MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC
8-A12B, 1998-12-18
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 12(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
registration of a class of securities   of a class of securities pursuant to
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the        Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is
Exchange Act and is effective pursuant  effective pursuant to General
to General Instruction A.(c), please    Instruction A.(d), please check the
check the following box. [X]            following box. [_]


Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates:
 333-59997
 ---------

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
- -------------------                    ------------------------------ 

Nikkei 225 Market Index Target-        American Stock Exchange
Term Securities/SM/ due 2005

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 Nikkei 225
Market Index Target-Term Securities/SM/ ("MITTS(R)") due 2005 to be issued by
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Notes") set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus
Supplement dated November 27, 1998, and the Prospectus dated July 30, 1998,
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 333-
59997 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 November 27, 1998, and
               Prospectus dated July 30, 1998, (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 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.



- ------------------------
"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>
 
                                   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.

                              By:    /s/ Andrea L. Dulberg
                                  -------------------------------
                                         Andrea L. Dulberg
                                             Secretary

Date:  December 18, 1998

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549




                           MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.




                                    EXHIBITS
                                       TO
                       FORM 8-A DATED  DECEMBER 18, 1998

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------

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

99 (A)  Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated
        November 27, 1998, and Prospectus dated
        July 30, 1998 (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
        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.

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 99(B)

THIS MITTS 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 MITTS
SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS MITTS 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 MITTS
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 MITTS 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-                                                                     Units
CUSIP. 590188 553                                    (Each Unit representing $10
                                                 principal amount of Securities)


                           MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
                Nikkei 225 Market Index Target-Term Securities/SM/
                                due ______, 2005
                             ("MITTS  Securities")

     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 ______, 2005 (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 MITTS Security is one of the series of Nikkei 225 Market Index Target-
Term Securities/SM/ due ______, 2005.
<PAGE>
 
Supplemental Redemption Amount

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

           Principal Amount   x   (Ending Value - Starting Value)
                                  (-----------------------------)
                                  (        Starting Value       ) 

provided, however, that in no event will the Supplemental Redemption Amount be
less than zero.  The Starting Value equals ________.  The Ending Value will be
determined by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (the "Calculation Agent")
and will equal the average (arithmetic mean) of the closing values of the Index
determined on each of the first five Calculation Days (as defined below) during
the Calculation Period (as defined below).  If there are fewer than five
Calculation Days, then the Ending Value will equal the average (arithmetic mean)
of the closing values of the Index on such Calculation Days, and if there is
only one Calculation Day, then the Ending Value will equal the closing value of
the Index on such Calculation Day.  If no Calculation Days occur during the
Calculation Period, then the Ending Value will equal the closing value of the
Index determined on the last scheduled Index Business Day in the Calculation
Period, regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined
below) on such day.

     The "Calculation Period" means the period from and including the seventh
scheduled Index Business Day (as defined below) prior to the Stated Maturity to
and including the second scheduled Index Business Day prior to the Stated
Maturity.

     "Calculation Day" means any Index Business Day during the Calculation
Period on which a Market Disruption Event (as defined below) has not occurred.

     For purposes of determining the Ending Value, an "Index Business Day" is a
day on which the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and the American Stock
Exchange ("AMEX") are open for trading and the Index or any Successor Index, as
defined below, 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 MITTS Securities.

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE INDEX; MARKET DISRUPTION EVENTS

          If at any time the method of calculating the Index, or the value
thereof, is changed in any material respect, or if the Index is in any other way
modified so that such Index does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent,
fairly represent the value of the Index 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 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 Index
as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
such closing value with reference to the Index, as adjusted. Accordingly, if the
method of calculating the Index is modified so that the value of such Index 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 Index), then the Calculation Agent shall adjust
such Index in order to arrive at a value of the Index 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:

               (a) a suspension, material limitation or absence of trading on
     the TSE of 20% or more of the Underlying Stocks which then comprise the
     Index or a Successor Index (as defined below) during the one-half hour
     period preceding the close of trading on the applicable exchange; or

               (b) the suspension or material limitation on the Singapore
     International Monetary Exchange, Ltd. (the "SIMEX"), the Osaka Securities
     Exchange (the "OSE") or any other major futures or securities market from
     trading in futures or options contracts related to the Index or a Successor
     Index during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading on the
     applicable exchange.

          For the purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has
occurred:  (i) a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading will not
constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in
the regular business hours of the relevant exchange, (ii) a decision to
permanently discontinue trading in the relevant futures or options contract will
not constitute a Market Disruption Event, (iii) a suspension in trading in a
futures or options contract on the Index by a major securities market by reason
of (a) a price change violating limits set by such securities market, (b) an
imbalance of orders relating to such contracts or (c) a disparity in bid and ask
quotes relating to such contracts will constitute a suspension or material
limitation of trading in futures or options contracts related to the Index, and
(iv) an absence of trading on the TSE will not include any time when the TSE is
closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. Under certain circumstances,
the duties of MLPF&S as Calculation Agent in determining the existence of Market
Disruption Events could conflict with the interests of MLPF&S as an affiliate of
the Company.

DISCONTINUANCE OF THE INDEX

     If Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Inc. ("NKS") discontinues publication of the Index
and NKS or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the
Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such
Index (any such index being referred to herein as a "Successor Index"), then,
upon the Calculation Agent's notification of such determination to the Trustee
and the Company, the Calculation  Agent will substitute the Successor Index as
calculated by NKS or such other entity for the Index. Upon any selection by the
Calculation Agent of a Successor Index, the Company shall cause notice thereof
to be given to Holders of the MITTS Securities.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     If NKS discontinues publication of the Index and a Successor Index 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 Index 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 Index prior to such
discontinuance.  If a Successor Index is selected or the Calculation Agent
calculates a value as a substitute for the Index as described below, such
Successor Index or value shall be substituted for the Index for all purposes,
including for purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.
If the  Calculation Agent calculates a value as a substitute for the Index,
"Index Calculation Day" shall mean any day on which the Calculation Agent is
able to calculate such value.

     If NKS discontinues publication of the Index prior to the period during
which the Supplemental Redemption Amount is to be determined and the Calculation
Agent determines that no Successor Index is available at such time, then on each
Business Day until the earlier to occur of (a) the determination of the Ending
Value and (b) a determination by the Calculation  Agent shall determine the
value that would be used in computing the Supplemental Redemption Amount as
described in the preceding paragraph 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.

General

     This MITTS 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 (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 MITTS Securities, and the terms upon which the MITTS Securities are, and are
to be, authenticated and delivered.

     The Company hereby covenants for the benefit of the Holders of the MITTS
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 MITTS Securities.

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

     In case an Event of Default with respect to any MITTS Securities shall have
occurred and be continuing, the amount payable to a beneficial owner of a MITTS
Security upon any acceleration permitted by the MITTS Securities, with respect
to each $10 principal amount thereof, will be equal to the Principal Amount and
the Supplemental Redemption Amount, if 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
any, calculated as though the date of early repayment were the stated maturity
date of the MITTS Securities.

     In case of default in payment of the MITTS Securities (whether at the
stated maturity or upon acceleration), from and after the maturity date the
MITTS Securities shall bear interest, payable upon demand of the beneficial
owners thereof, at the rate ____% 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 MITTS Securities to the date
payment of such amount has been made or duly provided for.

     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 MITTS 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 principal
amount of the MITTS 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 MITTS Securities of each series at the time Outstanding,
on behalf of the Holders of all MITTS 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 MITTS Security shall be conclusive and binding upon
such Holder and upon all future Holders of this MITTS Security and of any MITTS
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 MITTS Security.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this MITTS
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 MITTS 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 MITTS Security may be
registered on the MITTS Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this
MITTS 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 MITTS Securities, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.

     The MITTS 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 MITTS Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate
principal amount of MITTS Securities in authorized 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
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 MITTS Security shall be exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing with respect to the MITTS Securities, this MITTS
Security shall be exchangeable for MITTS Securities in definitive form of like
tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount, in denominations of $10 and
integral multiples thereof. Such definitive MITTS Securities shall be registered
in such name or names as the Depository shall instruct the Trustee. If
definitive MITTS Securities are so delivered, the Company may make such changes
to the form of this MITTS Security as are necessary or appropriate to allow for
the issuance of such definitive MITTS 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 MITTS 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 MITTS Security is registered as the
owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this MITTS 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 MITTS Security which are defined in the Indenture
but not in this MITTS 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
MITTS Security shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose.


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

Dated:  December       , 1998

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                           <C> 
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION                                             Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
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                                      By:
                                                                 Treasurer

By:                                                                       Attest:
     Authorized Officer                                          Secretary
</TABLE> 

                                       6


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