-----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, EqtVY16jSz7nPQaynXfHaicftVBMK8/3/JsbkmOqsfaMMtMhcyto1h7bFZzywU3p RXG/4+2yWTiBksEcpu1++A== 0001005477-99-001358.txt : 19990326 0001005477-99-001358.hdr.sgml : 19990326 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001005477-99-001358 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K405 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19981225 FILED AS OF DATE: 19990325 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001051829 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MORTGAGE BANKERS & LOAN CORRESPONDENTS [6162] IRS NUMBER: 137139561 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K405 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07182-06 FILM NUMBER: 99572012 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC WRLD FIN. CTR STREET 2: 250 VESEY ST N TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124491000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC WRLD FIN. CTR STREET 2: 250 VESSEY ST N TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001051827 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000] IRS NUMBER: 133982448 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K405 SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07182-05 FILM NUMBER: 99572013 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC WRLD FIN. CTR STREET 2: 250 VESEY ST N TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281 BUSINESS PHONE: 2124491000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O MERRILL LYNCH & CO INC WRLD FIN. CTR STREET 2: 250 VESSEY ST N TOWER CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10281 10-K405 1 FORM 10-K405 ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------------- FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 ----------------------------------------------- For the fiscal year ended December 25, 1998 Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of trust) Commission File No.: 1-7182-06 Delaware 13-7139561 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) World Financial Center North Tower New York, New York 10281 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered - ------------------- ----------------------------------------- 7% Trust Originated Preferred New York Stock Exchange Securities ("TOPrS") (and the related guarantee) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of limited partnership) Commission File No.: 1-7182-05 Delaware 13-3982448 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) World Financial Center North Tower New York, New York 10281 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 449-1000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered - ------------------- ----------------------------------------- 7% Partnership Preferred New York Stock Exchange Securities (and the related guarantee) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_| Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. |X| As of March 23, 1999, no voting stock was held by non-affiliates of the Registrants. Documents Incorporated By Reference: Prospectus, dated January 12, 1998, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) in connection with Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-42859) filed by the Registrants and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. -- Incorporated by reference in Part I ================================================================================ PART I ITEM 1. Business Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") is a statutory business trust formed under the Delaware Business Trust Act, as amended, pursuant to a declaration of trust and the filing of a certificate of trust with the Secretary of State on December 19, 1997, which was subsequently amended by an amended and restated declaration of trust dated as of January 12, 1998. The Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing trust securities, consisting of 7% Trust Originated Preferred Securities (the "TOPrS") and trust common securities (the "Trust Common Securities"), representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust, (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the trust securities in 7% Partnership Preferred Securities (the "Partnership Preferred Securities") issued by Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership"), and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. The Partnership is a limited partnership formed under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended, pursuant to an agreement of limited partnership and the filing of a certificate of limited partnership with the Secretary of State on December 19, 1997, which was subsequently amended by an amended and restated agreement of limited partnership dated January 16, 1998. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") is the sole general partner of the Partnership. The Partnership is managed by the general partner and exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing its partnership interests, consisting of the Company's general partner interest and the Partnership Preferred Securities, (ii) investing the proceeds thereof in certain eligible securities of the Company and wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company (the "Affiliate Investment Instruments") and certain eligible debt securities, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The information set forth under the headings "Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III", "Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.", "Description of the Trust Preferred Securities", "Description of the Trust Guarantee", "Description of the Partnership Preferred Securities", "Description of the Partnership Guarantee", and "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus dated January 12, 1998 of the Trust and the Partnership is incorporated by reference herein. ITEM 2. Properties Not Applicable. ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings The Registrants know of no material legal proceedings involving the Trust, the Partnership or the assets of either of them. ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders No matter was submitted to a vote of holders of any securities of the Trust or the Partnership during the fiscal year covered by this report. PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrants' Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters (a) There is no established public market for the Trust Common Securities or the general partnership interest in the Partnership. 1 (b) All of the Trust Common Securities and the entire general partnership interest in the Partnership are owned of record and beneficially by the Company. (c) The Company, as holder of the Trust Common Securities, is entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions accumulating from January 16, 1998 and payable quarterly in arrears on each March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 30, commencing March 30, 1998, at an annual rate of 7% of the liquidation amount per annum. Distributions not paid on the scheduled payment date will accumulate and compound quarterly at a rate per annum equal to 7%. The certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership does not require any regular periodic distributions to be made to the general partner; however, to the extent that aggregate payments to the Partnership on the Affiliate Investment Instruments and on certain eligible debt securities exceed distributions accumulated or payable with respect to the Partnership Preferred Securities, the Partnership may at times have excess funds which shall be allocated to and may, in the general partner's sole discretion, be distributed to the general partner. ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data The Registrant's activities are limited to issuing securities and investing the proceeds as described in ITEM 1. -- Business, above. Accordingly, the financial statements included herein in response to ITEM 8. -- Financial Statements and Supplementary Data are incorporated by reference in response to this item. ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The Registrant's activities are limited to issuing securities and investing the proceeds as described in ITEM 1. -- Business above. Since the Trust was organized on December 19, 1997, its activities, as specified in its declaration of trust, have been limited to the issuance of the TOPrS and the Trust Common Securities, the investing of the proceeds in the Partnership Preferred Securities, and the payment of distributions on the TOPrS and the Trust Common Securities in accordance with their terms. Since the Partnership was organized on December 19, 1997, its activities, as specified in its agreement of limited partnership, have been limited to the issuance of the Partnership Preferred Securities, the receipt of a capital contribution from the Company, as general partner, the investment of the proceeds in Affiliate Investment Instruments and certain eligible debt securities, and the payment of distributions on the Partnership Preferred Securities. As the millennium approaches, Merrill Lynch has undertaken initiatives to address the Year 2000 problem (the "Y2K problem"). The Y2K problem is the result of a widespread programming technique that causes computer systems to identify a date based on the last two numbers of a year, with the assumption that the first two numbers of the year are "19". As a result, the year 2000 would be stored as "00," causing computers to incorrectly interpret the year as 1900. Left uncorrected, the Y2K problem may cause information technology systems (e.g., computer databases) and non-information technology systems (e.g., elevators) to produce incorrect data or cease operating completely. The Trust and the Partnership have no independent operations and are dependent upon Merrill Lynch. The Y2K problem, and the steps Merrill Lynch has taken to address this problem, are more fully discussed in the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 1998 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk On January 16, 1998, the Trust invested the gross proceeds from the sale of the Trust Common Securities and the TOPrS in the Partnership Preferred Securities (the "Trust Assets"). The Partnership, in turn, invested the proceeds from the sale of the Partnership Preferred Securities and a capital contribution from ML & Co. in certain Affiliate Investment Instruments and eligible securities (the "Partnership Assets"). To the extent the Partnership has funds available from the Partnership Assets, the general partner of the Partnership may declare distributions to the Trust, as holder of the Partnership Preferred Securities. The Trust's ability to pay distributions to the holders of the TOPrS is dependent on its receipt of distributions on the Trust Assets from the Partnership. Therefore, upon the receipt by the Partnership of payments from the Partnership Assets and the distribution thereof to the Trust, the Trust will pass through such payments to the holders of the TOPrS. 2 ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data In response to this ITEM 8, the financial statements and notes thereto and the independent auditors' reports set forth on pages F-1 through F-15 are incorporated by reference herein. ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures None. PART III ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant The Trustees of the Trust are as follows: Regular Trustees: Theresa Lang Stanley Schaefer Property Trustee: The Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware Trustee: Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware Theresa Lang is Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Company. Stanley Schaefer is the Company's Director of Corporate Taxation. Each of them has served in that or another capacity with the Company for the last five years. Each Trustee has served since the Trust was organized on December 19, 1997. The Trustees serve at the pleasure of the Company, as the holder of the Trust Common Securities. The Partnership has no directors or executive officers. ITEM 11. Executive Compensation Neither the Trust nor the Partnership has any executive officers. No employee of the Company receives any compensation for serving as a Regular Trustee or acting in any capacity for the Trust or the Partnership separate from his or her compensation as an employee of the Company. ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management The information in ITEM 1. -- Business and ITEM 5. -- Market for Registrants' Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters with respect to ownership of the Trust Common Securities is incorporated by reference in response to this item. ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions None. 3 PART IV ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Documents filed as part of this Report: 1. Financial Statements The contents of the financial statements are listed on page F-1 hereof, and the financial statements and accompanying independent auditors' reports appear on pages F-2 through F-15. 2. Financial Statement Schedules None. 3. Exhibits Certain of the following exhibits were previously filed as exhibits to other reports or registration statements filed by the Registrants and are incorporated herein by reference to such reports or registration statements as indicated parenthetically below by the appropriate report reference date or registration statement number. 4.1 Certificate of Trust dated December 19, 1997, of the Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-42859) (the "Registration Statement")) 4.2 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of January 12, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement) 4.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership, dated as of December 19, 1997, of the Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement) 4.4 Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated January 16, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement) 4.5 Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement) 4.6 Form of Partnership Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement) 4.7 Form of Subordinated Debenture Indenture between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement) 4.8 Form of Affiliate Debenture Guarantee Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement) 4.9 Form of Trust Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.2 above) 4.10 Form of Partnership Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.4 above) 4.11 Form of Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement) 4 12* Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Securities Distributions 23* Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP 24* Powers of Attorney 27* Financial Data Schedules. The Financial Data Schedules to be contained in Exhibit 27 are required to be submitted only in the Registrants' electronic filing of this Form 10-K by means of the EDGAR system. (b) Reports on Form 8-K None. - ------------ * Filed herewith 5 INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ITEM 14(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE - -------------------- ---- MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III Balance Sheet, December 25, 1998 F-2 Statement of Earnings, For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 F-3 Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 F-4 Statement of Cash Flows, For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 F-5 Notes to Financial Statements F-6 Independent Auditors' Report F-8 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. Balance Sheet, December 25, 1998 F-9 Statement of Earnings, For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 F-10 Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital, For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 F-11 Statement of Cash Flows, For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 F-12 Notes to Financial Statements F-13 Independent Auditors' Report F-15 F-1 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III BALANCE SHEET - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 25, 1998 ----------------- ASSETS Investment in partnership preferred securities $773,196,000 Income receivable 13,530,930 ------------ Total Assets $786,726,930 ============ LIABILITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Distributions payable $ 13,530,930 ------------ Stockholders' equity: Preferred securities (7% Trust Originated Preferred Securities; 30,000,000 authorized, issued, and outstanding; $25 liquidation amount per security) 750,000,000 Common securities (7% Trust Common Securities; 927,840 authorized, issued, and outstanding; $25 liquidation amount per security) 23,196,000 ------------ Total stockholders' equity 773,196,000 ------------ Total Liability and Stockholders' Equity $786,726,930 ============ See Notes to Financial Statements F-2 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 16, 1998 TO DECEMBER 25, 1998 ------------------- EARNINGS Income on partnership preferred securities $ 51,726,821 ============ See Notes to Financial Statements F-3 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 16, 1998 TO DECEMBER 25, 1998 ------------------- PREFERRED SECURITIES Balance, beginning of period $ -- Issuance of preferred securities 750,000,000 ------------- Balance, end of period 750,000,000 ------------- COMMON SECURITIES Balance, beginning of period -- Issuance of common securities 23,196,000 ------------- Balance, end of period 23,196,000 ------------- UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS Balance, beginning of period -- Earnings 51,726,821 Distributions (38,195,891) Distribution payable (13,530,930) ------------- Balance, end of period -- ------------- Total Stockholders' Equity $ 773,196,000 ============= See Notes to Financial Statements F-4 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 16, 1998 TO DECEMBER 25, 1998 ------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Earnings $ 51,726,821 Increase in income receivable (13,530,930) ------------- Cash provided by operating activities 38,195,891 ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of partnership preferred securities (773,196,000) ------------- Cash used for investing activities (773,196,000) ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Distributions (38,195,891) Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities 750,000,000 Proceeds from issuance of common securities 23,196,000 ------------- Cash provided by financing activities 735,000,109 ------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH -- CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD -- ------------- CASH, END OF PERIOD $ -- ============= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS: Preferred and common distributions of $13,125,000 and $405,930, respectively, were accrued at December 25, 1998. See Notes to Financial Statements F-5 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 25, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") is a statutory business trust formed on December 19, 1997 under the laws of the State of Delaware for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Trust Originated Preferred Securities (the "Trust Preferred Securities") and the Trust Common Securities (together with the Trust Preferred Securities, the "Trust Securities") representing undivided beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust, (ii) purchasing Partnership Preferred Securities (the "Partnership Preferred Securities") representing the limited partnership interests of Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership") with the proceeds from the sale of the Trust Securities, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or incidental thereto. The Trust has a perpetual existence, subject to certain termination events as provided in the Declaration of Trust under which it was formed. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") has paid compensation to the underwriters of the offering of the Trust Preferred Securities. The Company also has agreed to pay all fees and expenses related to the organization and operations of the Trust (including any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any other domestic taxing authority upon the Trust) and be responsible for all debts and other obligations of the Trust (other than the Trust Securities). The Company has agreed to indemnify the trustees and certain other persons. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION The financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates that affect reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. INVESTMENT The investment in Partnership Preferred Securities represents a limited partnership interest in the Partnership and is recorded at cost. As of year end, the fair value of the investment approximates its carrying value. Income on the Partnership Preferred Securities is accrued when earned. INCOME TAXES The Trust does not incur any income tax liabilities. Such liabilities are incurred directly by the security holders. F-6 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 25, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP PREFERRED SECURITIES The Trust holds 30,927,840 7% Partnership Preferred Securities, $25 liquidation preference per security. The interest payment dates and redemption provisions of the Partnership Preferred Securities, which are redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the Partnership, correspond to the distribution payment dates and redemption provisions of the Trust Preferred Securities. Upon any redemption of the Partnership Preferred Securities, the Trust Preferred Securities will be redeemed. The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, the payment of distributions by the Partnership on the Partnership Preferred Securities if, as, and when declared out of funds legally available and payments upon liquidation of the Partnership or the redemption of the Partnership Preferred Securities to the extent of funds legally available. 4. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES The Trust issued 30,000,000 7% Trust Preferred Securities, $25 liquidation amount per security, in a public offering on January 16, 1998. The Trust Preferred Securities are redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the Trust, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25 per security. Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly if, as, and when the Trust has funds available for payment. Holders of the Trust Preferred Securities have limited voting rights and are not entitled to vote to appoint, remove or replace, or to increase or decrease the number of, trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the holder of the Trust Common Securities. Under certain circumstances, the Trust Preferred Securities have preferential rights to payment relative to the Trust Common Securities. The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, the payment in full of all distributions and other payments on the Trust Preferred Securities to the extent that the Trust has funds legally available. This guarantee and the partnership distribution guarantee are subordinated to all other liabilities of the Company and rank equally with the most senior preferred stock of the Company. TRUST COMMON SECURITIES The Trust issued 927,840 7% Trust Common Securities, $25 liquidation amount per security, to the Company on January 16, 1998. The Trust Common Securities are redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the Trust, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25 per security. F-7 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the Trustees of Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") as of December 25, 1998 and the related statements of earnings, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust at December 25, 1998 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP New York, New York March 23, 1999 F-8 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. BALANCE SHEET - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 25, 1998 ----------------- ASSETS Cash $ 421,119 Investments: Affiliate debentures 900,546,600 U.S. Treasury bills 9,110,566 ------------ Total investments 909,657,166 Interest receivable 15,759,566 ------------ Total Assets $925,837,851 ============ LIABILITY AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Distributions payable $ 15,759,566 ------------ Partners' capital: Limited partnership interest 773,196,000 General partnership interest 136,882,285 ------------ Total partners' capital 910,078,285 ------------ Total Liability and Partners' Capital $925,837,851 ============ See Notes to Financial Statements F-9 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. STATEMENT OF EARNINGS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 16, 1998 TO DECEMBER 25, 1998 ------------------- EARNINGS Interest income: Affiliate debentures $60,246,568 U.S. Treasury bills 437,955 ----------- Earnings $60,684,523 =========== See Notes to Financial Statements F-10 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 16, 1998 TO DECEMBER 25, 1998 ------------------- LIMITED PARTNER'S CAPITAL Issuance of preferred securities $ 773,196,000 Net income allocated to limited partner 51,726,821 Distributions (38,195,891) Distribution payable (13,530,930) ------------- Balance, end of period 773,196,000 ------------- GENERAL PARTNER'S CAPITAL Capital contribution 136,447,000 Net income allocated to general partner 8,957,702 Distributions (6,293,781) Distribution payable (2,228,636) ------------- Balance, end of period 136,882,285 ------------- TOTAL PARTNERS' CAPITAL $ 910,078,285 ============= See Notes to Financial Statements F-11 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 16, 1998 TO DECEMBER 25, 1998 ------------------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Earnings $ 60,684,523 Accretion of U.S. Treasury bills (437,955) Increase in interest receivable (15,759,566) ------------- Cash provided by operating activities 44,487,002 ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Purchase of affiliate debentures (900,546,600) Purchases of investment securities (27,507,611) Maturity of investment securities 18,835,000 ------------- Cash used for investing activities (909,219,211) ------------- CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Distributions to limited partner (38,195,891) Distributions to general partner (6,293,781) Proceeds from the issuance of preferred securities 773,196,000 Capital contribution - general partner 136,447,000 ------------- Cash provided by financing activities 865,153,328 ------------- NET CHANGE IN CASH 421,119 CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD -- ------------- CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 421,119 ============= SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS: Distributions of $15,759,566 were accrued at December 25, 1998. See Notes to Financial Statements F-12 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 25, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership") is a limited partnership that was formed under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act on December 19, 1997 for the exclusive purposes of purchasing certain eligible debt instruments of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") and wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company with the proceeds from the sale of Partnership Preferred Securities (the "Partnership Preferred Securities") to Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") and a capital contribution from the Company in exchange for the general partnership interest in the Partnership. The Company serves as the sole general partner of the Partnership. The Company, in its capacity as General Partner of the Partnership, has agreed to pay all fees and expenses related to the organization and operations of the Partnership (including any taxes, duties, assessments or government charges of whatever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any other domestic taxing authority upon the Partnership) and be responsible for all debts and other obligations of the Partnership (other than with respect to the Partnership Preferred Securities). The Company has agreed to indemnify certain officers and agents of the Partnership. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES BASIS OF PRESENTATION The financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates that affect reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. INVESTMENTS The Partnership's investment in affiliate debentures is recorded at cost, and its investment in U.S. Treasury Bills is classified as available-for-sale and recorded at accreted cost, which approximates fair value. INCOME TAXES The Partnership does not incur any income tax liabilities. Such liabilities are incurred directly by the partners. F-13 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DECEMBER 25, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE DEBENTURES The Partnership holds debentures of the Company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. The debentures have a term of approximately 20 years and bear interest at 7% per annum. The interest payment dates and redemption provisions of the debentures, which are redeemable at the option of the Company and its subsidiary on or after March 30, 2008, correspond to the distribution payment dates and redemption provisions of the Partnership Preferred Securities. Interest and redemption payments on the subsidiary debenture are guaranteed by the Company on a subordinated basis. 4. PARTNERS' CAPITAL The Partnership issued 30,927,840 7% Partnership Preferred Securities, $25 liquidation preference per security, to the Trust on January 16, 1998. Distributions on the Partnership Preferred Securities are cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly if, as, and when declared by the general partner. The Partnership Preferred Securities are redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the Partnership, at a redemption price equal to $25 per security. Except as provided in the Limited Partnership Agreement and Partnership Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement, and as otherwise provided by law, the holders of the Partnership Preferred Securities have no voting rights. The Company has guaranteed the payment of distributions by the Partnership on the Partnership Preferred Securities if, as, and when declared out of funds legally available and payments upon liquidation of the Partnership or the redemption of the Partnership Preferred Securities to the extent of funds legally available. This guarantee is subordinated to all other liabilities of the Company and ranks equally with the most senior preferred stock of the Company. F-14 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the General Partner and Limited Partner of Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnerhsip") as of December 25, 1998 and the related statements of earnings, changes in partners' capital and cash flows for the period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 25, 1998 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP New York, New York March 23, 1999 F-15 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 24th day of March, 1999. MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III* By: /s/ Theresa Lang -------------------------------------- Name: Theresa Lang Title: Regular Trustee By: /s/ Stanley Schaefer -------------------------------------- Name: Stanley Schaefer Title: Regular Trustee MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.* By: MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., as General Partner By: /s/ Theresa Lang -------------------------------------- Name: Theresa Lang Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer, and as Attorney-in-Fact for a majority of the Board of Directors** - ------------ * There is no principal executive officer(s), principal financial officer, controller, principal accounting officer or board of directors of the Registrants. The Trustees of the Trust (which include the Regular Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) together exercise all powers and perform all functions with respect to the Trust. ** Pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed as Exhibit 24 hereto. Exhibit Index 4.1 Certificate of Trust dated December 19, 1997, of the Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-42859) (the "Registration Statement")) 4.2 Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of January 12, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement) 4.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership, dated as of December 19, 1997, of the Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement) 4.4 Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated January 16, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement) 4.5 Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement) 4.6 Form of Partnership Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement) 4.7 Form of Subordinated Debenture Indenture between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement) 4.8 Form of Affiliate Debenture Guarantee Agreement between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement) 4.9 Form of Trust Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.2 above) 4.10 Form of Partnership Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.4 above) 4.11 Form of Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to the Registration Statement) 12* Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Securities Distributions 23* Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP 24* Powers of Attorney 27* Financial Data Schedules. The Financial Data Schedules to be contained in Exhibit 27 are required to be submitted only in the Registrants' electronic filing of this Form 10-K by means of the EDGAR system. - ------------------- * Filed herewith EX-12 2 COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS EXHIBIT 12 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SECURITIES DISTRIBUTIONS
For the Period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 ---------------------------------------------------- Merrill Lynch Preferred Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III Funding III, L.P. ----------------------- ----------------------- Earnings $51,726,821 $60,684,523 =========== =========== Fixed charges $ -- $ -- Preferred securities distribution requirements 50,175,008 51,726,821 ----------- ----------- Total combined fixed charges and preferred securities distributions $50,175,008 $51,726,821 =========== =========== Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred securities distributions 1.03 1.17
EX-23 3 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333- 42859 of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 23, 1999, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III and Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. for the year ended December 25, 1998. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP New York, New York March 23, 1999 EX-24 4 POWER OF ATTORNEY Exhibit 24 Power of Attorney KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below, each of whom is a director and/or officer of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., the general partner of Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding I, L.P., Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding II, L.P., Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P., Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding IV, L.P., Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding V, L.P., and Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding VI, L.P. (the "Partnerships"), constitutes and appoints E. Stanley O'Neal, Theresa Lang and Mark B. Goldfus, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to approve and sign any and all reports or filings, and amendments thereto, to be filed pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or the requirements of any other regulatory agency or body or stock exchange on behalf of the Partnerships, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission or such other agency or body or stock exchange, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof. This Power of Attorney has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 24th day of March, 1999. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ DAVID H. KOMANSKY Chairman of the Board and Chief - ----------------------------------- Executive Officer (David H. Komansky) /s/ E. STANLEY O'NEAL Executive Vice President and Chief - ----------------------------------- Financial Officer (Principal Financial (E. Stanley O'Neal) Officer) /s/ AHMASS L. FAKAHANY Senior Vice President and Controller - ----------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer) (Ahmass L. Fakahany) /s/ HERBERT M. ALLISON, JR. Director - ----------------------------------- (Herbert M. Allison, Jr.) /s/ W. H. CLARK Director - ----------------------------------- (W. H. Clark) /s/ JILL K. CONWAY Director - ----------------------------------- (Jill K. Conway) /s/ STEPHEN L. HAMMERMAN Director - ----------------------------------- (Stephen L. Hammerman) /s/ EARLE H. HARBISON, JR. Director - ----------------------------------- (Earle H. Harbison, Jr.) Director - ----------------------------------- (George B. Harvey) /s/ WILLIAM R. HOOVER Director - ----------------------------------- (William R. Hoover) /s/ ROBERT P. LUCIANO Director - ----------------------------------- (Robert P. Luciano) /s/ DAVID K. NEWBIGGING Director - ----------------------------------- (David K. Newbigging) /s/ AULANA L. PETERS Director - ----------------------------------- (Aulana L. Peters) /s/ JOHN J. PHELAN, JR. Director - ----------------------------------- (John J. Phelan, Jr.) /s/ JOHN L. STEFFENS Director - ----------------------------------- (John L. Steffens) /s/ WILLIAM L. WEISS Director - ----------------------------------- (William L. Weiss) EX-27 5 FDS
5 0001051829 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III OTHER DEC-25-1998 JAN-16-1998 DEC-25-1998 0 773,196,000 13,530,930 0 0 786,726,930 0 0 786,726,930 13,530,930 0 0 750,000,000 23,196,000 0 786,726,930 0 51,726,821 0 0 0 0 0 51,726,821 0 51,726,821 0 0 0 51,726,821 0 0
EX-27.1 6 FDS
5 0001051827 MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. OTHER DEC-25-1998 JAN-16-1998 DEC-25-1998 421,119 909,657,166 15,759,566 0 0 925,837,851 0 0 925,837,851 15,759,566 0 0 773,196,000 136,882,285 0 925,837,851 0 60,684,523 0 0 0 0 0 60,684,523 0 60,684,523 0 0 0 60,684,523 0 0
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