PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 46 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: March 23, 1998 File No. 333-43565
(To Prospectus dated January 21, 1998
and Prospectus Supplement dated January 21, 1998)
$7,096,595,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
WITH MINIMUM MATURITY OF NINE MONTHS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
Principal Amount: Floating Rate Book Entry Notes
$100,000,000 Notes* [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes* Certificated Notes
March 26, 1998 [x] [_]
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073908 AE 3
March 27, 2000
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: 5.790% through March 26, 1999
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 Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): ***
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
commencing 3/26/99
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: ****
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): +0.25%
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- --------------
* The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 5.790% through
March 26, 1999. Thereafter, the Notes will bear interest at
the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.25%
** Daily on each Business Day commencing March 26, 1999
*** March 26, 1999, June 26, 1999, September 26, 1999,
December 26, 1999 and March 27, 2000
**** The Federal Funds Rate as of March 26, 1999 plus 25 basis
points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
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