-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, B5g8xIgmhUUb/B0dhXxb+AbbJ7eOGRHSHBrdKgjHyO2pX/4lKnBxVLJj1xwhnnGn vhyWjMXrWNc4d0BF/ylfnA== 0001169232-08-002590.txt : 20080711 0001169232-08-002590.hdr.sgml : 20080711 20080711170555 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001169232-08-002590 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20080711 ITEM INFORMATION: Other Events ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20080711 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080711 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000065100 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211] IRS NUMBER: 132740599 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1228 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07182 FILM NUMBER: 08949483 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CTR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10080 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124491000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 4 WORLD FINANCIAL CTR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10080 8-K 1 d74535_8-k.htm CURRENT REPORT


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): July 11, 2008

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.


(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

1-7182

13-2740599

 


 

(State or other

(Commission

(I.R.S. Employer

 

 

jurisdiction of

File Number)

Identification No.)

 

 

incorporation)

 

 

 

4 World Financial Center, New York, New York 10080

               (Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000

 


(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
         240.14d-2(b))

 

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
         240.13e-4(c))





 

 

 

 

Item 8.01.

 

Other Events

 

 

 

 

 

1.

Exhibits are filed herewith in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-132911) filed by Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission covering Senior Debt Securities issuable under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended through the date hereof, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (as so amended, the “Indenture”). The Company has issued as part of its Medium-Term Notes, Series C, $3,364,000 aggregate principal amount of Leveraged Buffered Return Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index due November 13, 2009 under the Indenture. The exhibits consist of the form of Note and an opinion of counsel relating thereto.

 

 

 

 

Item 9.01.

 

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits


 

 

 

EXHIBITS

 

 

(4)

Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.

 

 

 

Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Leveraged Buffered Return Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index due November 13, 2009.

 

 

(5) & (23)

Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.

 

 

 

Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relating to the Leveraged Buffered Return Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index due November 13, 2009 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Notes).

2



SIGNATURE

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

 


 

  (Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Marlene Debel

 

 


 

 

 

Marlene Debel

 

 

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

 

 

 

Date: July 11, 2008

 

 

3



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.

EXHIBITS TO CURRENT REPORT ON
FORM 8-K DATED JULY 11, 2008

Commission File Number 1-7182



Exhibit Index

 

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 


 


 

 

 

 

(4)

 

Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Leveraged Buffered Return Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index due November 13, 2009.

 

 

 

 

(5) & (23)

 

Opinion re: legality; consent of counsel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP relating to the Leveraged Buffered Return Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index due November 13, 2009 (including consent for inclusion of such opinion in this report and in Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.’s Registration Statement relating to such Notes).



EX-4 2 d74535_ex4.htm INSTRUMENTS DEFINING RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Exhibit (4)

THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN CERTIFICATED FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (THE “DEPOSITORY”) TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITORY OR BY THE DEPOSITORY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITORY. UNLESS THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY NOTE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

 

 

 

 

 

REGISTERED No.: R-1

 

CUSIP No.: 59018YS44

 

PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:

 

 

 

 

3,364 Units, $1,000 principal amount
per Unit ($3,364,000 aggregate
principal amount)

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
Medium-Term Notes, Series C
Leveraged Buffered Return Notes
(the “Notes”)

 

 

 

 

 

INDEX:

 

INDEX PUBLISHER:

 

ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:

S&P 500® Index

 

Standard and Poor’s, a division
of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

July 11, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

STATED MATURITY:

 

STARTING VALUE:

 

THRESHOLD VALUE:

November 13, 2009

 

1,253.39

 

1,128.05

 

 

 

 

 

CAPPED VALUE:

 

PARTICIPATION RATE:

 

DOWNSIDE LEVERAGE

$1,188 per Unit

 

200%

 

FACTOR:

 

 

 

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

DENOMINATIONS:

 

CALCULATION AGENT:

 

DEFAULT RATE:

Integral multiples of $1,000
principal amount (each, a “Unit”)

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated

 

The then current Federal Funds Rate
(as defined below), reset daily

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIFIED CURRENCY:

 

INDEX BUSINESS DAY:

 

OTHER PROVISIONS:

United States dollar

 

A day on which the (i) New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the American Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market are open for trading and (ii) the Index or any Successor Index (as defined below) is calculated and published

 

N/A

1



          Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”, which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture herein referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or its registered assigns, the Redemption Amount (as defined below) per Unit on the Stated Maturity.

          Payment or delivery of the Redemption Amount and any interest on any overdue amount thereof with respect to this Global Note shall be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

Payment on the Stated Maturity

          On the Stated Maturity, a Holder shall receive a cash payment per Unit equal to the Redemption Amount per Unit. The “Redemption Amount” per Unit with respect to this Global Note shall be determined by the Calculation Agent and shall equal:

 

 

 

 

(i)

If the Ending Value (as defined below) is greater than the Starting Value:

 

 

 

 

 

(EQUATION)

 

 

 

 

 

provided, however, the Redemption Amount per Unit shall not exceed the Capped Value;

 

 

 

 

(ii)

If the Ending Value is equal to or less than the Starting Value but is equal to or greater than the Threshold Value, the $1,000 principal amount per Unit; or

 

 

 

 

(iii)

If the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value:

 

 

 

 

 

(EQUATION)

          The “Ending Value” shall be determined by the Calculation Agent and shall equal the closing level of the Index determined on the first Calculation Day (as defined below) during the Calculation Period (as defined below). If no Calculation Days occur during the Calculation Period, then the Ending Value shall equal the closing level of the Index determined (or, if not determinable, estimated by the Calculation Agent in a manner which it considers commercially reasonable under the circumstances) on the last scheduled Index Business Day in the Calculation Period, regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event (as defined below) on that scheduled Index Business Day.

          The “Calculation Period” means the period from and including the third scheduled Index Business Day before the Stated Maturity to and including the second scheduled Index Business Day before the Stated Maturity.

          A “Calculation Day” means any Index Business Day during the Calculation Period on which a Market Disruption Event has not occurred.

2



          All determinations made by the Calculation Agent, absent a determination of manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and the Holders and beneficial owners of this Global Note.

Adjustments to the Index; Market Disruption Events

          If at any time the Index Publisher makes a material change in the formula for or the method of calculating the Index or in any other way materially modifies the Index so that the Index does not, in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, fairly represent the level of the Index had those changes or modifications not been made, then, from and after that time, the Calculation Agent shall, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the closing value of the Index is to be calculated, make any adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a calculation of a level of a stock index comparable to the Index as if those changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the closing level with reference to the Index, as so adjusted.

          “Market Disruption Event” means either of the following events as determined by the Calculation Agent:

 

 

 

 

(A)

the suspension of or material limitation on trading, in each case, for more than two hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, on the primary exchange where component stocks of the Index trade as determined by the Calculation Agent (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), in 20% or more of the stocks which then comprise the Index or any Successor Index; or

 

 

 

 

(B)

the suspension of or material limitation on trading, in each case, for more than two hours of trading, or during the one-half hour period preceding the close of trading, on the primary exchange that trades options contracts or futures contracts related to the Index as determined by the Calculation Agent (without taking into account any extended or after-hours trading session), whether by reason of movements in price otherwise exceeding levels permitted by the relevant exchange or otherwise, in options contracts or futures contracts related to the Index, or any Successor Index.

 

 

 

 

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred:

 

 

 

 

(1)

a limitation on the hours in a trading day and/or number of days of trading will not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange;

 

 

 

 

(2)

a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the relevant futures or options contracts related to the Index, or any Successor Index, will not constitute a Market Disruption Event;

 

 

 

 

(3)

a suspension in trading in a futures or options contract on the Index, or any Successor Index, by a major securities market by reason of (a) a price change violating limits set by that securities market, (b) an imbalance of orders relating to those contracts or (c) a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to those contracts will constitute a suspension of or material limitation on trading in futures or options contracts related to the Index;

3



 

 

 

 

(4)

a suspension of or material limitation on trading on the relevant exchange will not include any time when that exchange is closed for trading under ordinary circumstances; and,

 

 

 

 

(5)

for the purpose of clauses (A) and (B) above, any limitations on trading during significant market fluctuations under NYSE Rule 80B, or any applicable rule or regulation enacted or promulgated by the NYSE or any other self regulatory organization or the Securities and Exchange Commission of similar scope as determined by the Calculation Agent, will be considered “material”.

Discontinuance of the Index

          If the Index Publisher discontinues publication of the Index and the Index Publisher or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to the Index (a “Successor Index”), then, upon the Calculation Agent’s notification of that determination to the Trustee (as defined below) and the Company, the Calculation Agent shall substitute such Successor Index as calculated by the Index Publisher or any other entity for the Index and calculate the Ending Value as described above under “Payment on the Stated Maturity”. Upon any selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Index, the Company shall cause notice to be given to Holders of this Global Note.

          In the event that the Index Publisher discontinues publication of the Index and:

 

 

 

 

the Calculation Agent does not select a Successor Index; or

 

 

 

 

the Successor Index is not published on any of the Calculation Days,

the Calculation Agent shall compute a substitute level for the Index in accordance with the procedures last used to calculate the Index before any discontinuance. If a Successor Index is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a level as a substitute for the Index as described below, the Successor Index or level shall be used as a substitute for the Index for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.

          If the Index Publisher discontinues publication of the Index before the Calculation Period and the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor Index is available at that time, then on each Business Day (as defined below) until the earlier to occur of:

 

 

 

 

the determination of the Ending Value; and

 

 

 

 

a determination by the Calculation Agent that a Successor Index is available,

the Calculation Agent shall determine the value that would be used in computing the Redemption Amount as described in the preceding paragraph as if that day were a Calculation Day. The Calculation Agent shall cause notice of each value to be published not less often than once each month in The Wall Street Journal or another newspaper of general circulation and arrange for information with respect to these values to be made available by telephone.

4



          A “Business Day” is any day on which (i) the Index or any Successor Index, if any, that have not been discontinued, is calculated and published and (ii) with respect to the Index, or any Successor Index, which have been discontinued, a day on which the applicable exchanges listing the stocks of companies used to calculate a substitute level for the Index following a discontinuance are open for trading.

General

          All percentages resulting from any calculation on the Notes shall be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards. For example, 9.876545% (or .09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655). All dollar amounts used in or resulting from any calculation shall be rounded to the nearest cent with one-half cent being rounded upward.

          This Global Note is one of a duly authorized issue of the Company’s Medium-Term Notes, Series C, designated as Leveraged Buffered Return Notes which are due on the Stated Maturity. The Notes are issued and to be issued under an indenture dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended and restated (the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor Trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are to be authenticated and delivered.

          Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by or on behalf of the Trustee with respect to the Notes under the Indenture, or its successor thereunder, by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, this Global Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

          The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in the Denominations specified above. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, this Global Note is exchangeable for certificates representing notes of like tenor and of an equal Principal Amount as requested by the Holder surrendering the same. If (x) the Depository is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depository and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 60 days, (y) the Company executes and delivers to the Trustee a Company Order to the effect that this Global Note shall be exchangeable or (z) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to this Global Note, this Global Note shall be exchangeable for certificates representing the Notes in definitive form of like tenor and of an equal Principal Amount, in authorized denominations. Such definitive Notes shall be registered in such name or names as the Depository shall instruct the Trustee. If definitive Notes are so delivered, the Company may make such changes to the form of this Global Note as are necessary or appropriate to allow for the issuance of such definitive Notes.

          In case an Event of Default with respect to this Global Note shall have occurred and be continuing, the amount payable to a Holder of this Global Note upon any acceleration permitted by the Notes, with respect to each Unit, shall be equal to the Redemption Amount per Unit, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Stated Maturity.

5



          In case of default in payment of this Global Note, whether on the Stated Maturity or upon acceleration, from and after such date this Global Note shall bear interest, payable upon demand of the Holders thereof, at the Default Rate, to the extent that payment of interest shall be legally enforceable, on the unpaid amount due and payable on such date in accordance with the terms of this Global Note to the date payment of such amount has been made or duly provided for.

 

 

 

 

“Federal Funds Rate” means:

 

 

 

 

 

(1) the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date displayed on Reuters or any successor service on page FEDFUNDS1 under the heading “EFFECT” or any other page as may replace page FEDFUNDS1 on that service (“Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1”), or

 

 

 

 

 

(2) if the rate referred to in clause (1) does not appear on Reuters Page FEDFUNDS1 or is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15 Daily Update, or other recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption “Federal Funds (Effective)”, or

 

 

 

 

 

(3) if the rate referred to in clause (2) is not published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the rate with respect to a particular interest determination date calculated by the Calculation Agent as the arithmetic mean of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar federal funds transactions in The City of New York, which may include the agent or its affiliates, selected by the Calculation Agent prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Business Day following that interest determination date, or

 

 

 

 

 

(4) if the brokers selected by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in clause (3), the Federal Funds Rate for the Business Day preceding the particular interest determination date.

          The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding of each series affected thereby. Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of each series, are permitted to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Global Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Global Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Global Note.

6



          No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Global Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Redemption Amount and interest on this Global Note, if any, at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

          As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations set forth therein and on the face hereof, the transfer of this Global Note may be registered on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Global Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new certificates representing the Notes of authorized denominations of like tenor and for the same Principal Amount, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

          Prior to due presentment of this Global Note for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Global Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Global Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

          No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

          The Company and each Holder and beneficial owner (by acceptance hereof) hereby agree (in the absence of an administrative determination, judicial ruling or other authoritative guidance to the contrary) to characterize and treat this Global Note for all tax purposes as a pre-paid cash-settled forward contract linked to the level of the Index.

          The Indenture and this Global Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

          All terms used in this Global Note which are defined in the Indenture but not in this Global Note shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

7



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

Dated: July 11, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

This is one of the Securities of the series

 

 

 

 

designated therein referred to in the

[Copy of Seal]

 

within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 


 

 



Authorized Officer

 

 

Secretary

1



ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER FORM

 

 

 

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto (insert Taxpayer Identification No.) ______________

 

______________________________________________________________________

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of assignee)

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________ attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

 

 

Date: ____________

 

______________________________________________________________________________

     ________

 

NOTICE: The signature of the registered Holder to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.

2


GRAPHIC 3 d74535001.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 d74535001.gif M1TE&.#EAL`$I`(````0$!/___R'Y!```````+`````"P`2D```+_C(^IR^T/ M8GRTVHNSWKS[#X;B2$H2B59`RCIK"\=R^,[V;=5XN:=Z#PRV?L+BT`@B(C'* MI?/I@DH]S6FC:DU@L]SBMLO]@L76"?B\-*/7Y/!:032IHX'VX71:V*^3_3V# M-X?@]_>&1@B%B*14\R4(6`BG&&DF-MG(\'@Q:7C#N=AIT+1W&0F7-"BJ0F6J MQ1KJ!MO*EJFJ.M=GNX)KDFHKBEG9:*F35Q><][);W/O+_"=\A_4IRT+M!3N: M7*F[?*SL?%JL&U[W"X%)G@S\37YN/FXNGPY>6SUU+92/,UH^7UCOWSMX6KC) MFV=LU<%V!^D!;+6K8#UZ"5W=D[(/2$8;__TL"A28CJ&K>!,?ZE%#TF3(@,/B M+"S9<."IBXDN;IS1\9;*7#$7ZK$($X_,00XC?HS(O?GQK\M!TQSNE<@CJ5TAB)T*M1SGL_ M]#5\VDBSNY$;>_S\:BBI5#\VC[XM52&TU^&"N?:X);7?,W5E_SY>V71@Y%Y% M#O3=N;1N.H-G02=-9O25X=PA_7Q*"9E!AN!X)6X);?-;Q9I\E;6^.[KEU?8* M+K^..\?T[ORWU_^W6I1!`HJU#DCLQ%2@62BY\Q%EM,$G7T_)C?4=A-A)"(%T M][7%88<>?@ABB"*.2&*))IZHWH/_#;;24OXDF!2 *G('7Q[86?C)-E*(Z% MN(5$77#]#>D?<"L:6$YM23(8(Y`2PJ2A7DCYB"!SL>GD9)41+D9DEU8ZJ-)N M3(F%Y)0].=GB/T[9*-(V[*'4'F:&L9@5>HK)Z66>A%2DEIMN; M<`H::)S=>";8*"4359-N?$;)1.2J2D^LD24">>BC`JIQIAI&@7 MI7)IR*J`(3(?64?&8NH1][AZ91#O6:*<;+AZ5ZLU-E6EFGO[3:CAKTR=!&NK MI<2JQLQ[\!3HC8*'/7.+6P>FP:RPMSZ[2)JRAD8M?"D=Q6"QW:*@;*^AM&O2 M>90L^9Q/Y7:3*F3KLCLLN*?&"Z5#SFBBW9@SJKLOGLYF@^N"!`7,F GRAPHIC 4 d74535002.gif GRAPHIC begin 644 d74535002.gif M1TE&.#EAR0$L`(````0$!/___R'Y!```````+`````#)`2P```+_C(^IR^T/ MHYRTVHNSWKS[#X;B2);FB:;JRK;N"\?R3-?VC>?`#N3^#PP*=;S>T&`\.I+* MYHCIC#Z;4.E.B@55LUS,]O>E=L>:,/G,,./40C;ZC7##R7):79*!VB:B9EF$4BD3X`/7HJ5C!.3FT MNN(*'&]IS#2V: MC0K(^QR]?.P;/`>,8LY2')A\G8S<;9P:_=[;SJP;9]^M7-\^KU_L6;V!\>*0 MFX3.1$(5`07R&TBOX"XFZXQA<^8-HK5P_P2Y.9R8S^*H(N,.HEE(`N6YDATU M]M/USZ4Z61[IY1$9YY2(FIBAA:0 M*CQJ0S1+LI>KHL+\&37KS)T%JNZ`^.OH%H=PA9:-:4(=Q[[UPOY8*OG@XJ\_ MW[8,?'9WT/6*KSU\FI M26<5T.[FJ=N-;O]/[UI/5'$FH%)\5#2@2"_1-^!Z[3T8X%YQR76?@ABB"*.2&*)85$8(8.Q.4404N!`)A=C`/6Q7$0P^K*-;S$9!Z&# M#<:V5(9`-G=ABO+,K7VI$0N(G=8D0"N9I4_ M&++W(W!NY)8D;]2%V25$+;'XD'[NZ*0@G$]^-*4P(A8TF#[Z'H_IA(JA)8N^H6@6 M[C$J:"R_I'8J7K&.DVJ&0-0Z60V,J=+H17LI@:L5X[%Z1+`>&$NKD:*R\FHD MLJ7-"FQ0E.A*ZK*O-ALMM*U(ZX2S&='%3EU.[DHD=VAI"JNV;7#+;@QJ:00I M>!+U6&>"Z:I[:[O9IKO-1_[919Q,B)J*+U?Z%KL&?T4MN*2>`MY;L`_>,DM, M<`['^]2@%]MK<<1X[%MQ9)"U)>-%X@X"&-5SK`P]_QQL2@3C732$I.K=--./PUUU%)/37755K=<```[ ` end EX-5 5 d74535_ex5.htm OPINION RE: LEGALITY

 

 

 

 

 

 



(SIDLEY LOGO)

 

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
787 SEVENTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10019
(212) 839 5300
(212) 839 5599 FAX

 

BEIJING
BRUSSELS
CHICAGO
DALLAS
FRANKFURT
GENEVA
HONG KONG
LONDON

LOS ANGELES
NEW YORK
SAN FRANCISCO
SHANGHAI
SINGAPORE
SYDNEY
TOKYO
WASHINGTON,
D.C.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOUNDED 1866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 11, 2008

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
4 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10080

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          As your counsel, we have examined a copy of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the “Company”), certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We are familiar with the corporate proceedings had in connection with the proposed issuance and sale by the Company to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), pursuant to a Distribution Agreement dated March 31, 2006 (the “Distribution Agreement”) between the Company and MLPF&S, of the Company’s Leveraged Buffered Return Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index due November 13, 2009 (the “Notes”) in an amount equal to $3,364,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes. We have also examined a copy of the Indenture between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon as successor Trustee, dated as of April 1, 1983, as amended (the “Indenture”), and the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-132911) relating to the Notes (the “Registration Statement”).

1



          Based upon the foregoing and upon such further investigation as we deemed relevant in the premises, we are of the opinion that:

          1. The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware.

          2. The Notes have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and, when the Notes have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor as set forth in the Distribution Agreement, the Notes will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, moratorium, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and as an exhibit to the Current Report of the Company on Form 8-K dated July 11, 2008.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Sidley Austin LLP

2


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