-----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, O6aaRSsT9LW4tiqILikSSrufGdrlZazHIgFdFHxg+vMzyUsYibscUdDgVEOKPaCo MNQnE7cdy4yIPkEwrybzjA== 0000065103-97-000084.txt : 19970221 0000065103-97-000084.hdr.sgml : 19970221 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000065103-97-000084 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13G/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970210 SROS: NASD GROUP MEMBERS: FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P. GROUP MEMBERS: MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC GROUP MEMBERS: MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC. GROUP MEMBERS: MERRILL LYNCH SPECIAL FUND, INC. GROUP MEMBERS: PRINCETON SERVICES, INC. SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WET SEAL INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000863456 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RETAIL-WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORES [5621] IRS NUMBER: 330415940 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0128 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-41525 FILM NUMBER: 97522685 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 64 FAIRBANKS CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92718 BUSINESS PHONE: 7145839029 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000065100 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211] IRS NUMBER: 132740599 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1228 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13G/A BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 VESEY ST STREET 2: WORLD FINANCIAL CTR N TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281-1334 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124491000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 250 VESEY ST STREET 2: WORLD FINANCIAL CTR N TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281-1334 SC 13G/A 1 SCHEDULE 13G AMENDMENT OMB APPROVAL EXPIRES: October 31, 1994 ESTIMATED AVERAGE BURDEN HOURS PER RESPONSE 14.90 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, DC 20549 SCHEDULE 13G Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. 4 )* Wet Seal, Inc. - ------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Issuer) Common Stock - ------------------------------------------------------------------- (Title of Class of Securities) 96184010 - -------------- (CUSIP NUMBER) Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement.[ ] (A fee is not required only if the filing person: (1) has a previous statement on file reporting beneficial ownership of more than five percent of the class of securities described in Item 1; and (2) has filed no amendment subsequent thereto reporting beneficial ownership of five percent or less of such class.) (See Rule 13d-7). *The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page. The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the 1934 Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the 1934 Act (however, see the Notes). Page 2 of 13 Pages CUSIP NO. 96184010 13G 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing (a) [ ] (b) [ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER NONE 6. SHARED VOTING POWER NONE 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON NONE 10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* 11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9 NONE 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* HC, CO *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT! Page 3 of 13 Pages CUSIP NO. 96184010 13G 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing (a) [ ] (b) [ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER NONE 6. SHARED VOTING POWER NONE 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON NONE 10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* 11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9 NONE 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* HC, CO *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT! Page 4 of 13 Pages CUSIP NO. 96184010 13G 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Princeton Services, Inc. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing (a) [ ] (b) [ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER NONE 6. SHARED VOTING POWER NONE 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON NONE 10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* 11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9 NONE 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* HC, CO *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT! Page 5 of 13 Pages CUSIP NO. 96184010 13G 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Fund Asset Management, L.P. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing (a) [ ] (b) [ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Delaware NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER NONE 6. SHARED VOTING POWER NONE 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON NONE 10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* 11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9 NONE 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IA, PN *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT! Page 6 of 13 Pages CUSIP NO. 96184010 13G 1. NAME OF REPORTING PERSON S.S. or I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON Special Value Fund, Inc. 2. CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* Joint Filing (a) [ ] (b) [ ] 3. SEC USE ONLY 4. CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION Maryland NUMBER OF SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON WITH 5. SOLE VOTING POWER NONE 6. SHARED VOTING POWER NONE 7. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 8. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER NONE 9. AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON NONE 10. CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES* 11. PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9 NONE 12. TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON* IV, CO *SEE INSTRUCTION BEFORE FILING OUT! Page 7 of 13 Pages SCHEDULE 13G ITEM 1 (a) Name of Issuer: -------------- The Wet Seal, Inc. ITEM 1 (b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: ----------------------------------------------- 64 Fairbanks Irvine, California 92718 ITEM 2 (a) Name of Persons Filing: --------------------- Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Merrill Lynch Group, Inc.. Princeton Services, Inc. Fund Asset Management, L.P. Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc. ITEM 2 (b) Address of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence: ----------------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. World Financial Center, North Tower 250 Vesey Street New York, New York 10281 Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. World Financial Center, North Tower 250 Vesey Street New York, New York 10281 Princeton Services, Inc. 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 Fund Asset Management, L.P. 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc. 800 Scudders Mill Road Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 Page 8 of 13 Pages ITEM 2 (c) Citizenship: ----------- See Item 4 of Cover Pages ITEM 2 (d) Title of Class of Securities: ---------------------------- Common Stock ITEM 2 (e) CUSIP NUMBER: 96184010 ITEM 3 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML&Co."), Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. ("ML Group") and Princeton Services, Inc. ("PSI") are parent holding companies, in accord- ance with (S) 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") . Fund Asset Management, L.P. (d/b/a Fund Asset Management "FAM") is an investment adviser registered under (S) 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"). Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is an investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"). ITEM 4 Ownership --------- (a) Amount Beneficially Owned: Not Applicable (b) Percent of Class: See Item 11 of Cover Pages (c) Number of shares as to which such person has: (i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote: See Item 5 of Cover Pages (ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote: See Item 6 of the Cover Pages (iii) sole power to dispose of or to direct the disposition of: See Item 7 of Cover Pages Page 9 of 13 Pages (iv) shared power to dispose of or direct the disposition of: See Item 8 of Cover Pages ITEM 5 Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class. -------------------------------------------- If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities: check the following: [X]. ITEM 6 Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. --------------------------------------------------------------- Not Applicable ITEM 7 Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which --------------------------------------------------------- Acquired the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company. --------------------------------------------------------------------- See Exhibit A ITEM 8 Identification and Classification of Members of the Group. ---------------------------------------------------------- Not Applicable Page 10 of 13 Pages ITEM 9 Notice of Dissolution of Group. ------------------------------ Not Applicable ITEM 10 Certification ------------- By signing below each of the undersigned certifies that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having such purpose or effect. Signature. - --------- After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, each of the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct. Date: February 14, 1997 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. /s/ Richard B. Alsop - ---------------------------- Name: Richard B. Alsop Title: Attorney-In-Fact* Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. /s/ Richard B. Alsop - ----------------------------- Name: Richard B. Alsop Title: Attorney-In-Fact** Princeton Services, Inc. /s/ Richard B. Alsop - ----------------------------- Name: Richard B. Alsop Title: Attorney-In-Fact*** - ------------------------------------ * Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 17, 1995, included as Exhibit B to this Schedule 13G. ** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 17, 1995, included as Exhibit C to this Schedule 13G. *** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 30, 1995, included as Exhibit D to this Schedule 13G. Page 11 of 13 Pages Fund Asset Management, L.P. By: Princeton Services, Inc. (General Partner) /s/ Richard B. Alsop - ------------------------- Name: Richard B. Alsop Title Attorney-In-Fact**** **** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 30, 1995, included as Exhibit E to this Schedule 13G. Special Value Fund, Inc. /s/ Richard B. Alsop - ------------------------- Name: Richard B. Alsop Title Attorney-In-Fact***** ***** Signed pursuant to a power of attorney, dated November 22, 1995, included as Exhibit F to this Schedule 13G. Page 12 of 13 Pages EXHIBIT A TO SCHEDULE 13G ------------------------- ITEM 7 DISCLOSURE RESPECTING SUBSIDIARIES ----------------------------------------- Three of the persons filing this report, Merrill Lynch & Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York ("ML&Co."), Merrill Lynch Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York ("ML Group"), and Princeton Services, Inc. a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey ("PSI"), are parent holding companies pursuant to (S)240 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"). The relevant subsidia- ries of ML&Co. are ML Group and PSI, which is the general partner of Fund Asset Management, L.P. (d/b/a Fund Asset Management "FAM"). The relevant subsidiary of ML Group is PSI. FAM is an investment adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Incorporated is a registered investment company advised by FAM. Page 13 of 13 Pages EXHIBIT B --------- POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York, 10281, does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Richard D. Kreuder, Andrea Lowenthal, Gregory T. Russo, or any other individual from time to time elected or appointed as Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead (i) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, (ii) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, any number, as appropriate, of original copies or electronic filings of any forms (inclu- ding, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Form 3, 4 and 5) required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) generally to take such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 17th day of November, 1995. MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. By: /s/ David H. Komansky - ---------------------------- Name: David H. Komansky Title: President and Chief Operating Officer EXHIBIT C --------- POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. (the "Corporation"), a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York, 10281, does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Richard D. Kreuder, Andrea Lowenthal, Gregory T. Russo, or any other individual from time to time elected or appointed as Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead (i) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f)(1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, (ii) to execute on behalf of the Corporation and cause to be filed and/or delivered, any number, as appropriate, of original copies or electronic filings of any forms (inclu- ding, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission Form 3, 4 and 5) required to be filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) generally to take such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 17th day of November, 1995. MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Rosemary T. Berkery - ------------------------------ Name: Rosemary T. Berkery Title: Vice President and Director EXHIBIT D --------- POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Princeton Services Inc., a corporation duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead to execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and generally to take such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 30th day of November, 1995. PRINCETON SERVICES INC. By: /s/ Philip L. Kirstein - -------------------------------------- Name: Philip L. Kirstein Title: Director, Senior Vice President Secretary and General Counsel EXHIBIT E --------- POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Fund Asset Management, L.P. d/b/a Fund Asset Management, a Limited Partnership duly organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, for it and in its name, place and stead to execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and generally to take such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 30th day of November, 1995. FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P. d/b/a Fund Asset Management By: Princeton Services, Inc., General Partner By: /s/ Philip L. Kirstein - --------------------------------------------- Name: Philip L. Kirstein Title: Director, Senior Vice President Secretary and General Counsel EXHIBIT F --------- POWER OF ATTORNEY The undersigned, Merrill Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc., a corporation dully organized under the laws of the State of Maryland, with its principal place of business at 800 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 does hereby make, constitute and appoint Richard B. Alsop, Andrea Lowenthal, Richard D. Kreuder, Gregory T. Russo, or Dauna R. Williams, acting severally, each of whose address is Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., World Financial Center, North Tower, New York, New York 10281, as its true and lawful attorneys-in- fact, for it and in its name, place and stead to execute and cause to be filed and/or delivered, as required under Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Act") and the regulations thereunder, any number, as appropriate, of original, copies, or electronic filings of the Securities and Exchange Commission Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G Beneficial Ownership Reports (together with any amendments and joint filing agreements under Rule 13d-1(f) (1) of the Act, as may be required thereto) to be filed and/or delivered with respect to any equity security (as defined in Rule 13d-1(d) under the Act) beneficially owned by the undersigned and which must be reported by the undersigned pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act and the regulations thereunder, and generally to take such other actions and perform such other things necessary to effectuate the foregoing as fully in all respects as if the undersigned could do if personally present. This Power of Attorney shall remain in effect until revoked, in writing, by the undersigned. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney this 22nd day of November, 1995. MERRILL LYNCH SPECIAL VALUE FUND, INC. By: /s/ Mark B. Goldfus - -------------------------------- Name: Mark B. Goldfus Title: Secretary -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----