PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 18 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: May 10, 2000 File No. 333-31980
(To Prospectus dated March 17, 2000,
and Prospectus Supplement dated March 17, 2000)
$9,027,683,162
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES B
Principal Amount: $15,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 5/11/2000 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 5/11/2001 CUSIP#: 073928PQ0
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:
Interest Payment Dates:
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): Daily
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): *
[ ] LIBOR Telerate
[x] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 6.22% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly
Index Maturity: N/A
Spread (plus or minus): -2.78%
* 8/11/2000, 11/13/2000, 2/12/2001 and 5/11/2001.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.
