Title
of Each Class of Securities Offered
|
|
Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price
|
|
Amount
of
Registration
Fee(1)
|
Medium-Term
Notes, Series B
|
|
$1,036,000
|
|
$110.86
|
(1)
Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The filing fee of $110.86 is being paid in connection with the
registration of these Medium-Term Notes, Series B.
Filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(8)
Registration
No. 333-136666
PRICING
SUPPLEMENT
(To
Prospectus dated August 16, 2006 and
Prospectus
Supplement dated August 16, 2006)
The
Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
Medium-Term
Notes, Linked to the Performance of the S&P MidCap 400®
Index
Due
January 30, 2011
|
·
|
The
Notes are linked to the performance of the S&P MidCap 400®
Index (the “Index”). When we refer to Notes in this pricing supplement, we
mean Notes with a principal amount of $1,000. On the Maturity Date,
you
will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an amount in cash that depends
upon the relation of the Final Index Level to the Initial Index
Level.
|
|
·
|
The
Cash Settlement Value will be calculated as
follows:
|
(i) If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is greater than zero, then, on the Maturity Date,
you
will receive an amount per Note equal to 100% of the original principal amount
of the Note plus the product of: (i) the original principal amount multiplied
by
(ii) the Index Return multiplied by (iii) the Upside Participation
Rate.
(ii) If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is between zero and -15%, inclusive, then, on the
Maturity Date, you will receive 100% of the original principal amount of the
Note.
(iii) If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is less than -15%, then, on the Maturity Date, you
will receive an amount equal to the original principal amount minus 1% of the
original principal amount for each percentage point that the Index Return is
less than -15%. For example, if the Index Return is -40%, you will suffer a
25%
loss and, therefore, receive 75% of the original principal amount.
|
·
|
The
Index Return is the amount expressed as a percentage, resulting from
the
quotient of: (i) the Final Index Level minus the Initial Index Level
divided by (ii) the Initial Index
Level.
|
|
·
|
The
Upside Participation Rate equals
104.50%.
|
|
·
|
We
will not pay interest during the term of the
Notes.
|
|
·
|
The
CUSIP number for the Notes is
073928T86.
|
|
·
|
The
Notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange.
|
INVESTMENT
IN THE NOTES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS, INCLUDING THE RISK THAT YOU MAY LOSE UP
TO
85% OF YOUR INVESTMENT. THERE MAY NOT BE A SECONDARY MARKET IN THE NOTES, AND
IF
THERE WERE TO BE A SECONDARY MARKET, IT MAY NOT BE LIQUID. YOU SHOULD REFER
TO
“RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE PS-9.
“Standard
& Poor’s®,”
“S&P®”
and
“S&P MidCap 400®
Index”
are trademarks of Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. (“S&P” or the “Sponsor”) and have been licensed for use for
certain purposes by The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. The Notes are not sponsored,
endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P, and S&P makes no representation
regarding the advisability of investing in the Notes.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission
has
approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this pricing supplement,
or the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
|
Per
Note
|
|
Total
|
Initial
public offering price
|
100.00%
|
|
$1,036,000
|
Agent’s
commission
|
0.00%
|
|
$0
|
Proceeds,
before expenses, to us
|
100.00%
|
|
$1,036,000
|
We
expect
that the Notes will be ready for delivery in book-entry form only through the
book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company in New York, New York,
on
or about January 30, 2007, against payment in immediately available funds.
The
distribution of the Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Conduct
Rules.
_______________
Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc.
SUMMARY
This
summary highlights selected information from the accompanying prospectus and
prospectus supplement and this pricing supplement to help you understand the
Notes linked to the Index. You should carefully read this entire pricing
supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus to fully
understand the terms of the Notes, as well as certain tax and other
considerations that are important to you in making a decision about whether
to
invest in the Notes. You should carefully review the section “Risk Factors” in
this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus
supplement which highlight a number of significant risks, to determine whether
an investment in the Notes is appropriate for you. All of the information set
forth below is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed explanation set
forth elsewhere in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus
supplement and prospectus. If information in this pricing supplement is
inconsistent with the prospectus or prospectus supplement, this pricing
supplement will supersede those documents. In this pricing supplement, the
terms
“Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
excluding its consolidated subsidiaries.
The
Bear
Stearns Companies Inc. Medium-Term Notes, Series B due January 30, 2011 (the
“Notes”),
are
Notes whose return is tied or “linked” to the performance of the S&P MidCap
400®
Index.
When we refer to Note or Notes in this pricing supplement, we mean $1,000
principal amount of Notes. The Notes are principal protected for the first
15%
decline in the Index Level only if held to maturity. On the Maturity Date,
you
will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an amount in cash that depends upon
the
Index Return. The Index Return is the amount expressed as a percentage,
resulting from the quotient of: (i) the Final Index Level minus the Initial
Index Level divided by (ii) the Initial Index Level. If, at maturity, the Index
Return is greater than zero, then, on the Maturity Date, you will receive an
amount per Note equal to 100% of the original principal amount of the Note
plus
the product of: (i) the original principal amount multiplied by (ii) the Index
Return multiplied by (iii) the Upside Participation Rate. If, at maturity,
the
Index Return is between zero and -15%, inclusive, then, on the Maturity Date,
you will receive 100% of the original principal amount of the Note. If, at
maturity, the Index Return is less than -15%, then, on the Maturity Date, you
will receive an amount equal to the original principal amount minus 1% of the
original principal amount for each percentage point that the Index Return is
less than -15%. For example, if the Index Return is -40%, you will suffer a
25%
loss and, therefore, receive 75% of the original principal amount. We will
not
pay interest during the term of the Notes.
Selected
Investment Considerations
|
·
|
Partial
principal protection—The Notes are principal protected for the first 15%
of decline in the Index Level, if held to
maturity.
|
|
·
|
No
current income—We will not pay interest during the term of the
Notes.
|
|
·
|
Growth
potential—The Notes offer the possibility to participate in the potential
appreciation in the Index. The Cash Settlement Value is based upon
whether
the Final Index Level is greater than the Initial Index Level. In
addition, because of the Upside Participation Rate, investors will
receive
a 1.045% return for every 1.0% increase in the Final Index Level
over the
Initial Index Level.
|
|
·
|
Medium-term
investment—The Notes may be an attractive investment for investors who
have a bullish view of the Index during the term of the
Notes.
|
|
·
|
Diversification—Because
the Index is currently based on the equity prices of 2,000 companies,
the
Notes may allow you to diversify an existing
portfolio.
|
|
·
|
Low
minimum investment—Notes can be purchased in increments of
$1,000.
|
Selected
Risk Considerations
|
·
|
Possible
loss of principal—Your investment in the Notes is not fully principal
protected and you may lose up to 85% of your initial investment.
If you
sell your Notes prior to maturity or the Index declines by more than
15%
during the term of the Notes, you may receive less than the amount
you
originally invested.
|
|
·
|
No
interest, dividend or other payments—You will not receive any interest,
dividend payments or other distributions on the stocks underlying
the
Index, nor will such payments be included in the calculation of the
Cash
Settlement Value you will receive at
maturity.
|
|
·
|
Not
exchange-listed—The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange,
and we do not expect a trading market to develop, which may affect
the
price that you receive for your Notes upon any sale prior to
maturity.
|
|
·
|
Liquidity—If
a trading market were to develop in the Notes, it may not be liquid.
Our
subsidiary, Bear Stearns has advised us that they intend under ordinary
market conditions to indicate prices for the Notes on request. However,
we
cannot guarantee that bids for outstanding Notes will be made; nor
can we
predict the price at which any such bids will be made. In any event,
Notes
will cease trading as of the close of business on the Maturity
Date.
|
|
·
|
Yield—The
yield on the Notes may be less than the overall return you would
earn if
you purchased a conventional debt security at the same time and with
the
same maturity.
|
|
·
|
Return
related to price movement—If the Final Index Level is less than the
Initial Index Level, your return will be limited to the principal
amount
of your Notes. In addition, investors will lose 1% of their original
principal amount for every percentage point that the Index Return
is less
than -15%.
|
KEY
TERMS
Issuer:
|
The
Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
|
Index:
|
The Standard
& Poor’s MidCap 400®
Index (Bloomberg ticker “MID”), as published by S&P (the
“Sponsor”).
|
Face
Amount:
|
Each
Note will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and $1,000
multiples thereafter; provided, however, that the minimum purchase
for any
purchaser domiciled in a Member State of the European Economic Area
shall
be $100,000. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes being offered
is
$1,036,000. When we refer to Note or Notes in this pricing supplement,
we
mean Notes with a principal amount of
$1,000.
|
Cash
Settlement Value:
|
If,
at maturity, the Index Return is greater than zero, then, on the
Maturity
Date, you will receive an amount per Note equal to 100% of the original
principal amount of the Note plus the product of: (i) the original
principal amount multiplied by (ii) the Index Return multiplied by
(iii)
the Upside Participation Rate.
|
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is between zero and -15%, inclusive, then, on the
Maturity Date, you will receive 100% of the original principal amount of the
Note.
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is less than -15%, then, on the Maturity Date, you
will receive an amount equal to the original principal amount minus 1% of the
original principal amount for each percentage point that the Index Return is
less than -15%. For example, if the Index Return is -40%, you will suffer a
25%
loss and, therefore, receive 75% of the original principal amount.
The
Upside Participation Rate equals 104.50%.
Index
Return:
|
The
amount expressed as a percentage, resulting from the quotient of:
(i) the
Final Index Level minus the Initial Index Level divided by (ii) the
Initial Index Level.
|
Interest:
|
The
Notes will not bear interest.
|
Index
Level:
|
The
closing value of the Index, as determined by the Sponsor, on each
Index
Business Day.
|
Initial
Index Level:
|
Equals
817.23.
|
Final
Index Level:
|
Will
be determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal the closing
value of
the Index, as determined by the Sponsor, on January 25, 2011, the
“Calculation Date.” The Calculation Date is subject to adjustment as
described under “Description of the Notes - Market Disruption
Events.”
|
Maturity
Date:
|
The
Notes are expected to mature on January 30, 2011; however, upon the
occurrence of a Market Disruption Event, the Maturity Date will be
three
Index Business Days following the adjusted Calculation
Date.
|
Exchange
listing:
|
The
Notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange.
|
Index
Business Day:
|
Means
any day on which each Primary Exchange and each Related Exchange
are
scheduled to be open for trading.
|
Business
Day:
|
Any
day other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking institutions
in the
cities of New York, New York and London, England are not authorized
or
obligated by law or executive order to be
closed.
|
Offers
and sales of the Notes are subject to restrictions in certain jurisdictions.
The
distribution of this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus
supplement and prospectus and the offer or sale of the Notes in certain other
jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who come into possession of
this
pricing supplement, and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus
or
any Notes must inform themselves about and observe any applicable restrictions
on the distribution of this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus
supplement and prospectus and the offer and sale of the Notes. Notwithstanding
the minimum denomination of $1,000, the minimum purchase for any purchaser
domiciled in a Member State of the European Economic Area shall be
$100,000.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What
are the Notes?
The
Notes
are a series of our senior debt securities, the value of which is linked to
the
performance of the Index. The Notes will not bear interest and no other payments
will be made prior to maturity. See the section “Risk Factors.”
The
Notes
are expected to mature on January 30, 2011. The Notes do not provide for earlier
redemption. When we refer to Notes in this pricing supplement, we mean Notes
with a principal amount of $1,000. You should refer to the section “Description
of Notes.”
Are
the Notes equity or debt securities?
The
Notes
are our unsecured debt securities. However, the Notes differ from traditional
debt securities in that the Notes are not fully principal protected and offer
the opportunity to positively participate in the appreciation, if any, of the
Index. If, at maturity, the Index Return is less than -15%, you will receive
less, and possibly up to 85% less, than the original public offering price
of
$1,000 per Note. In that case, we will pay you an amount equal to the original
principal amount of your Notes, minus 1% of the original principal amount for
each percentage point that the Index Return is below -15%. In no event will
we
pay you less than 15% of the original principal amount of your
Notes.
What
will I receive at maturity of the Notes?
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is greater than zero, then, on the Maturity Date,
you
will receive an amount per Note equal to 100% of the original principal amount
of the Note plus the product of: (i) the original principal amount multiplied
by
(ii) the Index Return multiplied by (iii) the Upside Participation
Rate.
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is between zero and -15%, inclusive, then, on the
Maturity Date, you will receive 100% of the original principal amount of the
Note.
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is less than -15%, then, on the Maturity Date, you
will receive an amount equal to the original principal amount minus 1% of the
original principal amount for each percentage point that the Index Return is
less than -15%. For example, if the Index Return is -40%, you will suffer a
25%
loss and, therefore, receive 75% of the original principal amount.
The
Index
Return is the amount expressed as a percentage, resulting from the quotient
of:
(i) the Final Index Level minus the Initial Index Level divided by (ii) the
Initial Index Level.
The
Upside Participation Rate equals 104.50%.
The
“Index Level” equals the closing value of the Index, as determined by the
Sponsor, on each Index Business Day.
The
“Initial
Index Level”
equals
817.23.
The
“Final
Index Level”
will
be
determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal the closing value of the
Index, as determined by the Sponsor, on January 25, 2011, the “Calculation
Date.” The Calculation Date is subject to adjustment as described under
“Description of the Notes - Market Disruption Events.”
The
“Maturity Date” is expected to be January 30, 2011; however, upon the occurrence
of a Market Disruption Event, the Maturity Date will be three Index Business
Days following the adjusted Calculation Date.
“Related
Exchange” means each exchange or quotation system where trading has a material
effect (as determined by the Calculation Agent) on the overall market for
futures or options contracts relating to the Index.
“Primary
Exchange” means the primary exchange or market of trading of any security then
included in the Index.
An
“Index
Business Day” means any day on which each Primary Exchange and each Related
Exchange are scheduled to be open for trading.
For
more
specific information about the Cash Settlement Value and for illustrative
examples, you should refer to “Description of the Notes.”
Are
the Notes principal protected?
No.
The
Notes are not fully principal protected and 85% of your principal investment
in
the Notes is at risk of loss. The Notes are linked to the performance of the
Index and will result in a loss if the Index Return is less than -15%. In this
case, the Cash Settlement Value you will receive will equal the original
principal amount of your Notes, minus 1% of the original principal amount for
each percentage point that the Index Return is below -15%. In no event will
we
pay you less than 15% of the original principal amount of your
Notes.
Will
I receive
interest on the Notes?
We
will
not make any periodic payments of interest or any other periodic payments during
the term of the Notes.
What
is the Index?
Unless
otherwise stated, all information on the Index that is provided in this pricing
supplement is derived from the Sponsor or other publicly available sources.
The
Index is published by the Sponsor and is intended to track the price movements
of the stocks comprising the Index.
The
Index
is published by the Sponsor and is meant to provide a performance benchmark
for
the medium capitalization segment of the U.S. equity markets. The Index tracks
the stock price movement of 400 companies with mid-sized market capitalizations,
primarily ranging from $1 billion to $4 billion. The market capitalization
requirements are reviewed periodically to ensure consistency with market
standards. The Index is maintained with similar methodologies and rules as
the
S&P 500®
Index,
with variations only to account for differences in capitalization
requirements.
The
Sponsor chooses stocks for inclusion in the Index with the aim of offering
investors access to the mid-cap segment of the U.S. equity markets. For more
information, see the section “Description of the Index.”
How
has the Index performed historically?
We
have
provided a table showing the month-end Index Levels from January 2001 through
December 2006. You can find these tables in the section “Description of the
Index - Historical Data on the Index”. We have provided this historical
information to help you evaluate the behavior of the Index in various economic
environments; however, past performance is not indicative of how the Index
will
perform in the future. You should refer to the section “Risk Factors - The
historical performance of the Index is not an indication of the future
performance of the Index.”
Will
the Notes be listed on a securities exchange?
The
Notes
will not be listed on any securities exchange, and we do not expect a trading
market to develop, which may affect the price that you receive for your Notes
upon any sale prior to maturity. Bear Stearns has advised us that they intend
under ordinary market conditions to indicate prices for the Notes on request.
However, we cannot guarantee that bids for outstanding Notes will be made;
nor
can we predict the price at which any such bids will be made. In any event,
the
Notes will cease trading as of the close of business on the Maturity Date.
You
should refer to the section “Risk Factors.”
What
is the role of Bear Stearns?
Bear
Stearns will be our agent for the offering and sale of the Notes. After the
initial offering, Bear Stearns intends, under ordinary market conditions, to
buy
and sell the Notes to create a secondary market for holders of the Notes, and
may stabilize or maintain the market price of the Notes during the initial
distribution of the Notes. However, Bear Stearns will not be obligated to engage
in any of these market activities or to continue them if they are
begun.
Bear
Stearns also will be our Calculation Agent for purposes of calculating the
Cash
Settlement Value. Under certain circumstances, these duties could result in
a
conflict of interest between Bear Stearns’ status as our subsidiary and its
responsibilities as Calculation Agent. You should refer to “Risk Factors—The
Calculation Agent is one of our affiliates, which could result in a conflict
of
interest” and “Description of the Notes—Calculation Agent.”
Can
you tell me more about The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.?
We
are a
holding company that, through our broker-dealer and international bank
subsidiaries, principally Bear Stearns, Bear, Stearns Securities Corp., Bear,
Stearns International Limited (“BSIL”) and Bear Stearns Bank plc, is a leading
investment banking, securities and derivatives trading, clearance and brokerage
firm serving corporations, governments, institutional and individual investors
worldwide. For more information about us, please refer to the section “The Bear
Stearns Companies Inc.” in the accompanying prospectus. You should also read the
other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
which
you can find by referring to the section “Where You Can Find More Information”
in the accompanying prospectus.
Who
should consider purchasing the Notes?
Because
the Notes are tied to the price performance of an underlying equity index,
they
may be appropriate for investors with specific investment horizons who seek
to
participate in the potential price appreciation of the underlying stocks
comprising the Index. In particular, the Notes may be an attractive investment
for investors who:
|
·
|
believe
that the Index Level will increase over the term of the
Notes;
|
|
·
|
want
potential upside exposure to stocks underlying the
Index;
|
|
·
|
are
willing to risk the possible loss of up to 85.00% of their investment
in
exchange for the opportunity to positively participate in the increase,
if
any, in the Index;
|
|
·
|
are
willing to forgo interest payments or dividend payments on the stocks
underlying the Index; and
|
|
·
|
wish
to gain leveraged exposure to the appreciation, if any, of the
Index.
|
The
Notes
may not be a suitable investment for you if you:
|
·
|
seek
full principal protection under all market
conditions;
|
|
·
|
seek
current income or dividend payments from your
investment;
|
|
·
|
seek
an investment with an active secondary
market;
|
|
·
|
are
unable or unwilling to hold the Notes until maturity;
or
|
|
·
|
do
not have a bullish view of the Index over the term of the
Notes.
|
What
are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the
Notes?
The
U.S.
federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are complex and
uncertain. We intend to treat the Notes for all tax purposes as pre-paid
cash-settled forward or other executory contracts linked to the value of the
Index and, where required, to file information returns with the Internal Revenue
Service (the “IRS”) in accordance with such treatment. Prospective investors are
urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Notes. Assuming the Notes are treated
as
pre-paid cash-settled forward or other executory contracts, you should be
required to recognize capital gain or loss to the extent that the cash you
receive on the Maturity Date or upon a sale or exchange of the Notes prior
to
the Maturity Date differs from your tax basis on the Notes (which will generally
be the amount you paid for the Notes). You should review the discussion under
the section “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”
Does
ERISA impose any limitations on purchases of the Notes?
An
employee benefit plan subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of
the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), a plan that is
subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), including individual retirement accounts, individual retirement
annuities or Keogh plans, a governmental or other plan subject to any materially
similar law or any entity the assets of which are deemed to be “plan assets”
under ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any applicable regulations, will
be
permitted to purchase, hold and dispose of the Notes, subject to certain
conditions. Such investors should carefully review the discussion under “Certain
ERISA Considerations” herein.
Are
there any risks associated with my investment?
Yes.
The
Notes are subject to a number of risks. You should refer to “Risk Factors” in
this pricing supplement and “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus
supplement.
RISK
FACTORS
Your
investment in the Notes will be subject to risks not associated with
conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt securities. Prospective purchasers
should recognize the possibility of a loss with respect to their investment
in
the Notes. Prospective purchasers of the Notes should understand the risks
of
investing in the Notes and should reach an investment decision only after
careful consideration, with their advisers, of the suitability of the Notes
in
light of their particular financial circumstances, the following risk factors
and the other information set forth in this pricing supplement and the
accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. These risks include the
possibility that the Index will fluctuate. We have no control over a number
of
matters, including economic, financial, regulatory, geographic, judicial and
political events, that are important in determining the existence, magnitude,
and longevity of these risks and their influence on the value of, or the payment
made on, the Notes.
The
Notes are not fully principal protected. At
maturity, the Notes may pay less than the principal
amount.
The
Notes
are not fully principal protected and 85% of your principal investment in the
Notes is at risk of loss. If the Index Return is less than -15%, you will
receive less, and possibly up to 85% less, than the original public offering
price of $1,000 per Note. In this case, you will lose 1% of the original
principal amount for each percentage point that the Index Return is below -15%.
In no event will we pay you less than 15% of the original principal amount
of
your Notes. Accordingly, you may lose up to 85% of your initial investment
in
the Notes. If you sell your Notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than
the amount you originally invested.
The
formula for determining the Cash Settlement Value does not take into account
changes in the Index Level prior to the Calculation Date.
Changes
in the Index Level during the term of the Notes before the Calculation Date
will
not be reflected in the calculation of the Cash Settlement Value. The
Calculation Agent will calculate the Cash Settlement Value based upon the Index
Level as of the Calculation Date. As a result, you may receive the amount of
your investment in the Notes, or lose up to 85% of your investment in the Notes,
even if the Index Level has increased at certain times during the term of the
Note before decreasing on the Calculation Date.
You
will not receive any interest payments on the Notes.
Your yield may be lower than the yield on a conventional debt security of
comparable maturity.
You
will
not receive any periodic payments of interest or any other periodic payments
on
the Notes. On the Maturity Date, you will receive a payment per Note equal
to
the Cash Settlement Value. Thus, the overall return you earn on your Notes
may
be less than that you would have earned by investing in a non-indexed debt
security of comparable maturity that bears interest at a prevailing market
rate
and is fully principal protected. For more specific information about the Cash
Settlement Value and for illustrative examples, you should refer to the section
“Description of the Notes.”
Your
yield will not reflect dividends on the underlying stocks that comprise the
Index.
The
Index
does not reflect the payment of dividends on the stocks underlying it. You
should refer to the section “Description of the Notes.”
You
must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to
an
increase, if any, in the Index.
In
the
ordinary course of our business, we may from time to time express views on
expected movements in the Index and in the stocks underlying the Index. These
views may vary over differing time horizons and are subject to change without
notice. Moreover, other professionals who deal in the equity markets may at
any
time have views that differ significantly from ours. In connection with your
purchase of the Notes, you should investigate the Index and the stocks that
underlie the Index and not rely on our views with respect to future movements
in
the Index and underlying stocks. You should make such investigation as you
deem
appropriate as to the merits of an investment linked to an increase, if any,
in
the Index.
Equity
market risks may affect the trading value of the Notes and the amount you will
receive at maturity.
We
expect
that the Index Level will fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial
condition of the companies issuing the stocks comprising the Index, the value
of
the underlying stocks comprising the Index generally and other factors. The
financial condition of the companies issuing the stocks comprising the Index
may
weaken or the general condition of the equity market may decline, either of
which may cause a decrease in the Index Level and thus a decrease in the value
of the Notes. Stocks are susceptible to general equity market fluctuations
and
to volatile increases and decreases in value, as market confidence in and
perceptions regarding the underlying stocks comprising the Index change.
Investor perceptions regarding the companies issuing the stocks comprising
the
Index are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations
regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and
interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional
political, economic, and banking crises. The Index Level may be expected to
fluctuate until the Calculation Date.
The
historical performance of the Index is not an indication of the future
performance of the Index.
The
historical performance of the Index, which is included in this pricing
supplement, should not be taken as an indication of the future performance
of
the Index. While the trading prices of the underlying stocks comprising the
Index will determine the Index Level, it is impossible to predict whether the
Index Level will fall or rise. Trading prices of the underlying stocks
comprising the Index will be influenced by the complex and interrelated
economic, financial, regulatory, geographic, judicial, political and other
factors that can affect the capital markets generally and the equity trading
markets on which the underlying stocks are traded, and by various circumstances
that can influence the values of the underlying stocks in a specific market
segment or the value of a particular underlying stock.
Because
the treatment of the Notes is uncertain, the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of an investment in the Notes are uncertain.
Although
we intend to treat the Notes for all tax purposes as pre-paid cash-settled
forward or other executory contracts linked to the Index, there is no direct
legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the Notes, and therefore
significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain. In
particular, it is possible that you will be required to recognize income for
U.S. federal tax purposes with respect to the Notes prior to the sale, exchange
or maturity of the Notes, and it is possible that any gain or income recognized
with respect to the Notes will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital
gain. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding
the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes. Please
read carefully the section “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations.”
The
price at which you will be able to sell your Notes prior to maturity will depend
on a number of factors, and may be substantially less than the amount you had
originally invested.
If
you
wish to liquidate your investment in the Notes prior to maturity, your only
alternative would be to sell them. At that time, there may be an illiquid market
for Notes or no market at all. Even if you were able to sell your Notes, there
are many factors outside of our control that may affect their trading value.
We
believe that the value of your Notes will be affected by the level and
volatility of the Index, whether the Final Index Level is greater than or equal
to the Initial Index Level, changes in U.S. interest rates, the supply of and
demand for the Notes and a number of other factors. Some of these factors are
interrelated in complex ways; as a result, the effect of any one factor may
be
offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The price, if any, at
which
you will be able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be substantially
less
than the amount you originally invested if, at such time, the Index Level is
less than, equal to or not sufficiently above the Initial Index Level. The
following paragraphs describe the manner in which we expect the trading value
of
the Notes will be affected in the event of a change in a specific factor,
assuming all other conditions remain constant.
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Index
performance.
We expect that the value of the Notes prior to maturity will depend
substantially on whether the Index Level is greater than the Initial
Index
Level. If you decide to sell your Notes when the Index Level exceeds
the
Initial Index Level, you may nonetheless receive substantially less
than
the amount that would be payable at maturity based on that Index
Level
because of expectations that the Index Level will continue to fluctuate
until the Final Index Level is determined. Economic, financial,
regulatory, geographic, judicial, political and other developments
that
affect the stocks underlying the Index may also affect the Index
Level
and, thus, the value of the
Notes.
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·
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Volatility
of the Index.
Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of
market
fluctuations. If the volatility of the Index increases or decreases,
the
trading value of the Notes may be adversely affected. This volatility
may
increase the risk that the Index Level will decline, which could
negatively affect the trading value of Notes. The effect of the volatility
of the Index on the trading value of the Notes may not necessarily
decrease over time during the term of the
Notes.
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Interest
rates.
We expect that the trading value of the Notes will be affected by
changes
in U.S. interest rates. In general, if U.S. interest rates increase,
the
value of the Notes may decrease, and if U.S. interest rates decrease,
the
value of the Notes may increase. However, interest rates may also
affect
the economy and, in turn, the Index Level, which (for the reasons
discussed above) would affect the value of the Notes. Falling interest
rates may increase the Index Level and, thus, reduce the value of
the
Notes. Rising interest rates may decrease the Index Level and, thus,
increase the value of the Notes.
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Our
credit ratings, financial condition and results of
operations.
Actual or anticipated changes in our current credit ratings, A1 by
Moody’s
Investors Service, Inc. and A+ by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services,
as well as our financial condition or results of operations may
significantly affect the trading value of the Notes. However, because
the
return on the Notes is dependent upon factors in addition to our
ability
to pay our obligations under the Notes, such as the Index Level,
an
improvement in our credit ratings, financial condition or results
of
operations is not expected to have a positive effect on the trading
value
of the Notes.
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Time
remaining to maturity.
As the time remaining to maturity of the Notes decreases, the “time
premium” associated with the Notes will decrease. A “time premium” results
from expectations concerning the value of the Index during the period
prior to the maturity of the Notes. As the time remaining to the
maturity
of the Notes decreases, this time premium will likely decrease,
potentially adversely affecting the trading value of the Notes. As
the
time remaining to maturity decreases, the trading value of the Notes
may
be less sensitive to the volatility of the
Index.
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Dividend
yield.
The value of the Notes may also be affected by the dividend yields
on the
stocks in the Index. In general, because the Index does not incorporate
the value of dividend payments, higher dividend yields will likely
increase the value of the Notes and, conversely, lower dividend yields
will likely reduce the value of the
Notes.
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Events
involving the companies issuing the stocks comprising the
Index.
General economic conditions and earnings results of the companies
whose
stocks comprise the Index, and real or anticipated changes in those
conditions or results, may affect the trading value of the Notes.
Some of
the stocks included in the Index may be affected by mergers and
acquisitions, which can contribute to volatility of the Index. As
a result
of a merger or acquisition, one or more stocks in the Index may be
replaced with a surviving or acquiring entity’s securities. The surviving
or acquiring entity’s securities may not have the same characteristics as
the stock originally included in the
Index.
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Size
and liquidity of the trading market.
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange and we do
not
expect a trading market to develop. There may not be a secondary
market in
the Notes, which may affect the price that you receive for your Notes
upon
any sale prior to maturity. If a trading market does develop, there
can be
no assurance that there will be liquidity in the trading market.
If the
trading market for the Notes is limited, there may be a limited number
of
buyers for your Notes if you do not wish to hold your investment
until
maturity. This may affect the price you receive upon any sale of
the Notes
prior to maturity.
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Hedging
obligations under the Notes.
The original issue price of the Notes includes the cost of hedging
our
obligations under the Notes. Such cost includes BSIL’s (or any other of
our subsidiaries’) expected cost of providing such hedge and the profit
BSIL (or any other of our subsidiaries) expects to realize in
consideration for assuming the risks inherent in providing such hedge.
As
a result, assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant
factors, the price, if any, at which Bear Stearns will be willing
to
purchase Notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at all,
will
likely be lower than the original issue price. In addition, any such
prices may differ from values determined by pricing models used by
Bear
Stearns as a result of transaction
costs.
|
Bear
Stearns has advised us that they intend under ordinary market conditions to
indicate prices for the Notes on request. However, we cannot guarantee that
bids
for outstanding Notes will be made in the future; nor can we predict the price
at which any such bids will be made.
We
want
you to understand that the effect of one of the factors specified above, such
as
an increase in interest rates, may offset some or all of any change in the
value
of the Notes attributable to another factor, such as an increase in the Index
Level.
You
have no shareholder rights or rights to receive any stock.
Investing
in the Notes will not make you a holder of any of the stocks underlying the
Index. Neither you nor any other holder or owner of the Notes will have any
voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions or any
other rights with respect to the underlying stocks. The Notes will be paid
in
cash, and you will have no right to receive delivery of any stocks underlying
the Index.
The
Calculation Agent is one of our affiliates, which could result in a conflict
of
interest.
Bear
Stearns will act as the Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent will make
certain determinations and judgments in connection with calculating the Final
Index Level, or deciding whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred. You
should refer to “Description of the Notes - Discontinuance of the Index,” “-
Adjustments to the Index” and “- Market Disruption Events.” Because Bear Stearns
is our affiliate, conflicts of interest may arise in connection with Bear
Stearns performing its role as Calculation Agent. Rules and regulations
regarding broker-dealers (such as Bear Stearns) require Bear Stearns to maintain
policies and procedures regarding the handling and use of confidential
proprietary information, and such policies and procedures will be in effect
throughout the term of the Notes. Bear Stearns is obligated to carry out its
duties and functions as Calculation Agent in good faith. See “Description of the
Notes - Calculation Agent.”
Our
affiliates, including Bear Stearns, may, at various times, engage in
transactions involving the stocks underlying the Index for their proprietary
accounts, and for other accounts under their management. These transactions
may
influence the value of such stocks, and therefore the Index Level. BSIL, an
affiliate of Bear Stearns, or one of its subsidiaries will also be the
counterparty to the hedge of our obligations under the Notes. You should refer
to “Use of Proceeds and Hedging.” Accordingly, under certain circumstances,
conflicts of interest may arise between Bear Stearns’ responsibilities as
Calculation Agent with respect to the Notes and its obligations under our
hedge.
Changes
that affect the calculation of the Index will affect the trading
value of the Notes and the amount you will receive at
maturity.
The
Sponsor is responsible for calculating and maintaining the Index. The policies
of the Sponsor concerning the calculation of the Index will affect the Index
Level and, therefore, will affect the trading value of the Notes and the Cash
Settlement Value.
If
the Sponsor discontinues or suspends calculation or publication of the Index,
it
may become difficult to determine the trading value of the Notes or the Cash
Settlement Value. If
the
Index is discontinued or if the Sponsor fails to publish the Index prior to,
and
such discontinuance is continuing on, the Calculation Date and the Calculation
Agent determines that no Successor Index is available at such time, then in
connection with its calculation of the Cash Settlement Value, the Calculation
Agent will determine the value to be used for the Final Index Level for the
Index. The value to be used for the Final Index Level will be computed by the
Calculation Agent in the same general manner previously used by the
Sponsor.
In addition, if
at any
time the method of calculating the Index or a Successor Index, or the value
thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if the Index or a Successor Index
is in any other way modified so that such index does not, in the opinion of
the
Calculation Agent, fairly represent the value of the Index or such Successor
Index had such changes or modifications not been made, then, for purposes of
calculating the Initial Index Level, the Final Index Level, the Index Return
or
the Cash Settlement Value or making any other determinations as of or after
such
time, the Calculation Agent will make such calculations and adjustments as
the
Calculation Agent determines may be necessary in order to arrive at a value
of a
stock index comparable to the Index or such Successor Index, as the case may
be,
as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the Cash
Settlement Value (including the components thereof) with reference to such
Index
or such Successor Index, as adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating
the Index or a Successor Index is modified so that the value of such index
is a
fraction of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due
to a
split in the index), then the Calculation Agent will adjust such index in order
to arrive at a value of the Index or such Successor Index as if it had not
been
modified (e.g., as if such split had not occurred).
In each such event, the Calculation Agent’s determination of the value of the
Notes will affect the amount you will receive at maturity. See “Description of
the Notes—Discontinuance
or Modification of the Index,”
“Description of the Notes—Adjustments
to the Index”
and “Description of the Index.”
The
Sponsor may change the companies underlying the Index in a way that affects
the
Index Level and consequently the value of the Notes.
The
Sponsor can add, delete or substitute the stocks underlying the Index or make
other methodological changes that could decrease the Index Level and hence
adversely affect the value of the Notes. You should realize that changes in
the
companies included in the Index may affect the Index, as a newly added company
may perform significantly better or worse than the company or companies it
replaces.
We
cannot control actions by the companies whose stocks are included in the
Index.
We
are
not affiliated with any of the companies whose stock underlies the Index.
Actions by any company whose stock is part of the Index may affect the price
of
its stock, the trading price of and the Index Level, and the trading value
of
the Notes. These companies are not involved in this offering and have no
obligations with respect to the Notes, including any obligation to take our
or
your interests into consideration for any reason. These companies will not
receive any of the proceeds of this offering and are not responsible for, and
have not participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices for, or
quantities of, the Notes to be issued. These companies are not involved with
the
administration, marketing or trading of the Notes and have no obligations with
respect to the amount to be paid to you on the Maturity Date.
We
are
not responsible for any disclosure by any company in the Index. However, we
may
currently, or in the future, engage in business with such companies. Neither
we
nor any of our affiliates, including Bear Stearns, assumes any responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of any publicly available information about the
Index or any company included in the Index. You should make your own
investigation into the Index and the companies underlying the
Index.
We
and our affiliates have no affiliation with the Sponsor and are not responsible
for its public disclosure of information.
We
and
our affiliates are not affiliated in any way with the Sponsor (except for the
licensing arrangements discussed in the section “Description of the
Index—License Agreement”) and have no ability to control or predict the
Sponsor’s actions, including any errors in or discontinuation of disclosure
regarding its methods or policies relating to the calculation of the Index.
Neither we nor any or our affiliates assumes any responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of the information about the Index or the Sponsor contained in
this
pricing supplement. You, as an investor in the Notes, should make your own
investigation into the Index and the Sponsor. The Sponsor is not involved in
any
way in the offering of the Notes and has no obligation to consider your
interests as an owner of Notes when it takes any actions that might affect
the
value of the Notes.
Trading
and other transactions by us or our affiliates could affect the prices of the
stocks underlying the Index, the Index Level, the trading value of the Notes
or
the amount you may receive at maturity.
We
and
our affiliates may from time to time buy or sell shares of the stocks underlying
the Index or derivative instruments related to those stocks for our own accounts
in connection with our normal business practices or in connection with hedging
our obligations under the Notes. These trading activities may present a conflict
of interest between your interest in the Notes and the interests we and our
affiliates may have in our proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions,
including block trades, for our other customers and in accounts under our
management. The transactions could affect the prices of those stocks or the
Index Level in a manner that would be adverse to your investment in the Notes.
See the section “Use of Proceeds and Hedging.”
Hedging
activities we or our affiliates may engage in may affect the Index Level and,
accordingly, increase or decrease the trading value of the Notes prior to
maturity and the Cash Settlement Value you would receive at maturity. To the
extent that we or any of our affiliates has a hedge position in any of the
stocks that comprise the Index, or derivative or synthetic instruments related
to those stocks or the Index, we or any of our affiliates may liquidate a
portion of such holdings at or about the time of the maturity of the Notes
or at
or about the time of a change in the stocks that underlie the Index. Depending
on, among other things, future market conditions, the aggregate amount and
the
composition of such hedge positions are likely to vary over time. Profits or
losses from any of those positions cannot be ascertained until the position
is
closed out and any offsetting position or positions are taken into account.
Although we have no reason to believe that any of those activities will have
a
material effect on the Index Level, we cannot assure you that these activities
will not affect such level and the trading value of the Notes prior to maturity
or the Cash Settlement Value payable at maturity.
In
addition, we or any of our affiliates may purchase or otherwise acquire a long
or short position in the Notes. We or any of our affiliates may hold or resell
the Notes. We or any of our affiliates may also take positions in other types
of
appropriate financial instruments that may become available in the
future.
Research
reports and other transactions may create conflicts of interest between you
and
us.
We
or one
or more of our affiliates have published, and may in the future publish,
research reports on the Index or the companies issuing the common stock included
in the Index. This research may be modified from time to time without notice
and
may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with
purchasing or holding the Notes. Any of these activities may affect the market
price of stocks included in the Index and, therefore, the value of the
Notes.
We
and
our affiliates, at present or in the future, may engage in business with the
companies issuing the common stock included in the Index, including making
loans
to, equity investments in, or providing investment banking, asset management
or
other advisory services to those companies. In
connection with these activities, we may receive information about those
companies that we will not divulge to you or other third parties.
Similarly,
we may in the past or may in the future issue Notes that permit a purchaser
to
take a different view with respect to the movement of the Index than do the
Notes (e.g., to take a bearish rather than a bullish view). We
or any
of our affiliates may also issue, underwrite or assist unaffiliated entities
in
the issuance or underwriting of other securities or financial instruments with
returns indexed to the Index. By introducing competing products into the
marketplace in this manner, we or our affiliates could adversely affect the
value of the Notes.
The
Cash Settlement Value you receive on the Notes may be delayed or reduced upon
the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event, or an Event of
Default.
If
the
Calculation Agent determines that, on the Calculation Date, a Market Disruption
Event has occurred or is continuing, the determination of the Index Level by
the
Calculation Agent may be deferred. You should refer to the section “Description
of the Notes - Market Disruption Events.”
If
the
Calculation Agent determines that an Event of Default (as defined below) has
occurred, a holder of the Notes will only receive an amount equal to the trading
value of the Notes on the date of such Event of Default, adjusted by an amount
equal to any losses, expenses and costs to us of unwinding any underlying
hedging or funding arrangements, all as determined by the Calculation Agent.
You
should refer to the section “Description of the Notes—Event of Default and
Acceleration.”
You
should decide to purchase the Notes only after carefully considering the
suitability of the Notes in light of your particular financial circumstances.
You should also carefully consider the tax consequences of investing in the
Notes. You should refer to the section “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations” and discuss the tax implications with your own tax
advisor.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE NOTES
The
following description of the Notes (referred to in the accompanying prospectus
supplement as the “Other Indexed Notes”) supplements the description of the
Notes in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. This is a
summary and is not complete. You should read the indenture, dated as of May
31,
1991, as amended (the “Indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York as
successor in interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”).
A copy of the Indenture is available as set forth under the section of the
prospectus “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
The
Notes
are part of a single series of debt securities under the Indenture described
in
the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus designated as Medium-Term
Notes, Series B. The Notes are unsecured and will rank equally with all of
our
unsecured and unsubordinated debt, including the other debt securities issued
under the Indenture. Because we are a holding company, the Notes will be
effectively subordinated to the claims of creditors of our
subsidiaries.
The
aggregate principal amount of the Notes will be $1,036,000. The Notes are
expected to mature on January 30, 2011 and do not provide for earlier
redemption. The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, and in
minimum denominations of $1,000; provided, however, that the minimum purchase
for any purchaser domiciled in a Member State of the European Economic Area
shall be $100,000. Initially, the Notes will be issued in the form of one or
more global securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, as
described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. When we
refer to Note or Notes in this pricing supplement, we mean $1,000 principal
amount of Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange.
You
should refer to the section “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,”
for a discussion of certain federal income tax considerations to you as a holder
of the Notes.
Interest
We
will
not make any periodic payments of interest on the Notes or any other periodic
payments on the Notes. At
maturity, you will receive the Cash Settlement Value, calculated as described
below.
Payment
at Maturity
On
the
Maturity Date, you will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an amount in cash
that depends upon the relation of the Final Index Level to the Initial Index
Level.
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is greater than zero, then, on the Maturity Date,
you
will receive an amount per Note equal to 100% of the original principal amount
of the Note plus the product of: (i) the original principal amount multiplied
by
(ii) the Index Return multiplied by (iii) the Upside Participation
Rate.
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is between zero and -15%, inclusive, then, on the
Maturity Date, you will receive 100% of the original principal amount of the
Note.
If,
at
maturity, the Index Return is less than -15%, then, on the Maturity Date, you
will receive an amount equal to the original principal amount minus 1% of the
original principal amount for each percentage point that the Index Return is
less than -15%. For example, if the Index Return is -40%, you will suffer a
25%
loss and, therefore, receive 75% of the original principal amount.
The
Index
Return is the amount expressed as a percentage, resulting from the quotient
of:
(i) the Final Index Level minus the Initial Index Level divided by (ii) the
Initial Index Level.
The
Upside Participation Rate equals 104.50%.
The
“Index Level” equals the closing value of the Index, as determined by the
Sponsor, on each Index Business Day.
The
“Initial
Index Level”
equals
817.23.
The
“Final
Index Level”
will
be
determined by the Calculation Agent and will equal the closing value of the
Index, as determined by the Sponsor, on January 25, 2011, the “Calculation
Date.” The Calculation Date is subject to adjustment as described under
“Description of the Notes - Market Disruption Events.”
The
“Maturity Date” is expected to be January 30, 2011; however, upon the occurrence
of a Market Disruption Event, the Maturity Date will be three Index Business
Days following the adjusted Calculation Date.
“Related
Exchange” means each exchange or quotation system where trading has a material
effect (as determined by the Calculation Agent) on the overall market for
futures or options contracts relating to the Index.
“Primary
Exchange” means the primary exchange or market of trading of any security then
included in the Index.
An
“Index
Business Day” means any day on which each Primary Exchange and each Related
Exchange are scheduled to be open for trading.
Illustrative
Examples
The
examples set forth below and the related table depict the hypothetical Cash
Settlement Value of a Note based on the assumptions below. The hypothetical
Index Levels in the examples and related table do not purport to be
representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases
in
the Index. You should not construe these examples or the data included in the
table as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the
Notes.
The
examples demonstrating the hypothetical Cash Settlement Value of a Note are
based on the following assumptions:
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Investor
purchases $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes at the initial
public
offering price of $1,000.
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·
|
Investor
holds the Notes to maturity.
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·
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The
Initial Index Level is equal to
800.00.
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·
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The
Upside Participation Rate is 100%.
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·
|
All
returns are based on a 4-year term; pre-tax
basis.
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No
Market Disruption Events or Events of Default occur during the term
of the
Notes.
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Example
1:
The Final Index Level is greater than the Initial Index
Level.
In
this
example, the Index generally rises over the term of the Notes. On the
Calculation Date, the Final Index Level is 1,000, representing a 25.00% gain
from the Initial Index Level. In this example, using the formula below
(applicable when the Index Return is positive), the Cash Settlement Value will
equal $1,250.00. This example shows how the Upside Participation Rate allows
you
to benefit from an increase in the Index Level.
Example
2: The Final Index Level is slightly less than the Initial Index
Level.
In
this
example, the Index decreases slightly in value over the term of the Notes.
On
the Calculation Date, the Final Index Level is 760.00, representing an Index
Return of -5.00%. Because the Index Return is less than zero but greater than
-15%, on the Maturity Date an investor would receive the original principal
amount of the Note. This example shows that an Index Return between zero and
-15% results in an investor receiving 100% of the original principal amount
of
the Note.
Example
3:
The Index Return is less than -15%.
In
this
example, the Index declines substantially over the term of the Notes. The Final
Index Level is 520.00, representing a -35% Index Return. Because the Index
Return is less than -15%, the investor loses 1% of the original principal amount
for each percentage point that the Index Return is less than -15%. The Cash
Settlement Value equals $1,000 multiplied by 80% (i.e. 100%-20%). Therefore,
at
maturity an investor would receive $800.00.
Summary
of Examples 1 Through 3
Reflecting
the Cash Settlement Value, Excluding Interest Payments
|
Example
1
|
|
Example
2
|
|
Example
3
|
Initial
Index Level
|
800.00
|
|
800.00
|
|
800.00
|
Hypothetical
Final Index Level
|
1,000.00
|
|
760.00
|
|
520.00
|
Value
of Final Index Level relative to the Initial Index Level
|
Higher
|
|
Lower
(but greater than -15%)
|
|
Lower
(lower than -15%)
|
Principal
fully repaid?
|
Yes
|
|
Yes
|
|
No
|
Cash
Settlement Value per Note
|
$1,250.00
|
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$800.00
|
Table
of Hypothetical Cash Settlement Values
Initial
Index
Level
|
Final
Index
Level
|
Index
Return
|
Cash
Settlement
Value
Per
Note
|
Return
if
Held
to
Maturity
|
|
Initial
Index
Level
|
Final
Index
Level
|
Index
Return
|
Cash
Settlement
Value
Per
Note
|
Return
if
Held
to
Maturity
|
800.00
|
1,600.00
|
100%
|
$2,000
|
100.00%
|
|
800.00
|
760.00
|
-5%
|
$1,000
|
0.00%
|
800.00
|
1,560.00
|
95%
|
$1,950
|
95.00%
|
|
800.00
|
720.00
|
-10%
|
$1,000
|
0.00%
|
800.00
|
1,520.00
|
90%
|
$1,900
|
90.00%
|
|
800.00
|
680.00
|
-15%
|
$1,000
|
0.00%
|
800.00
|
1,480.00
|
85%
|
$1,850
|
85.00%
|
|
800.00
|
640.00
|
-20%
|
$950
|
-5.00%
|
800.00
|
1,440.00
|
80%
|
$1,800
|
80.00%
|
|
800.00
|
600.00
|
-25%
|
$900
|
-10.00%
|
800.00
|
1,400.00
|
75%
|
$1,750
|
75.00%
|
|
800.00
|
560.00
|
-30%
|
$850
|
-15.00%
|
800.00
|
1,360.00
|
70%
|
$1,700
|
70.00%
|
|
800.00
|
520.00
|
-35%
|
$800
|
-20.00%
|
800.00
|
1,320.00
|
65%
|
$1,650
|
65.00%
|
|
800.00
|
480.00
|
-40%
|
$750
|
-25.00%
|
800.00
|
1,280.00
|
60%
|
$1,600
|
60.00%
|
|
800.00
|
440.00
|
-45%
|
$700
|
-30.00%
|
800.00
|
1,240.00
|
55%
|
$1,550
|
55.00%
|
|
800.00
|
400.00
|
-50%
|
$650
|
-35.00%
|
800.00
|
1,200.00
|
50%
|
$1,500
|
50.00%
|
|
800.00
|
360.00
|
-55%
|
$600
|
-40.00%
|
800.00
|
1,160.00
|
45%
|
$1,450
|
45.00%
|
|
800.00
|
320.00
|
-60%
|
$550
|
-45.00%
|
800.00
|
1,120.00
|
40%
|
$1,400
|
40.00%
|
|
800.00
|
280.00
|
-65%
|
$500
|
-50.00%
|
800.00
|
1,080.00
|
35%
|
$1,350
|
35.00%
|
|
800.00
|
240.00
|
-70%
|
$450
|
-55.00%
|
800.00
|
1,040.00
|
30%
|
$1,300
|
30.00%
|
|
800.00
|
200.00
|
-75%
|
$400
|
-60.00%
|
800.00
|
1,000.00
|
25%
|
$1,250
|
25.00%
|
|
800.00
|
160.00
|
-80%
|
$350
|
-65.00%
|
800.00
|
960.00
|
20%
|
$1,200
|
20.00%
|
|
800.00
|
120.00
|
-85%
|
$300
|
-70.00%
|
800.00
|
920.00
|
15%
|
$1,150
|
15.00%
|
|
800.00
|
80.00
|
-90%
|
$250
|
-75.00%
|
800.00
|
880.00
|
10%
|
$1,100
|
10.00%
|
|
800.00
|
40.00
|
-95%
|
$200
|
-80.00%
|
800.00
|
840.00
|
5%
|
$1,050
|
5.00%
|
|
800.00
|
0.00
|
-100%
|
$150
|
-85.00%
|
800.00
|
800.00
|
0%
|
$1,000
|
0.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discontinuance
or Modification of the Index
If
the
Sponsor discontinues publication of or otherwise fails to publish the Index
and
such Sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute index that
the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the discontinued Index
(such index being referred to herein as a “Successor Index”), then the Final
Index Level for such Index will be determined by reference to the value of
such
Successor Index at the close of trading on the relevant exchanges or markets
for
the Successor Index on the date as of which such Final Index Level for such
Index is to be determined.
Upon
any
selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Index, the Calculation Agent
will cause notice thereof to be furnished to us and the Trustee. If a Successor
Index is selected by the Calculation Agent, the Successor Index will be used
as
a substitute for the Index for all purposes, including for purposes of
determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists with respect to the
Index.
If
the
Index is discontinued or if the Sponsor fails to publish the Index prior to,
and
such discontinuance is continuing on, the Calculation Date and the Calculation
Agent determines that no Successor Index is available at such time, then in
connection with its calculation of the Cash Settlement Value, the Calculation
Agent will determine the value to be used for the Final Index Level for the
Index. The value to be used for the Final Index Level will be computed by the
Calculation Agent in the same general manner previously used by the Sponsor.
In
such event, the Calculation Agent will cause notice thereof to be furnished
to
us and the Trustee.
Notwithstanding
these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of the Index
may adversely affect the value of, and trading in, the Notes.
Adjustments
to the Index
If
at any
time the method of calculating the Index or a Successor Index, or the value
thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if the Index or a Successor Index
is in any other way modified so that such index does not, in the opinion of
the
Calculation Agent, fairly represent the value of the Index or such Successor
Index had such changes or modifications not been made, then, for purposes of
calculating the Initial Index Level, the Final Index Level, the Index Return
or
the Cash Settlement Value or making any other determinations as of or after
such
time, the Calculation Agent will make such calculations and adjustments as
the
Calculation Agent determines may be necessary in order to arrive at a value
of a
stock index comparable to the Index or such Successor Index, as the case may
be,
as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the Cash
Settlement Value (including the components thereof) with reference to such
Index
or such Successor Index, as adjusted. Accordingly, if the method of calculating
the Index or a Successor Index is modified so that the value of such index
is a
fraction of what it would have been if it had not been modified (e.g., due
to a
split in the index), then the Calculation Agent will adjust such index in order
to arrive at a value of the Index or such Successor Index as if it had not
been
modified (e.g., as if such split had not occurred). In such event, the
Calculation Agent will cause notice thereof to be furnished to us and the
Trustee.
In
the
event that, on the Calculation Date, the Index is not calculated by the Sponsor
but is calculated by a third party acceptable to the Calculation Agent, the
Calculation Agent will use such third party’s calculation as its reference for
determining the value of the Index.
Market
Disruption Events
If
there
is a Market Disruption Event on the Calculation Date, the Final Index Level
will
be determined on the first succeeding Index Business Day on which there is
no
Market Disruption Event. In no event, however, will the Calculation Date be
a
date that is postponed by more than two Index Business Days following the
original date that, but for the Market Disruption Event, would have been the
Calculation Date. In that case, the second Index Business Day will be deemed
to
be the Calculation Date, notwithstanding the Market Disruption Event, and the
Calculation Agent will determine the Final Index Level on that second Index
Business Day in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the
Index in effect prior to the Market Disruption Event using the price of each
security in the Index on the primary organized exchange or trading system on
which such security is then listed or admitted to trading (or, if trading in
any
such security has been materially suspended or materially limited, the
Calculation Agent’s estimate of the price that would have prevailed on the
primary organized exchange or trading system on which such security is then
listed or admitted to trading but for such suspension or limitation) as of
that
second Index Business Day.
A
“Market
Disruption Event” means the occurrence or existence at any time of a condition
specified below that the Calculation Agent determines to be
material:
(a) any
suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any Primary Exchange or
Related Exchange or otherwise, and whether by reason of movements in price
exceeding limits permitted by the Primary Exchanges or Related Exchanges or
otherwise, (A) relating to securities that comprise 20% or more of the Index
Level or (B) in futures or options contracts relating to the Index on any
Related Exchange;
(b) any
event
(other than an event described in (c) below) that disrupts or impairs (as
determined by the Calculation Agent) the ability of market participants in
general (A) to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, securities
that comprise 20% or more of the Index Level or (B) to effect transactions
in,
or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to the Index
on any Related Exchange;
(c) the
closure on any Index Business Day of any Primary Exchange relating to securities
that comprise 20% or more of the Index Level or any Related Exchange prior
to
its weekday closing time, without regard to after hours or any other trading
outside of the regular trading session hours, unless such earlier closing time
is announced by such Primary Exchange or Related Exchange at least one hour
prior to the earlier of (i) the actual closing time for the regular trading
session on such Primary Exchange or Related Exchange on such Index Business
Day
for such Primary Exchange or Related Exchange and (ii) the submission deadline
for orders to be entered into the Relevant Exchange system for execution at
the
close of trading on such Index Business Day for such Primary Exchange or Related
Exchange; or
(d) any
Index
Business Day on which any Primary Exchange or Related Exchange fails to open
for
trading during its regular trading session.
For
the
purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event in respect of the
Index exists at any time, if a Market Disruption Event occurs in respect of
a
security included in the Index at any time, then the relevant percentage
contribution of that security to the Index Level shall be based on a comparison
of (x) the portion of the Index Level attributable to that security and (y)
the
overall Index Level, in each case immediately before the occurrence of such
Market Disruption Event.
“Related
Exchange” means each exchange or quotation system where trading has a material
effect (as determined by the Calculation Agent) on the overall market for
futures or options contracts relating to the Index.
“Primary
Exchange” means the primary exchange or market of trading of any security then
included in the Index.
“Index
Business Day” means any day on which each Primary Exchange and each Related
Exchange are scheduled to be open for trading.
For
purposes of the above definition:
(a) a
limitation on the hours in a trading day and/or number of days of trading will
not constitute a Market Disruption Event if it results from an announced change
in the regular business hours of the relevant exchange, and
(b) for
purposes of clause (a) above, any limitations on trading during significant
market fluctuations, under NYSE Rule 80B, NASD Rule 4120 or any analogous rule
or regulation enacted or promulgated by the NYSE, NASD or any other self
regulatory organization or the SEC of similar scope as determined by the
Calculation Agent, will be considered “material.”
Based
on
the information currently available to us, on each of September 11, 12, 13
and
14, 2001, the NYSE and The Nasdaq Stock Market suspended all trading for the
entire day, and on October 27, 1997, the NYSE and The Nasdaq Stock Market
suspended all trading during the one-half hour period preceding the close of
trading. If any such suspension of trading occurred during the term of the
Notes, it would constitute a Market Disruption Event. The existence or
non-existence of these circumstances, however, is not necessarily indicative
of
the likelihood of these circumstances arising or not arising in the
future.
Redemption;
Defeasance
The
Notes
are not subject to redemption before maturity, and are not subject to the
defeasance provisions described in the section “Description of Debt Securities -
Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus.
Events
of Default and Acceleration
If
an
Event of Default (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) with respect to
any
Notes has occurred and is continuing, then the amount payable to you, as a
beneficial owner of a Note, upon any acceleration permitted by the Indenture
will be equal to the Cash Settlement Value as though the date of early repayment
were the Maturity Date of the Notes, adjusted by an amount equal to any losses,
expenses and costs to us of unwinding any underlying or related hedging or
funding arrangements, all as determined by the Calculation Agent. If a
bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of us, the claims of the holder
of
a Note may be limited under Title 11 of the United States Code.
Same-Day
Settlement and Payment
Settlement
for the Notes will be made by Bear Stearns in immediately available funds.
Payments of the Cash Settlement Value will be made by us in immediately
available funds, so long as the Notes are maintained in book-entry
form.
Calculation
Agent
The
Calculation Agent for the Notes will be Bear Stearns. All determinations made
by
the Calculation Agent will be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent
and will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and the
beneficial owners of the Notes, absent manifest error and provided the
Calculation Agent shall be required to act in good faith in making any
determination. Manifest error by the Calculation Agent, or any failure by it
to
act in good faith, in making a determination adversely affecting the payment
of
principal, interest or premium on principal to holders would entitle the
holders, or the Trustee acting on behalf of the holders, to exercise rights
and
remedies available under the Indenture. If the Calculation Agent uses its
discretion to make any determination, the Calculation Agent will notify the
Company and the Trustee, who will provide notice to the registered holders
of
the Notes.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE INDEX
General
We
have
derived all information relating to the S&P MidCap 400®
Index
(the “Index”), including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation
and changes in its components, from publicly available information. This
information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by Standard
&
Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (“S&P” or the
“Sponsor”). The Index was developed by the Sponsor and is calculated, maintained
and published by the Sponsor. The Sponsor is under no obligation to continue
to
publish, and may discontinue or suspend the publication of the Index at any
time.
The
Index
is published by the Sponsor and is meant to provide a performance benchmark
for
the medium capitalization segment of the U.S. equity markets. The Index tracks
the stock price movement of 400 companies with mid-sized market capitalizations,
primarily ranging from $1 billion to $4 billion. The market capitalization
requirements are reviewed periodically to ensure consistency with market
standards. The Index is maintained with similar methodologies and rules as
the
S&P 500®
Index,
with variations only to account for differences in capitalization
requirements.
Computation
of the Index
The
Index
is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology: the Index Level
reflects the total Market Value (as defined below) of all 400 companies (the
“Component Stocks”) as of a particular time as compared to the aggregate average
Market Value of the stocks of 400 similar companies on the base date of June
28,
1991 (the “Base Date”). An indexed number is used to represent the results of
this calculation in order to make the value easier to work with and track over
time. Historically, the “Market Value” of any Component Stock was calculated as
the product of the market price per share and the number of the then outstanding
shares of such Component Stock. As discussed below, on March 21, 2005, the
Sponsor began to use a new methodology to calculate the Market Value of the
Component Stocks, and on September 16, 2005, the Sponsor completed its
transition to the new calculation methodology. The Sponsor chooses companies
for
inclusion in the Index with the objective of achieving a common stock population
of the medium capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market.
The
Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, add or delete companies from the Index
to
achieve its objectives. The Sponsor uses criteria such as the viability of
the
particular company, the extent to which that company represents the industry
group to which it is assigned, the extent to which the company’s stock is
widely-held and the Market Value and trading activity of the stock of that
company.
On
March
21, 2005, the Sponsor began to calculate the Index based on a half
float-adjusted formula, and on September 16, 2005, the Index became fully
float-adjusted. The adjustment does not impact how the Sponsor chooses stocks
for the Index, but does affect how companies are weighted in the Index (i.e.,
Market Value). Under float-adjustment, the share counts used in calculating
the
Index reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all
outstanding shares of a company. The Sponsor defines three groups of
shareholders whose holdings are subject to float-adjustment:
|
·
|
holdings
by other publicly traded corporations, venture capital firms, private
equity firms, strategic partners or leveraged buyout
groups;
|
|
·
|
holdings
by government entities, including all levels of government in the
U.S. or
foreign countries; and
|
|
·
|
holdings
by current or former officers and directors of the company, founders
of
the company, or family trusts of officers, directors, or founders,
as well
as holdings of trusts, foundations, pension funds, employee stock
ownership plans, or other investment vehicles associated with and
controlled by the company.
|
Treasury
stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants,
preferred stock and convertible stock are not part of the float. In situations
where holdings in a group exceed 10% of the outstanding shares of a company,
the
holdings of that group will be excluded from the float-adjusted count of shares
to be used in the Index calculation. Mutual funds, investment advisory firms,
pension funds, or foundations not associated with the company and investment
funds in insurance companies, shares of a U.S. company traded in Canada as
“exchangeable shares,” shares that trust beneficiaries may buy or sell without
difficulty or significant additional expense beyond typical brokerage fees,
and,
if a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted
or
non-traded class if such shares are convertible by shareholders without undue
delay and cost, are also part of the float.
For
each
stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the
available float shares, defined as the total shares outstanding less shares
held
in one or more of the three groups listed above where the group holdings exceed
10% of the outstanding shares, by the total shares outstanding. The
float-adjusted Index is calculated by dividing the sum of the IWF multiplied
by
both the price and the total shares outstanding for each stock by the Divisor.
For companies with multiple classes of stock, the Sponsor calculates the
weighted average IWF for each stock using the proportion of the total company
market capitalization of each share class as weights.
The
actual total Market Value of the Component Stocks on the Base Date has been
set
equal to an indexed value of 100. This is often indicated by the notation
6/28/91 = 100. In practice, the daily calculation of the Index is computed
by
dividing the total Market Value of the Component Stocks by a number called
the
“Divisor”. By itself, the Divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the
context of the calculation of the Index, it is the only link to the original
Base Period Index Level. The Divisor keeps the Index comparable over time and
is
the manipulation point for all adjustments to the Index (“Index Maintenance”).
Index
Maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company
additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and
stock
price adjustments due to company restructuring or spin-offs.
To
prevent the Index Level from changing due to corporate actions, all corporate
actions which affect the total Market Value of the Index require an adjustment
to the Divisor. By adjusting the Divisor for the change in total Market Value,
the Index Level remains constant. This helps maintain the Index Level as an
accurate barometer of stock market performance and ensures that the movement
of
the Index does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in
the
Index. All adjustments to the Divisor are made after the close of trading and
after the calculation of the closing Index Level. Some corporate actions, such
as stock splits and stock dividends, require simple changes in the shares
outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the Index and do not
require adjustments to the Divisor.
The
table
below summarizes the types of Index Maintenance adjustments and indicates
whether or not an Index Divisor adjustment is required:
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
Action
|
|
Adjustment
Factor
|
|
Divisor
Adjustment
|
Share
Issuance (i.e., Change > 5%)
|
|
Shares
outstanding plus newly issued shares
|
|
Yes
|
Share
Repurchase (i.e., Change > 5%)
|
|
Shares
outstanding minus repurchased shares
|
|
Yes
|
Special
Cash Dividends
|
|
Share
price minus special dividend
|
|
Yes
|
Company
Change
|
|
Add
new company market value minus old company market value
|
|
Yes
|
Stock
Split (i.e., 2 for 1)
|
|
Shares
outstanding multiplied by 2; stock price divided by 2
|
|
No
|
Rights
Offering
|
|
Price
of parent company minus {price of rights divided by rights
ratio}
|
|
Yes
|
Spin-offs
|
|
Price
of parent company minus {price of spin-off company divided by share
exchange ratio}
|
|
Yes
|
Stock
splits and stock dividends do not affect the Divisor, because following a split
or dividend, both the stock price and number of shares outstanding are adjusted
by the Sponsor so that there is no change in the Market Value of the Component
Stock. All stock split and dividend adjustments are made after the close of
trading on the day before the ex-date.
Each
of
the corporate events exemplified in the table requiring an adjustment to the
Divisor has the effect of altering the Market Value of the Component Stock
and
consequently of altering the aggregate Market Value of the Component Stocks
(the
“Post-Event Aggregate Market Value”). In order that the Index Level (the
“Pre-Event Index Value”) not be affected by the altered Market Value (whether up
or down) of the affected Component Stock, a new Divisor (“New Divisor”) is
derived as follows:
Tracking
the changes in the number of outstanding shares of each of the companies
included in the Index is a large part of the Index Maintenance process. Four
times per year, on a Friday close to the end of each calendar quarter, the
share
totals of the companies in the Index are updated as required by any changes
in
the number of shares outstanding. After this is done, the Divisor is adjusted
to
compensate for the net change in the total market value of the Index. In
addition, any changes over five percent in the current shares outstanding for
the Index companies are reviewed on a weekly basis, and when appropriate, an
immediate adjustment is made to the Divisor.
Historical
Data on the Index
The
following table sets forth the month-end Index Levels from January 31, 2001
through December 31, 2006. We obtained the Index Levels listed below from public
sources and believe such information to be accurate.
Since
its
inception, the Index has experienced significant fluctuations. Any historical
upward or downward trend in the Index Level during any period shown in the
following table is not an indication that the Index Level is more or less likely
to increase or decrease at any time during the term of the Notes. The historical
Index Level during any period shown in the following table is not an indication
of the future performance of the Index. The results shown should not be
considered as a representation of the income, yield or capital gain or loss
that
may be generated by the Index in the future. The actual performance of the
Index
over the life of the Notes may bear little relation to the historical terms
shown below.
|
|
2001
|
|
2002
|
|
2003
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2006
|
January
|
|
527.90
|
|
505.29
|
|
416.91
|
|
588.06
|
|
645.97
|
|
781.02
|
February
|
|
497.26
|
|
505.38
|
|
406.43
|
|
601.51
|
|
666.85
|
|
773.60
|
March
|
|
459.92
|
|
541.10
|
|
409.47
|
|
603.56
|
|
658.87
|
|
792.11
|
April
|
|
510.31
|
|
538.22
|
|
438.79
|
|
583.29
|
|
632.76
|
|
802.69
|
May
|
|
521.59
|
|
528.58
|
|
474.54
|
|
594.70
|
|
670.05
|
|
765.56
|
June
|
|
519.12
|
|
489.52
|
|
480.21
|
|
607.69
|
|
684.94
|
|
764.87
|
July
|
|
511.05
|
|
441.71
|
|
496.84
|
|
578.90
|
|
720.38
|
|
742.51
|
August
|
|
493.79
|
|
443.42
|
|
518.77
|
|
576.62
|
|
711.49
|
|
749.96
|
September
|
|
432.03
|
|
407.38
|
|
510.42
|
|
593.20
|
|
716.33
|
|
754.25
|
October
|
|
450.77
|
|
424.63
|
|
548.52
|
|
602.20
|
|
700.38
|
|
785.01
|
November
|
|
483.75
|
|
448.63
|
|
567.00
|
|
637.27
|
|
733.66
|
|
809.20
|
December
|
|
508.28
|
|
429.79
|
|
576.01
|
|
663.31
|
|
738.05
|
|
804.37
|
License
Agreement with S&P
We
have
entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with the Sponsor providing for
the license to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use the Index, which
is owned and published by the Sponsor, in connection with certain securities,
including the Notes.
The
license agreement between the Sponsor and us provides that the following
language must be set forth in this pricing supplement.
“The
Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Sponsor. The Sponsor
makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the
Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in
securities generally or in the Notes particularly. The Sponsor’s only
relationship to us is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names and
service marks of the Sponsor and of the Index, which is determined, composed
and
calculated by the Sponsor without regard to us or the Notes. The Sponsor has
no
obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the Notes into
consideration in determining, composing, or calculating the Index. The Sponsor
is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the
timing of, prices at which Notes are sold, or quantities of the Notes to be
issued or in the determination or calculation of the amount payable at maturity.
The Sponsor has no obligation or liability in connection with the
administration, marketing, or trading of the Notes.
The
Sponsor does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index
or
any data included therein and the Sponsor shall have no liability for any
errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. The Sponsor makes no warranty,
express or implied, as to results to be obtained by us, owners of the Notes,
or
any other person or entity from the use of the Index or any data included
therein. The Sponsor makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly
disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
or use with respect to the Index or any data included therein. Without limiting
any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Sponsor have any liability for
any
lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages or losses,
even if notified of the possibility thereof. There are no third party
beneficiaries or any agreements or arrangements between the Sponsor and
us.”
All
disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Index, including
its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, are derived
from publicly available information prepared by the Sponsor. None of us, Bear
Stearns or the Trustee assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of such information.
CERTAIN
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The
following discussion summarizes certain of the material U.S. federal income
tax
consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership, and disposition of the
Notes. For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a
Note that is:
|
·
|
an
individual who is a citizen or a resident of the United States, for
federal income tax purposes;
|
|
·
|
a
corporation (or other entity that is treated as a corporation for
federal
tax purposes) that is created or organized in or under the laws of
the
United States or any State thereof (including the District of
Columbia);
|
|
·
|
an
estate whose income is subject to federal income taxation regardless
of
its source; or
|
|
·
|
a
trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary
supervision over its administration, and one or more United States
persons
(as defined for federal income tax purposes) have the authority to
control
all of its substantial decisions.
|
For
purposes of this summary, a “non-U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of a Note
that is:
|
·
|
a
nonresident alien individual for federal income tax
purposes;
|
|
·
|
a
foreign corporation for federal income tax
purposes;
|
|
·
|
an
estate whose income is not subject to federal income tax on a net
income
basis; or
|
|
·
|
a
trust if no court within the United States is able to exercise primary
jurisdiction over its administration or if United States persons
(as
defined for federal income tax purposes) do not have the authority
to
control all of its substantial
decisions.
|
An
individual may, subject to certain exceptions, be deemed to be a resident of
the
United States for federal income tax purposes by reason of being present in
the
United States for at least 31 days in the calendar year and for an aggregate
of
at least 183 days during a three year period ending in the current calendar
year
(counting for those purposes all of the days present in the current year, one
third of the days present in the immediately preceding year, and one sixth
of
the days present in the second preceding year).
This
summary is based on interpretations of the Code, regulations issued thereunder,
and rulings and decisions currently in effect (or in some cases proposed),
all
of which are subject to change. Any of those changes may be applied
retroactively and may adversely affect the federal income tax consequences
described herein. This summary addresses only holders that purchase Notes at
initial issuance, and own Notes as capital assets and not as part of a
“straddle,” “hedge,” “synthetic security,” or “conversion transaction” for
federal income tax purposes or as part of some other integrated investment.
This
summary does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to
particular investors or to investors subject to special treatment under the
federal income tax laws (such as banks, thrifts or other financial institutions;
insurance companies; securities dealers or brokers, or traders in securities
electing mark-to-market treatment; regulated investment companies or real estate
investment trusts; small business investment companies; S corporations;
investors that hold their Notes through a partnership or other entity treated
as
a partnership for federal tax purposes; investors whose functional currency
is
not the U.S. dollar; certain former citizens or residents of the United States;
persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; retirement plans or other
tax-exempt entities, or persons holding the Notes in tax-deferred or
tax-advantaged accounts; or “controlled foreign corporations” or “passive
foreign investment companies” for federal income tax purposes). This summary
also does not address the tax consequences to shareholders, or other equity
holders in, or beneficiaries of, a holder, or any state, local or foreign tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the Notes.
Accordingly,
prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect
to
the federal, state and local tax consequences of investing in the Notes, as
well
as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction
to
which they may be subject.
PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE,
LOCAL, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND
DISPOSITION OF NOTES.
There
are
no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions
addressing the characterization for federal income tax purposes of securities
with terms that are substantially the same as those of the Notes. Accordingly,
the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes is uncertain. Under
one approach, the Notes would be treated as pre-paid cash-settled forward or
other executory contracts with respect to the Index. We intend to treat the
Notes consistent with this approach, and pursuant to the terms of the Notes,
you
agree to treat the Notes consistent with this approach. Except as otherwise
provided in “—Alternative Characterizations and Treatments,” the balance of this
summary assumes that the Notes are so treated.
Federal
Income Tax Treatment of U.S. Holders
Upon
the
receipt of cash at maturity of a Note or upon the sale, exchange or other
disposition of a Note in a taxable transaction, a U.S. holder generally will
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized
at
maturity or upon the sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. holder’s
tax basis in the Note. A U.S. holder’s tax basis in a Note will generally be
equal to the U.S. holder’s cost for the Note. Any such gain or loss generally
will constitute capital gain or loss, and if held for more than a year at the
time of maturity, sale, exchange or other disposition, generally should be
long-term capital gain or loss. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate
taxpayers are generally eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The ability
of
U.S. holders to use capital losses to offset ordinary income is
limited.
Alternative
Characterizations and Treatments
Although
we intend to treat each Note as a pre-paid cash-settled forward or other
executory contract as described above, there are no statutory provisions,
regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the
characterization of securities with terms that are substantially the same as
those of the Notes, and therefore the Notes could be subject to some other
characterization or treatment for federal income tax purposes. For example,
each
Note could be treated as a “contingent payment debt instrument” for federal
income tax purposes. In this event, a U.S. holder would be required to accrue
original issue discount income, subject to adjustments, at the “comparable
yield” of the Notes and any gain recognized with respect to the Note generally
would be treated as ordinary income. Prospective investors should consult their
tax advisors as to the federal income tax consequences to them if the Notes
are
treated as debt instruments for federal income tax purposes.
In
additional, certain proposed Treasury regulations require the accrual of income
on a current basis for contingent payments made under certain “notional
principal contracts.” The preamble to the proposed regulations states that the
“wait and see” method of accounting does not properly reflect the economic
accrual of income on those contracts and requires current accrual of income
for
some contracts already in existence. While the proposed regulations do not
apply
to pre-paid forward contracts, the preamble to the proposed regulations
indicates that similar timing issues exist in the case of pre-paid forward
contracts. If the IRS or the U.S. Treasury Department publishes future guidance
requiring current economic accrual for contingent payments on pre-paid forward
contracts, it is possible that a U.S. holder could be required to accrue income
over the term of the Notes.
Other
alternative federal income tax characterizations or treatments of the Notes
are
possible, and if applied could also affect the timing and the character of
the
income, gain, or loss with respect to the Notes.
Prospective
investors in the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the tax
consequences to them of purchasing Notes, including any alternative
characterizations and treatments.
Federal
Income Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders
A
non-U.S. holder that is not subject to U.S. federal income tax as a result
of
any direct or indirect connection to the United States other than its ownership
of a Note should not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in
respect of the Notes so long as (1) the non-U.S. holder provides an appropriate
statement, signed under penalties of perjury, identifying the non-U.S. holder
and stating, among other things, that the non-U.S. holder is not a United States
person (as defined for federal income tax purposes), (2) the non-U.S. holder
is
not a bank that has purchased the Notes in the ordinary course of its trade
or
business of making loans, as described in section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code,
(3)
the non-U.S. holder is not a “10-percent shareholder” within the meaning of
section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code or a “related controlled foreign corporation”
within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code with respect to us,
and
(4) the Index actively traded within the meaning of section 871(h)(4)(C)(v)
of
the Code. We expect that the Index will be treated as actively traded within
the
meaning of section 871(h)(4)(C)(v) of the Code.
If
any of
these conditions are not met, a 30% withholding tax may apply to payments on
the
Notes, unless an income tax treaty reduces or eliminates such tax or the income
is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the
United States by such non-U.S. holder. In the latter case, such non-U.S. holder
should be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to all income from
the
Notes at regular rates applicable to U.S. taxpayers, and, for a foreign
corporation, possibly branch profits tax, unless an applicable treaty reduces
or
eliminates such tax.
In
general, the gain realized on the maturity, sale, exchange or other disposition
of the Notes by a non-U.S. holder should not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax unless the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted
by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. holder
will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any income or gain
in
respect of the Note at the regular rates applicable to U.S. taxpayers, and,
for
a foreign corporation, possibly branch profits tax, unless an applicable treaty
reduces or eliminates such tax, or the non-U.S. holder is an individual that
is
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the
maturity, sale, exchange or other disposition and certain other conditions
are
satisfied, in which case the non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to tax
at
a rate of 30% on the amount by which the non-U.S. holder's capital gains derived
from the maturity, sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Notes
and other assets that are from U.S. sources exceed capital losses allocable
to
U.S. sources.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Distributions
made on the Notes and proceeds from the sale of Notes to or through certain
brokers may be subject to a “backup” withholding tax on “reportable payments”
unless, in general, the holder of Notes complies with certain procedures or
is
an exempt recipient. Any amounts so withheld from distributions on the Notes
generally would be refunded by the IRS or allowed as a credit against the holder
of Notes federal income tax, provided the holder of Notes makes a timely filing
of an appropriate tax return or refund claim.
Reports
will be made to the IRS and to holder of Notes that are not exempt from the
reporting requirements.
CERTAIN
ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
Section
4975 of the Code prohibits the borrowing of money, the sale of property and
certain other transactions involving the assets of plans that are qualified
under the Code ("Qualified Plans") or individual retirement accounts ("IRAs")
and persons who have certain specified relationships to them. Section 406 of
the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), prohibits
similar transactions involving employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA
("ERISA Plans"). Qualified Plans, IRAs and ERISA Plans are referred to as
"Plans."
Persons
who have such specified relationships are referred to as "parties in interest"
under ERISA and as "disqualified persons" under the Code. "Parties in interest"
and "disqualified persons" encompass a wide range of persons, including any
fiduciary (for example, investment manager, trustee or custodian) of a Plan,
any
person providing services (for example, a broker) to a Plan, the Plan sponsor,
an employee organization any of whose members are covered by the Plan, and
certain persons related to or affiliated with any of the foregoing.
The
purchase and/or holding of securities by a Plan with respect to which we, Bear
Stearns and/or certain of our affiliates is a fiduciary and/or a service
provider (or otherwise is a "party in interest" or "disqualified person") would
constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA
or
Section 4975 of the Code, unless such securities are acquired or held pursuant
to and in accordance with an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.
Each of us and Bear Stearns is considered a "disqualified person" under the
Code
or "party in interest" under ERISA with respect to many Plans, although neither
we nor Bear Stearns can be a "party in interest" to any IRA other than certain
employer−sponsored IRAs, as only employer−sponsored IRAs are covered by
ERISA.
Applicable
administrative exemptions may include certain prohibited transaction class
exemptions (for example, Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption ("PTCE") 84−14
relating to qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 96−23 relating to
certain in−house asset managers, PTCE 91−38 relating to bank collective
investment funds, PTCE 90−1 relating to insurance company separate accounts and
PTCE 95−60 relating to insurance company general accounts).
It
should
also be noted that the recently enacted Pension Protection Act of 2006 contains
a new statutory exemption from the prohibited transaction provisions of Section
406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code for transactions involving certain
parties in interest or disqualified persons who are such merely because they
are
a service provider to a Plan, or because they are related to a service provider.
Generally, the new exemption would be applicable if the party to the transaction
with the Plan is a party in interest or a disqualified person to the Plan but
is
not (i) an employer, (ii) a fiduciary who has or exercises any discretionary
authority or control with respect to the investment of the Plan assets involved
in the transaction, (iii) a fiduciary who renders investment advice (within
the
meaning of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code) with respect to those assets,
or
(iv) an affiliate of (i), (ii) or (iii). Any Plan fiduciary relying on this
new
statutory exemption (Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of
the
Code) and purchasing securities on behalf of a Plan will be deemed to represent
that (x) the fiduciary has made a good faith determination that the Plan is
paying no more than, and is receiving no less than, adequate consideration
in
connection with the transaction and (y) neither we, Bear Stearns nor any of
our
affiliates directly or indirectly exercises any discretionary authority or
control or renders investment advice (as defined above) with respect to the
assets of the Plan which such fiduciary is using to purchase the Notes, both
of
which are necessary preconditions to utilizing this new exemption. Any purchaser
that is a Plan is encouraged to consult with counsel regarding the application
of the new exemption.
A
fiduciary who causes a Plan to engage, directly or indirectly, in a non−exempt
prohibited transaction may be subject to a penalty under ERISA, and may be
liable for any losses to the Plan resulting from such transaction. Code Section
4975 generally imposes an excise tax on disqualified persons who engage,
directly or indirectly, in non−exempt transactions with the assets of Plans
subject to such Section. If an IRA engages in a prohibited transaction, the
assets of the IRA are deemed to have been distributed to the IRA
beneficiaries.
In
accordance with ERISA’s general fiduciary requirements, a fiduciary with respect
to any ERISA Plan who is considering the purchase of securities on behalf of
such plan should consider the foregoing information and the information set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing
supplement, and should determine whether such purchase is permitted under the
governing plan document and is prudent and appropriate for the ERISA Plan in
view of its overall investment policy and the composition and diversification
of
its portfolio. Fiduciaries of Plans established with, or for which services
are
provided by, us, Bear Stearns and/or certain of our affiliates should consult
with counsel before making any acquisition. Each purchaser of any securities,
the assets of which constitute the assets of one or more Plans, and each
fiduciary that directs such purchaser with respect to the purchase or holding
of
such securities, will be deemed to represent that the purchase, holding and
disposition of the securities does not and will not constitute a prohibited
transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which
an
exemption is not available.
Certain
employee benefit plans, such as governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32)
of ERISA) and, if no election has been made under Section 410(d) of the Code,
church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), are not subject to Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. However, such plans may be subject
to
the provisions of applicable federal, state or local law ("Similar Law") similar
to the foregoing provisions of ERISA or the Code. Fiduciaries of such plans
("Similar Law Plans") should consider applicable Similar Law when investing
in
the securities. Each fiduciary of a Similar Law Plan will be deemed to represent
that the Similar Law Plan’s acquisition and holding of the securities will not
result in a non−exempt violation of applicable Similar Law.
The
sale
of any security to a Plan or a Similar Law Plan is in no respect a
representation by us or any of our affiliates that such an investment meets
all
relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by Plans or Similar
Law
Plans generally or any particular Plan or Similar Law Plan, or that such an
investment is appropriate for a Plan or a Similar Law Plan generally or any
particular Plan or Similar Law Plan.
USE
OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING
We
will
use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes for general corporate purposes
and in part for hedging by us or one or more of our subsidiaries (including
BSIL) of our obligations under the Notes by the purchase and sale of
exchange-traded and over-the-counter options on, or other derivative or
synthetic instruments related to, the Index, individual futures contracts
included in the Index, futures contracts on the Index and/or options on such
futures contracts. At various times after the initial offering and before the
maturity of the Notes, depending on market conditions (including the Index
Level), in connection with hedging with respect to the Notes, we expect that
we
and/or one or more of our subsidiaries will increase or decrease those initial
hedging positions using dynamic hedging techniques and may take long or short
positions in the Index, individual futures contracts included in the Index,
listed or over-the-counter options contracts in, or other derivative or
synthetic instruments related to, the Index and such individual futures
contracts. In addition, we and/or one or more of our subsidiaries may
periodically purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the
Notes
and may, in our or its discretion, hold or resell such Notes. We or one or
more
of our subsidiaries may also take positions in other types of appropriate
financial instruments that may become available in the future. If we or one
or
more of our subsidiaries has a long hedge position in the Index, individual
futures contracts included in the Index or options contracts in, or other
derivative or synthetic instruments related to, the Index and such underlying
futures contracts, then we or one or more of our subsidiaries may liquidate
a
portion of its holdings at or about the time of the maturity of the Notes.
Depending on, among other things, future market conditions, the total amount
and
the composition of such positions are likely to vary over time. We will not
be
able to ascertain our profits or losses from any hedging position until such
position is closed out and any offsetting position or positions are taken into
account. Although we have no reason to believe that such hedging activity will
have a material effect on the price of such options, futures contracts or
options on futures contracts or on the Index Level, we cannot guarantee that
we
and one or more of our subsidiaries will not affect such levels as a result
of
its hedging activities. You should also refer to “Use of Proceeds” in the
accompanying prospectus.
SUPPLEMENTAL
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Distribution Agreement dated as
of
August 16, 2006, as amended, we have agreed to sell to Bear Stearns, as
principal, and Bear Stearns has agreed to purchase from us, the aggregate
principal amount of Notes set forth opposite its name below.
Agent
|
|
Principal
Amount of Notes
|
|
Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc.
|
|
$
|
1,036,000
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
1,036,000
|
|
Bear
Stearns intends to initially offer $1,036,000 of the Notes to the public at
the
offering price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, and
to
subsequently resell the remaining face amount of the Notes at prices related
to
the prevailing market prices at the time of resale. In the future, Bear Stearns
may repurchase and resell the Notes in market-making transactions, with resales
being made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of resale
or at negotiated prices. We will offer the Notes to Bear Stearns without a
discount.
Payment
of the purchase price shall be made in funds that are immediately available
in
New York City.
The
agents may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We have agreed to indemnify the
agents against or to make contributions relating to certain civil liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have agreed to reimburse
the
agents for certain expenses.
The
Notes
are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. The Notes
will
not be listed on any securities exchange and we do not expect a trading market
to develop. Bear Stearns has advised us that, following completion of the
offering of the Notes, it intends under ordinary market conditions to indicate
prices for the Notes on request, although it is under no obligation to do so
and
may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice.
Accordingly, no guarantees can be given as to whether an active trading market
for the Notes will develop or, if such a trading market develops, as to the
liquidity of such trading market. We cannot guarantee that bids for outstanding
Notes will be made in the future, nor can we predict the price at which any
such
bids will be made. The Notes will cease trading as of the close of business
on
the Maturity Date.
Because
Bear Stearns is our wholly-owned subsidiary, each distribution of the Notes
will
conform to the requirements set forth in Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct
Rules.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the Notes will be passed upon for us by Cadwalader, Wickersham
&
Taft LLP, New York, New York.
|
|
|
|
You
should only rely on the information contained in this pricing
supplement
and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. We
have not
authorized anyone to provide you with information or to make
any
representation to you that is not contained in this pricing supplement
and
the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. If anyone
provides
you with different or inconsistent information, you should not
rely on it.
This pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement
and
prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities, or a solicitation
of
an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the
offer or
sale is not permitted. You should not under any circumstances
assume that
the information in this pricing supplement and the accompanying
prospectus
supplement and prospectus is correct on any date after their
respective
dates.
|
|
|
The
Bear Stearns
Companies
Inc.
$1,036,000
Medium-Term
Notes, Series B
Linked
to the Performance of the
S&P
MidCap 400®
Index
Due
January 30, 2011
______________________________
PRICING
SUPPLEMENT
______________________________
Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc.
January
30, 2007
|
|
|
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pricing
Supplement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Summary
|
PS-2
|
|
Key
Terms
|
PS-4
|
|
Questions
and Answers
|
PS-5
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
PS-9
|
|
Description
of the Notes
|
PS-15
|
|
Description
of the Index
|
PS-21
|
|
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
|
PS-26
|
|
Certain
ERISA Considerations
|
PS-28
|
|
Use
of Proceeds and Hedging
|
PS-30
|
|
Supplemental
Plan of Distribution
|
PS-30
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
PS-31
|
|
|
|
|
Prospectus
Supplement
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
S-3
|
|
Pricing
Supplement
|
S-8
|
|
Description
of Notes
|
S-8
|
|
Certain
US Federal Income Tax Considerations
|
S-32
|
|
Supplemental
Plan of Distribution
|
S-46
|
|
Listing
|
S-47
|
|
Validity
of the Notes
|
S-47
|
|
Glossary
|
S-47
|
|
|
|
|
Prospectus
|
|
Where
You Can Find More Information
|
1
|
|
The
Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
|
2
|
|
Use
of Proceeds
|
4
|
|
Description
of Debt Securities
|
4
|
|
Description
of Warrants
|
16
|
|
Description
of Preferred Stock
|
21
|
|
Description
of Depositary Shares
|
25
|
|
Description
of Depository Contracts
|
28
|
|
Description
of Units
|
31
|
|
Book-Entry
Procedures and Settlement
|
33
|
|
Limitations
on Issuance of Bearer Debt Securities and Bearer Warrants
|
43
|
|
Plan
of Distribution
|
44
|
|
ERISA
Considerations
|
48
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
49
|
|
Experts
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|