MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC
8-A12B, 1996-10-23
SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES
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<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                _______________

                                   FORM 8-A

               FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
                         -----------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           Delaware                                  13-2740599
        --------------                             -------------
(State of incorporation or organization)            (I.R.S. Employer
                                                    Identification No.)


     World Financial Center
     North Tower
     250 Vesey Street
     New York, New York                                 10281
     -----------------------------                 ------------
(Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)

If this Form relates to the         If this Form relates to the
registration of a class of          registration of a class of
debt securities and is              debt securities and is to
effective upon filing pursuant      become effective
to General Instruction A(c)(1)      simultaneously with the
please check the following          effectiveness of a concurrent
box.  [X]                           registration statement under the Securities
                                    Act of 1933 pursuant to General Instruction
                                    A(c)(2) please check the following box. [_]

Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class                 Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered                 each class is to be registered
- -------------------                 ------------------------------

Healthcare/Biotechnology Portfolio       American Stock Exchange
  Market Index Target-
Term Securities/SM/ due October __, 2001


Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                     None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               (Title of class)

/SM/ "Market Index Target-Term Securities" is a service mark owned by Merrill
     Lynch & Co., Inc.
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.  Description of Registrant's Notes to be Registered.
         -------------------------------------------------- 

          The description of the general terms and provisions of the
Healthcare/Biotechnology Portfolio Market Index Target-Term Securities /SM/ due
October __, 2001 ("MITTS(R)") to be issued by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the
"Notes") set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated August 30,
1996, and the Prospectus dated August 30, 1996, attached hereto as Exhibit 99
(A) are hereby incorporated by reference and contain certain proposed terms and
provisions.  The description of the Notes contained in the Prospectus Supplement
to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, under Registration Statement Number 33-65135 which will contain the
final terms and provisions of the Notes, including the maturity date of the
Notes, is hereby deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration
Statement and to be a part hereof.

Item 2.  Exhibits.
         -------- 

     99 (A)    Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated August 30, 1996, and
               Prospectus dated August 30, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
               registrant's filing pursuant to Rule 424 (b)).

     99 (B)    Form of Note.

     99 (C)    Copy of Indenture between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and The Chase
               Manhattan Bank, formerly known as Chemical Bank (successor by
               merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), dated as of April
               1, 1983, as amended and restated.*


          Other securities issued by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. are listed on the
American Stock Exchange.

                                   SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this registration statement to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

                                             MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

                                                    /s/ Theresa Lang
                                             By: _______________________________
                                                       Theresa Lang
                                                        Treasurer

Date:   October 23, 1996

- ------------------------
"MITTS" is a registered service mark and "Market Index Target-Term Securities"
is a service mark owned by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
 
*       Exhibit 99 (C) is incorporated by reference from Exhibit (3) to
        Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 20, 1992.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549



                           MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.



                                   EXHIBITS
                                      TO
                       FORM 8-A DATED OCTOBER 23, 1996

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------


Exhibit No.                                                     Page No.
- ----------                                                      ------- 

99 (A)         Preliminary Prospectus Supplement 
               dated August 30, 1996, and
               Prospectus dated August 30, 1996 
               (incorporated by reference to
               registrant's filing pursuant 
               to Rule 424 (b)).

99 (B)         Form of Note.

99 (C)         Copy of Indenture between Merrill Lynch 
               & Co., Inc. and The Chase Manhattan Bank, 
               formerly known as Chemical Bank
               (successor by merger to Manufacturers
               Hanover Trust Company), dated as of
               April 1, 1983, as amended and restated.*



- ------------------------
*      Exhibit 99 (C) is incorporated by reference from Exhibit (3) to
       Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated July 20,
       1992.

                                       4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT 99 (B)

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF.  UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR
SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS
A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("DTC"), TO A
NOMINEE OF DTC OR BY DTC OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A
NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY.  UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC TO MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. OR ITS AGENT FOR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO
SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON
IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST
HEREIN.

No. R-                                                                   $
CUSIP 590 188 2 31                                              
                           MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
                       Healthcare/Biotechnology Portfolio
                      Market Index Target-Term Securities /SM/
                              due October __, 2001

     Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to
as the "Company", which term includes any successor corporation under the
Indenture herein referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of 
DOLLARS (           )(the "Principal Amount") plus the Supplemental Redemption
Amount, as defined below, on October __, 2001 (the "Stated Maturity").

     Payment of the Principal Amount and the Supplemental Redemption Amount and
any interest on any overdue amount thereof with respect to this Security shall
be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the
United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment
of public and private debts.

     This Security is one of the series of Healthcare/ Biotechnology Portfolio
Market Index Target-Term Securities/SM/ due October __, 2001 (the "Securities").

- -----------------
/SM/ "Market Index Target-Term Securities" is a service mark owned by Merrill
     Lynch & Co., Inc.
<PAGE>
 
Supplemental Redemption Amount


     The "Supplemental Redemption Amount" with respect to this Security equals:


      Principal Amount  X     Ending Portfolio Value - Benchmark Portfolio Value
                              --------------------------------------------------
                                            Benchmark Portfolio Value



provided, however, that in no event will the Supplemental Redemption Amount be
less than zero.  The value (the "Portfolio Value") of the Healthcare/
Biotechnology Portfolio (herein referred to as the "Portfolio") is calculated
and disseminated by the American Stock Exchange (the "AMEX").  The Portfolio
Value equaled 100 on the date the Securities were priced for initial offering to
the public (the "Pricing Date").  The "Benchmark Portfolio Value" equals       .
The "Ending Portfolio Value" will be determined by Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Calculation Agent", which term includes any
successor thereto) and will equal the average (arithmetic mean) of the closing
values of the Portfolio determined on each of the first five Calculation Days
during the Calculation Period.  If there are fewer than five Calculation Days,
then the Ending Portfolio Value will equal the average (arithmetic mean) of the
closing values of the Portfolio on such Calculation Days, and if there is only
one Calculation Day, then the Ending Portfolio Value will equal the closing
value of the Portfolio on such Calculation Day.  If no Calculation Days occur
during the Calculation Period because of Market Disruption Events, then the
Ending Portfolio Value will equal the closing value of the Portfolio determined
on the last scheduled Portfolio Business Day in the Calculation Period,
regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event on such day.  The
"Calculation Period" means the period from and including the seventh scheduled
Portfolio Business Day prior to the Stated Maturity to and including the second
scheduled Portfolio Business Day prior to the Stated Maturity.  "Calculation
Day" means any Portfolio Business Day during the Calculation Period on which a
Market Disruption Event has not occurred.  For purposes of determining the
Ending Portfolio Value, a "Portfolio Business Day" is a day on which the AMEX is
open for trading and trading generally occurs in the over-the-counter market for
equity securities and the Portfolio Value and any successor Portfolio Value is
calculated and published.  All determinations made by the Calculation Agent
shall be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and, absent a
determination by the Calculation Agent of a manifest error, shall be conclusive
for all purposes and binding on the Company and beneficial owners of the
Securities.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PORTFOLIO; MARKET DISRUPTION EVENTS

          If at any time the method of calculating the Portfolio Value, or the
value thereof, is changed in any material respect, or if the Portfolio is in any
other way modified so that such Portfolio Value does not, in the opinion of the
Calculation Agent, fairly represent the Portfolio Value had such changes or
modifications not been made, then, from and after such time, the Calculation
Agent shall, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that
the closing value with respect to the Ending Portfolio Value is to be
calculated, make such adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the
Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a calculation of a
value of a stock index comparable to the Portfolio Value as if such changes or
modifications had not been made, and calculate such closing value with reference
to the Portfolio Value, as adjusted.  Accordingly, if the method of calculating
the Portfolio Value is modified so that the Portfolio Value is a fraction or a
multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due to a
split in the Portfolio Value), then the Calculation Agent shall adjust such
Portfolio Value in order to arrive at a Portfolio Value as if it had not been
modified (e.g., as if such split had not occurred).

      "Market Disruption Event" means either of the following events, as
determined by the Calculation Agent:

          (i)  the suspension or material limitation (limitations pursuant to
     New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") Rule 80A (or any applicable rule or
     regulation enacted or promulgated by the NYSE or any other self regulatory
     organization or the Securities and Exchange Commission of similar scope as
     determined by the Calculation Agent) on trading during significant market
     fluctuations shall be considered "material" for purposes of this
     definition) in the trading of three or more of the stocks comprising the
     Portfolio (the "Portfolio Securities") on any exchange in the United States
     or in the over-the-counter market for more than two hours of trading or
     during the period one-half hour prior to the close of such trading, or

          (ii)  the suspension or material limitation (whether by reason of
     movements in price otherwise exceeding levels permitted by the relevant
     exchange or otherwise) in the trading of option contracts related to three
     or more of the Portfolio Securities traded on any exchange for more than
     two hours of trading or during the period one-half hour prior to the close
     of such trading.

     For the purposes of this definition, a limitation on the hours in a trading
day and/or number of days of trading will not constitute a Market Disruption
Event if it results from an

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange.

DISCONTINUANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO

     If the AMEX discontinues publication of the Portfolio Value and the AMEX or
another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the Calculation
Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such Portfolio
Value (any such index being referred to hereinafter as a "Successor Portfolio
Value"), then, upon the Calculation Agent's notification of such determination
to the Trustee (as defined below) and the Company, the Calculation Agent will
substitute the Successor Portfolio Value as calculated by the AMEX or such other
entity for the Portfolio Value and calculate the Ending Portfolio Value as
described above in the section entitled "Supplemental Redemption Amount."  Upon
any selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Portfolio Value, the
Company shall cause notice thereof to be given to Holders of the Securities.

     If the AMEX discontinues publication of the Portfolio Value and a Successor
Portfolio Value is not selected by the Calculation Agent or is no longer
published on any of the Calculation Days, the value to be substituted for the
Portfolio Value for any such Calculation Day used to calculate the Supplemental
Redemption Amount at maturity will be a value computed by the Calculation Agent
for each Calculation Day in accordance with the procedures last used to
calculate the Portfolio Value prior to any such discontinuance.  If a Successor
Portfolio Value is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a value as a
substitute for the Portfolio Value as described below, such Successor Portfolio
Value or value shall be substituted for the Portfolio Value for all purposes,
including for purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.

     If the AMEX discontinues publication of the Portfolio Value prior to the
period during which the Supplemental Redemption Amount is to be determined and
the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor Portfolio Value is available
at such time, then on each Business Day until the earlier to occur of (i) the
determination of the Ending Portfolio Value and (ii) a determination by the
Calculation Agent that a Successor Portfolio Value is available, the Calculation
Agent shall determine the value that would be used in computing the Supplemental
Redemption Amount as described above as if such day were a Calculation Day. The
Calculation Agent will cause notice of each such value to be published not less
often than once each month in The Wall Street Journal (or another newspaper of
general circulation), and arrange for information with respect to such values to
be made available by telephone.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
GENERAL

     This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the
Company, issued and to be issued under an Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1983,
as amended and restated (herein referred to as the "Indenture"), between the
Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, formerly known as Chemical Bank (successor
by merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company), as  Trustee (herein referred
to as the "Trustee", which term includes any successor trustee under the
Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference
is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the
Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities, and the terms upon which
the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.

     The Company hereby covenants for the benefit of the Holders of the
Securities, to the extent permitted by applicable law, not to claim voluntarily
the benefits of any laws concerning usurious rates of interest against a Holder
of the Securities.

     The Securities are not subject to redemption by the Company or at the
option of the Holder prior to the Stated Maturity.

     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities,
Holders of the Securities may accelerate the maturity of the Securities in the
manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.  The amount payable to a
Holder of this Security upon any acceleration permitted by the Securities, with
respect to each $10 principal amount hereof, will be equal to:  (i) $10, plus
(ii) an additional amount of contingent interest calculated as though the date
of early repayment were the Stated Maturity of the Securities.

     In case of default in payment at the maturity date of the Securities
(whether at their Stated Maturity or upon acceleration), from and after the
Stated Maturity the Securities shall bear interest, payable upon demand of the
beneficial owners thereof, at the rate of     % per annum (to the extent that
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) on the unpaid amount due
and payable on such date in accordance with the terms of the Securities to the
date payment of such amount has been made or duly provided for.  Interest on any
overdue Principal Amount or Supplemental Redemption Amount, as the case may be,
shall be payable on demand.

       The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding, as defined in the
Indenture, of each series affected thereby. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on
behalf of the Holders of all Securities of each series, to waive compliance by
the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults
under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the
Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and
upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the
registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether
or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the Principal Amount plus the Supplemental
Redemption Amount with respect to this Security and any interest on any overdue
amount thereof at the time, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth
therein and on the first page hereof, the transfer of this Security may be
registered on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this
Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied
by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly
executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing,
and thereupon one or more new Securities, of authorized denominations and for
the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee
or transferees.

      The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $10 and integral multiples thereof. As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein and on the first
page hereof, the Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal
amount of Securities in authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder
surrendering the same. If (x) any Depository is at any time unwilling or unable
to continue as 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 this Security shall be exchangeable or (z) an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Securities,
this Security shall be exchangeable for Securities in definitive form of like
tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of $10 and
integral multiples thereof. Such definitive Securities shall

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
be registered in such name or names as the Depository shall instruct the
Trustee. If definitive Securities are so delivered, the Company may make such
changes to the form of this Security as are necessary or appropriate to allow
for the issuance of such definitive Securities.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture but not
in this Security shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by The
Chase Manhattan Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or its successor
thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, this
Security shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture or be valid
or obligatory for any purpose.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.



                         CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series     [Copy of Seal]
designated therein referred to in the
within-mentioned Indenture.



The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee            Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.



By:                                             By:
     Authorized Officer                                 Treasurer


                                                Attest:
                                                        Secretary

Dated:

                                       8


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