PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 51 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: January 28, 1999 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: Floating Rate Notes Book Entry Notes
$30,000,000 [x] [x]
Original Issue Date: Fixed Rate Notes Certificated Notes
February 2, 1999 [_] [_]
Maturity Date: CUSIP#: 073928 GY 3
February 2, 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:
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
[_] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[_] Prime Rate Interest Payment Period: Monthly
[_] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: ***
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +0.05%
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<PAGE>
* 2/2/99, 3/2/99, 4/2/99, 5/4/99, 6/2/99, 7/2/99, 8/2/99, 9/2/99, 10/4/99,
11/2/99, 12/2/99 and 1/4/2000.
** 2/2/99, 3/2/99, 4/2/99, 5/4/99, 6/2/99, 7/2/99, 8/2/99, 9/2/99, 10/4/99,
11/2/99, 12/2/99 and 1/4/2000.
*** The one-month LIBOR rate on January 29, 1999 plus 5 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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