-----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, UChM6lvrA01dVln6ANzD68p66Z0T1rkHY2aGInIlecpdTskwyIe3wHtFH69VAe6d 6PUtOcS/Vnr9qYgpDAlXYA== 0000950130-00-000329.txt : 20000203 0000950130-00-000329.hdr.sgml : 20000203 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950130-00-000329 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 424B4 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20000201 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH PIERCE FENNER & SMITH INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000728612 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES [6189] STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 424B4 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-92161 FILM NUMBER: 519399 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: NORTH TOWER WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER STREET 2: NORTH TOWER WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER 5TH F CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281-1323 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124496202 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER STREET 2: NORTH TOWER 23RD FL CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281-1323 424B4 1 FINAL PROSPECTUS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE NO. 424(B)(4) REGISTRATION NO. 333-92161 REGISTRATION NO. 333-95805 PROSPECTUS [LOGO OF PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDRs SM] 1,000,000,000 Depositary Receipts Pharmaceutical HOLDRs SM Trust The Pharmaceutical HOLDRsSM Trust will issue Depositary Receipts called Pharmaceutical HOLDRsSM representing your undivided beneficial ownership in the U.S.-traded common stock of a group of 20 specified companies that are involved in various segments of the pharmaceutical industry. The Bank of New York will be the trustee. You only may acquire, hold or transfer Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in a round-lot amount of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs or round-lot multiples. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are separate from the underlying deposited common stocks that are represented by the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. For a list of the names and the number of shares of the companies that make up a Pharmaceutical HOLDR, see "Highlights of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs--The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs" starting on page 9. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has sold 6,812,000 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in the initial distribution. The trust will issue the additional Pharmaceutical HOLDRs on a continuous basis after the initial distribution. Investing in Pharmaceutical HOLDRs involves significant risks. See "Risk factors" starting on page 4. The initial public offering price for a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will equal the sum of the closing market price on the primary trading market on January 31, 2000 for each deposited share multiplied by the share amount specified in this prospectus, plus an underwriting fee. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are neither interests in nor obligations of either the initial depositor, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or The Bank of New York, as trustee. Prior to this issuance, there has been no public market for Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs have been approved for listing on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PPH", subject to official notice of issuance. --------------- Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Initial Price Underwriting to Public* Fee ------------- ------------ Per Pharmaceutical HOLDR........................ $93.72 2%
------- * Includes underwriting fee. For purchases of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in excess of 10,000 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, the underwriting fee will be 1.5%. --------------- Merrill Lynch & Co. --------------- The date of this prospectus is January 31, 2000. "HOLDRs" and "HOLding Company Depositary Receipts" are service marks of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page ---- Summary.................................................................... 3 Risk Factors............................................................... 4 Highlights of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs........................................ 9 The Trust.................................................................. 15 Description of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs....................................... 15 Description of the Underlying Securities................................... 16 Description of the Depositary Trust Agreement.............................. 18 Federal Income Tax Consequences............................................ 21 ERISA Considerations....................................................... 22 Plan of Distribution....................................................... 22 Legal Matters.............................................................. 23 Where You Can Find More Information........................................ 23
---------------- This prospectus contains information you should consider when making your investment decision. With respect to information about Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. 2 SUMMARY The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs trust will be formed under the depositary trust agreement, dated as of January 24, 2000 among The Bank of New York, as trustee, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, other depositors and the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The trust is not a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The trust will hold shares of common stock issued by 20 specified companies generally considered to be involved in various segments of the pharmaceutical industry. The number of shares of each common stock held by the trust with respect to each round-lot of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs is specified under "Highlights of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs-The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs." This group of common stocks is referred to as the underlying securities. Except when a reconstitution event occurs, the underlying securities will not change. Under no circumstances will a new company be added to the group of issuers of underlying securities. The trust will issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs that represent your undivided beneficial ownership interest in the shares of common stock held by the trust on your behalf. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are separate from the underlying common stocks that are represented by the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. 3 RISK FACTORS An investment in Pharmaceutical HOLDRs involves risks similar to investing in each of the underlying securities outside of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, including the risks associated with concentrated investments in the pharmaceutical industry. General Risk Factors . Loss of investment. Because the value of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs directly relates to the value of the underlying securities, you may lose all or a substantial portion of your investment in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs if the underlying securities decline in value. . Discount trading price. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may trade at a discount to the aggregate value of the underlying securities. . Not necessarily representative of the pharmaceutical industry. While the underlying securities are common stocks of companies generally considered to be involved in various segments of the pharmaceutical industry, the underlying securities and the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may not necessarily follow the price movements of the entire pharmaceutical industry generally. If the underlying securities decline in value, your investment in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will decline in value even if common stock prices in the pharmaceutical industry generally increase in value. Furthermore, after the initial deposit, one or more of the issuers of the underlying securities may no longer be involved in the pharmaceutical industry. In this case, the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may no longer consist of securities issued only by companies involved in the pharmaceutical industry. . No investigation of underlying securities. The underlying securities included in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs were selected by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated based on the market capitalization of issuers and the market liquidity of common stocks in the pharmaceutical industry, without regard for the value, price performance, volatility or investment merit of the underlying securities. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust, the trustee, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and their affiliates, have not performed any investigation or review of the selected companies, including the public filings by the companies. Investors and market participants should not conclude that the inclusion of a company is any form of investment recommendation by the trust, the trustee, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, or their affiliates. . Loss of diversification. As a result of business developments, reorganizations, or market fluctuations affecting issuers of the underlying securities, Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may not necessarily continue to be a diversified investment in the pharmaceutical industry. As a result of market fluctuation and/or reconstitution events, Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may represent a concentrated investment in one or more of the underlying securities which would reduce investment diversification and increase your exposure to the risks of concentrated investments. . Conflicting investment choices. In order to sell one or more of the underlying securities individually or to participate in a tender offer relating to one or more of the underlying securities, you will be required to cancel your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and receive delivery of each of the underlying securities. The cancellation of your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will allow you to sell individual underlying securities or to deliver individual underlying securities in a tender offer. If you choose not to cancel your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs you cannot participate in a tender offer relating to an underlying security. The cancellation of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will involve payment of a cancellation fee to the trustee. 4 Currently some of the underlying securities of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are the subject of, or are involved in, a tender offer. For example: (1) Pfizer Inc. filed on November 15, 1999 a registration statement on Form S-4 in an effort to acquire the outstanding shares of common stock of Warner-Lambert Company and (2) American Home Products Corporation has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Warner-Lambert Company and on December 20, 1999, filed a registration statement on Form S-4 whereby each outstanding share of Warner-Lambert common stock will convert into shares of AmericanWarner common stock. There are no assurances that either of these tender offers will be completed. For more detail on the underlying securities mentioned above, see "Annex A." In addition, it is likely that other tender offers for some of the underlying securities of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be made in the future. . Trading halts. Trading in Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may be halted in the event trading in one or more of the underlying securities is halted. If so, you will not be able to trade Pharmaceutical HOLDRs even though there is trading in some of the underlying securities, however, you will be able to cancel your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to receive the underlying securities. . Delisting from the American Stock Exchange. If the number of companies whose common stock is held in the trust falls below nine, the American Stock Exchange may consider delisting the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. If the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are delisted by the American Stock Exchange, a termination event will result if the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are not listed for trading on another national securities exchange or through NASDAQ within five business days from the date the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are delisted. . Possible conflicts of interest. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as initial depositor, has selected the underlying securities and may face possible conflicts of interest in connection with its activities. For example, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its affiliates, collectively referred to as Merrill Lynch, may engage in investment banking and other activities, may provide services to issuers of the underlying securities in connection with its business, or may trade in the underlying securities for its own account. All of these activities may result in conflicts of interest with respect to the financial interest of Merrill Lynch, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the initial selection of the underlying securities included in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, the selection of the pharmaceutical industry, Merrill Lynch's activity in the secondary market in the underlying securities, and the creation and cancellation of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs by Merrill Lynch. . Temporary price increases in the underlying securities. Purchasing activity in the secondary trading market associated with acquiring the underlying securities for deposit into the trust may affect the market price of the deposited shares. Large volumes of purchasing activity, which may occur in connection with the issuance of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, particularly in connection with the initial issuance of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, could temporarily increase the market price of the underlying securities, resulting in a higher price on that date. This purchasing activity could create a temporary imbalance between the supply and demand of the underlying securities, thereby limiting the liquidity of the underlying securities due to a temporary increased demand for underlying securities. Consequently, prices for the underlying securities may decline after these purchases as the volume of purchases subsides. This in turn is likely to have an immediate, adverse effect on the trading price of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. 5 Risk Factors Specific to the Pharmaceutical Industry . Pharmaceutical company stock prices have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile. Pharmaceutical companies stock prices could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including: . announcements of technological innovations or new commercial products; . developments in patent or proprietary rights; . government regulatory initiatives; . public concern as to the safety or other implications of pharmaceutical products; . fluctuations in quarterly and annual financial results; and . market conditions. . Pharmaceutical companies face uncertainty with respect to pricing and third party reimbursement. The ability of many pharmaceutical companies to commercialize current and any future products depends in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the cost of such products and related treatments are available from government health agencies, private health insurers and other third-party payors. Third-party payors are increasingly challenging the price and cost-effectiveness of medical products. Significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of health care products, and there can be no assurance that adequate third-party coverage will be available for pharmaceutical companies to obtain satisfactory price levels for their products. Government and other third-party payors are increasingly attempting to contain health care costs by a variety of means, including limiting both the degree of coverage and the level of reimbursement for new therapeutic products. If pharmaceutical companies do not obtain adequate coverage and reimbursement levels from government and third-party payors for use of existing and potential products, the costs and market acceptance of their products could be adversely affected. . Protection of patent and proprietary rights of pharmaceutical companies is difficult and costly. The success of many pharmaceutical companies is highly dependent on their ability to obtain patents, to defend their existing patents and trade secrets and to operate in a manner that does not infringe the proprietary rights of other pharmaceutical companies. Patent disputes are frequent and can preclude the successful commercial introduction of products and technologies. As a result, there is significant litigation in the pharmaceutical industry regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Litigation is costly, diverts resources and can subject a pharmaceutical company to significant liabilities to third parties. In addition, a pharmaceutical company could be forced to obtain costly third-party licenses or cease using the technology or product in dispute. . Many pharmaceutical companies face intense competition from new products and less costly generic products. The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive and rapidly changing. Many pharmaceutical companies are major international corporations with substantial resources for research and development, production and marketing. Proprietary pharmaceutical products, which are products under patent protection, face intense competition from other competitors' similar proprietary products and many pharmaceutical companies also face increasing competition from similar generic products. Generic pharmaceutical competitors generally are able to obtain regulatory approval for drugs no longer covered by patents without investing in costly and time-consuming clinical trials, and need only demonstrate that their product is equivalent to the drug they wish to copy. As a result of their substantially reduced developments costs, generic pharmaceutical products are sold at lower prices than the original proprietary product. The introduction of a generic product can significantly reduce revenues received from a patented pharmaceutical product. 6 . Research and development efforts may not result in successful products. A pharmaceutical company's success depends on its ability to commit substantial resources to research and development and to obtain regulatory approval to market new pharmaceutical products. Development of a product requires substantial technical, financial and human resources and the research and development process often takes 10 or more years from discovery to commercial product launch. This process is conducted in various stages, and during each stage there is a substantial risk that a pharmaceutical company will not achieve its goals and will have to abandon a product in which it has invested substantial amounts. A pharmaceutical company may choose product candidates that are unsuccessful, unable to be developed in a timely manner or that require excessive resources to bring to market. Delays or unanticipated increases in costs of development at any stage of development, or failure to obtain regulatory approval or market acceptance of products could adversely affect a pharmaceutical company's results and financial condition. . Pharmaceutical companies must keep pace with rapid technological change to remain competitive. The pharmaceutical industry is highly competitive and is subject to rapid and significant technological change. The success of a pharmaceutical company will depend in large part on its ability to maintain a competitive position, measured largely by the effectiveness and marketing of its products. Any technological advancement, product or process that these companies develop may become obsolete before research and development expenses are recovered. . Pharmaceutical companies are subject to extensive government regulation. Pharmaceutical products offered by pharmaceutical companies are subject to strict regulation by governmental regulatory authorities in countries throughout the world. Products require extensive pre-clinical testing and other testing, clinical trials, government review and final approval before any marketing of the products will be permitted. This procedure could take a number of years and involves the expenditure of substantial resources. The success of a pharmaceutical company's products will depend, in part, upon obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval to market products and, once approved, complying with the continued review by regulatory agencies. For instance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency which regulates and investigates drugs in the United States, can take as long as eight to nine years after an application is originally filed to approve a new drug application. The manufacturing process for pharmaceutical products is also highly regulated and pharmaceutical companies are subjected to periodic inspection of manufacturing facilities by regulatory agencies in many countries. Regulatory agencies may shut down manufacturing facilities that they find do not comply with regulations. The failure to obtain necessary government approvals, the restriction of existing approvals, loss of or changes to previously obtained approvals or the failure to comply with regulatory requirements could result in fines, unanticipated expenditures, product delays, non-approval or recall, interruption of production and even criminal prosecution. . Pharmaceutical companies may be exposed to extensive product liability costs. Product liability is a significant commercial risk for many pharmaceutical companies. Substantial damage awards have been granted in several jurisdiction against pharmaceutical companies based upon claims for injuries allegedly caused by the use of their products. Many pharmaceutical companies obtain product liability insurance; however, a single product liability claim could exceed the coverage limits of a pharmaceutical company. Further, there can be no assurance that a pharmaceutical company will be able to obtain or maintain its product liability insurance, that it will continue to be able to obtain adequate product liability insurance on reasonable terms or that any product liability insurance obtained will provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. The business, financial condition and results of operations of a pharmaceutical company could be materially and adversely affected by one or more successful product liability claims. 7 . Many pharmaceutical companies are dependent on key personnel for success. The success of many pharmaceutical companies is highly dependent on the experience, abilities, and continued services of key executive officers and key scientific and technical personnel. If these companies lose the services of any of these officers or key scientific and technical personnel, their future success could be undermined. The success of many pharmaceutical companies also depends upon their ability to attract and retain other highly qualified scientific, technical, sales and manufacturing personnel and their ability to develop and maintain relationships with qualified clinical researchers. Competition for such personnel and relationships is intense and many of these companies compete with each other and with universities and non-profit research organizations. There is no certainty that any of these pharmaceutical companies will be able to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel or develop and maintain relationships with clinical researchers. 8 HIGHLIGHTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDRs This discussion highlights information regarding Pharmaceutical HOLDRs; we present certain information more fully in the rest of this prospectus. You should read the entire prospectus carefully before you purchase Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Issuer....................... Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust. The trust.................... The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs Trust will be formed under the depositary trust agreement, dated as of January 24, 2000 among The Bank of New York, as trustee, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, other depositors and the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The trust is not a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Initial depositor............ Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Trustee...................... The Bank of New York, a New York state- chartered banking organization, will be the trustee and receive compensation as set forth in the depositary trust agreement. Purpose of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs...................... Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are designed to achieve the following: Diversification. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are designed to allow you to diversify your investment in the pharmaceutical industry through a single, exchange-listed instrument representing your undivided beneficial ownership of the underlying securities. Flexibility. The beneficial owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs have undivided beneficial ownership interests in each of the underlying securities represented by the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, and can cancel their Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to receive each of the underlying securities represented by the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Transaction costs. The expenses associated with trading Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are expected to be less than trading each of the underlying securities separately. Trust assets................. The trust will hold shares of common stock issued by 20 specified companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Except when a reconstitution event occurs, the group of companies will not change. Reconstitution events are described in this prospectus under the heading "Description of the depositary trust agreement-- Reconstitution events." Under no circumstances will the common stock of a new company be added to the common stocks underlying the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The trust's assets may increase or decrease as a result of in-kind deposits and withdrawals of the underlying securities during the life of the trust. 9 The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs.... The trust will issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs that represent your undivided beneficial ownership interest in the shares of U.S.-traded common stock held by the trust on your behalf. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs themselves are separate from the underlying securities that are represented by the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The specific share amounts for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are set forth in the chart below and were determined on December 15, 1999 so that the initial weightings of each underlying security included in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs approximated the relative market capitalizations of the specified companies, subject to a maximum weight of 20%. Because these weightings are a function of market prices, it is expected that these weightings will change substantially over time, including during the period between December 15, 1999 and the date the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are first issued to the public. The share amounts set forth below will not change, except for changes due to corporate events such as stock splits or reverse stock splits on the underlying securities or reconstitution events. The following chart provides the . names of the 20 issuers of the underlying securities represented by the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, . stock ticker symbols, . share amounts represented by a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, . initial weightings as of December 15, 1999 and . principal market on which the shares of common stock of the selected companies are traded.
Primary Share Initial Trading Name of Company Ticker Amounts Weighting Market -------------------------- ------ ------- --------- ------- Merck & Co., Inc. MRK 22 17.50% NYSE Pfizer Inc. PFE 36 13.75% NYSE Johnson & Johnson JNJ 13 13.72% NYSE Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY 18 13.37% NYSE Eli Lilly & Company LLY 10 7.63% NYSE Warner-Lambert Company WLA 8 7.56% NYSE Schering-Plough Corporation SGP 14 7.04% NYSE American Home Products Corporation AHP 12 6.38% NYSE Abbott Laboratories ABT 14 5.45% NYSE Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. PNU 5 3.02% NYSE Biovail Corporation International BVF 2 0.83% NYSE King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. KING 1 0.61% NASDAQ Forest Laboratories, Inc. FRX 1 0.60% NYSE Andrx Corporation ADRX 1 0.48% NASDAQ Allergan, Inc. AGN 1 0.47% NYSE Jones Pharma Inc. JMED 1 0.45% NASDAQ Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. WPI 1 0.40% NYSE ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ICN 1 0.27% NYSE Mylan Laboratories, Inc. MYL 1 0.25% NYSE IVAX Corporation(/1/) IVX 1 0.22% AMEX
-------- (/1/) On February 23, 2000, as a result of a 3- for-2 stock split, the share amount of IVAX Corporation, represented by a round- lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, will be 1.5. Please see the description of IVAX in Annex A. 10 These companies generally are considered to be among the 20 largest and most liquid companies with U.S.-traded common stock involved in the pharmaceutical industry as measured by market capitalization and trading volume on December 15, 1999. The market capitalization of a company is determined by multiplying the price of its common stock by the number of outstanding shares of its common stock. The trust only will issue and cancel, and you only may obtain, hold, trade or surrender, Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and round-lot multiples. The trust will only issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs upon the deposit of the whole shares represented by a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. In the event that a fractional share comes to be represented by a round-lot of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, the trust may require a minimum of more than one round- lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for an issuance so that the trust will always receive whole share amounts for issuance of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The number of outstanding Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will increase and decrease as a result of in- kind deposits and withdrawals of the underlying securities. The trust will stand ready to issue additional Pharmaceutical HOLDRs on a continuous basis when an investor deposits the required shares of common stock with the trustee. Public offering price........ The initial public offering price for 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will equal the sum of the closing market price on the primary trading market on January 31, 2000, the pricing date, for each underlying security multiplied by the share amount appearing in the above table, plus an underwriting fee. Purchases.................... After the initial offering, you may acquire Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in two ways: . through an in-kind deposit of the required number of shares of common stock of the underlying issuers with the trustee, or . through a cash purchase in the secondary trading market. Underwriting fees............ If you purchase Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in the initial public offering, you will pay Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, in its role as underwriter, an underwriting fee equal to: . For purchases of 10,000 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs or fewer, 2%. . For purchases in excess of 10,000 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, 1.5%. You will not be charged any issuance fee or other sales commission in connection with purchases of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs made in the initial public offering. 11 Issuance and cancellation fees........................ After the initial offering, if you wish to create Pharmaceutical HOLDRs by delivering to the trust the requisite shares of common stock represented by a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, The Bank of New York as trustee will charge you an issuance fee of up to $10.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. If you wish to cancel your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and withdraw your underlying securities, The Bank of New York as trustee will charge you a cancellation fee of up to $10.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Commissions.................. If you choose to deposit underlying securities in order to receive Pharmaceutical HOLDRs after the conclusion of the initial public offering, you will not be charged the underwriting fee. However, in addition to the issuance fee charged by the trustee described above, you will be responsible for paying any sales commission associated with your purchase of the underlying securities that is charged by your broker, whether it be Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or another broker. Custody fees................. The Bank of New York, as trustee and as custodian, will charge you a quarterly custody fee of $2.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to be deducted from any cash dividend or other cash distributions on underlying securities received by the trust. With respect to the aggregate custody fee payable in any calendar year for each Pharmaceutical HOLDR, the Trustee will waive that portion of the fee which exceeds the total cash dividends and other cash distributions received, or to be received, and payable with respect to such calendar year. Rights relating to Pharmaceutical HOLDRs....... You have the right to withdraw the underlying securities upon request by delivering a round- lot or integral multiple of a round-lot of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to the trustee, during the trustee's business hours, and paying the cancellation fees, taxes, and other charges. You should receive the underlying securities no later than the business day after the trustee receives a proper notice of cancellation. The trustee will not deliver fractional shares of underlying securities. To the extent that any cancellation of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs would otherwise require the delivery of a fractional share, the trustee will sell such share in the market and the trust, in turn, will deliver cash in lieu of such share. Except with respect to the right to vote for dissolution of the trust, the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs themselves will not have voting rights. Rights relating to the underlying securities....... You have the right to: . Receive all shareholder disclosure materials, including annual and quarterly reports, distributed by the issuers of the underlying securities. 12 . Receive all proxy materials distributed by the issuers of the underlying securities and will have the right to instruct the trustee to vote the underlying securities or may attend shareholder meetings yourself. . Receive dividends and other distributions on the underlying securities, if any are declared and paid to the trustee by an issuer of the underlying securities, net of any applicable taxes or fees. If you wish to participate in a tender offer for underlying securities, you must obtain the underlying securities by surrendering your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and receiving all of your underlying securities. For specific information about obtaining your underlying securities, you should read the discussion under the caption "Description of the depositary trust agreement." Reconstitution events........ A. If an issuer of underlying securities no longer has a class of common stock registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, then its securities will no longer be an underlying security and the trustee will distribute the shares of that company to the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. B. If the SEC finds that an issuer of underlying securities should be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the trustee has actual knowledge of the SEC finding, then the trustee will distribute the shares of that company to the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. C. If the underlying securities of an issuer cease to be outstanding as a result of a merger, consolidation or other corporate combination, the trustee will distribute the consideration paid by and received from the acquiring company to the beneficial owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, unless the merger, consolidation or other corporate combination is between companies that are already included in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and the consideration paid is additional underlying securities. In this case, the additional underlying securities will be deposited into the trust. D. If an issuer's underlying securities are delisted from trading on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ and are not listed for trading on another national securities exchange or through NASDAQ within 5 business days from the date such securities are delisted, then the trustee will distribute the shares of that company to the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. If a reconstitution event occurs, the trustee will deliver the underlying security to you as promptly as practicable after the date that the trustee has knowledge of the occurrence of a reconstitution event. 13 Termination events........... A. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are delisted from the American Stock Exchange and are not listed for trading on another national securities exchange or through NASDAQ within 5 business days from the date the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are delisted. B. The trustee resigns and no successor trustee is appointed within 60 days from the date the trustee provides notice to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated, as initial depositor, of its intent to resign. C. 75% of beneficial owners of outstanding Pharmaceutical HOLDRs vote to dissolve and liquidate the trust. If a termination event occurs, the trustee will distribute the underlying securities to you as promptly as practicable after the termination event. Federal income tax The federal income tax laws will treat a U.S. consequences................ holder of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs as directly owning the underlying securities. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs themselves will not result in any federal tax consequences separate from the tax consequences associated with ownership of the underlying securities. Listing...................... The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs have been approved for listing on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "PPH", subject to official notice of issuance. Trading will take place only in round-lots of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and round-lot multiples. A minimum of 150,000 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be required to be outstanding when trading begins. Trading...................... Investors only will be able to acquire, hold, transfer and surrender a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Bid and ask prices, however, will be quoted per single Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Clearance and settlement..... The trust will issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in book-entry form. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be evidenced by one or more global certificates that the trustee will deposit with The Depository Trust Company, referred to as DTC. Transfers within DTC will be in accordance with DTC's usual rules and operating procedures. For further information see "Description of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs." 14 THE TRUST General. This discussion highlights information about the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs trust. You should read this information, information about the depositary trust agreement as well as the depositary trust agreement before you purchase Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The material terms of the depositary trust agreement are described in this prospectus under the heading "Description of the depositary trust agreement." The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs trust. The trust will be formed pursuant to the depositary trust agreement, dated as of January 24, 2000. The Bank of New York will be the trustee. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs trust is not a registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs trust is intended to hold deposited shares for the benefit of owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The trustee will perform only administrative and ministerial acts. The property of the trust will consist of the underlying securities and all monies or other property, if any, received by the trustee. The trust will terminate on December 31, 2040 or earlier if a termination event occurs. DESCRIPTION OF PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDRs The trust will issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs under the depositary trust agreement described in this prospectus under the heading "Description of the depositary trust agreement." After the initial offering, the trust may issue additional Pharmaceutical HOLDRs on a continuous basis when an investor deposits the requisite underlying securities with the trustee. You may only acquire, hold, trade and surrender Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and round-lot multiples. The trust will only issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs upon the deposit of the whole shares of underlying securities that are represented by a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. In the event of a stock split, reverse stock split, or other distribution by the issuer of an underlying security that results in a fractional share becoming represented by a round-lot of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, the trust may require a minimum of more than one round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for an issuance so that the trust will always receive whole share amounts for issuance of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will represent your individual and undivided beneficial ownership interest in the common stock of the specified underlying securities. The 20 companies selected as part of this receipt program are listed above in the section entitled "Highlights of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs--The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs." Beneficial owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will have the same rights and privileges as they would have if they beneficially owned the underlying securities outside of the trust. These include the right of investors to instruct the trustee to vote the common stock, and to receive dividends and other distributions on the underlying securities, if any are declared and paid to the trustee by an issuer of an underlying security, as well as the right to cancel Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to receive the underlying securities. See "Description of the depositary trust agreement." Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are not intended to change your beneficial ownership in the underlying securities under federal securities laws, including Sections 13(d) and 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The trust will not publish or otherwise calculate the aggregate value of the underlying securities represented by a receipt. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may trade in the secondary market at prices that are lower than the aggregate value of the corresponding underlying securities. If, in such case, an owner of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs wishes to realize the dollar value of the underlying securities, that owner will have to cancel the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Such cancellation will require payment of fees and expenses as described in "Description of the depositary trust agreement--Withdrawal of underlying securities." 15 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be evidenced by one or more global certificates that the trustee will deposit with DTC and register in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be available only in book-entry form. Owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may hold their Pharmaceutical HOLDRs through DTC, if they are participants in DTC, or indirectly through entities that are participants in DTC. DESCRIPTION OF THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES Selection criteria. The underlying securities are the common stocks of a group of 20 specified companies involved in various segments of the pharmaceutical industry and whose common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The issuers of the underlying securities are among the 20 largest capitalized, most liquid companies in the pharmaceutical industry as measured by market capitalization and trading volume. The following criteria were used in selecting the underlying securities on December 15, 1999: . Market capitalization equal to or greater than $950 million; . Average daily trading volume of at least 270,000 shares over the 60 trading days prior to and including December 15, 1999; . Average daily dollar volume (that is, the average daily trading volume multiplied by the closing price on December 15, 1999) of at least $7.5 million over the 60 trading days prior to and including December 15, 1999; and . A trading history of at least 90 calendar days. The market capitalization of a company is determined by multiplying the price of its common stock by the number of shares of its common stock that are held by stockholders. In determining whether a company met the above-stated criteria for inclusion in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated examined available public information about the company. The ultimate determination of the inclusion of the 20 specified companies, however, rested solely within the discretion of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. After the initial deposit, one or more of the issuers of the underlying securities may no longer be substantially involved in the Pharmaceutical industry. In this case, the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs may no longer consist of securities issued by companies involved in the pharmaceutical industry. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will determine, in its sole discretion, whether the issuer of a particular underlying security remains in the pharmaceutical industry and will undertake to make adequate disclosure when necessary. Underlying securities. For a list of the underlying securities represented by Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, please refer to "Highlights of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs--The Pharmaceutical HOLDRs." If the underlying securities change because of a reconstitution event, a revised list of underlying securities will be set forth in a prospectus supplement and will be available from the American Stock Exchange and through a widely-used electronic information dissemination system such as Bloomberg or Reuters. No investigation. In selecting the underlying securities, the trust, the trustee, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and any affiliate of these entities, have not performed any investigation or review of the selected companies, including the public filings by the companies, other than to the extent required to determine whether the companies satisfied the stated selection criteria. Accordingly, before you acquire Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, you should consider publicly available financial and other information about the issuers of the underlying securities. See "Risk factors" and "Where you can find more information." Investors and market participants should not conclude that the inclusion of a company in the list is any form of 16 investment recommendation of that company by the trust, the trustee, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and any of their affiliates. General background and historical information. For a brief description of the business of each of the issuers of the underlying securities and monthly pricing information showing the historical performance of each underlying issuer's securities see "Annex A." The following table sets forth the composite performance of all of the underlying securities represented by a single Pharmaceutical HOLDR, measured at the close of each business day from June 25, 1998, the first date when all of the underlying securities were publicly traded, and thereafter as of the end of each month to December 15, 1999. The following graph sets forth such performance at the close of each business day during the same period. The performance table and graph data are adjusted for any splits that may have occurred over the measurement period. Past movements of the underlying securities are not necessarily indicative of future values.
Pharmaceutical HOLDRs -------------- June 25, 1998........... 83.44 June 1998............... 83.29 July 1998............... 83.53 August 1998............. 75.13 September 1998.......... 84.95 October 1998............ 87.75 November 1998........... 93.12 December 1998........... 96.47 January 1999............ 96.55 February 1999........... 98.39
Pharmaceutical HOLDRs -------------- March 1999.............. 100.35 April 1999.............. 92.96 May 1999................ 89.88 June 1999............... 94.63 July 1999............... 88.14 August 1999............. 91.85 September 1999.......... 85.15 October 1999............ 97.50 November 1999........... 96.89 December 15, 1999....... 89.87
[LINE GRAPH] 17 DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY TRUST AGREEMENT General. The depositary trust agreement, dated as of January 24, 2000, among Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, The Bank of New York, as trustee, other depositors and the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, provides that Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will represent an owner's undivided beneficial ownership interest in the common stock of the underlying companies. The trustee. The Bank of New York will serve as trustee. The Bank of New York, which was founded in 1784, was New York's first bank and is the oldest bank in the country still operating under its original name. The Bank is a state-chartered New York banking corporation and a member of the Federal Reserve System. The Bank conducts a national and international wholesale banking business and a retail banking business in the New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut areas, and provides a comprehensive range of corporate and personal trust, securities processing and investment services. Issuance, transfer and surrender of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. You may create and cancel Pharmaceutical HOLDRs only in round-lots of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. You may create Pharmaceutical HOLDRs by delivering to the trustee the requisite underlying securities. The trust will only issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs upon the deposit of the whole shares represented by a round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. In the event that a fractional share comes to be represented by a round-lot of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, the trust may require a minimum of more than one round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for an issuance so that the trust will always receive whole share amounts for issuance of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Similarly, you must surrender Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in integral multiples of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to withdraw deposited shares from the trust. The trustee will not deliver fractional shares of underlying securities, to the extent that any cancellation of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs would otherwise require the delivery of fractional shares, the trust will deliver cash in lieu of such shares. You may request withdrawal of your deposited shares during the trustee's normal business hours. The trustee expects that in most cases it will deliver your deposited shares within one business day of your withdrawal request. Voting rights. The trustee will deliver you proxy soliciting materials provided by issuers of the deposited shares so as to permit you to give the trustee instructions as to how to vote on matters to be considered at any annual or special meetings held by issuers of the underlying securities. Under the depositary trust agreement, the beneficial owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated owning Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for its own proprietary account as principal, will have the right to vote to dissolve and liquidate the trust. Distributions. You will be entitled to receive, net of trustee fees, distributions of cash, including dividends, securities or property, if any, made with respect to the underlying securities. The trustee will use its reasonable efforts to ensure that it distributes these distributions as promptly as practicable after the date on which it receives the distribution. Therefore, you may receive your distributions substantially later than you would have had you held the underlying securities directly. You will be obligated to pay any tax or other charge that may become due with respect to Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The trustee may deduct the amount of any tax or other governmental charge from a distribution before making payment to you. In addition, the trustee will deduct its quarterly custody fee of $2.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs from quarterly dividends, if any, paid to the trustee by the issuers of the underlying securities. With respect to the aggregate custody fee payable in any calendar year for each Pharmaceutical HOLDR, the trustee will waive that portion of the fee which exceeds the total cash dividends and other cash distributions received, or to be received, and payable with respect to such calendar year. Record dates. With respect to dividend payments and voting instructions, the trustee expects to fix the trust's record dates as close as possible to the record date fixed by the issuer of the underlying securities. 18 Shareholder communications. The trustee promptly will forward to you all shareholder communications that it receives from issuers of the underlying securities. Withdrawal of underlying securities. You may surrender your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and receive underlying securities during the trustee's normal business hours and upon the payment of applicable fees, taxes or governmental charges, if any. You should receive your underlying securities no later than the business day after the trustee receives your request. If you surrender Pharmaceutical HOLDRs in order to receive underlying securities, you will pay to the trustee a cancellation fee of up to $10.00 per round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Further issuances of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The depositary trust agreement provides for further issuances of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs on a continuous basis without your consent. Reconstitution events. The depositary trust agreement provides for the automatic distribution of underlying securities to you in four circumstances. A. If an issuer of underlying securities no longer has a class of common stock registered under section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, then its securities will no longer be an underlying security and the trustee will distribute the shares of that company to the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. B. If the SEC finds that an issuer of underlying securities should be registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the trustee has actual knowledge of the SEC finding, then the trustee will distribute the shares of that company to the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. C. If the underlying securities of an issuer cease to be outstanding as a result of a merger, consolidation or other corporate combination, the trustee will distribute the consideration paid by and received from the acquiring company to the beneficial owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, unless the merger, consolidation or other corporate combination is between companies that are already included in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and the consideration paid is additional underlying securities. In this case, the additional underlying securities will be deposited into the trust. D. If an issuer's underlying securities are delisted from trading on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ and are not listed for trading on another national securities exchange or through NASDAQ within 5 business days from the date such securities are delisted, then the trustee will distribute the shares of that company to the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. If a reconstitution event occurs, the trustee will deliver the underlying security to you as promptly as practicable after the date that the trustee has knowledge of the occurrence of a reconstitution event. Termination of the trust. The trust will terminate if the trustee resigns and no successor trustee is appointed by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as initial depositor, within 60 days from the date the trustee provides notice to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as initial depositor, of its intent to resign. Upon termination, the beneficial owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will surrender their Pharmaceutical HOLDRs as provided in the depositary trust agreement, including payment of any fees of the trustee or applicable taxes or governmental charges due in connection with delivery to the owners of the underlying securities. The trust also will terminate if Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are delisted from the American Stock Exchange and are not listed for trading on another national securities exchange or through NASDAQ within 5 business days from the date the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs are delisted. Finally, the trust will terminate if 75% of the owners of outstanding Pharmaceutical HOLDRs other than Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated vote to dissolve and liquidate the trust. 19 If a termination event occurs, the trustee will distribute the underlying securities to you as promptly as practicable after the termination event occurs. Amendment of the depositary trust agreement. The trustee and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as initial depositor, may amend any provisions of the depositary trust agreement without the consent of any other depositor or any of the owners of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Promptly after the execution of any amendment to the agreement, the trustee must furnish or cause to be furnished written notification of the substance of the amendment to each owner of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Any amendment that imposes or increases any fees or charges, subject to exceptions, or that otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of the owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will not become effective until 30 days after notice of the amendment is given to the owners of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Issuance and cancellation fees. After the initial public offering, the trust expects to issue more Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. If you wish to create Pharmaceutical HOLDRs by delivering to the trust the requisite underlying securities, the trustee will charge you an issuance fee of up to $10.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. If you wish to cancel your Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and withdraw your underlying securities, the trustee will charge you a cancellation fee of up to $10.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs issued. The trustee may negotiate either of these fees depending on the volume, frequency and size of the issuance or cancellation transactions. Commissions. If you choose to create Pharmaceutical HOLDRs after the conclusion of the initial public offering, you will not be charged the underwriting fee. However, in addition to the issuance and cancellation fees described above, you will be responsible for paying any sales commissions associated with your purchase of the underlying securities that is charged by your broker, whether it be Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated or another broker. Custody fees. The Bank of New York, as trustee and as custodian, will charge you a quarterly custody fee of $2.00 for each round-lot of 100 Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to be deducted from any dividend payments or other cash distributions on underlying securities received by the trustee. With respect to the aggregate custody fee payable in any calendar year for each Pharmaceutical HOLDR, the Trustee will waive that portion of the fee which exceeds the total cash dividends and other cash distributions received, or to be received, and payable with respect to such calendar year. The trustee cannot recapture unpaid custody fees from prior years. Address of the trustee. The Bank of New York, ADR Department, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286. Governing law. The depositary trust agreement and Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. The trustee will provide the depositary trust agreement to any owner of the underlying securities free of charge upon written request. Duties and immunities of the trustee. The trustee will assume no responsibility or liability for, and makes no representations as to, the validity or sufficiency, or as to the accuracy of the recitals, if any, set forth in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. The trustee undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the depositary trust agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, the trustee will be liable for its own negligence or misconduct except for good faith errors in judgment so long as the trustee was not negligent in ascertaining the relevant facts. 20 FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES General The following is a summary of the U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for: . a citizen or resident of the United States; . a corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States; . an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or . a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust (each of the above, a "U.S. receipt holder"); and . any person other than a U.S. receipt holder (a "Non-U.S. receipt holder"). This summary is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions currently in effect, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. The discussion does not deal with all U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. In addition, this summary generally is limited to investors who will hold the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs as "capital assets" (generally, property held for investment) within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. We suggest that you consult with your own tax advisor. Taxation of the trust The trust will provide for flow through tax consequences as it will be treated as a grantor trust or custodial arrangement for United States federal income tax purposes. Taxation of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs A receipt holder purchasing and owning Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as directly owning a proportionate share of the underlying securities represented by Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Consequently, if there is a taxable cash distribution on an underlying security, a holder will recognize income with respect to the distribution at the time the distribution is received by the trustee, not at the time that the holder receives the cash distribution from the trustee. A receipt holder will determine its initial tax basis in each of the underlying securities by allocating the purchase price for the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs among the underlying securities based on their relative fair market values at the time of purchase. Similarly, when a holder sells a receipt, it will determine the amount realized with respect to each security by allocating the sales price among the underlying securities based on their relative fair market values at the time of sale. A holder's gain or loss with respect to each security will be computed by subtracting its basis in the security from the amount realized on the security. With respect to purchases of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for cash in the secondary market, a receipt holder's aggregate tax basis in each of the underlying securities will be equal to the purchase price of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Similarly, with respect to sales of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs for cash in the secondary market, the amount realized with respect to a sale of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be equal to the aggregate amount realized with respect to each of the underlying securities. The distribution of any securities by the trust upon the surrender of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, the occurrence of a reconstitution event, or a termination event will not be a taxable event. The receipt holders holding period with respect to the distributed securities will include the period that the holder held the securities through the trust. 21 Brokerage fees and custodian fees The brokerage fee incurred in purchasing a receipt will be treated as part of the cost of the underlying securities. Accordingly, a holder includes this fee in its tax basis in the underlying securities. A holder will allocate the brokerage fee among the underlying securities using either a fair market value allocation or pro rata based on the number of shares of each underlying security. Similarly, the brokerage fee incurred in selling Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will reduce the amount realized with respect to the underlying securities. A holder will be required to include in its income the full amount of dividends paid on the underlying securities, even though the depositary trust agreement provides that the custodian fees will be deducted directly from any dividends paid. These custodian fees will be treated as an expense incurred in connection with a holder's investment in the underlying securities and may be deductible. If a holder is an individual, estate or trust, however, the deduction of its share of custodian fees will be a miscellaneous itemized deduction that may be disallowed in whole or in part. Non-U.S. receipt holders Non-U.S. receipt holders should consult their tax advisors regarding U.S. withholding and other taxes which may apply to an investment in the underlying securities. ERISA CONSIDERATIONS Any plan fiduciary which proposes to have a plan acquire Pharmaceutical HOLDRs should consult with its counsel with respect to the potential applicability of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code to this investment and whether any exemption would be applicable and determine on its own whether all conditions have been satisfied. Moreover, each plan fiduciary should determine whether, under the general fiduciary standards of investment prudence and diversification, an acquisition of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs is appropriate for the plan, taking into account the overall investment policy of the plan and the composition of the plan's investment portfolio. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION In accordance with the depositary trust agreement, the trust will issue to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will deposit the underlying securities to receive Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Merrill Lynch & Co., as underwriter, proposes to offer the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. Merrill Lynch expects the trust to deliver the initial distribution of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs against deposit of the underlying securities in New York, New York on February 3, 2000. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may be changed. The trust will continue to issue Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, in connection with deposits of underlying securities. This offering is being made in compliance with Conduct Rule 2810 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Accordingly, Merrill Lynch will not make any sales to a discretionary account without the prior written approval of a purchaser of Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Merrill Lynch has from time to time provided investment banking and other financial services to certain of the issuers of the underlying securities and expects in the future to provide these services, for which it has received and will receive customary fees and commissions. It also may have served as counterparty in other transactions with certain of the issuers of the underlying securities. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may use this prospectus, as updated from time to time, in connection with offers and sales related to market-making transactions in the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated may act as principal or agent in such transactions. Market-making sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale. 22 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has agreed to indemnify the trustee against certain civil liabilities related to acts performed or not performed by the trustee in accordance with the depositary trust agreement or periodic reports filed or not filed with the SEC with respect to the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. Should a court determine not to enforce the indemnification provision, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated also has agreed to contribute to payments the trustee may be required to make with respect to such liabilities. LEGAL MATTERS Legal matters, including the validity of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs will be passed upon for Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, the initial depositor and the underwriter, by Shearman & Sterling, New York, New York. Shearman & Sterling, as special U.S. tax counsel to the trust, also will render an opinion regarding the material federal income tax consequences relating to the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the SEC covering the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. While this prospectus is a part of the registration statement, it does not contain all the exhibits filed as part of the registration statement. You should consider reviewing the full text of those exhibits. The registration statement is available over the Internet at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov. You also may read and copy the registration statement at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated will not and the trust may not be subject to the requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly may not file periodic reports. Because the common stock of the issuers of the underlying securities is registered under the Exchange Act, the issuers of the underlying securities are required to file periodically financial and other information specified by the SEC. For more information about the issuers of the underlying securities, information provided to or filed with the SEC by the issuers of the underlying securities with respect to their registered securities can be inspected at the SEC's public reference facilities or accessed through the SEC's web site referenced above. In addition, information regarding the issuers of the underlying securities may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated information. The trust and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its affiliates are not affiliated with the issuers of the underlying securities, and the issuers of the underlying securities have no obligations with respect to Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. This prospectus relates only to Pharmaceutical HOLDRs and does not relate to the common stock or other securities of the issuers of the underlying securities. The information in this prospectus regarding the issuers of the underlying securities has been derived from the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph. We have not participated in the preparation of these documents or made any due diligence inquiries with respect to the issuers of the underlying securities in connection with Pharmaceutical HOLDRs. We make no representation that these publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding the issuers of the underlying securities are accurate or complete. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that all events occurring prior to the date of this prospectus, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described in the preceding paragraph, that would affect the trading price of the common stock of the issuers of the underlying securities, and therefore the offering and trading prices of the Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, have been publicly disclosed. 23 ANNEX A This annex forms an integral part of the prospectus. The following tables provide a brief description of the business of each of the issuers of the underlying securities and set forth the split-adjusted closing market prices, as reported on the applicable primary trading market, of each of the underlying securities in each month during 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 through January 2000. All market prices in excess of one dollar are rounded to the nearest one sixty-fourth of a dollar. An asterisk (*) denotes that no shares of the issuer were outstanding during that month. The historical prices of the underlying securities should not be taken as an indication of future performance. ABBOTT LABORATORIES Abbott Laboratories develops, manufactures and sells a broad and diversified line of health care products and services. Abbott's products include pharmaceuticals, diagnostic, hospital, nutritional, chemical and agricultural products. Abbott markets its products worldwide through affiliates and distributors to retailers, wholesalers and hospitals.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 17 11/16 January 21 1/4 January 27 1/4 January 35 13/32 January 46 7/16 January 32 5/8 February 17 3/4 February 20 7/8 February 28 1/8 February 37 13/32 February 46 5/16 March 17 7/8 March 20 3/8 March 28 1/16 March 37 21/32 March 46 13/16 April 19 11/16 April 20 5/16 April 30 1/2 April 36 9/16 April 48 3/8 May 20 May 21 9/16 May 31 1/2 May 37 3/32 May 45 3/16 June 20 1/4 June 21 3/4 June 33 3/8 June 41 June 45 3/8 July 20 July 21 15/16 July 32 23/32 July 41 5/8 July 42 15/16 August 19 3/8 August 22 1/2 August 29 31/32 August 38 1/2 August 43 3/8 September 21 5/16 September 24 5/8 September 31 31/32 September 43 7/16 September 36 11/16 October 19 7/8 October 25 3/8 October 30 21/32 October 47 October 40 3/8 November 20 5/16 November 27 13/16 November 32 9/16 November 48 November 38 December 20 13/16 December 25 3/8 December 32 3/4 December 49 December 36 5/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 32 5/8. ALLERGAN, INC. Allergan, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of eye care specialty pharmaceutical products and ophthalmic surgical products. Allergan's eye care products treat a variety of diseases and disorders of the eye and include consumer contact lens products. Its speciality pharmaceutical products include therapeutic and cosmetic skin care products and products used for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Allergan's surgical products are primarily used in cataract surgery. Allergan's eye products are marketed and sold through a global marketing and regional sales force system. Its speciality pharmaceutical products are sold to drug wholesalers and retail chains. Allergan effected a 2-for-1 stock split on its common stock in the form of a stock dividend to shareholders of record on November 18, 1999. The shares of common stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on December 9, 1999. The following table is adjusted to account for this stock split.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 14 1/2 January 16 5/8 January 17 11/16 January 17 January 38 7/16 January 57 February 14 7/16 February 18 5/8 February 17 February 17 1/2 February 40 3/4 March 14 3/4 March 18 7/16 March 14 9/16 March 19 March 43 15/16 April 13 9/16 April 17 11/16 April 13 3/8 April 20 25/32 April 44 15/16 May 13 5/16 May 19 1/4 May 14 13/16 May 21 May 46 1/2 June 13 9/16 June 19 3/4 June 15 29/32 June 23 3/16 June 55 1/2 July 15 1/8 July 20 3/8 July 15 31/32 July 26 1/8 July 47 1/4 August 15 3/16 August 19 7/16 August 16 3/16 August 23 5/8 August 49 15/16 September 16 11/16 September 19 1/16 September 18 3/32 September 29 3/16 September 55 October 14 11/16 October 15 3/16 October 16 15/32 October 31 7/32 October 53 11/16 November 15 1/2 November 16 1/16 November 16 15/16 November 30 7/16 November 49 3/16 December 16 1/4 December 17 13/16 December 16 25/32 December 32 3/8 December 49 3/4
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 57. A-1 AMERICAN HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION American Home Products Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets a diversified line of products in three primary business segments: pharmaceuticals, consumer health care and agricultural products. The pharmaceutical segment manufactures and sells branded and generic ethical pharmaceuticals, and animal biologicals and pharmaceuticals. The consumer healthcare segment manufactures and distributes cold and allergy remedies and nutritional products including Advil, Robitussin, Dimetapp and Centrum Silver vitamins. The agricultural products segment manufactures and distributes crop protection and pest control products. American Home Products agreed on November 4, 1999 to merge with Warner-Lambert Company, but this merger agreement is being presently challenged by Pfizer Inc. Pfizer's challenge is scheduled to be heard by a Delaware court on February 14, 2000.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 17 17/32 January 25 1/2 January 31 11/16 January 47 23/32 January 58 11/16 January 47 1/16 February 17 7/8 February 24 21/32 February 32 February 46 7/8 February 59 1/2 March 17 13/16 March 27 3/32 March 30 March 47 11/16 March 65 1/4 April 19 5/16 April 26 3/8 April 33 1/16 April 46 9/16 April 61 May 18 7/16 May 26 3/4 May 38 May 48 5/16 May 57 5/8 June 19 11/32 June 30 1/16 June 38 1/4 June 51 3/4 June 57 3/8 July 19 3/4 July 28 3/8 July 41 7/32 July 51 1/2 July 51 August 19 1/4 August 29 5/8 August 36 August 50 1/8 August 41 1/2 September 21 7/32 September 31 7/8 September 36 1/2 September 52 5/8 September 41 1/2 October 22 5/32 October 30 5/8 October 37 1/16 October 48 15/16 October 52 1/4 November 22 13/16 November 32 3/16 November 34 29/32 November 53 3/8 November 52 December 24 1/4 December 29 5/16 December 38 1/4 December 56 3/8 December 39 1/4
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 47 1/16. ANDRX CORPORATION Andrx Corporation formulates and commercializes oral controlled-release pharmaceuticals using proprietary drug delivery technologies. Andrx develops generic versions of selected high sales volume controlled-release brand name pharmaceuticals and develops its own brand name formulations of certain existing drugs available only in immediate-release form. Andrx focuses on pharmaceutical products with high sales volumes and patents that will expire in a time frame that allows Andrx to complete development prior to expiration. Products include a variety of treatments for hypertension, angina, ulcers and inflammation.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January * January * January 9 1/2 January 17 1/8 January 28 5/164 January 70 1/4 February * February * February 9 3/4 February 15 17/32 February 33 15/16 March * March * March 12 1/2 March 13 15/16 March 45 9/16 April * April * April 10 5/8 April 18 3/4 April 39 3/8 May * May * May 11 7/8 May 16 3/4 May 50 7/164 June * June 7 9/16 June 19 1/8 June 18 3/8 June 77 1/8 July * July 6 5/8 July 16 5/8 July 17 7/8 July 67 1/16 August * August 7 1/4 August 19 5/8 August 14 21/32 August 71 7/8 September * September 6 5/8 September 22 3/4 September 18 3/8 September 58 17/32 October * October 7 1/8 October 19 1/4 October 19 1/2 October 47 3/4 November * November 7 November 19 7/16 November 19 3/4 November 51 1/2 December * December 8 1/16 December 17 1/8 December 25 5/8 December 42 5/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 70 1/4. A-2 BIOVAIL CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL Biovail Corporation International is a global integrated pharmaceutical company which specializes in the development of oral controlled-release drugs. Controlled-release products are formulations which release active drug compounds in the body gradually and predictably over a 12 to 24 hour period. Biovail formulates, clinically tests, registers, manufactures and out-licenses its own drug products. Biovail markets it products through its own sales force and through licensees. Biovail effected a 2-for-1 stock split on its common stock to shareholders of record on January 12, 2000. The stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on January 20, 2000. The following table is adjusted to account for this stock split.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 1 3/8 January 12 15/16 January 14 7/16 January 18 January 21 1/8 January 49 7/8 February 1 3/4 February 14 3/16 February 12 1/16 February 21 25/32 February 19 3/32 March 2 1/8 March 14 3/16 March 11 5/8 March 24 1/8 March 19 1/4 April 2 13/16 April 14 1/8 April 12 1/2 April 20 7/16 April 17 17/32 May 2 5/8 May 17 1/16 May 14 13/16 May 16 31/32 May 19 3/32 June 3 2/16 June 15 5/8 June 15 3/32 June 16 June 25 17/32 July 4 July 13 1/4 July 13 3/8 July 16 7/16 July 28 3/32 August 4 3/16 August 15 August 14 7/32 August 14 1/32 August 28 29/32 September 5 3/4 September 17 3/4 September 14 17/32 September 13 15/32 September 25 3/8 October 6 7/16 October 14 5/8 October 14 7/16 October 15 19/32 October 27 19/32 November 8 3/4 November 14 1/4 November 15 7/16 November 17 November 34 7/8 December 12 7/8 December 12 13/16 December 19 17/32 December 18 29/32 December 46 7/8
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 49 7/8. BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company is a diversified health and personal care company that focuses on the manufacture and sales of a broad range of pharmaceutical and related products. These products include: cardiovascular, anti-cancer, anti-infective and central nervous system prescription pharmaceuticals; consumer medicines, such as analgesics; personal care, such as skin and hair care products, cold remedies and deodorants; nutritional products; medical devices; and beauty care products. Bristol-Myers markets its products internationally to the retail and wholesale markets and some of its products are sold directly to other pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and healthcare professionals.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 15 3/8 January 22 1/8 January 31 11/16 January 49 27/32 January 64 1/8 January 66 February 15 15/32 February 21 9/32 February 32 5/8 February 50 3/32 February 62 31/32 March 15 23/32 March 21 13/32 March 29 1/2 March 52 5/32 March 64 1/8 April 16 19/32 April 20 9/16 April 32 3/4 April 52 15/16 April 63 9/16 May 16 9/32 May 21 11/32 May 36 11/16 May 53 3/4 May 68 3/4 June 17 1/32 June 22 1/2 June 40 1/2 June 57 15/32 June 70 7/16 July 17 5/16 July 21 21/32 July 39 5/32 July 56 31/32 July 66 1/2 August 17 3/16 August 21 15/16 August 38 August 48 15/16 August 70 3/8 September 18 7/32 September 2 3/8 September 41 3/8 September 51 15/16 September 67 1/2 October 19 1/16 October 26 7/16 October 43 15/16 October 55 11/32 October 76 13/16 November 20 1/16 November 28 7/16 November 46 13/16 November 61 November 73 December 21 15/32 December 27 1/4 December 47 5/16 December 66 29/32 December 64 3/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 66. A-3 ELI LILLY & COMPANY Eli Lilly & Company researches, develops, manufactures and sells pharmaceutical products for humans and animals. Research efforts are primarily directed toward discovering and developing products to diagnose and treat disease in humans and animals and to increase the efficiency of animal food production. Eli Lilly products include neuroscience products, such as Prozac, endocrine products, cardiovascular agents, oncology products and animal health products for cattle, poultry and swine. Eli Lilly's pharmaceutical products are distributed primarily through independent wholesale distribution outlets and marketed through its own sales force. The animal health products are marketed by its own sales force to distributors and feed manufacturers.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 16 15/32 January 28 5/8 January 43 9/16 January 67 5/8 January 93 11/16 January 66 7/8 February 16 3/4 February 30 5/16 February 43 11/16 February 65 13/16 February 94 1/2 March 18 9/324 March 32 1/2 March 41 1/8 March 59 5/8 March 84 7/8 April 18 11/16 April 29 9/16 April 43 15/16 April 69 9/16 April 73 5/8 May 18 21/32 May 32 1/8 May 46 1/2 May 61 3/8 May 71 7/16 June 19 5/8 June 32 1/2 June 54 21/32 June 66 1/4 June 71 5/8 July 19 9/164 July 28 July 56 1/2 July 67 1/4 July 65 11/16 August 20 15/32 August 28 5/8 August 52 5/16 August 65 3/4 August 74 5/8 September 22 15/32 September 32 1/4 September 60 1/2 September 78 5/16 September 64 3/16 October 24 5/32 October 35 1/4 October 67 1/16 October 81 October 68 7/8 November 24 7/8 November 38 1/4 November 63 November 89 11/16 November 72 11/64 December 28 1/8 December 36 1/2 December 69 5/8 December 88 7/8 December 66 1/2
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 66 7/8. FOREST LABORATORIES, INC. Forest Laboratories, Inc. develops, manufactures, and sells branded and generic prescription drugs and nonprescription pharmaceutical products which are used for the treatment of a wide range of illnesses. Forest's branded products include treatment for depression, respiratory ailments, hypertension, angina and urinary tract infection. Forest's generic products include generic equivalents of its branded products and certain controlled-release products. Its products are marketed in the United States, Eastern Europe and the United Kingdom through its own sales force and through independent distributors in other parts of the world.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- ------- ------- ------- January 24 3/4 January 27 January 18 7/8 January 29 11/16 January 46 3/16 January 67 1/2 February 25 3/8 February 26 February 19 1/16 February 31 9/32 February 49 9/16 March 23 13/16 March 24 3/8 March 18 13/16 March 37 1/2 March 56 3/8 April 22 1/2 April 23 1/16 April 17 1/16 April 36 3/16 April 44 1/2 May 22 1/16 May 20 5/8 May 21 1/8 May 33 May 47 5/8 June 22 3/16 June 19 5/16 June 20 23/32 June 35 3/4 June 46 1/4 July 22 3/16 July 17 1/16 July 22 3/4 July 37 1/2 July 51 1/4 August 22 3/8 August 20 9/16 August 20 23/32 August 32 3/4 August 48 1/2 September 22 1/4 September 18 1/16 September 21 1/16 September 34 3/8 September 42 1/8 October 20 11/16 October 19 1/4 October 23 1/8 October 41 13/16 October 45 7/8 November 21 1/4 November 19 3/8 November 22 3/8 November 46 5/8 November 51 3/16 December 22 5/8 December 16 3/8 December 24 21/32 December 53 3/16 December 61 7/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 67 1/2. A-4 ICN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops, manufactures, distributes and sells pharmaceutical, research and diagnostic products as well as biotechnology research products. ICN's pharmaceutical and nutritional products treat viral and bacterial infections, diseases of the skin, neuromuscular disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and psychiatric disorders.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- ------- ------- ------- January 12 13/64 January 13 1/4 January 15 1/4 January 34 1/4 January 24 1/8 January 25 1/8 February 9 7/16 February 15 21/64 February 16 53/64 February 38 1/2 February 21 7/8 March 10 March 14 53/64 March 14 53/64 March 49 March 25 1/8 April 10 63/64 April 15 April 14 11/64 April 49 1/4 April 33 3/16 May 11 1/16 May 17 43/64 May 14 27/64 May 43 1/16 May 32 7/8 June 10 1/4 June 15 37/64 June 19 1/8 June 45 11/16 June 32 3/16 July 12 49/64 July 14 July 22 3/4 July 28 3/8 July 30 3/4 August 13 21/64 August 14 August 24 11/64 August 15 3/8 August 20 3/4 September 14 13/32 September 13 43/64 September 32 51/64 September 17 1/2 September 17 3/16 October 13 1/2 October 12 37/64 October 32 5/64 October 23 5/16 October 23 November 13 21/64 November 12 59/64 November 32 61/64 November 25 1/4 November 24 5/16 December 12 53/64 December 13 5/64 December 32 43/64 December 22 5/8 December 25 5/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 25 1/8. IVAX CORPORATION IVAX Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets proprietary and generic pharmaceuticals in the United States and international markets. IVAX's primary focus is on proprietary oncology and respiratory pharmaceutical products and generic pharmaceuticals in less competitive market segments. IVAX markets its proprietary pharmaceutical products through licensing arrangements and its generic pharmaceutical products are sold to drug wholesalers and retail drug store chains. On January 14, 2000, IVAX announced a 3-for-2 stock split on its common stock to shareholders of record on February 1, 2000. The shares of common stock will begin trading on a split-adjusted basis on February 23, 2000. The following table does not take into account any adjustments for this stock split.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- ------- ------- January 21 1/8 January 26 1/4 January 11 5/8 January 7 1/2 January 13 9/16 January 33 1/4 February 21 5/8 February 28 5/8 February 12 1/4 February 8 7/16 February 14 3/4 March 25 March 25 7/8 March 9 7/8 March 8 3/4 March 11 13/16 April 26 April 29 1/8 April 7 9/16 April 9 3/4 April 13 3/16 May 25 3/4 May 27 1/2 May 10 3/4 May 9 3/16 May 13 7/16 June 24 5/8 June 15 3/4 June 11 3/16 June 9 1/4 June 14 1/8 July 24 1/8 July 14 5/8 July 9 3/8 July 8 15/16 July 15 13/16 August 25 5/8 August 16 1/8 August 9 7/16 August 7 3/4 August 16 1/2 September 30 1/8 September 16 1/4 September 11 15/16 September 8 3/4 September 16 1/2 October 22 3/4 October 16 1/2 October 7 9/16 October 9 1/2 October 17 9/16 November 26 5/8 November 11 November 7 1/16 November 9 1/2 November 20 5/16 December 28 1/2 December 10 1/4 December 6 3/4 December 12 7/16 December 25 3/4
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 33 1/4. A-5 JOHNSON & JOHNSON Johnson & Johnson manufactures and sells health care products and provides related services in countries around the globe. Johnson & Johnson's principal consumer segment focuses on personal care and hygienic products and its product brands include Band-Aid, Tylenol and Stayfree sanitary products. Johnson & Johnson's pharmaceutical segment focuses on allergy, anti-infective, anti-fungal, contraceptives and pain management products. Johnson & Johnson's professional segment, catering to physicians, nurses, therapists and hospitals, focuses on diagnostic products, surgical instruments, cardiology products and other medical equipment and devices. Johnson & Johnson markets and distributes its products directly and through wholesalers. In a $4.9 billion stock-for- stock exchange, Johnson & Johnson recently merged with Centocor, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 29 1/16 January 48 January 57 3/4 January 66 15/16 January 85 1/8 January 86 1/16 February 28 3/8 February 46 3/4 February 57 1/2 February 75 3/8 February 85 3/8 March 29 3/4 March 46 1/8 March 52 7/8 March 73 7/16 March 93 1/2 April 32 1/2 April 46 1/4 April 61 1/8 April 71 1/2 April 97 1/2 May 33 1/16 May 48 11/16 May 60 May 69 1/16 May 92 5/8 June 33 3/4 June 49 1/2 June 64 3/8 June 74 June 98 July 35 7/8 July 47 3/4 July 62 1/8 July 77 1/4 July 91 1/16 August 34 1/2 August 49 1/4 August 56 11/16 August 69 August 102 1/4 September 37 1/16 September 51 1/4 September 57 11/16 September 78 1/4 September 91 7/8 October 40 3/4 October 49 1/4 October 57 3/8 October 81 1/2 October 104 3/4 November 43 5/16 November 53 1/4 November 62 15/16 November 81 1/4 November 103 3/4 December 42 3/4 December 49 3/4 December 65 7/8 December 83 7/8 December 93 1/4
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 86 1/16. JONES PHARMA INC. Jones Pharma Inc. manufactures, markets, distributes and sells specialty pharmaceutical products under its own trademarks and tradenames. Jones Pharma seeks to build a portfolio of growing products through the acquisition of under-promoted or promotion sensitive FDA-approved products from other pharmaceutical companies. Jones Pharma's principal products serve the endocrine treatment and critical care segments of the health care industry as well as the companion animal segment of the veterinary industry. Jones Pharma markets and promotes its products primarily through a direct sales force.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- --------- ------- ------- January 2 9/64 January 11 21/64 January 25 21/64 January 23 19/64 January 21 1/4 January 58 1/16 February 2 33/64 February 13 1/16 February 20 11/64 February 24 3/4 February 18 3/4 March 2 9/16 March 17 7/64 March 16 March 24 1/8 March 23 11/64 April 2 57/64 April 23 7/32 April 23 1/2 April 19 43/64 April 21 27/64 May 2 31/32 May 23 7/16 May 23 59/64 May 20 1/2 May 23 45/64 June 3 19/64 June 22 11/64 June 31 43/64 June 22 5/64 June 26 1/4 July 4 3/16 July 23 5/64 July 19 3/4 July 21 13/64 July 28 15/16 August 4 21/64 August 26 43/64 August 19 53/64 August 13 59/64 August 27 1/16 September 5 19/64 September 32 21/64 September 21 September 19 11/64 September 32 31/32 October 5 25/32 October 29 October 20 5/64 October 21 35/64 October 31 November 6 7/32 November 26 43/64 November 22 November 24 November 34 5/8 December 7 9/64 December 24 27/64 December 25 1/2 December 24 21/64 December 43 7/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 58 1/16. A-6 KING PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. manufactures, markets and sells primarily name-brand prescription pharmaceutical products. King acquires these pharmaceutical products and seeks to increase their sales by focused promotion and marketing, as well as by developing product line extensions and through product life cycle management. King, through a national sales force, markets its products to general/family practitioners and hospitals across the United States. King also provides contract manufacturing to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- ------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January * January * January * January * January 16 5/64 January 59 February * February * February * February * February 16 5/64 March * March * March * March * March 18 1/2 April * April * April * April * April 18 27/64 May * May * May * May * May 15 53/64 June * June * June * June 9 21/64 June 17 1/4 July * July * July * July 10 3/4 July 18 5/64 August * August * August * August 9 37/64 August 23 5/64 September * September * September * September 9 11/64 September 23 21/64 October * October * October * October 10 3/8 October 20 11/64 November * November * November * November 10 November 46 1/8 December * December * December * December 17 37/64 December 56 1/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 59. MERCK & CO., INC. Merck & Co., Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of human and animal health products. Merck's operations are divided into a pharmaceutical and a pharmaceutical benefit services segment. The pharmaceutical segment creates a variety of therapeutic products including Zocar (high cholesterol treatment), Pepcid (anti-ulcerant) and Propecia (male baldness treatment). The pharmaceutical benefit services segment fills and manages prescriptions and operates health management programs. Merck markets its health products to drug retailers and wholesalers, hospitals, managed healthcare providers and government agencies through its own representatives. Its pharmaceutical benefit management services are marketed to corporations, insurance companies and government agencies.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- -------- January 20 1/8 January 35 1/16 January 45 5/16 January 58 11/16 January 73 3/8 January 78 13/16 February 21 3/16 February 33 1/8 February 46 1/16 February 63 25/32 February 81 1/2 March 21 5/16 March 31 1/8 March 42 1/8 March 64 3/32 March 80 1/8 April 21 7/16 April 30 1/4 April 45 3/16 April 60 1/4 April 70 3/8 May 23 1/2 May 32 5/16 May 44 15/16 May 58 1/2 May 67 5/8 June 24 9/16 June 32 5/16 June 51 5/32 June 66 7/8 June 73 5/8 July 25 13/16 July 32 1/8 July 51 15/16 July 61 25/32 July 67 5/8 August 24 15/16 August 32 13/16 August 45 29/32 August 57 31/32 August 67 3/16 September 28 September 35 3/16 September 49 31/32 September 64 25/32 September 64 13/16 October 28 3/4 October 36 15/16 October 44 5/8 October 67 17/32 October 79 9/16 November 30 15/16 November 41 1/2 November 47 13/32 November 77 9/16 November 78 11/16 December 32 13/16 December 39 13/164 December 53 December 73 3/4 December 67 3/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 78 13/16. A-7 MYLAN LABORATORIES, INC. Mylan Laboratories Inc. develops, licenses, manufactures, markets and distributes generic and branded pharmaceutical products. Mylan operates through its generic and branded pharmaceutical segments. Its generic pharmaceutical segment focuses on marketing a wide variety of lower cost alternatives to branded products and investing resources in developing new drug delivery systems. Mylan's branded pharmaceutical segment focuses on the cardiology, neurology and dermatology areas. Mylan develops its branded pharmaceutical segment through its own product development and product acquisitions. Mylan markets its products to retail drug stores, wholesalers, distributors and public and governmental agencies.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 18 43/64 January 19 January 16 3/8 January 18 January 30 1/2 January 26 5/8 February 20 53/64 February 19 1/2 February 16 3/4 February 20 3/8 February 27 5/16 March 21 11/64 March 21 March 14 3/4 March 23 March 27 7/16 April 20 1/2 April 19 1/2 April 12 April 27 1/8 April 22 11/16 May 19 5/64 May 19 May 15 1/8 May 30 May 25 3/8 June 20 1/2 June 17 3/8 June 14 3/4 June 30 1/4 June 26 1/2 July 20 July 15 July 16 7/8 July 27 3/8 July 22 7/8 August 22 7/8 August 16 3/8 August 21 1/4 August 22 7/8 August 19 13/16 September 20 1/8 September 17 1/8 September 22 7/16 September 29 1/2 September 18 3/8 October 19 1/8 October 15 1/8 October 21 7/8 October 34 7/16 October 17 15/16 November 23 3/8 November 14 3/4 November 22 3/16 November 33 3/16 November 23 9/16 December 23 1/2 December 16 5/8 December 20 15/16 December 31 1/2 December 25 3/16 The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 26 5/8. PFIZER INC. Pfizer Inc. develops, manufactures and markets medicines for humans and animals. Pfizer's operations are divided into a pharmaceutical, animal health and consumer products segments. The pharmaceutical segment includes prescription drugs for treating cardiovascular and infectious diseases, central nervous system disorders, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, allergies, arthritis and other disorders. A leading Pfizer pharmaceutical product is Viagra. The animal health segment includes antiparasitic, anti-infective and anti- inflammatory medicines and vaccines for animals. The consumer products segment focuses on over-the-counter medications and personal care products. Leading Pfizer consumer products include Zyrtec, Visine and Bengay. Pfizer's pharmaceutical products are sold principally to wholesalers. Its animal health products are marketed and sold to animal healthcare professionals and distributors. Pfizer's consumer products are marketed and sold by its own representatives to retailers. Pfizer is currently engaged in a hostile takeover bid for Warner-Lambert Company. Pfizer's challenge is scheduled to be heard by a Delaware court on February 14, 2000. Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 6 13/16 January 11 27/64 January 15 27/64 January 27 1/4 January 42 7/8 January 36 3/8 February 6 59/64 February 10 63/64 February 15 17/64 February 29 1/2 February 43 63/64 March 7 9/64 March 11 13/64 March 14 1/64 March 33 15/64 March 46 1/4 April 7 7/32 April 11 31/64 April 16 April 37 15/16 April 38 23/64 May 7 11/32 May 11 51/64 May 17 11/64 May 34 15/16 May 35 43/64 June 7 43/64 June 11 57/64 June 19 59/64 June 36 15/64 June 36 21/64 July 8 7/16 July 11 41/64 July 19 7/8 July 36 39/64 July 33 7/8 August 8 15/64 August 11 53/64 August 18 31/64 August 31 August 37 3/4 September 8 57/64 September 13 3/16 September 20 3/64 September 35 1/4 September 35 7/8 October 9 9/16 October 13 51/64 October 23 43/64 October 35 49/64 October 39 11/16 November 9 43/64 November 14 15/16 November 24 1/4 November 37 5/16 November 36 5/8 December 10 1/2 December 13 53/64 December 24 55/64 December 41 43/64 December 32 7/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 36 3/8. A-8 PHARMACIA & UPJOHN, INC. Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. develops, manufactures and sells pharmaceutical and healthcare products. Pharmacia provides prescription and nonprescription products for humans and pharmaceutical chemicals and other products for livestock and companion animals. Its principal prescription and non- prescription pharmaceutical products focus on the treatment of a broad range of conditions including growth hormone deficiency, erectile dysfunction, depression, male baldness, smoking addiction and diarrhea. Pharmacia products include Nicorette, Rogaine and Kaopectate. Pharmacia markets its products through its own representatives and through local distributors and licensees. On December 19, 1999, Pharmacia announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Monsanto Company.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 23 3/16 January 41 5/8 January 37 1/4 January 38 9/16 January 57 1/2 January 47 February 24 5/16 February 41 7/8 February 37 February 39 27/32 February 54 1/2 March 24 9/16 March 39 7/8 March 36 5/8 March 43 3/4 March 62 3/8 April 25 April 38 1/4 April 29 7/8 April 42 1/16 April 55 5/8 May 25 3/32 May 40 7/8 May 34 5/8 May 44 3/16 May 55 7/16 June 25 61/64 June 44 3/8 June 34 3/4 June 46 1/8 June 56 13/16 July 26 35/64 July 41 1/8 July 37 3/4 July 47 5/16 July 53 13/16 August 29 7/32 August 42 August 34 1/16 August 41 11/16 August 52 1/4 September 30 25/32 September 41 1/4 September 36 1/2 September 50 3/16 September 49 5/8 October 35 October 36 October 31 3/4 October 52 7/8 October 53 15/16 November 35 7/8 November 38 5/8 November 33 3/4 November 52 1/8 November 54 11/16 December 38 3/4 December 39 5/8 December 36 5/8 December 56 5/8 December 45 The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 47. SCHERING-PLOUGH CORPORATION Schering-Plough Corporation researches, develops and markets new therapies and treatment programs. Schering-Plough's core product groups include allergy, respiratory, anti-infective, anticancer, dermatologicals, and cardiovascular pharmaceutical products, and healthcare products, including foot care and sun care products. Schering-Plough also develops and markets animal health biological and pharmaceutical products. Schering-Plough's products include Claritin (allergy), Coppertone (sun care) and Dr. Scholl's (footcare). Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- ------- January 9 13/16 January 13 9/16 January 18 29/32 January 36 3/16 January 54 1/2 January 44 February 9 51/64 February 14 1/32 February 19 3/32 February 38 1/32 February 55 11/16 March 9 19/64 March 14 17/32 March 18 3/16 March 40 7/8 March 55 1/4 April 9 27/64 April 14 11/32 April 19 15/16 April 40 5/32 April 48 5/16 May 9 27/32 May 14 21/32 May 22 11/16 May 41 13/16 May 45 1/16 June 11 1/32 June 15 11/16 June 23 15/16 June 45 13/16 June 52 1/2 July 11 5/8 July 13 3/4 July 27 9/32 July 48 3/8 July 49 August 11 21/32 August 13 31/32 August 24 August 43 August 52 5/8 September 12 27/32 September 15 11/32 September 25 3/4 September 51 27/32 September 43 5/8 October 13 13/32 October 16 October 28 1/32 October 51 7/16 October 49 1/2 November 14 11/32 November 17 13/16 November 31 11/32 November 53 3/8 November 51 1/8 December 13 11/16 December 16 3/16 December 31 1/16 December 55 1/4 December 42 3/8
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 44. A-9 WARNER-LAMBERT COMPANY Warner-Lambert Company researches, develops, manufactures and markets a widely diversified line of health care and consumer products. Warner-Lambert's principal business segments are: pharmaceutical products, consumer health care products and confectionery products. Warner-Lambert's pharmaceutical products include a variety of analgesic, anti-infective and cardiovascular pharmaceuticals and are marketed primarily under the Parke-Davis and Goedecke trade name directly to healthcare professionals. Warner-Lambert's consumer healthcare products include a wide variety of products including dermatological products, such as Lubriderm, and cold and allergy treatments, such as Benadryl and Sudafed. Warner-Lambert's confectionary products primarily include chewing gum, such as Trident, breath mints and cough drops. Both the consumer healthcare and confectionary products are marketed directly to wholesalers and retailers. Warner-Lambert agreed on November 4, 1999 to merge with American Home Products Corporation, but that merger agreement is being contested by Pfizer Inc., which is seeking to acquire Warner-Lambert in a hostile take-over bid. Pfizer's challenge is scheduled to be heard by a Delaware court on February 14, 2000.
Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- -------- January 13 January 15 5/8 January 27 January 50 11/64 January 72 3/8 January 94 15/16 February 12 3/4 February 16 31/64 February 28 February 48 51/64 February 68 13/16 March 13 3/64 March 17 13/64 March 28 53/64 March 56 49/64 March 66 1/4 April 13 5/16 April 18 41/64 April 32 43/64 April 63 1/8 April 67 13/16 May 13 51/64 May 18 43/64 May 33 43/64 May 63 13/16 May 62 June 14 25/64 June 18 21/64 June 41 27/64 June 69 3/8 June 69 1/8 July 13 63/64 July 18 11/64 July 46 39/64 July 75 3/8 July 66 August 15 1/16 August 19 53/64 August 42 23/64 August 65 1/4 August 66 3/8 September 15 7/8 September 22 September 44 63/64 September 75 1/2 September 66 3/8 October 14 3/16 October 21 13/64 October 47 51/64 October 78 3/8 October 79 13/16 November 14 7/8 November 23 53/64 November 46 5/8 November 75 1/2 November 90 December 16 3/16 December 25 December 41 25/64 December 75 3/16 December 81 15/16 The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 94 15/16. WATSON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. develops, produces, markets, and distributes branded and generic pharmaceutical products. Watson's products include prescription and over-the-counter therapeutic and preventive agents used for the treatment of human diseases and disorders in the primary care, women's health, dermatology and neurology/psychiatry areas. Watson markets its branded pharmaceutical products through specialty sales groups who focus on healthcare professionals. Watson's generic pharmaceutical products are sold to drug wholesalers, distributors and retailers, hospitals and health maintenance organizations. Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing Closing 1995 Price 1996 Price 1997 Price 1998 Price 1999 Price 2000 Price - --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- --------- -------- ------- -------- January 12 3/8 January 22 7/8 January 22 13/32 January 36 3/4 January 54 5/8 January 40 5/16 February 12 29/32 February 21 1/2 February 21 13/16 February 35 7/8 February 48 3/8 March 14 3/4 March 20 March 17 7/8 March 36 March 44 1/8 April 15 9/16 April 23 3/4 April 17 7/8 April 43 1/16 April 40 1/2 May 18 3/8 May 22 1/2 May 19 9/16 May 43 3/4 May 38 5/16 June 19 1/2 June 18 15/16 June 21 1/8 June 46 11/16 June 35 1/16 July 18 July 19 1/2 July 24 3/4 July 45 1/8 July 34 7/16 August 20 11/16 August 14 1/2 August 26 9/32 August 45 1/16 August 35 7/8 September 20 1/2 September 18 3/4 September 29 7/8 September 51 3/4 September 30 9/16 October 22 3/8 October 16 11/16 October 31 3/4 October 55 13/16 October 31 3/4 November 23 9/16 November 19 1/2 November 29 3/4 November 53 7/8 November 37 3/16 December 24 1/2 December 22 15/32 December 32 7/16 December 62 7/8 December 35 13/16
The closing price on January 31, 2000 was 40 5/16. A-10 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [LOGO OF PHARMACEUTICAL HOLDRs SM] 1,000,000,000 Depositary Receipts Pharmaceutical HOLDRs SM Trust ------------------- P R O S P E C T U S ------------------- Merrill Lynch & Co. January 31, 2000 Until February 25, 2000 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in the offered Pharmaceutical HOLDRs, whether or not participating in this distribution, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This requirement is in addition to the obligations of dealers to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to unsold allotments or subscriptions. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----