<PAGE>
PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 46 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: September 21, 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
$142,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
9/23/94 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: 9/21/95
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
[_] Federal Funds Rate Interest Reset Date(s): *
[_] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Monthly
[x] LIBOR Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Initial Interest Rate: 5.0425%
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +.105%
- -------------------------
* 10/21/94, 11/21/94, 12/21/94, 1/20/95, 2/21/95, 3/21/95, 4/21/95,
5/22/95, 6/21/95, 7/21/95 and 8/21/95.
** 10/21/94, 11/21/94, 12/21/94, 1/20/95, 2/21/95, 3/21/95, 4/21/95,
5/22/95, 6/21/95, 7/21/95, 8/21/95 and 9/21/95.
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\BBB72894.S6F