PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 18 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: November 20, 1998 File No. 333-61437
(To Prospectus dated August 26, 1998
and Prospectus Supplement dated August 26, 1998)
$7,315,045,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
Medium-Term Notes, Series B
With Minimum Maturity of Nine Months from Date of Issue
Principal Amount: $100,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes [_] Certificated Notes [_]
November 24, 1998
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 FP 3
November 24, 1999
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: Daily on each
business day
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[_] LIBOR Telerate
[x] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: ***
Index Maturity: Three Months
Spread (plus or minus): -2.48%
- --------------------------------------------
* Daily on each business day.
** 2/24/99, 5/24/99, 8/24/99 and 11/24/99.
*** The PRIME rate on November 24, 1998 minus 248 basis points.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
NYFS04...:\25\22625\0122\2041\SUPN238S.000
