<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 50 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: October 3, 1994 File No. 33-52701
(To Prospectus dated April 8, 1994
and Prospectus Supplement dated April 8, 1994)
$2,873,608,750
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$7,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
10/5/94 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 10/5/95
Option to Extend Maturity: No [x]
Yes [_] Final Maturity Date:
Optional Optional
Redemption Repayment Repayment
Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s)
------------- -------- ------- --------
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes:
- -----------------------------------
Interest Rate:
Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes:
- --------------------------------------
Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A
[_] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A
[x] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[_] LIBOR Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] Prime Rate
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: *** Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): +.25%
- -------------------------
* Daily on each Business Day.
** 1/5/95, 4/5/95, 7/5/95 and 10/5/95.
*** The Federal Funds Rate as of October 4, 1994 plus 25 basis points.
The distribution of Notes 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.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2322\BBB91694.P5A
