exercise of such rights occurs
after such date. For example, in the event that an amendment is proposed to the
Certificate of Incorporation of Cox and the record date for determining the
stockholders of record entitled to vote on such amendment occurs prior to such
delivery, holders of the STRYPES will not be entitled to vote on such
amendment.
NO AFFILIATION BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND COX
The Company has no affiliation with Cox, and Cox has no obligations with
respect to the STRYPES or amounts to be paid to holders thereof, including any
obligation to take the needs of the Company or of holders of the STRYPES into
consideration for any reason. Cox will not receive any of the proceeds of the
offering of the STRYPES made hereby and is not responsible for, and has not
participated in, the determination or calculation of the amount receivable by
holders of the STRYPES on the Maturity Date or upon redemption. Cox is not
involved with the administration or trading of the STRYPES and has no
obligations with respect to the amount receivable by holders of the STRYPES on
the Maturity Date or upon redemption.
DILUTION OF COX COMMON STOCK
The number of shares of Cox Common Stock (or the amount of cash) that holders
of the STRYPES are entitled to receive on the Maturity Date or upon redemption
is subject to adjustment for certain events arising from, among others, a
merger or consolidation in which Cox is not the surviving or resulting
corporation, or a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of
Cox and the liquidation, dissolution, winding up or bankruptcy of Cox as well
as stock splits and combinations, stock dividends and certain other actions of
Cox that modify its capital structure. See "Supplemental Description of the
STRYPES--Dilution Adjustments" and "--Special Redemption Upon Tax Event." Such
number of shares of Cox Common Stock (or cash amount) to be received by such
holders on the Maturity Date or upon redemption will not be adjusted for other
events, such as offerings of Cox Common Stock for cash or in connection with
acquisitions. Cox is not restricted from issuing additional shares of Cox
Common Stock during the term of the STRYPES and has no obligation to consider
the interests of the holders of the STRYPES for any reason. Additional
issuances may materially and adversely affect the price of the Cox Common Stock
and, because of the relationship of the number of shares (or cash amount) to be
received on the Maturity Date or upon redemption to the price of the Cox Common
Stock, such other events may adversely affect the trading price of the STRYPES.
S-9
<PAGE>
TAX MATTERS
Because of an absence of authority as to the proper characterization of the
STRYPES, their ultimate tax treatment is uncertain. Accordingly, no assurances
can be given that any particular characterization and treatment of the STRYPES
will be accepted by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or upheld by a court.
However, it is the opinion of Brown & Wood, counsel to the Company, that the
characterization and tax treatment of the STRYPES described herein (and
described in greater detail under "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations"), while not the only reasonable characterization and tax
treatment, is based on reasonable interpretations of law currently in effect
and, even if successfully challenged by the IRS, will not result in the
imposition of penalties. The Indenture will require that any holder subject to
U.S. Federal income tax include currently in income, for U.S. Federal income
tax purposes, payments denominated as interest that are made with respect to a
STRYPES in accordance with such holder's regular method of tax accounting. The
Indenture also requires the Company and holders to treat each STRYPES for tax
purposes as a unit (a "Unit") consisting of (i) a debt instrument (the "Debt
Instrument") with a fixed principal amount unconditionally payable on the
Maturity Date equal to the issue price of the STRYPES and bearing interest at
the stated interest rate on the STRYPES and (ii) a forward purchase contract
(the "Forward Contract") pursuant to which the holder agrees to use the
principal payment due on the Debt Instrument to purchase on the Maturity Date
or upon redemption the Cox Common Stock which the Company is obligated under
the STRYPES to deliver at that time (subject to the Company's right to deliver
cash in lieu of the Cox Common Stock). The Indenture also requires that upon
the acquisition of a STRYPES and upon a holder's sale or other disposition of a
STRYPES prior to the Maturity Date, the amount paid or realized by the holder
be allocated by the holder between the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract
based upon their relative fair market values (as determined on the date of
acquisition or disposition). For these purposes, with respect to acquisitions
of STRYPES in connection with the original issuance thereof, the Company and
each holder agrees, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, to allocate $22.555
of the entire initial purchase price of a STRYPES (i.e., the issue price of a
STRYPES) to the Debt Instrument and to allocate the remaining $.32 of the
entire initial purchase price of a STRYPES to the Forward Contract. As a result
of this allocation, the Debt Instrument will be treated as having been issued
with original issue discount for United States Federal income tax purposes. As
previously mentioned, the appropriate character and timing of income, gain or
loss to be recognized on a STRYPES is uncertain and investors should consult
their own tax advisers concerning the application of the United States Federal
income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any consequences of
the purchase, ownership and disposition of the STRYPES arising under the laws
of any other taxing jurisdiction. The tax consequences of investing in the
STRYPES are described in greater detail under "Certain United States Federal
Income Tax Considerations."
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
Since the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and hence
the right of creditors of the Company (including the holders of the STRYPES),
to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its
liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior
claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the
Company itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In addition,
dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to
the Company are restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act
and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.
S-10
<PAGE>
COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Cox Communications, Inc. is the fifth largest operator of cable television
systems in the United States and is a fully integrated, diversified media and
broadband communications company with operations and investments in three
related areas: (i) U.S. broadband networks; (ii) United Kingdom broadband
networks; and (iii) cable television programming.
Cox is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act.
Accordingly, Cox files reports, proxy and information statements and other
information with the Commission. Copies of such material can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at the
addresses specified under "Available Information" in the Cox Prospectus.
Reports, proxy and information statements and other information concerning Cox
may also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE.
THE COMPANY IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH COX, AND COX HAS NO OBLIGATIONS WITH
RESPECT TO THE STRYPES. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ML&CO. PROSPECTUS
RELATE ONLY TO THE STRYPES OFFERED HEREBY AND DO NOT RELATE TO THE COX COMMON
STOCK. COX HAS FILED A REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 WITH THE COMMISSION
COVERING THE SHARES OF COX COMMON STOCK THAT MAY BE RECEIVED BY A HOLDER OF
STRYPES ON THE MATURITY DATE OR UPON REDEMPTION. THE PROSPECTUS OF COX
CONSTITUTING A PART OF SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENT INCLUDES INFORMATION
RELATING TO COX AND THE COX COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING CERTAIN FACTORS RELEVANT TO
AN INVESTMENT IN COX COMMON STOCK. THE COX PROSPECTUS IS BEING ATTACHED HERETO
AND DELIVERED TO PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF STRYPES TOGETHER WITH THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ML&CO. PROSPECTUS FOR CONVENIENCE OF REFERENCE
ONLY. THE COX PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A PART OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT OR THE ML&CO. PROSPECTUS, NOR IS IT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN
OR THEREIN.
S-11
<PAGE>
PRICE RANGE OF COX COMMON STOCK
The Cox Common Stock is listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol "COX."
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low
sales prices of the Cox Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape,
for each quarter since February 1, 1995, the date the Cox Common Stock began
trading on the NYSE.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD HIGH LOW
------ ---- ---
<S> <C> <C>
1995
First Quarter........................ $17 5/8 $16 1/8
Second Quarter....................... 20 1/4 14
Third Quarter........................ 21 1/2 19
Fourth Quarter....................... 20 5/8 17 3/4
1996
First Quarter........................ 23 3/4 18 7/8
Second Quarter (through May 22,
1996)................................ 23 1/4 19 5/8
</TABLE>
As of May 1, 1996, there were approximately 3,449 record holders of the Cox
Common Stock. On May 22, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Cox Common
Stock on the NYSE was $22 7/8 per share.
COX DIVIDEND POLICY
Cox has never declared or paid cash dividends on the Cox Common Stock and
currently intends to retain any future earnings for use in the development and
operations of its businesses. Accordingly, Cox does not expect to pay cash
dividends on the Cox Common Stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, Cox's
bank indebtedness contains covenants that limit its ability to pay dividends.
SUPPLEMENTAL USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of STRYPES are expected to be
$188,572,500, which will be used to purchase an obligation of the ML&Co.
Subsidiary. The ML&Co. Subsidiary will use the consideration that it receives
from the Company to pay to CEI the consideration due under the STRYPES
Agreement.
S-12
<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENTAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STRYPES
The STRYPES are a series of Senior Debt Securities to be issued under an
indenture, dated as of April 1, 1983 and restated as of April 1, 1987, as
amended and supplemented as of May 1, 1996 (the indenture dated as of April 1,
1983 and restated as of April 1, 1987, as amended and supplemented from time to
time, the "Indenture") between the Company and Chemical Bank (successor by
merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as trustee (the "Trustee").
Certain provisions of the Indenture are summarized in the ML&Co. Prospectus.
All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified
in the Indenture.
GENERAL
The aggregate number of STRYPES to be issued under the Indenture will be
limited to 8,500,000, plus such additional number of STRYPES as may be issued
pursuant to the over-allotment option granted by the Company to the
Underwriter. See "Underwriting." No fractional STRYPES will be issued.
Each STRYPES, which will be issued at a price of $22.875, will bear interest
at the rate of 6% of the issue price per annum (or $1.37 per annum) from May
29, 1996, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has
been paid or provided for, until the Maturity Date or such earlier date on
which such STRYPES is redeemed or the issue price of such STRYPES is repaid
pursuant to the terms thereof. Interest on the STRYPES will be payable in cash
quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, beginning
September 1, 1996, and on the Maturity Date (each, an "Interest Payment Date"),
to the persons in whose names the STRYPES are registered at the close of
business on the last day (whether or not a Business Day) of the calendar month
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Interest on the STRYPES will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If an
Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest
payment to be made on such Interest Payment Date will be made on the next
succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such
Interest Payment Date, and no additional interest will accrue as a result of
such delayed payment.
The STRYPES will mature on June 1, 1999. On the Maturity Date, unless
previously redeemed, the Company will pay and discharge each STRYPES by
delivering to the holder thereof a number of shares (such number of shares
being hereinafter referred to as the "Payment Rate") of Cox Common Stock
(subject to the Company's right to deliver, with respect to all, but not less
than all, shares of Cox Common Stock deliverable on the Maturity Date, cash
with an equal value) determined in accordance with the following "Payment Rate
Formula," subject to adjustment as a result of certain dilution events: (a) if
the Maturity Price (as defined below) per share of Cox Common Stock is greater
than or equal to the Threshold Appreciation Price, .8196 shares of Cox Common
Stock per STRYPES, (b) if the Maturity Price is less than the Threshold
Appreciation Price but is greater than the Initial Price, a fractional share of
Cox Common Stock per STRYPES so that the value thereof (determined based on the
Maturity Price) is equal to the Initial Price and (c) if the Maturity Price is
less than or equal to the Initial Price, one share of Cox Common Stock per
STRYPES. ACCORDINGLY, THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE AMOUNT RECEIVABLE BY
HOLDERS OF THE STRYPES ON THE MATURITY DATE WILL BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN
THE ISSUE PRICE OF THE STRYPES. IF THE MATURITY PRICE OF THE COX COMMON STOCK
IS LESS THAN THE INITIAL PRICE, SUCH AMOUNT RECEIVABLE ON THE MATURITY DATE
WILL BE LESS THAN THE ISSUE PRICE PAID FOR THE STRYPES, IN WHICH CASE AN
INVESTMENT IN STRYPES WILL RESULT IN A LOSS. The numbers of shares of Cox
Common Stock per STRYPES specified in clauses (a) and (c) of the Payment Rate
Formula are hereinafter referred to as the "Share Components."
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in lieu of delivering shares
of Cox Common Stock, deliver cash in an amount equal to the value of such
number of shares of Cox Common Stock at the Maturity Price, subject to the
Company's agreement contained in the STRYPES Agreement to deliver on the
Maturity Date the form of consideration that the ML&Co. Subsidiary receives
from CEI. Such right, if exercised by the Company, must be exercised with
respect to all shares of Cox Common Stock otherwise deliverable on the Maturity
Date in payment of all outstanding STRYPES. On or prior to the sixth Business
Day prior to the Maturity Date, the Company will notify The Depository Trust
Company and the Trustee and publish a
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<PAGE>
notice in The Wall Street Journal or another daily newspaper of national
circulation stating whether the STRYPES will be paid and discharged with shares
of Cox Common Stock or cash. At the time such notice is published, the Maturity
Price will not have been determined. If the Company elects to deliver shares of
Cox Common Stock, holders of the STRYPES will be responsible for the payment of
any and all brokerage costs upon the subsequent sale of such stock.
The "Maturity Price" is defined as the sum of (A) the average Closing Price
per share of Cox Common Stock on the 20 Trading Days immediately prior to, but
not including, the second Trading Day preceding the Maturity Date and (B) the
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a resolution adopted
with respect thereto) as of the third Trading Day preceding the Maturity Date
of the Distributed Assets (as defined below) applicable to one share of Cox
Common Stock. The "Closing Price" of any security on any date of determination
means the closing sale price (or, if no closing price is reported, the last
reported sale price) of such security on the NYSE on such date or, if such
security is not listed for trading on the NYSE on any such date, as reported in
the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange
on which such security is so listed, or if such security is not so listed on a
United States national or regional securities exchange, as reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotation System,
or, if such security is not so reported, the last quoted bid price for such
security in the over-the-counter market as reported by the National Quotation
Bureau or similar organization, or, if such bid price is not available, the
market value of such security on such date as determined by a nationally
recognized independent investment banking firm retained for this purpose by the
Company. In the event that the Payment Rate Formula is adjusted as described
under "--Dilution Adjustments" below, each of the Closing Prices used in
determining the Maturity Price will be similarly adjusted to derive, for
purposes of determining which of clauses (a), (b) or (c) of the Payment Rate
Formula will apply on the Maturity Date, a Maturity Price stated on a basis
comparable to the Initial Price and the Threshold Appreciation Price. A
"Trading Day" is defined as a day on which the security the Closing Price of
which is being determined (A) is not suspended from trading on any national or
regional securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market at the
close of business and (B) has traded at least once on the national or regional
securities exchange or association or over-the-counter market that is the
primary market for the trading of such security.
For illustrative purposes only, the following table shows the number of
shares of Cox Common Stock or the amount of cash that a holder of STRYPES would
receive for each STRYPES at various Maturity Prices. The table assumes that
there will be no dilution adjustments to the Payment Rate Formula as described
below. There can be no assurance that the Maturity Price will be within the
range set forth below. Given the Initial Price of $22.875 and the Threshold
Appreciation Price of $27.91, a STRYPES holder would receive on the Maturity
Date the following number of shares of Cox Common Stock or amount of cash (if
the Company elects to pay and discharge the STRYPES with cash) per STRYPES:
<TABLE>
MATURITY PRICE NUMBER OF
OF COX SHARES OF COX
COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK AMOUNT OF CASH
-------------- ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
$20.000 1.0000 $20.000
22.875 1.0000 22.875
25.000 0.9150 22.875
27.910 0.8196 22.875
30.000 0.8196 24.588
</TABLE>
DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS
The Payment Rate Formula is subject to adjustment if Cox shall: (i) pay a
stock dividend or make a distribution with respect to Cox Common Stock in
shares of such stock; (ii) subdivide or split the outstanding shares of Cox
Common Stock into a greater number of shares; (iii) combine the outstanding
shares of Cox Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; (iv) issue by
reclassification of shares of Cox Common Stock any shares of common stock of
Cox; (v) issue rights or warrants to all holders of Cox Common Stock entitling
them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Cox Common Stock at a price per
share less than the then current
S-14
<PAGE>
market price of the Cox Common Stock (other than rights to purchase Cox Common
Stock pursuant to a plan for the reinvestment of dividends or interest); or
(vi) pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders of Cox Common Stock
of evidences of its indebtedness or other assets (excluding any stock dividends
or distributions referred to in clause (i) above or any cash dividends other
than any Extraordinary Cash Dividend (as defined below)) or issue to all
holders of Cox Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any
of its securities (other than those referred to in clause (v) above) (any of
the foregoing are referred to as the "Distributed Assets"). The effect of the
foregoing is that there will not be any adjustments to the Payment Rate Formula
for the issuance by Cox of options, warrants, stock purchase rights or
securities in connection with Cox's employee benefit plans.
In the case of the events referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
above, the Payment Rate Formula shall be adjusted so that each holder of any
STRYPES shall thereafter be entitled to receive, upon payment and discharge or
redemption of such STRYPES, the number of shares of Cox Common Stock which such
holder would have owned or been entitled to receive immediately following any
such event had such STRYPES been paid and discharged or redeemed immediately
prior to such event or any record date with respect thereto.
In the case of the event referred to in clause (v) above, the Payment Rate
Formula shall be adjusted by multiplying each of the Share Components in the
Payment Rate Formula in effect immediately prior to the date of issuance of the
rights or warrants referred to in clause (v) above by a fraction, the numerator
of which shall be the number of shares of Cox Common Stock outstanding on the
date of issuance of such rights or warrants, immediately prior to such
issuance, plus the number of additional shares of Cox Common Stock offered for
subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights or warrants, and the
denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Cox Common Stock
outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants, immediately
prior to such issuance, plus the number of additional shares of Cox Common
Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of Cox
Common Stock so offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to such rights or
warrants would purchase at the current market price (determined as the average
Closing Price per share of Cox Common Stock on the 20 Trading Days immediately
prior to the date such rights or warrants are issued, subject to certain
adjustments), which shall be determined by multiplying such total number of
shares by the exercise price of such rights or warrants and dividing the
product so obtained by such current market price. To the extent that shares of
Cox Common Stock are not delivered after the expiration of such rights or
warrants, or if such rights or warrants are not issued, the Payment Rate
Formula shall be readjusted to the Payment Rate Formula which would then be in
effect had such adjustments for the issuance of such rights or warrants been
made upon the basis of delivery of only the number of shares of Cox Common
Stock actually delivered.
In the case of the event referred to in clause (vi) above, the Payment Rate
Formula shall be adjusted by multiplying each of the Share Components in the
Payment Rate Formula in effect on the record date by a fraction, the numerator
of which shall be the market price per share of the Cox Common Stock on the
record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive the
dividend or distribution referred to in clause (vi) above (such market price
being determined as the average Closing Price per share of Cox Common Stock on
the 20 Trading Days immediately prior to such record date, subject to certain
adjustments), and the denominator of which shall be such market price per share
of Cox Common Stock less the fair market value (as determined by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive, and
described in a resolution adopted with respect thereto) as of such record date
of the portion of the Distributed Assets so distributed applicable to one share
of Cox Common Stock; provided, however, that in the event that the then fair
market value (as so determined) of the portion of the Distributed Assets so
distributed applicable to one share of Cox Common Stock is equal to or greater
than the market price per share of Cox Common Stock as of such record date, in
lieu of the foregoing adjustment, the Company shall reserve such Distributed
Assets (or, in the case of Distributed Assets of a kind described in (z) below,
an amount in cash equal to the fair market value thereof, determined in the
manner and as of the date described in clause (z) below) for delivery to the
holders of the STRYPES on the Maturity Date and, on the Maturity Date, shall
deliver to each such holder, in addition to the shares of Cox Common Stock (or
cash in lieu thereof) to which such holder is otherwise entitled, (x) in
respect of that portion, if any, of the Distributed Assets consisting of cash,
S-15
<PAGE>
the amount of such Distributed Assets consisting of cash which such holder
would have received had each STRYPES held by such holder been paid and
discharged immediately prior to the record date for the determination of
stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or such rights
or warrants, without interest, plus (y) in respect of that portion, if any, of
the Distributed Assets consisting of securities for which there is an actual or
when issued trading market ("marketable securities"), the amount of such
Distributed Assets consisting of marketable securities which such holder would
have received had each STRYPES held by such holder been paid and discharged
immediately prior to the record date for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or such rights or warrants,
plus (z) in respect of that portion, if any, of the Distributed Assets which
are of a kind other than that described in clause (x) or (y) above, an amount
in cash equal to the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a
resolution adopted with respect thereto), as of the record date for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution
or such rights or warrants, of the Distributed Assets consisting of other
assets which such holder would have received had each STRYPES held by such
holder been paid and discharged immediately prior to such record date, without
interest thereon.
An "Extraordinary Cash Dividend" means, with respect to any consecutive 12-
month period, all cash dividends on the Cox Common Stock during such period to
the extent such dividends exceed on a per share basis 10% of the average
Closing Price of the Cox Common Stock over such period (less any such dividends
for which a prior adjustment to the Payment Rate Formula was previously made).
All adjustments to the Payment Rate Formula will be calculated to the nearest
1/10,000th of a share of Cox Common Stock (or if there is not a nearest
1/10,000th of a share to the next lower 1/10,000th of a share). No adjustment
in the Payment Rate Formula shall be required unless such adjustment would
require an increase or decrease of at least one percent therein; provided,
however, that any adjustments which by reason of the foregoing are not required
to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
adjustment. If an adjustment is made to the Payment Rate Formula as described
above, an adjustment will also be made to the Maturity Price solely to
determine which of clauses (a), (b) or (c) of the Payment Rate Formula will
apply on the Maturity Date. The required adjustment to the Maturity Price will
be made by multiplying each of the Closing Prices used in determining the
Maturity Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the Share
Component in clause (c) of the Payment Rate Formula immediately after such
adjustment described above, and the denominator of which shall be the Share
Component in clause (c) of the Payment Rate Formula immediately before such
adjustment described above. Each such adjustment to the Payment Rate Formula
shall be made successively.
In the event of (A) any consolidation or merger of Cox, or any surviving
entity or subsequent surviving entity of Cox (a "Cox Successor"), with or into
another entity (other than a merger or consolidation in which Cox is the
continuing corporation and in which the Cox Common Stock outstanding
immediately prior to the merger or consolidation is not exchanged for cash,
securities or other property of Cox or another corporation), (B) any sale,
transfer, lease or conveyance to another corporation of the property of Cox or
any Cox Successor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, (C) any
statutory exchange of securities of Cox or any Cox Successor with another
corporation (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition) or (D) any
liquidation, dissolution, winding up or bankruptcy of Cox or any Cox Successor
(any such event described in clause (A), (B), (C) or (D), a "Reorganization
Event"), the Payment Rate Formula used to determine the amount payable on the
Maturity Date for each STRYPES will be adjusted to provide that each holder of
STRYPES will receive on the Maturity Date for each STRYPES cash in an amount
equal to (a) if the Transaction Value (as defined below) is greater than or
equal to the Threshold Appreciation Price, .8196 multiplied by the Transaction
Value, (b) if the Transaction Value is less than the Threshold Appreciation
Price but greater than the Initial Price, the Initial Price and (c) if the
Transaction Value is less than or equal to the Initial Price, the Transaction
Value. "Transaction Value" means (i) for any cash received in any such
Reorganization Event, the amount of cash received per share of Cox Common
Stock, (ii) for any property other than cash or securities received in any such
Reorganization Event, an amount equal to the market value on the Maturity Date
of such property received per share of Cox Common Stock as determined
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<PAGE>
by a nationally recognized independent investment banking firm retained for
this purpose by the Company and (iii) for any securities received in any such
Reorganization Event, an amount equal to the average Closing Price per unit of
such securities on the 20 Trading Days immediately prior to the second Trading
Day preceding the Maturity Date multiplied by the number of such securities
received for each share of Cox Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in
the event that property or securities, or a combination of cash, on the one
hand, and property or securities, on the other, are received in such
Reorganization Event, the Company may, in lieu of delivering cash as described
above, deliver the amount of cash, securities and other property received per
share of Cox Common Stock in such Reorganization Event determined in accordance
with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, as applicable. If the Company elects to
deliver securities or other property, holders of the STRYPES will be
responsible for the payment of any and all brokerage and other transaction
costs upon any subsequent sale of such securities or other property. The kind
and amount of securities with which the STRYPES shall be paid and discharged
after consummation of such transaction shall be subject to adjustment as
described above following the date of consummation of such transaction.
No adjustments will be made for certain other events, such as offerings of
Cox Common Stock by Cox for cash or in connection with acquisitions. Likewise,
no adjustments will be made for any sales of Cox Common Stock by CEI.
The Company is required, within ten Business Days following the occurrence of
an event that requires an adjustment to the Payment Rate Formula (or if the
Company is not aware of such occurrence, as soon as practicable after becoming
so aware), to provide written notice to the Trustee and to the holders of the
STRYPES of the occurrence of such event and a statement in reasonable detail
setting forth the adjusted Payment Rate Formula and the method by which the
adjustment to the Payment Rate Formula was determined, provided that, in
respect of any adjustment to the Maturity Price, such notice will only disclose
the factor by which each of the Closing Prices used in determining the Maturity
Price is to be multiplied in order to determine the Payment Rate on the
Maturity Date. Until the Maturity Date, the Payment Rate itself cannot be
determined.
FRACTIONAL SHARES
No fractional shares of Cox Common Stock will be delivered if the Company
pays and discharges the STRYPES by delivering shares of Cox Common Stock. In
lieu of any fractional share otherwise deliverable in respect of all STRYPES of
any holder on the Maturity Date, such holder shall be entitled to receive an
amount in cash equal to the value of such fractional share at the Maturity
Price.
SPECIAL REDEMPTION UPON TAX EVENT
The STRYPES will be redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole but not
in part, at any time from and after the date (the "Tax Event Date") on which a
Tax Event (as defined below) shall occur at a price per STRYPES (the "Tax Event
Redemption Price") equal to (a) an amount of cash equal to the sum of (i) all
accrued and unpaid interest on such STRYPES to the date fixed for redemption
(the "Redemption Date"), (ii) the sum of all interest payments on such STRYPES
due after the Redemption Date and on or prior to the Maturity Date and (iii)
$1.37 (equal to the interest payable on such STRYPES for one year), plus (b) a
number of shares of Cox Common Stock determined in accordance with the Payment
Rate Formula, with the Redemption Date being deemed to be the Maturity Date for
purposes of calculating the Maturity Price.
A "Tax Event" means that CEI shall have delivered to the Company an opinion
(the "Tax Event Opinion") from independent tax counsel experienced in such
matters to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment or proposed
amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) or
proposed change in, the laws (or any regulations thereunder) of the United
States or any taxing authority thereof or therein or (b) any amendment to, or
change in, an interpretation or application of such laws or regulations
S-17
<PAGE>
by any legislative body, court, governmental agency or regulatory authority,
enacted, promulgated, introduced, issued or announced or which interpretation
is issued or announced or which action is taken, on or after the date of this
Prospectus Supplement, there is more than an insubstantial risk that a
corporation that sells or otherwise disposes of stock in another corporation on
a date that is after the date of this Prospectus Supplement and that is on or
prior to the Maturity Date would not be permitted to specifically identify the
stock sold or disposed of for purposes of determining the amount of such
corporation's gain or loss on the stock sold or disposed of for United States
Federal income tax purposes.
On March 19, 1996, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed a series of tax law
changes as part of President Clinton's 1997 Budget proposal. These proposed tax
law changes would, among other things, require taxpayers (including
corporations) that sell or otherwise dispose of securities (which term includes
stock in a corporation) that are substantially identical to securities which
they continue to hold to determine their tax basis in such substantially
identical securities using the average basis of all of their holdings in the
securities, and would prevent such taxpayers from specifically identifying the
securities sold or disposed of for purposes of determining the amount of their
gain or loss on the securities sold or disposed of for United States Federal
income tax purposes. As originally proposed, this "average cost basis" rule
would apply to determinations (i.e., tax basis determinations made at the time
of sale or disposition) made more than 30 days after the date on the which the
proposal is enacted. Thus, if this "average cost basis" rule is ultimately
adopted in its current form on a date that is 31 or more days prior to the
Maturity Date, such enactment could result in a Tax Event. Furthermore, if
there are future legislative developments such that as a result thereof there
is more than an insubstantial risk that this "average cost basis" rule or a
provision with similar effect will be adopted and effective for determinations
made on or prior to the Maturity Date, such legislative developments could
result in a Tax Event. The Company cannot predict whether or not these proposed
tax law changes will ultimately become law. Moreover, the Company cannot
predict whether or not any other future change or proposed change in the tax
law will occur which could give rise to a Tax Event, nor can it predict whether
CEI will elect to cause a Tax Event by delivering the Tax Event Opinion to the
Company in the event that a change or proposed change in the tax law occurs
which could give rise to a Tax Event.
The Company will provide notice of any call for redemption of STRYPES to
holders of record of the STRYPES not less than 10 nor more than 30 calendar
days prior to the related Redemption Date. Such notice will state the following
and may contain such other information as the Company deems advisable: (a) the
Redemption Date; (b) the place or places where certificates for the STRYPES are
to be surrendered for redemption and (c) that interest will cease to accrue on
the STRYPES on the Redemption Date (except as otherwise provided in the
Indenture). Any such notice will be provided by mail, sent to each holder of
record of STRYPES at such holder's address as it appears on the security
register for the STRYPES, first class postage prepaid; provided, however, that
failure to give such notice or any defect therein shall not affect the validity
of the proceeding for redemption of any STRYPES except as to the holder to whom
the Company has failed to give said notice or whose notice was defective. At or
prior to the mailing of such notice of redemption, the Company will publish a
public announcement of redemption in The Wall Street Journal or another daily
newspaper of national circulation.
The Company will not be required to deliver any fractional share of Cox
Common Stock on the Redemption Date and, in lieu thereof, will pay an amount in
cash equal to the value of such fractional share of Cox Common Stock based on
the average Closing Price per share of Cox Common Stock on the 20 Trading Days
immediately prior to, but not including, the second Trading Day preceding the
Redemption Date.
On and after the Redemption Date, all rights of a holder of STRYPES will
terminate except the right to receive for each STRYPES so redeemed the Tax
Event Redemption Price (unless there is a default on the payment of such Tax
Event Redemption Price).
NO SINKING FUND
The STRYPES do not contain sinking fund or other mandatory redemption
provisions. The STRYPES are not subject to payment prior to the Maturity Date
at the option of the holder.
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RANKING
The STRYPES will be unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. At March 29,
1996, the Company had long-term borrowings outstanding of $20,226 million. In
addition, at March 29, 1996, there were $526 million of bank loans and $17,222
million of commercial paper outstanding.
The Company had no secured debt at March 29, 1996. At such date,
collateralized financing transactions of the Company's subsidiaries consisted
of $3,768 million of cash deposits for securities loaned and $61,657 million of
securities sold under agreements to repurchase. See Note 4 to "Summary
Financial Information" in the ML&Co. Prospectus.
There are no contractual restrictions on the ability of the Company or its
subsidiaries to incur additional secured or unsecured debt. However, borrowings
by certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, are restricted by net capital
requirements under the Exchange Act and under rules of certain exchanges and
other regulatory bodies. See "Description of the STRYPES--Ranking" in the
ML&Co. Prospectus.
LISTING
The STRYPES have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance.
CERTAIN ARRANGEMENTS WITH CEI
Pursuant to the STRYPES Agreement, CEI is obligated to deliver to the ML&Co.
Subsidiary immediately prior to the Maturity Date a number of shares of Cox
Common Stock equal to the number required by the Company to pay and discharge
all of the STRYPES (including any STRYPES issued pursuant to the over-allotment
option granted by the Company to the Underwriter). In lieu of delivering shares
of Cox Common Stock immediately prior to the Maturity Date, CEI has the right
to satisfy its obligation under the STRYPES Agreement by delivering at such
time cash in an amount equal to the value of such number of shares of Cox
Common Stock at the Maturity Price. Such right, if exercised by CEI, must be
exercised with respect to all shares of Cox Common Stock then deliverable
pursuant to the STRYPES Agreement. Under the STRYPES Agreement, the Company has
agreed to pay and discharge the STRYPES by delivering to the holders thereof on
the Maturity Date the form of consideration that the ML&Co. Subsidiary receives
from CEI. CEI also has the option, exercisable on or after a Tax Event Date, to
satisfy and discharge its obligations under the STRYPES Agreement by delivering
to the ML&Co. Subsidiary, on a date fixed by CEI for early settlement, cash and
shares of Cox Common Stock in an amount and number, respectively, equal to the
amount and number required by the Company to redeem all of the STRYPES
(including any STRYPES issued pursuant to the over-allotment option granted by
the Company to the Underwriter). Under the STRYPES Agreement, the Company has
agreed to redeem all of the STRYPES in the event that CEI exercises such
option. The consideration to be paid by the ML&Co. Subsidiary under the STRYPES
Agreement is $188,572,500 in the aggregate, and is payable to CEI on or about
May 29, 1996. No other consideration is payable by the ML&Co. Subsidiary to CEI
in connection with its acquisition of the Cox Common Stock or the performance
of the STRYPES Agreement by CEI. The Company has agreed with CEI that, without
the prior consent of CEI, it will not amend the Indenture to increase the
consideration that CEI is obligated to deliver pursuant to the STRYPES
Agreement.
Until such time, if any, as CEI shall have delivered shares of Cox Common
Stock to the ML&Co. Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of the STRYPES Agreement,
CEI will retain all ownership rights with respect to the Cox Common Stock held
by it (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any
dividends or other distributions in respect thereof).
CEI has no obligations with respect to the STRYPES or amounts to be paid to
holders thereof, including any obligation to take the needs of the Company or
holders of the STRYPES into consideration in determining whether to deliver
shares of Cox Common Stock or cash or for any other reason. The STRYPES
Agreement between the ML&Co. Subsidiary and CEI is a commercial transaction and
does not create any rights in, or for the benefit of, any third party,
including any holder of STRYPES.
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In the event CEI does not perform under the STRYPES Agreement, the Company
will be required to otherwise acquire shares of Cox Common Stock for delivery
to holders of the STRYPES on the Maturity Date or upon redemption, unless, in
the case of shares deliverable on the Maturity Date, it elects to exercise its
option to deliver cash with an equal value.
For more information regarding the relationship between CEI and Cox and the
Cox Common Stock that may be delivered to holders of STRYPES on the Maturity
Date or upon redemption, see the Cox Prospectus attached as Appendix A to this
Prospectus Supplement and the ML&Co. Prospectus.
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
Set forth in full below is the opinion of Brown & Wood, counsel to the
Company, as to certain United States Federal income tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the STRYPES. Such opinion is based upon
laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect (or, in the case of
certain regulations, in proposed form), all of which are subject to change
(including retroactive changes in effective dates) or possible differing
interpretations. The discussion below deals only with STRYPES held as capital
assets and does not purport to deal with persons in special tax situations,
such as financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment
companies, dealers in securities or currencies, tax-exempt entities, or persons
holding STRYPES as a hedge against currency risks or as a position in a
"straddle" for tax purposes. It also does not deal with holders of STRYPES
other than original purchasers thereof (except where otherwise specifically
noted herein). The following discussion also does not address the tax
consequences of investing in the STRYPES arising under the laws of any state,
local or foreign jurisdiction. Persons considering the purchase of the STRYPES
should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of the United
States Federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the STRYPES arising
under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
As used herein, the term "U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a STRYPES
that is for United States Federal income tax purposes (i) a citizen or resident
of the United States, (ii) a corporation, partnership or other entity created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States or of any political
subdivision thereof, (iii) an estate or trust the income of which is subject to
United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) any
other person whose income or gain in respect of a STRYPES is effectively
connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. As used
herein, the term "non-U.S. Holder" means a beneficial owner of a STRYPES that
is not a U.S. Holder.
GENERAL
There are no statutory provisions, regulations (except possibly the Proposed
Regulations as described below), published rulings or judicial decisions
addressing or involving the characterization, for United States Federal income
tax purposes, of the STRYPES or securities with terms substantially the same as
the STRYPES. Accordingly, the proper United States Federal income tax
characterization and treatment of the STRYPES is uncertain. Pursuant to the
terms of the Indenture, the Company and any holder of a STRYPES agree to treat
each STRYPES for tax purposes as a unit (a "Unit") consisting of (i) a debt
instrument (the "Debt Instrument") with a fixed principal amount
unconditionally payable on the Maturity Date equal to the issue price of the
STRYPES and bearing interest at the stated interest rate on the STRYPES and
(ii) a forward purchase contract (the "Forward Contract") pursuant to which the
holder agrees to use the principal
payment due on the Debt Instrument to purchase on the Maturity Date or upon
redemption the Cox Common Stock which the Company is obligated to deliver at
that time (subject to the Company's right to deliver cash in lieu of the Cox
Common Stock). Therefore, the Company currently intends to treat each STRYPES
as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract for United
States Federal income tax purposes and, where required, intends to file
information returns with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in accordance
with such treatment, in the absence of any change or clarification in the law,
by regulation or otherwise, requiring a different characterization and
treatment of the STRYPES for United
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States Federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of Brown & Wood, counsel to
the Company, such characterization and tax treatment of the STRYPES, although
not the only reasonable characterization and tax treatment, is based on
reasonable interpretations of law currently in effect and, even if successfully
challenged by the IRS, will not result in the imposition of penalties.
Prospective investors in the STRYPES should be aware, however, that no ruling
is being requested from the IRS with respect to the STRYPES, the IRS is not
bound by the characterization of each STRYPES by the Company and the holders
thereof as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract,
and the IRS could possibly assert a different position as to the proper United
States Federal income tax characterization and treatment of the STRYPES. For
instance, it is possible that the IRS could assert that each STRYPES should be
treated entirely as a single debt instrument of the Company for United States
Federal income tax purposes. Except where otherwise specifically provided
herein, the following discussion of the principal United States Federal income
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the STRYPES is
based upon the assumption that each STRYPES will be characterized and treated
as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract for United
States Federal income tax purposes. As discussed in greater detail herein, if
the STRYPES are not in fact ultimately characterized and treated as a Unit
consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract for United States
Federal income tax purposes, then the United States Federal income tax
treatment of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the STRYPES could
significantly differ from the treatment discussed immediately below with the
result that the timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized on a
STRYPES could significantly differ from the timing and character of income,
gain or loss recognized on a STRYPES had each STRYPES in fact been
characterized and treated as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the
Forward Contract for United States Federal income tax purposes.
U.S. HOLDERS
As previously discussed, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company
and any holder of a STRYPES agree to treat each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of
the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract. Consistent with this treatment of
the STRYPES, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, a U.S. Holder of a STRYPES
will be required to include currently in income payments denominated as
interest that are made with respect to a STRYPES in accordance with such U.S.
Holder's regular method of tax accounting. Furthermore, pursuant to the
agreement contained in the Indenture to treat each STRYPES for tax purposes as
a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, any holder
of a STRYPES agrees to allocate the purchase price paid by such holder to
acquire the STRYPES between the two components of the Unit (i.e., the Debt
Instrument and the Forward Contract) based upon their relative fair market
values (as determined on the purchase date). The portion of the total purchase
price so allocated by the holder to each component of the Unit will generally
constitute the holder's initial tax basis for each such component of the Unit.
Accordingly, in the event that the fair market value of the Debt Instrument (as
determined on the purchase date) exceeds the purchase price paid by the holder
to acquire the STRYPES, the holder would be deemed to have acquired the Debt
Instrument for an amount equal to the fair market value of the Debt Instrument
(as determined on the purchase date) and would be deemed to have assumed the
Forward Contract component of the STRYPES in exchange for a payment in an
amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the Debt Instrument (as
determined on the purchase date) over the purchase price paid by the holder to
acquire the STRYPES. In such event, such deemed payment received by the holder
in respect of the Forward Contract should only be taken into account by the
holder as an additional amount realized with respect to the Forward Contract on
the earlier of the sale or other disposition of the STRYPES by the holder on
the Maturity Date or Redemption Date (which would either reduce the holder's
tax basis in any Cox Common Stock received thereby or, if the STRYPES are paid
in cash on the Maturity Date or sold prior to the Maturity Date, increase the
amount of gain or decrease the amount of loss realized with respect to the
Forward Contract). Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, with respect to
acquisitions of STRYPES in connection with the original issuance thereof, the
Company and the holders agree to allocate $22.555 of the entire initial
purchase price of a STRYPES (i.e., the issue price of a STRYPES) to the Debt
Instrument
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component and to allocate the remaining $.32 of the entire initial purchase
price of a STRYPES to the Forward Contract component. Based upon the foregoing,
pursuant to the agreement to treat each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the
Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, a holder who acquires a STRYPES in
connection with the original issuance thereof, will have agreed to treat such
acquisition of the STRYPES by the holder as a purchase of the Debt Instrument
by the holder for $22.555 and the making of an initial payment by the holder
with respect to the Forward Contract of $.32.
Under general principles of current United States Federal income tax law,
payments of interest on a debt instrument (e.g., the Debt Instrument) generally
will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest income at the time such
payments are accrued or are received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's
regular method of tax accounting). In addition, a debt instrument will be
treated as having been issued with original issue discount for United States
Federal income tax purposes to the extent that the stated redemption price at
maturity of the debt instrument (generally the debt instrument's stated
principal amount) exceeds the debt instrument's issue price, if such excess
equals or exceeds a de minimis amount (generally 1/4 of 1% of the debt
instrument's stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of
complete years to maturity from its issue date). Pursuant to the agreement to
treat each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward
Contract, each such Debt Instrument component will be treated, for these
purposes as having an issue price equal to $22.555. Since the stated redemption
price at maturity of each such Debt Instrument component (i.e., $22.875)
exceeds its issue price (i.e., $22.555) by an amount that is greater than $.172
(i.e., the applicable de minimis amount), the Debt Instrument component of each
Unit will be treated as having been issued with original issue discount.
Under the foregoing principles and in accordance with the agreement to treat
each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward
Contract, the quarterly interest payments payable with respect to the STRYPES
at the stated interest rate of 6% of the issue price of the STRYPES per annum
(the "Interest Payments") generally will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as
ordinary interest income on the respective dates that such Interest Payments
are accrued or are received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's regular
method of tax accounting). In addition, as previously discussed, each Debt
Instrument component will be treated as having been issued with original issue
discount in an amount equal to $.32. In general, such original issue discount
will be includible in income by a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest as it
accrues over the term of the STRYPES under a constant yield method, regardless
of the U.S. Holder's regular method of tax accounting. On the Maturity Date or
upon redemption, pursuant to the agreement to treat each STRYPES as a Unit
consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, a U.S. Holder will
recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the Debt Instrument in an amount
equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the Debt
Instrument (i.e., the issue price of the STRYPES) and such U.S. Holder's
adjusted tax basis in the Debt Instrument. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis
in the Debt Instrument generally will equal such U.S. Holder's initial
investment in the Debt Instrument increased by any original issue discount
included in income by such U.S. Holder. Such capital gain or loss will
generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the STRYPES has been held by the
U.S. Holder for more than one year as of the Maturity Date or the Redemption
Date. In addition, pursuant to the agreement to treat each STRYPES as a Unit
consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, on the Maturity
Date or upon redemption, if the Company delivers Cox Common Stock upon payment
of the STRYPES, a U.S. Holder will generally not realize any taxable gain or
loss on the exchange, pursuant to the Forward Contract, of the principal amount
of the Debt Instrument for the Cox Common Stock. However, a U.S. Holder will
generally be required to recognize taxable gain or loss with respect to any
cash received in lieu of fractional shares. The amount of such gain or loss
recognized by a U.S. Holder will be equal to the difference, if any, between
the amount of cash received by the U.S. Holder and the portion of the sum of
the principal amount of the Debt Instrument and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in
the Forward Contract that is allocable to the fractional shares. Any such
taxable gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. A U.S.
Holder will have an initial tax basis in any Cox Common Stock received on the
Maturity Date or upon redemption in an amount equal to the sum of the principal
amount of the Debt Instrument and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Forward
Contract less the portion of such sum that is allocable to any fractional
shares (as described above) and will
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realize taxable gain or loss with respect to such Cox Common Stock received on
the Maturity Date only upon the subsequent sale or disposition by the U.S.
Holder of such Cox Common Stock. In addition, a U.S. Holder's holding period
for any Cox Common Stock received by such U.S. Holder on the Maturity Date or
upon redemption will begin on the day immediately following the Maturity Date
or Redemption Date and will not include the period during which the U.S. Holder
held such STRYPES. In addition to the foregoing, in the event of redemption of
the STRYPES upon the occurrence of a Tax Event, the portion of the Tax Event
Redemption Price representing all accrued and unpaid interest on the STRYPES to
the Redemption Date would constitute a payment of interest on the Debt
Instrument and would be taxed accordingly. The portion of the Tax Event
Redemption Price representing the sum of all interest payments on the STRYPES
due after the Redemption Date and on or prior to the Maturity Date and $1.37
should be treated as redemption premium on the Debt Instrument and generally
should give rise to long-term or short-term capital gain (depending upon
whether the U.S. Holder has held the STRYPES for more than one year as of the
Redemption Date and subject to the bond premium rules).
Alternatively, pursuant to the agreement to treat the STRYPES as a Unit
consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, if the Company pays
the STRYPES in cash on the Maturity Date, a U.S. Holder will recognize taxable
gain or loss on the Maturity Date with respect to the Forward Contract (in
addition to any gain or loss recognized with respect to the Debt Instrument as
described above) in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between the
total amount of cash received by such U.S. Holder on the Maturity Date and an
amount equal to the sum of the principal amount of the Debt Instrument and the
U.S. Holder's tax basis in the Forward Contract. It is uncertain whether such
gain or loss would be treated as capital or ordinary gain or loss. If such gain
or loss is properly treated as capital gain or loss, then such gain or loss
will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the STRYPES has been held
by the U.S. Holder for more than one year as of the Maturity Date. If such gain
or loss is properly treated as ordinary gain or loss, it is possible that the
deductibility of any loss recognized on the Maturity Date with respect to the
Forward Contract by a U.S. Holder who is an individual could be subject to the
limitations applicable to miscellaneous itemized deductions provided for under
Section 67(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In
general, Section 67(a) of the Code provides that an individual may only deduct
miscellaneous itemized deductions for a particular taxable year to the extent
that the aggregate amount of the individual's miscellaneous itemized deductions
for such taxable year exceed two percent of the individual's adjusted gross
income for such taxable year (although, the miscellaneous itemized deductions
allowable to high-income individuals are generally subject to further
limitations). Prospective investors in the STRYPES are urged to consult their
own tax advisors concerning the character of any gain or loss realized on the
Maturity Date with respect to the Forward Contract in the event that the
Company elects to pay the STRYPES in cash on the Maturity Date as well as the
deductibility of any such loss.
Pursuant to the agreement to treat each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the
Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, upon the sale or other disposition of
a STRYPES prior to the Maturity Date or the redemption of the STRYPES, a U.S.
Holder generally will be required to allocate the total amount realized by such
U.S. Holder upon such sale or other disposition (other than amounts
representing accrued and unpaid interest) between the two components of the
Unit (i.e., the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract) based upon their
relative fair market values (as determined on the date of disposition).
Accordingly, in the event that the fair market value of the Debt Instrument (as
determined on the date of disposition) exceeds the actual amount realized by
the U.S. Holder upon the sale or other disposition of a STRYPES prior to the
Maturity Date or the redemption of the STRYPES, the U.S. Holder would be deemed
to have sold the Debt Instrument for an amount equal to the fair market value
of the Debt Instrument (as determined on the date of disposition) and would be
deemed to have made a payment to the purchaser of the STRYPES in exchange for
such purchaser's assumption of the Forward Contract in an amount equal to the
excess of the fair market value of the Debt Instrument (as determined on the
date of disposition) over the actual amount realized by the U.S. Holder upon
such sale or disposition of the STRYPES. A U.S. Holder will generally be
required to recognize
taxable gain or loss with respect to each such component in an amount equal to
the difference, if any, between (or, in some cases, the sum of) the amount
realized (or paid) with respect to each such component upon the
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sale or disposition of the STRYPES (as determined in the manner described
above) and the U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in each such component. Any
such gain or loss will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss
if the U.S. Holder has held the STRYPES for more than one year at the time of
disposition.
As previously discussed, prospective investors in the STRYPES should be aware
that the IRS is not bound by the characterization of the STRYPES by the Company
and the holders thereof as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the
Forward Contract, and the IRS could possibly assert a different position as to
the proper United States Federal income tax characterization and treatment of
the STRYPES. For instance, it is possible that the IRS could assert that each
STRYPES should be treated entirely as a single debt instrument of the Company
for United States Federal income tax purposes.
If the STRYPES were ultimately characterized and treated entirely as debt
instruments of the Company for United States Federal income tax purposes, then
the timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized on a STRYPES would
differ from the timing and character of income, gain or loss recognized on a
STRYPES had each STRYPES in fact been characterized and treated for United
States Federal income tax purposes as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument
and the Forward Contract. If the STRYPES were ultimately characterized and
treated entirely as indebtedness of the Company for United States Federal
income tax purposes, under general principles of current United States Federal
income tax law, the Interest Payments generally would be taxable to a U.S.
Holder as ordinary interest income on the respective dates that such Interest
Payments are accrued or are received (in accordance with the U.S. Holder's
regular method of tax accounting). Under this same analysis and treatment of
each STRYPES as a single debt instrument of the Company for United States
Federal income tax purposes, under general principles of current United States
Federal income tax law, if the fair market value (as determined on the Maturity
Date or the Redemption Date) of the amount of Cox Common Stock or cash payable
on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date with respect to a STRYPES exceeds
the issue price thereof, such excess (except amounts representing accrued and
unpaid interest and possibly any portion of such excess representing redemption
premium) could be treated as contingent interest and, if so treated, generally
would be includible in income by a U.S. Holder as ordinary interest on the
Maturity Date or the Redemption Date (regardless of the U.S. Holder's regular
method of tax accounting). In addition, if the fair market value (as determined
on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) of the amount of Cox Common Stock
or cash payable on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date with respect to a
STRYPES exceeds the issue price thereof, then such STRYPES would be treated as
having been retired on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date in exchange for
an amount equal to the issue price thereof (plus possibly any amounts
representing redemption premium). If, however, the fair market value (as
determined on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) of the amount of Cox
Common Stock or cash payable on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date with
respect to a STRYPES is equal to or less than the issue price thereof, then
such STRYPES would be treated as having been retired on the Maturity Date or
the Redemption Date in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value
(as determined on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) of the entire
amount payable on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date with respect to such
STRYPES (other than amounts representing accrued and unpaid interest) and no
portion of the amount payable on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date with
respect to such STRYPES would be treated as contingent interest. A U.S.
Holder's initial tax basis in any Cox Common Stock received by such U.S. Holder
on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date of a STRYPES would equal the fair
market value (as determined on the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) of the
Cox Common Stock received by such U.S. Holder. Furthermore, a U.S. Holder's
holding period for any Cox Common Stock received by such U.S. Holder on the
Maturity Date or the Redemption Date of a STRYPES would begin on the day
immediately following the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date and would not
include the period during which the U.S. Holder held such STRYPES.
Moreover, under this analysis and treatment of each STRYPES as a single debt
instrument of the Company for United States Federal income tax purposes, upon
the sale, exchange or retirement of a STRYPES, a U.S. Holder generally would
recognize taxable gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference, if any,
between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement (other than
amounts representing
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accrued and unpaid interest) and such U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in the
STRYPES. A U.S. Holder's adjusted tax basis in a STRYPES generally would equal
such U.S. Holder's initial investment in the STRYPES (as adjusted pursuant to
the market discount and bond premium rules described below). Such gain or loss
generally would be long-term capital gain or loss if the STRYPES were held by
the U.S. Holder for more than one year (subject to the market discount rules,
as discussed below). It is possible, however, that under this analysis and
treatment of the STRYPES the IRS could assert that any amounts realized upon
the sale or exchange of a STRYPES prior to the Maturity Date or the redemption
of the STRYPES in excess of the STRYPES issue price constitutes ordinary
interest income (subject to the bond premium rules, as discussed below).
Nonetheless, if the STRYPES were ultimately characterized and treated entirely
as indebtedness of the Company for United States Federal income tax purposes,
although the matter is not free from doubt, in the opinion of Brown & Wood,
counsel to the Company, under current law, any gain realized upon the sale or
exchange of a STRYPES prior to the Maturity Date or the redemption of the
STRYPES should be treated entirely as capital gain (subject to the market
discount rules, as discussed below).
Prospective investors in the STRYPES should also be aware that on December
15, 1994, the Treasury Department issued proposed regulations (the "Proposed
Regulations") concerning the proper United States Federal income tax treatment
of contingent payment debt instruments. In the event that the STRYPES were
characterized and treated entirely as debt instruments of the Company for
United States Federal income tax purposes, the STRYPES would be treated as
contingent payment debt instruments. The Proposed Regulations, however, are
proposed to only be effective 60 days after the date on which the Proposed
Regulations are published as final Treasury regulations. Accordingly, due to
the proposed prospective effective date of the Proposed Regulations, if
ultimately adopted in their current form, the Proposed Regulations would not
apply to the STRYPES even if the STRYPES were characterized and treated
entirely as debt instruments of the Company for United States Federal income
tax purposes. Furthermore, proposed Treasury regulations are not binding upon
either the IRS or taxpayers prior to becoming effective as temporary or final
regulations. In general, if ultimately adopted in their current form, the
Proposed Regulations would cause the timing and character of income, gain or
loss reported on a contingent payment debt instrument to substantially differ
from the timing and character of income, gain or loss reported on a contingent
payment debt instrument under general principles of current United States
Federal income tax law (as described immediately above). Prospective investors
in the STRYPES are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the
effect, if any, of the Proposed Regulations on their investment in the STRYPES.
Prospective investors in the STRYPES should also be aware that it is possible
that the ultimate characterization and treatment of the STRYPES for United
States Federal income tax purposes could differ from the possible
characterizations and treatments described herein with the result that the
ultimate United States Federal income tax treatment of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of the STRYPES could significantly differ from any of the
treatments described herein.
Despite the foregoing, as previously discussed, pursuant to the agreement
contained in the Indenture to treat each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the
Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract, the Company, where required,
currently intends to file information returns with the IRS treating each
STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the Debt Instrument and the Forward Contract
for United States Federal income tax purposes (as described above), in the
absence of any change or clarification in the law, by regulation or otherwise,
requiring another characterization and treatment of the STRYPES for United
States Federal income tax purposes.
MARKET DISCOUNT AND PREMIUM
In general, if a U.S. Holder purchases a debt instrument issued with original
issue discount (e.g., the Debt Instrument component of a Unit) for an amount
that is less than the adjusted issue price thereof (i.e., the issue price
thereof increased by any previously accrued original issue discount) the amount
of the difference will be treated as "market discount," unless such difference
is less than a specified de minimis amount.
S-25
<PAGE>
Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat any
gain realized on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a debt
instrument as ordinary income to the extent of the lesser of (i) the amount of
such realized gain or (ii) the market discount which has not previously been
included in income and is treated as having accrued on such debt instrument at
the time of such payment or disposition. Market discount will be considered to
accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity
of the debt instrument, unless the U.S. Holder elects to accrue market discount
on the basis of semiannual compounding.
A U.S. Holder may be required to defer the deduction of all or a portion of
the interest paid or accrued on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to
purchase or carry a debt instrument with market discount until the maturity of
the debt instrument or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction and
certain nontaxable transactions, because a current deduction is only allowed to
the extent that the interest expense exceeds an allocable portion of the market
discount. A U.S. Holder may elect to include market discount in income
currently as it accrues (on either a ratable or semiannual compounding basis),
in which case the rules described above regarding the deferral of interest
deductions will not apply. Generally, such currently included market discount
is treated as ordinary interest income for United States Federal income tax
purposes and a U.S. Holder would increase its tax basis in a debt instrument by
the amount of any such currently included market discount. Such an election
will apply to all debt instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder on or after the
first day of the first taxable year to which such election applies and may be
revoked only with the consent of the IRS.
In general, a U.S. Holder who purchases a debt instrument issued with
original issue discount for an amount that is greater than its adjusted issue
price as of the purchase date and less than or equal to the principal amount
thereof will be considered to have purchased the debt instrument at an
"acquisition premium." Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of
original issue discount which such U.S. Holder must include in its gross income
with respect to such debt instrument for any taxable year (or portion thereof
in which the U.S. Holder holds the debt instrument) will be reduced (but not
below zero) by the portion of the acquisition premium properly allocable to the
period.
In general, if a U.S. Holder purchases a debt instrument issued with original
issue discount for an amount that is greater than the principal amount thereof,
such U.S. Holder will be considered to have purchased the debt instrument with
"amortizable bond premium" equal in amount to such excess. A U.S. Holder may
elect to amortize such premium using a constant yield method over the remaining
term of the debt instrument and may offset ordinary interest otherwise required
to be included in respect of the debt instrument during any taxable year by the
amortized amount of such premium for such year (or, prior years, if such
amortized premium for prior years has not yet offset interest) and would reduce
its tax basis in the debt instrument by the amount of any such interest offset
taken. Such election, if made, would apply to all debt instruments held by the
U.S. Holder at the beginning of the taxable year to which such election applies
and to all debt instruments acquired by the U.S. Holder thereafter. Such
election would also be irrevocable once made, unless the U.S. Holder making
such an election obtains the express written consent of the IRS to revoke such
election.
MISCELLANEOUS TAX MATTERS
Special tax rules may apply to persons holding a STRYPES as part of a
"synthetic security" or other integrated investment, or as part of a straddle,
hedging transaction or other combination of offsetting positions. For instance,
Section 1258 of the Code may possibly require certain U.S. Holders of the
STRYPES who enter into hedging transactions or offsetting positions with
respect to the STRYPES to treat all or a portion of any gain realized on the
STRYPES as ordinary income in instances where such gain may have otherwise been
treated as capital gain. U.S. Holders hedging their positions with respect to
the STRYPES or otherwise holding their STRYPES in a manner described above
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of Section
1258 of the Code, or any other provision of the Code, to their investment in
the STRYPES.
S-26
<PAGE>
PROPOSED TAX LAW CHANGES
On March 19, 1996, the U.S. Treasury Department proposed a series of tax law
changes as part of President Clinton's 1997 Budget proposal. These proposed tax
law changes would, among other things, require taxpayers (including
corporations) that sell or otherwise dispose of securities (which term includes
stock in a corporation) that are substantially identical to securities which
they continue to hold to determine their tax basis in such substantially
identical securities using the average basis of all of their holdings in the
securities, and would prevent such taxpayers from specifically identifying the
securities sold or disposed of for purposes of determining the amount of their
gain or loss on the securities sold or disposed of for United States Federal
income tax purposes. As originally proposed, this "average cost basis" rule
would apply to determinations (i.e., tax basis determinations made at the time
of sale or disposition) made more than 30 days after the date on the which the
proposal is enacted. Thus, if this "average cost basis" rule is ultimately
adopted in its current form on a date that is 31 or more days prior to the
Maturity Date, such enactment could result in a Tax Event. Furthermore, if
there are future legislative developments such that as a result thereof there
is more than an insubstantial risk that this "average cost basis" rule will be
adopted in its current form on a date that is 31 or more days prior to the
Maturity Date, such legislative developments could result in a Tax Event. The
Company cannot predict whether or not these proposed tax law changes will
ultimately become law. Moreover, the Company cannot predict whether or not any
other future change or proposed change in the tax law will occur which could
give rise to a Tax Event, nor can it predict whether CEI will elect to cause a
Tax Event by delivering the Tax Event Opinion to the Company in the event that
a change or proposed change in the tax law occurs which could give rise to a
Tax Event.
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
Based on the treatment of each STRYPES as a Unit consisting of the Debt
Instrument and the Forward Contract, in the case of a non-U.S. Holder, payments
made with respect to the STRYPES should not be subject to United States
withholding tax, provided that such non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable
certification requirements. Any capital gain realized upon the sale or other
disposition of a STRYPES by a non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to
United States Federal income tax if (i) such gain is not effectively connected
with a United States trade or business of such non-U.S. Holder and (ii) in the
case of an individual non-U.S. Holder, such individual is not present in the
United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other
disposition, or the gain is not attributable to a fixed place of business
maintained by such individual in the United States and such individual does not
have a "tax home" (as defined for United States Federal income tax purposes) in
the United States.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the STRYPES for United
States Federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative
characterization of the STRYPES, by reason of a change or clarification of the
law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments with respect to the STRYPES to
become subject to withholding tax, the Company will withhold tax at the
statutory rate. Prospective non-U.S. Holders of the STRYPES should consult
their own tax advisors in this regard.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
A beneficial owner of a STRYPES may be subject to information reporting and
to backup withholding at a rate of 31 percent of certain amounts paid to the
beneficial owner unless such beneficial owner provides proof of an applicable
exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, and otherwise complies
with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a
beneficial owner would be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
beneficial owner's United States Federal income tax provided the required
information is furnished to the IRS.
S-27
<PAGE>
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement,
the Company has agreed to sell to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated (the "Underwriter"), and the Underwriter has agreed to purchase
from the Company, 8,500,000 STRYPES. Under the terms and conditions of the
Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriter is committed to take and pay for all of
the STRYPES, if any are taken.
The Underwriter has advised the Company that it proposes initially to offer
the STRYPES directly to the public at the public offering price set forth on
the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, and to certain dealers at such
price less a concession not to exceed $.41 per STRYPES. The Underwriter may
allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount not to exceed $.10 per STRYPES
to certain other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public
offering price, concession and discount may be changed.
The Company has granted the Underwriter an option exercisable for 30 days
after the date of this Prospectus Supplement to purchase up to an aggregate of
1,275,000 additional STRYPES at the public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus Supplement, less the underwriting discount. The
Underwriter may exercise this option only to cover over-allotments, if any,
made on the sale of the STRYPES offered hereby.
Cox and its directors and certain officers have agreed not to offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file a
registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to, any shares of
Cox Common Stock, securities convertible into, exchangeable for or repayable
with such shares or rights or warrants to acquire such shares, for a period of
120 days after the date of this Prospectus Supplement without the prior written
consent of the Underwriter, subject to certain exceptions. CEI has agreed not
to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of, directly or
indirectly, or cause to be filed a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to, any shares of Cox Common Stock, securities convertible
into, exchangeable for or repayable with such shares or rights or warrants to
acquire such shares, for a period of 120 days after the date of this Prospectus
Supplement without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, subject to
certain exceptions.
The underwriting of the STRYPES will conform to the requirements set forth in
the applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-Laws of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
The STRYPES have been approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official
notice of issuance.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriter against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act relating to this
Prospectus Supplement and the ML&Co. Prospectus (including the documents
incorporated by reference therein).
VALIDITY OF THE STRYPES
The validity of the STRYPES offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company and for the Underwriter by Brown & Wood, New York, New York.
S-28
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
[LOGO]
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
STRYPES SM
PAYABLE WITH SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OR OTHER SECURITIES
OF THE UNDERLYING ISSUER
(OR CASH WITH AN EQUAL VALUE)
----------------
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") intends to sell from time to time
its Structured Yield Product Exchangeable for Stock SM, STRYPES SM. The
STRYPES will be offered to the public in series and on terms determined by
market conditions at the time of sale and set forth in the accompanying
prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement"). The STRYPES will be
unsecured obligations of the Company ranking pari passu with all of its other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. See "Description of the STRYPES--
Ranking."
On the maturity date of each series of STRYPES (the "Maturity Date"), the
Company will pay and discharge such STRYPES by delivering to the holder
thereof a number of shares of common stock or other securities (the
"Underlying Securities") of the unaffiliated corporation identified in the
Prospectus Supplement (the "Underlying Issuer") determined in accordance with
a payment rate formula specified in the Prospectus Supplement (subject to the
Company's right to deliver, with respect to all, but not less than all,
STRYPES of such series, cash with an equal value). THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE
THAT THE VALUE OF THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES (OR CASH) PAYABLE TO HOLDERS OF A
SERIES OF STRYPES ON THE MATURITY DATE WILL BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE
ISSUE PRICE OF SUCH STRYPES. IF THE VALUE OF THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES (OR
CASH) RECEIVED ON THE MATURITY DATE OF A SERIES OF STRYPES IS LESS THAN THE
ISSUE PRICE PAID FOR SUCH STRYPES, AN INVESTMENT IN STRYPES WILL RESULT IN A
LOSS. SEE "DESCRIPTION OF THE STRYPES."
Each series of STRYPES may vary, where applicable, as to aggregate issue
price, Maturity Date, Underlying Issuer, Underlying Securities deliverable
upon maturity, formula or other method by which the amount of such Underlying
Securities will be determined, public offering or purchase price, interest
rate or rates, if any, and timing of payments thereof, provision for
redemption, currencies of denomination or currencies otherwise applicable
thereto and any other variable terms and method of distribution. The
accompanying Prospectus Supplement sets forth the specific terms with regard
to the series of STRYPES in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered.
Reference is made to any accompanying prospectus of the Underlying Issuer
covering the Underlying Securities which may be received by holders of a
series of STRYPES on the Maturity Date.
----------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
----------------
The STRYPES may be sold through Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("MLPF&S"). STRYPES may not be sold without
delivery of a Prospectus Supplement describing such issue of STRYPES and the
method and terms of offering thereof, and any accompanying prospectus of the
Underlying Issuer covering the Underlying Securities which may be received by
holders of a series of STRYPES on the Maturity Date.
- --------
SM Service mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
----------------
The date of this Prospectus is May 22, 1996.
<PAGE>
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy and information statements and
other information filed by the Company can be inspected and copied at the
public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional
Offices of the Commission: Midwest Regional Office, 500 West Madison Street,
Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and Northeast Regional Office, Seven
World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material can be
obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates. Reports, proxy and
information statements and other information concerning the Company may also be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock
Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29,
1995, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 29, 1996, and
Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 17, 1996, January 22, 1996, February
7, 1996, February 29, 1996, March 1, 1996, March 12, 1996, March 18, 1996,
April 1, 1996, April 15, 1996, May 1, 1996, May 13, 1996, and May 15, 1996
filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, are hereby incorporated by
reference into this Prospectus.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior
to the termination of the offering of the STRYPES shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that
a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Prospectus.
THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS
PROSPECTUS IS DELIVERED, ON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST OF SUCH PERSON, A COPY
(WITHOUT EXHIBITS OTHER THAN EXHIBITS SPECIFICALLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE)
OF ANY OR ALL DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS.
REQUESTS FOR SUCH COPIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO MR. GREGORY T. RUSSO, SECRETARY,
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., 100 CHURCH STREET, 12TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
10080-6512; TELEPHONE NUMBER (212) 602-8435.
----------------
THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAS NOT APPROVED
OR DISAPPROVED THE OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES MADE HEREBY NOR HAS THE
COMMISSIONER PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
2
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries
and affiliates, provides investment, financing, insurance, and related services
on a global basis. Its principal subsidiary, MLPF&S, one of the largest
securities firms in the world, is a leading broker in securities, options
contracts, and commodity and financial futures contracts; a leading dealer in
options and in corporate and municipal securities; a leading investment banking
firm that provides advice to, and raises capital for, its clients; and an
underwriter of selected insurance products. Other subsidiaries provide
financial services on a global basis similar to those of MLPF&S and are engaged
in such other activities as international banking, lending, and providing other
investment and financing services. Merrill Lynch International Incorporated,
through subsidiaries and affiliates, provides investment, financing, and
related services outside the United States and Canada. Merrill Lynch Asset
Management, LP and Fund Asset Management, LP together constitute one of the
largest mutual fund managers in the world and provide investment advisory
services. Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc. is a primary dealer in
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies.
Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc., Merrill Lynch Derivative Products, Inc.,
and Merrill Lynch Capital Markets PLC are the Company's primary derivative
product dealers and enter into interest rate and currency swaps and other
derivative transactions as intermediaries and as principals. The Company's
insurance underwriting operations consist of the underwriting of life insurance
and annuity products. Banking, trust, and mortgage lending operations conducted
through subsidiaries of the Company include issuing certificates of deposit,
offering money market deposit accounts, making secured loans, and providing
foreign exchange trading facilities and other related services.
The principal executive office of the Company is located at World Financial
Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281; its telephone
number is (212) 449-1000.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the STRYPES for
general corporate purposes. Such uses may include the funding of investments
in, or extensions of credit to, its subsidiaries, the funding of assets held by
the Company or its subsidiaries, including securities inventories, customer
receivables and loans (including business loans, home equity loans, and loans
in connection with investment banking-related merger and acquisition
activities), and the refunding of maturing indebtedness. The precise amount and
timing of investments in, and extensions of credit to, its subsidiaries will
depend upon their funding requirements and the availability of other funds to
the Company and its subsidiaries. Pending such applications, the net proceeds
will be temporarily invested or applied to the reduction of short-term
indebtedness. Management of the Company expects that it will, on a recurrent
basis, engage in additional financings as the need arises to finance the growth
of the Company or to lengthen the average maturity of its borrowings. To the
extent that STRYPES being purchased for resale by MLPF&S are not resold, the
aggregate proceeds to the Company and its subsidiaries would be reduced.
3
<PAGE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following summary of consolidated financial information was derived from,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the financial statements and
other information and data contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 29, 1995 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the period ended March 29, 1996 (the "Quarterly Report"). See "Incorporation of
Certain Documents by Reference." The condensed consolidated financial
statements contained in the Quarterly Report are unaudited; however, in the
opinion of management of the Company, all adjustments, consisting only of
normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the results of
operations have been included. The year-end results include 52 weeks for 1991,
1992, 1994, and 1995 and 53 weeks for 1993.
The Company conducts its business in highly volatile markets. Consequently,
the Company's results can be affected by many factors, including general market
conditions, the liquidity of secondary markets, the level and volatility of
interest rates and currency values, the valuation of securities positions,
competitive conditions, and the size, number, and timing of transactions. In
periods of unfavorable market activity, profitability can be adversely affected
because certain expenses remain relatively fixed. As a result, net earnings and
revenues can vary significantly from period to period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED LAST FRIDAY IN DECEMBER THREE MONTHS ENDED
--------------------------------------------- -------------------
MARCH 31, MARCH 29,
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------- ---------
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT RATIOS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues................ $12,353 $ 13,413 $ 16,588 $ 18,234 $ 21,513 $ 5,204 $ 6,019
Net revenues............ $ 7,246 $ 8,577 $ 10,558 $ 9,625 $ 10,265 $ 2,421 $ 3,261
Earnings before income
taxes and cumulative
effect of changes in
accounting princi-
ples(1)................ $ 1,017 $ 1,621 $ 2,425 $ 1,730 $ 1,811 $ 380 $ 671
Cumulative effect of
changes in accounting
principles (net of
applicable income
taxes)(1).............. -- $ (58) $ (35) -- -- -- --
Net earnings(1)......... $ 696 $ 894 $ 1,359 $ 1,017 $ 1,114 $ 228 $ 409
Ratio of earnings to
fixed charges(2)....... 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.2
Total assets(3)......... $86,259 $107,024 $152,910 $163,749 $176,857 $176,733 $195,884
Long-term borrowings(4). $ 7,964 $ 10,871 $ 13,469 $ 14,863 $ 17,340 $ 14,485 $ 20,226
Stockholders' equity.... $ 3,818 $ 4,569 $ 5,486 $ 5,818 $ 6,141 $ 5,704 $ 6,364
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Net earnings for 1992 have been reduced by $58 million to reflect the
adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 106,
"Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other than Pensions," and
SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Net earnings for 1993 were
reduced by $35 million to reflect the adoption of SFAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits."
(2) For the purpose of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
"earnings" consists of earnings from continuing operations before income
taxes and fixed charges. "Fixed charges" consists of interest costs,
amortization of debt expense, preferred stock dividend requirements of
majority-owned subsidiaries, and that portion of rentals estimated to be
representative of the interest factor.
(3) In 1994, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
Interpretation No. 39, "Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts,"
and FASB Interpretation No. 41, "Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements," which increased assets and
liabilities at December 30, 1994 by approximately $8,500 million.
(4) To finance its diverse activities, the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries borrow substantial amounts of short-term funds on a regular
basis. Although the amount of short-term borrowings varies significantly
with the level of general business activity, on March 29, 1996, $526 million
of bank loans and $17,222 million of commercial paper were outstanding. In
addition, certain of the Company's subsidiaries lend securities and enter
into repurchase agreements to obtain financing. At March 29, 1996, cash
deposits for securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to
repurchase amounted to $3,768 million and $61,657 million, respectively.
From March 30, 1996 to May 16, 1996, long-term borrowings, net of repayments
and repurchases, increased by approximately $718 million.
4
<PAGE>
FISCAL YEAR 1995
Global financial markets, which steadily weakened during most of 1994,
generally improved during 1995, led by a more stable U.S. economy, declining
interest rates, and heightened investor activity. Inflationary fears eased
throughout 1995 as key U.S. economic statistics indicated slow to moderate
growth. The Federal Reserve decreased short-term interest rates in July and
December 1995 following seven rate increases between February 1994 and February
1995. Investors reacted favorably to these events and were more active in stock
and bond markets during 1995. Net earnings for the 1995 fourth quarter were
$303 million, up 1% from the 1995 third quarter and up 88% from the 1994 fourth
quarter.
Net earnings for 1995 were $1,114 million, up 10% from 1994 net earnings of
$1,017 million. Earnings per common share were $5.44 primary and $5.42 fully
diluted in 1995, compared with $4.75 primary and $4.74 fully diluted in 1994.
Total revenues were a record $21,513 million, up 18% from 1994. Net revenues
(revenues after interest expense) totaled $10,265 million in 1995, up 7% from
1994.
Commission revenues increased 9% to a record $3,126 million from $2,871
million in 1994, due primarily to higher levels of listed and over-the-counter
securities transactions and mutual fund commissions, partially offset by lower
revenues from commodities. Commissions from listed and over-the-counter
securities increased due primarily to higher trading volumes on most major U.S.
and international exchanges. Mutual fund commissions increased due primarily to
higher distribution and redemption fees. Distribution fees from deferred-charge
funds increased due to strong fund sales in prior periods and higher asset
levels. Redemption fees increased as clients repositioned invested assets.
Interest and dividend revenues increased 28% to $12,221 million from $9,578
million in 1994. Interest expense, which includes dividend expense, increased
31% from 1994 to $11,248 million. Net interest and dividend profit was $973
million, virtually unchanged from $969 million in 1994, with increases in net
interest-earning assets offset by declining interest spreads due to the
flattening of the U.S. Treasury yield curve. The change in the yield curve
resulted from long-term interest rates falling more than short-term rates
during 1995.
Principal transactions revenues increased 8% from 1994 to $2,519 million in
1995. Increases in equities and equity derivatives and taxable fixed-income
trading revenues were partially offset by decreases in trading revenues from
municipal securities, foreign exchange and commodities, and interest rate and
currency swaps. Equities and equity derivatives trading revenues, in the
aggregate, increased 46% to $912 million, due primarily to improved volumes in
the convertible, over-the-counter, and international equities markets,
partially offset by lower equity derivatives trading revenues. Taxable fixed-
income trading revenues increased 10% to $516 million due, in part, to higher
revenues from corporate bonds and preferred stock, high-yield bonds, and non-
U.S. governments and agencies securities. Trading revenues from mortgage-backed
products were negatively affected by reduced market liquidity, leading to a
loss. Nevertheless, trading results from mortgage-backed products, which
include related net interest revenues, were positive. U.S. Government and
agencies securities trading revenues were down from 1994 due to tighter spreads
between U.S. Treasury securities and related futures hedges, as well as reduced
retail investor demand attributable to lower interest rates. Municipal
securities revenues decreased 28% to $273 million as a result of decreased
investor demand for tax-exempt investments as investors remained wary of
potential tax law changes and sought higher returns in equity and taxable
fixed-income securities. Foreign exchange and commodities revenues, in the
aggregate, declined 22% to $86 million. Commodities trading revenues decreased
due to lower volumes. Increases in foreign exchange trading revenues resulted
from higher customer volume caused by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar
versus other major currencies during 1995. Interest rate and currency swaps
revenues declined 2% to $732 million. Decreases in U.S. dollar-denominated
transactions were substantially offset by increased revenues in non-dollar-
denominated transactions, particularly in Japanese and European markets.
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Investment banking revenues were $1,308 million, up 5% from $1,240 million in
1994. Strategic services revenues, which include fees for merger and
acquisition activity, debt restructuring, and other advisory services,
increased, as companies worldwide sought strategic partners to promote growth
while cutting costs and increasing efficiencies. Underwriting revenues were
down, as lower revenues from equities, private placements, high-yield debt, and
mortgage-backed securities underwriting were partially offset by increased
underwriting revenues from corporate bonds and preferred stock and defined
asset funds.
Asset management and portfolio service fees rose 9% in 1995 to a record
$1,890 million from $1,739 million in 1994, as a result of higher fees earned
from asset management and other fee-based services. Other revenues decreased 5%
from 1994 to $449 million, due to lower net realized investment gains in 1995
compared with 1994.
Non-interest expenses were $8,454 million, up 7% from $7,895 million in the
year-ago period. Compensation and benefits expense, which represented
approximately 62% of non-interest expenses, increased 6% due primarily to
increased production-related and incentive compensation and the addition of
Smith New Court PLC ("Smith New Court") employees. Compensation and benefits
expense as a percentage of net revenues was 51.3% in 1995, compared with 51.5%
in 1994.
Occupancy costs increased 3% from 1994 primarily due to international growth.
Other facilities-related costs, which include communications and equipment
rental expense and depreciation and amortization expenses, rose 13% primarily
due to expanded use of market data services, as well as higher depreciation
expense from the purchase of technology-related assets over the past year.
Professional fees increased 16% from the year-ago period, due to higher legal
fees and systems development costs related to upgrading technology and
processing capabilities in customer, trading, and transaction processing
systems. Advertising and market development expenses increased 6% from 1994 as
a result of increased advertising, international travel, and sales promotion
primarily related to international growth. Brokerage, clearing, and exchange
fees increased 7% as a result of higher securities volume, particularly in
international markets. Other expenses increased 4% from 1994, due primarily to
a $26 million first quarter charge for the write-off of assets related to a
technology contract and $14 million of goodwill amortization related to Smith
New Court.
Income tax expense totaled $697 million in 1995. The effective tax rate in
1995 was 38.5%, compared with 41.2% in 1994. The decrease in the effective tax
rate was attributable to lower state income taxes, expanded international
business activities in jurisdictions with lower tax rates, and increases in
deductions for dividends received.
In 1995 the Company acquired Smith New Court, a U.K.-based global securities
firm, for approximately $800 million. The Company recorded approximately $530
million of goodwill related to the acquisition, which is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over 15 years. The Company's 1995 results include those of
Smith New Court since mid-August 1995.
CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 29, 1995
The Company believes that its equity base is adequate relative to the level
and composition of its assets and the mix of its business.
In the normal course of business, the Company underwrites, trades, and holds
non-investment grade securities in connection with its investment banking,
market-making, and derivative structuring activities. These activities are
subject to risks related to the creditworthiness of the issuers of, and the
liquidity of the market for, such securities, in addition to the usual risks
associated with investing in, financing, underwriting, and trading in
investment grade instruments.
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At December 29, 1995, the fair value of long and short non-investment grade
trading inventories amounted to $5,489 million and $353 million, respectively,
and in the aggregate (i.e. the sum of long and short trading inventories)
represented 6.3% of aggregate consolidated trading inventories.
At December 29, 1995, the carrying value of extensions of credit provided to
corporations entering into leveraged transactions aggregated $489 million
(excluding unutilized revolving lines of credit and other lending commitments
of $127 million), consisting primarily of senior term and subordinated
financings to 30 medium-sized corporations. At December 29, 1995, the Company
had no bridge loans outstanding. Loans to highly leveraged corporations are
carried at unpaid principal balances less a reserve for estimated losses. The
allowance for loan losses is estimated based on a review of each loan, and
consideration of economic, market, and credit conditions. Direct equity
investments made in conjunction with the Company's investment and merchant
banking activities aggregated $211 million at December 29, 1995, representing
investments in 62 enterprises. Equity investments in privately-held companies
for which sale is restricted by government or contractual requirements are
carried at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. At December 29,
1995, the Company held interests in partnerships, totaling $91 million
(recorded on the cost basis), that invest in highly leveraged transactions and
non-investment grade securities. At December 29, 1995, the Company also
committed to invest an additional $79 million in partnerships that invest in
leveraged transactions.
The Company's insurance subsidiaries hold non-investment grade securities.
Non-investment grade securities were 4.2% of total insurance investments at
December 29, 1995. Non-investment grade securities of insurance subsidiaries
are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
At December 29, 1995, the largest non-investment grade concentration
consisted of various issues of a South American sovereign totaling $674
million, of which $672 million represented on-balance-sheet hedges for off-
balance-sheet financial instruments. No one industry sector accounted for more
than 35% of total non-investment grade positions. At December 29, 1995, the
Company held an aggregate carrying value of $164 million in debt and equity
securities of issuers in various stages of bankruptcy proceedings or in
default, of which 75% resulted from the Company's market-making activities in
such securities.
FIRST QUARTER 1996
Global financial markets were generally strong during 1995, led by a stable
U.S. economy, declining interest rates, and heightened investor activity.
Market expectations for additional declines in interest rates continued through
February 1996, fueling further market advances, strong investor and issuer
activity, higher fee-based revenues, and improved trading profits industrywide.
In March 1996, inflationary fears were stirred by the release of U.S. economic
statistics indicating stronger than anticipated growth and the Federal
Reserve's decision to hold short-term interest rates at current levels. This
led to increases in long-term interest rates and greater market volatility,
although interest rates remained low relative to the year-ago period.
Net earnings for the 1996 first quarter were a record $409 million, up 80%
from 1995 first quarter net earnings of $228 million. Earnings per common share
were $2.03 primary and fully diluted in the 1996 first quarter, compared with
$1.08 primary and fully diluted in the 1995 first quarter. Total revenues were
a record $6,019 million in the first quarter of 1996, up 16% from the 1995
first quarter. Net revenues (revenues after interest expense) totaled $3,261
million in the first quarter of 1996, up 35% from the 1995 first quarter.
Commissions revenues rose 44% to a record $989 million from $685 million in
the 1995 first quarter. Commissions revenues from listed and over-the-counter
securities increased to record levels due to higher trading volumes on most
major U.S. and international exchanges. Mutual fund commissions advanced to
record levels due to strong sales of both domestic and offshore funds.
Interest and dividend revenues decreased to $3,010 million from $3,030
million in the 1995 first quarter. Interest expense, which includes dividend
expense, decreased to $2,758 million from $2,783 million in the year-ago
quarter. Net interest and dividend profit was $252 million, up slightly from
$247 million in 1995, with increases in net interest-earning assets
substantially offset by the effect of lower interest rates.
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Principal transactions revenues increased 46% from the 1995 first quarter to
a record $982 million, as higher investor activity and market volatility led to
increases in virtually all trading products. Equities and equity derivatives
trading revenues, in the aggregate, were up 109% to $347 million. Trading
revenues from most equity products increased, due primarily to higher trading
volume and rising stock prices. International equities trading revenues, in
particular, benefited from the addition of Smith New Court trading activity.
Taxable fixed-income trading revenues rose 62% to $265 million due primarily to
higher revenues from non-U.S. governments and agencies, mortgage-backed
securities, and high-yield bonds. Non-U.S. governments and agencies trading
revenues advanced due to improved results from trading of Japanese Government
Bonds, as well as increased trading volume in certain Latin American emerging
markets as credit ratings improved and investors sought higher returns.
Mortgage-backed securities trading revenues increased due primarily to improved
liquidity and increased customer demand compared with the year-ago period.
Trading revenues from high-yield bonds were up due to lower interest rates and
improved credit ratings of certain issuers. Interest rate and currency swap
trading revenues increased 9% to $255 million due to higher trading revenues
from non-U.S. dollar-denominated transactions, partially offset by decreases in
revenues from U.S. dollar-denominated transactions. Foreign exchange and
commodities trading revenues, in the aggregate, rose 94% from the 1995 first
quarter to $40 million, as foreign exchange trading revenues continued to
benefit from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar versus other major
currencies. Municipal securities trading revenues declined 17% to $75 million,
primarily due to continued weak investor demand for tax-exempt investments.
Investment banking revenues were $378 million, up 52% from $249 million in
the 1995 first quarter. Underwriting revenues increased 82%, benefiting from
strong levels of debt and equity underwriting industrywide, with higher fees
from convertibles, corporate bonds and preferred stock, equities, and high-
yield securities. Strategic services revenues were down slightly from a year
ago, but remained comparable to record 1995 levels, benefiting from continued
strong merger and acquisition activity.
Asset management and portfolio service fees rose 20% in 1996 to a record $538
million from $448 million in the first quarter of 1995, primarily as a result
of strong inflows of client assets. Other revenues were $122 million, up 4%
from $117 million reported in the 1995 first quarter.
Non-interest expenses were $2,590 million, up 27% from $2,041 million in the
year-ago period. Compensation and benefits expense, which represented
approximately 65% of non-interest expenses, increased 33% due primarily to
higher incentive and production-related compensation as well as a 6% increase
in the number of full-time employees, largely due to acquisitions. Compensation
and benefits expense as a percentage of net revenues was 51.8% in the first
quarter of 1996, compared with 52.5% in the 1995 first quarter.
Occupancy costs increased 5% from the 1995 first quarter primarily due to
international growth. Other facilities-related costs, which include
communications and equipment rental expense and depreciation and amortization
expense, rose 16% primarily due to higher levels of business activity and
increased use of market data services, as well as higher depreciation expense
from the purchase of technology-related assets over the past year.
Professional fees increased 32% from the year ago period, primarily as a
result of higher systems development costs related to upgrading technology and
processing capabilities. Advertising and market development expenses increased
33% from the 1995 first quarter. Increased international travel and higher
advertising and client promotion costs contributed to this advance. Brokerage,
clearing, and exchange fees rose 27% as a result of higher trading volume,
particularly in international markets. Other expenses increased 4% from 1995,
primarily due to goodwill amortization related to Smith New Court.
Income tax expense totaled $262 million in the 1996 first quarter. The
effective tax rate in the 1996 first quarter was 39.0%, compared with 40.0% in
the first quarter of 1995. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily
attributable to increases in dividends qualifying for the Federal dividends
received deduction, lower state taxes, and expanded international business
activities.
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CERTAIN BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 29, 1996
The Company believes that its equity base is adequate relative to the level
and composition of its assets and the mix of its business.
In the normal course of business, the Company underwrites, trades, and holds
non-investment grade securities in connection with its investment banking,
market making, and derivative structuring activities. These activities are
subject to additional risks related to the creditworthiness of the issuers and
the liquidity of the market for such securities.
At March 29, 1996, the fair value of long and short non-investment grade
trading inventories amounted to $6,026 million and $529 million, respectively,
and in the aggregate (i.e., the sum of long and short trading inventories)
represented 6.6% of aggregate consolidated trading inventories.
At March 29, 1996, the carrying value of extensions of credit provided to
corporations entering into leveraged transactions aggregated $517 million
(excluding unutilized revolving lines of credit and other lending commitments
of $75 million), consisting primarily of senior term and subordinated
financings to 34 medium-sized corporations. In addition, at March 29, 1996, the
Company had an outstanding bridge loan of $90 million, and as of May 6, 1996,
the Company had an outstanding bridge loan commitment for $100 million. Direct
equity investments made in conjunction with the Company's investment and
merchant banking activities aggregated $189 million at March 29, 1996,
representing investments in 62 enterprises. At March 29, 1996, the Company held
interests in partnerships, totaling $82 million, that invest in highly
leveraged transactions and non-investment grade securities. At March 29, 1996,
the Company also committed to invest an additional $83 million in partnerships
that invest in leveraged transactions.
The Company's insurance subsidiaries hold non-investment grade securities.
Non-investment grade securities were 4.7% of total insurance investments at
March 29, 1996. Non-investment grade securities of insurance subsidiaries are
classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
At March 29, 1996, the largest non-investment grade concentration consisted
of various issues of a South American sovereign totaling $764 million, which
primarily represented on-balance-sheet hedges for off-balance-sheet financial
instruments. No one industry sector accounted for more than 31% of total non-
investment grade positions. At March 29, 1996, the Company held an aggregate
carrying value of $169 million in debt and equity securities of issuers in
various stages of bankruptcy proceedings or in default, of which 80% resulted
from the Company's market-making activities in such securities.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE STRYPES
Each issue of STRYPES will be a series of Senior Debt Securities to be issued
under an indenture (the "Chemical Indenture"), dated as of April 1, 1983, as
amended and restated, between the Company and Chemical Bank (successor by
merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as trustee (the "Trustee"), as
further amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture to be entered into
by the Company and the Trustee relating to each series of STRYPES (the
"Supplemental Indenture") (the Chemical Indenture, as so amended and
supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture with respect to each series of
STRYPES, the "Indenture"). The following summary of certain provisions of the
Indenture does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Indenture. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein
have the meanings specified in the Indenture. Whenever defined terms of the
Indenture are referred to herein, such defined terms are incorporated by
reference herein.
GENERAL
The Supplemental Indenture will provide that STRYPES of the related series
may be issued from time to time under the Indenture, up to a specified
aggregate issue price, upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent. The
Supplemental Indenture will establish the terms of the related series of
STRYPES, including: (1) the issue price per STRYPES; (2) the date on which such
STRYPES will mature; (3) the consideration deliverable or payable with respect
to such STRYPES, whether at maturity or upon earlier acceleration, and the
formula or other method by which the amount of such consideration will be
determined; (4) the rate or rates per annum (which may be fixed or variable) at
which such STRYPES will bear interest, if any; (5) the dates on which such
interest, if any, will be payable; (6) the provisions for redemption of such
STRYPES, if any, the redemption price and any remarketing arrangements relating
thereto; (7) the sinking fund requirements, if any, with respect to such
STRYPES; (8) whether such STRYPES are denominated or provide for payment in
United States dollars or a foreign currency or units of two or more of such
foreign currencies; (9) whether and under what circumstances the Company will
pay additional amounts ("Additional Amounts") in respect of such STRYPES held
by a person who is not a U.S. person (as defined in the Prospectus Supplement,
as applicable) in respect of specified taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges and whether the Company has the option to redeem the affected STRYPES
rather than pay such Additional Amounts; (10) the title of the STRYPES and the
series of which such STRYPES shall be a part; and (11) the obligation of the
Company to pay and discharge such STRYPES at maturity by delivery of Underlying
Securities (or cash with an equal value), the formula or other method by which
the amount of such Underlying Securities will be determined, and the terms and
conditions upon which such payment and discharge shall be effected. Reference
is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the terms of the STRYPES being offered
thereby.
Under the Indenture, the Company will have the ability, in addition to the
ability to issue STRYPES with terms different from those of STRYPES previously
issued, to "reopen" a previous series of STRYPES and issue additional STRYPES
of such series.
Issue price and interest, premium and Additional Amounts, if any, and
Underlying Securities will be payable or deliverable in the manner, at the
places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Indenture, the STRYPES
and the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, provided that payment of any
interest and any Additional Amounts may be made at the option of the Company by
check mailed to the holders of registered STRYPES at their registered
addresses.
STRYPES may be presented for exchange, and registered STRYPES may be
presented for transfer, in the manner, at the places and subject to the
restrictions set forth in the Indenture, the STRYPES and the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. No service charge will be made for any transfer or
exchange of STRYPES, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
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RANKING
The STRYPES will be unsecured obligations and will rank pari passu with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. Since the
Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and hence the right of
creditors of the Company (including the holders of the STRYPES), to participate
in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of
creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company
itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In addition,
dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including MLPF&S, to
the Company are restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act
and under rules of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.
SECURITIES DEPOSITORY
Upon issuance, each series of STRYPES will be represented by one or more
fully registered global securities (the "Global Notes"). Each such Global Note
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, as
Securities Depository (the "Securities Depository"), and registered in the name
of the Securities Depository or a nominee thereof. Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for STRYPES in definitive form under the limited
circumstances described below, no Global Note may be transferred except as a
whole by the Securities Depository to a nominee of such Securities Depository
or by a nominee of such Securities Depository to such Securities Depository or
another nominee of such Securities Depository or by such Securities Depository
or any such nominee to a successor of such Securities Depository or a nominee
of such successor.
The Securities Depository has advised the Company as follows: The Securities
Depository is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the Banking Law
of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a
"clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Securities Depository was
created to hold securities of its participants ("Participants") and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its
Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of the Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of securities certificates. The Securities Depository's Participants
include securities brokers and dealers (including MLPF&S), banks, trust
companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations.
The Securities Depository is owned by a number of Participants and by the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Access to the Securities Depository's
book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers
and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship
with a Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
Purchases of STRYPES must be made by or through Participants, which will
receive a credit on the records of the Securities Depository. The ownership
interest of each actual purchaser of each STRYPES ("Beneficial Owner") is in
turn to be recorded on the Participants' or Indirect Participants' records.
Beneficial Owners will not receive written confirmations from the Securities
Depository of their purchase, but Beneficial Owners are expected to receive
written confirmation providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic
statements of their holdings, from the Participant or Indirect Participant
through which the Beneficial Owner entered into the transaction. Ownership of
beneficial interest in such Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of
such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by
the Securities Depository (with respect to interests of Participants) and on
the records of Participants (with respect to interests of persons held through
Participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge
beneficial interests in Global Notes.
So long as the Securities Depository, or its nominee, is the registered owner
of a Global Note, the Securities Depository or its nominee, as the case may be,
will be considered the sole owner or holder of the STRYPES
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represented by such Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture. Except as
provided below, Beneficial Owners in a Global Note will not be entitled to have
the STRYPES represented by such Global Notes registered in their names, will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of the STRYPES in
definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under
the Indenture. Accordingly, each Person owning a beneficial interest in a
Global Note must rely on the procedures of the Securities Depository and, if
such Person is not a Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through
which such Person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under
the Indenture. The Company understands that under existing industry practices,
in the event that the Company requests any action of holders or that an owner
of a beneficial interest in such a Global Note desires to give or take any
action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture, the
Securities Depository would authorize the Participants holding the relevant
beneficial interests to give or take such action, and such Participants would
authorize Beneficial Owners owning through such Participants to give or take
such action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of Beneficial Owners.
Conveyance of notices and other communications by the Securities Depository to
Participants, by Participants to Indirect Participants, and by Participants and
Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners will be governed by arrangements
among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in
effect from time to time.
Payment of any amount with respect to STRYPES registered in the name of the
Securities Depository or its nominee will be made to the Securities Depository
or its nominee, as the case may be, as the holder of the Global Notes
representing such STRYPES. None of the Company, the Trustee or any other agent
of the Company or agent of the Trustee will have any responsibility or
liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests or for supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests. The Company expects that the
Securities Depository, upon receipt of any payment in respect of a Global Note,
will credit the accounts of the Participants with payment in amounts
proportionate to their respective holdings of beneficial interest in such
Global Note as shown on the records of the Securities Depository. The Company
also expects that payments by Participants to Beneficial Owners will be
governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now
the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or
registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such
Participants.
If, with respect to a series of STRYPES, (x) the Securities Depository is at
any time unwilling or unable to continue as Securities Depository and a
successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 60 days, (y) the
Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that
the Global Notes shall be exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing with respect to any STRYPES of that series, the Company will
issue STRYPES in definitive form in exchange for all of the Global Notes
representing the STRYPES of that series. Such definitive STRYPES shall be
registered in such name or names as the Securities Depository shall instruct
the Trustee. It is expected that such instructions may be based upon directions
received by the Securities Depository from Participants with respect to
ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Notes.
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
The Company may consolidate or merge with or into any other corporation, and
the Company may sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to
any corporation, provided that (i) the corporation (if other than the Company)
formed by or resulting from any such consolidation or merger or which shall
have received such assets shall be a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof and shall assume
the due and punctual delivery or payment of the Underlying Securities (or cash
with an equal value) in respect of, any interest and Additional Amounts on, and
any other amounts payable with respect to, the STRYPES of each series and the
due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and
conditions of the Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, and
(ii) the Company or such successor corporation, as the case may be, shall not
immediately thereafter be in default under the Indenture.
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LIMITATIONS UPON LIENS
The Indenture provides that the Company may not, and may not permit any
Subsidiary (defined in the Indenture as any corporation of which at the time of
determination the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries owns or controls
directly or indirectly 50% of the shares of Voting Stock of such corporation)
to, create, assume, incur or permit to exist any indebtedness for borrowed
money secured by a pledge, lien or other encumbrance (except for certain liens
specifically permitted by the Indenture) on the Voting Stock owned directly or
indirectly by the Company of any Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary which, at
the time of incurrence of such secured indebtedness, has a net worth of less
than $3,000,000) without making effective provision whereby the Outstanding
STRYPES will be secured equally and ratably with such secured indebtedness.
LIMITATIONS ON DISPOSITION OF VOTING STOCK OF, AND MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS
BY, MLPF&S
The Indenture provides that the Company may not sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any Voting Stock of MLPF&S or permit MLPF&S to issue, sell or
otherwise dispose of any of its Voting Stock, unless, after giving effect to
any such transaction, MLPF&S remains a Controlled Subsidiary (defined in the
Indenture to mean a corporation more than 80% of the outstanding shares of
Voting Stock of which are owned directly or indirectly by the Company). In
addition, the Indenture provides that the Company may not permit MLPF&S to (i)
merge or consolidate, unless the surviving company is a Controlled Subsidiary,
or (ii) convey or transfer its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety, except to one or more Controlled Subsidiaries.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, each of the following
will constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture with respect to each
series of STRYPES: (a) failure to pay and discharge the STRYPES of that series
with the Underlying Securities or, if the Company so elects, to pay an
equivalent amount in cash in lieu thereof when due; (b) failure to pay the
Redemption Price or any redemption premium with respect to any STRYPES of that
series when due; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when and as
due by the terms of any STRYPES of that series; (d) failure to pay any interest
on or any Additional Amounts in respect of any STRYPES of that series when due,
continued for 30 days; (e) failure to perform any other covenant of the Company
contained in the Indenture for the benefit of that series or in the STRYPES of
that series, continued for 60 days after written notice has been given to the
Company by the Trustee, or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at
least 10% of the aggregate issue price of the Outstanding STRYPES of that
series, as provided in the Indenture; (f) certain events in bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization of the Company; and (g) any other Event of Default
provided with respect to STRYPES of that series.
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, if an Event of Default
(other than an Event of Default described in clause (f) of the immediately
preceding paragraph) with respect to the STRYPES of any series shall occur and
be continuing, either the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% of the
aggregate issue price of the Outstanding STRYPES of that series by notice as
provided in the Indenture may declare an amount equal to the aggregate issue
price of all the STRYPES of that series and the interest accrued thereon and
Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof, if any, to be immediately due
and payable in cash. If an Event of Default described in said clause (f) shall
occur, an amount equal to the aggregate issue price of all the STRYPES of that
series and the interest accrued thereon and Additional Amounts payable in
respect thereof, if any, will become immediately due and payable in cash
without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any
holder. After such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration, the holders of a majority of the aggregate issue price of the
Outstanding STRYPES of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind
and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-
payment of the amount equal to the aggregate issue price of all the STRYPES of
that series due by reason of such acceleration, have been cured or waived as
provided in the Indenture. See "Modification and Waiver" below.
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Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the
Trustee, in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of STRYPES of any
series, unless such holders of that series shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities
which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the holders
of a majority of the aggregate issue price of the STRYPES of any series will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the STRYPES of that series.
The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee annually a statement
by certain of its officers as to whether or not the Company, to their
knowledge, is in default in the fulfillment of any of its obligations under the
Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.
The STRYPES and other series of Senior Debt Securities issued under the
Indenture will not have the benefit of any cross-default provisions with other
indebtedness of the Company.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, modifications of and
amendments to the Indenture affecting a series of STRYPES may be made by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% of the
aggregate issue price of the Outstanding STRYPES of such series; provided,
however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the
holder of each Outstanding STRYPES of such series affected thereby, (a) change
the Maturity Date or the Stated Maturity of any installment of interest or
Additional Amounts on any STRYPES or any premium payable on the redemption
thereof, or change the Redemption Price, (b) reduce the amount of Underlying
Securities payable with respect to any STRYPES (or reduce the amount of cash
payable in lieu thereof), (c) reduce the amount of interest or Additional
Amounts payable on any STRYPES or reduce the amount of cash payable with
respect to any STRYPES upon acceleration of the maturity thereof, (d) change
the place or currency of payment of interest or Additional Amounts on, or any
amount of cash payable with respect to, any STRYPES, (e) impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any
STRYPES, including the payment of Underlying Securities with respect to any
STRYPES, (f) reduce the percentage of the aggregate issue price of Outstanding
STRYPES of such series, the consent of whose holders is required to modify or
amend the Indenture, (g) reduce the percentage of the aggregate issue price of
Outstanding STRYPES of such series necessary for waiver of compliance with
certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults or (h)
modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver. Except as
provided in the Indenture, no modification of or amendment to the Indenture may
adversely affect the rights of a holder of any other Senior Debt Security
without the consent of such holder.
The holders of a majority of the aggregate issue price of each series of
STRYPES may waive compliance by the Company with certain restrictive provisions
of the Indenture. The holders of a majority of the aggregate issue price of
each series of STRYPES may waive any past default under the Indenture, except a
default in the payment of the Underlying Securities with respect to any STRYPES
of that series, or of cash payable in lieu thereof, or in the payment of any
premium, interest or Additional Amounts on any STRYPES of that series for which
payment had not been subsequently made or in respect of a covenant and
provision of the Indenture which cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the holder of each Outstanding STRYPES of such series affected.
GOVERNING LAW
The Indenture and the STRYPES will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
14
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Company may sell STRYPES to the public through MLPF&S. The accompanying
Prospectus Supplement describes the terms of the STRYPES offered thereby,
including the public offering or purchase price, any discounts and commissions
to be allowed or paid to MLPF&S, all other items constituting underwriting
compensation, the discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers,
if any, and the exchanges, if any, on which the STRYPES will be listed. Only
MLPF&S will act as an underwriter in connection with the STRYPES. Under certain
circumstances, the Company may repurchase STRYPES and reoffer them to the
public as set forth above. The Company may also arrange for repurchases and
resales of such STRYPES by dealers.
The underwriting of STRYPES will conform to the requirements set forth in the
applicable sections of Schedule E to the By-Laws of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and related financial statement
schedules of the Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by
reference in the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP,
independent auditors, as stated in their reports incorporated by reference
herein. The information under the caption "Summary Financial Information" for
each of the five years in the period ended December 29, 1995 included in this
Prospectus and the Selected Financial Data under the captions "Operating
Results," "Financial Position" and "Common Share Data" for each of the five
years in the period ended December 29, 1995 included in the 1995 Annual Report
to Stockholders of the Company, and incorporated by reference herein, has been
derived from consolidated financial statements audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, as set forth in their reports included as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or incorporated by reference herein. Such consolidated financial
statements and related financial statement schedules, such Summary Financial
Information and Selected Financial Data appearing or incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus and the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part, have been included or incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon
such reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP given upon their authority as experts in
accounting and auditing.
With respect to unaudited interim financial information for the periods
included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (including any amendments
applicable thereto) which are incorporated herein by reference, Deloitte &
Touche LLP have applied limited procedures in accordance with professional
standards for a review of such information. However, as stated in their report
included in any such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including any amendments
applicable thereto) and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit
and they do not express an opinion on such interim financial information.
Accordingly, the degree of reliance on their reports on such information should
be restricted in light of the limited nature of the review procedures applied.
Deloitte & Touche LLP are not subject to the liability provisions of Section 11
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Act") for any such report on
unaudited interim financial information because any such report is not a
"report" or a "part" of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by an
accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
15
<PAGE>
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NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR IN-
CORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING DESCRIBED HEREIN, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH IN-
FORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR THE UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPEC-
TUS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY,
ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY OFFERED HEREBY OR OF ANY SECURI-
TIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL
TO MAKE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER AND
THEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT THERE
HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF OR THAT
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSE-
QUENT TO ITS DATE.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Summary.................................................................... S-3
Risk Factors............................................................... S-8
Cox Communications, Inc. .................................................. S-11
Price Range of Cox Common Stock............................................ S-12
Cox Dividend Policy........................................................ S-12
Supplemental Use of Proceeds............................................... S-12
Supplemental Description of the STRYPES.................................... S-13
Certain Arrangements With CEI.............................................. S-19
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.................... S-20
Underwriting............................................................... S-28
Validity of the STRYPES.................................................... S-28
PROSPECTUS
Available Information...................................................... 2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
Reference................................................................. 2
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ................................................. 3
Use of Proceeds............................................................ 3
Summary Financial Information.............................................. 4
Description of the STRYPES................................................. 10
Plan of Distribution....................................................... 15
Experts.................................................................... 15
</TABLE>
APPENDIX A
Prospectus relating to Class A Common Stock of Cox Communications, Inc.
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8,500,000 STRYPES SM
[LOGO]
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
6% STRYPES SM
DUE JUNE 1 , 1999
PAYABLE WITH SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF
[LOGO]
COX COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(OR CASH WITH AN EQUAL VALUE)
----------------------
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
----------------------
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MAY 22, 1996
SMService mark of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
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