Business: Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., 8% Callable STRIDES (Callable STock Return Income DEbt Securities), issued at $25 per unit, due 4/04/2005 and linked to the price of Applied Materials Inc. (Nasdaq: AMAT) common stock. Distributions of 8% ($2.00) per annum are paid quarterly on 1/4, 4/4, 7/4 & 10/4 to holders of record on 12/19, 3/19, 6/19 & 9/19 respectively. At maturity, if not called prior to the maturity date, the STRIDES will deliver the number of shares of Applied Materials common stock equal to the then current share multiplier for each STRIDES. The initial share multiplier is 1.22669284 ($25 divided by the $20.38 market price as of 3/23/2004). The STRIDES are callable at Merrill Lynch's option on or after 10/05/2004. If called, the payment will be in cash to provide a yield to call, including interest payments, of 17.5% per year. If the price of Applied Materials common stock falls below $1.00 per share, the STRIDES will be redeemed by delivery of the number of shares of Applied Materials common stock equal to the then current share multiplier for each STRIDES plus a redemption amount. The STRIDES are senior unsecured debt securities of Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. and rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Merrill Lynch. See the IPO Prospectus for further information on the STRIDES by clicking on the ‘Link to IPO Prospectus’ provided below.