Unassociated Document
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
|
|
Amount
of
Registration
Fee(1)
|
Medium
Term Notes, Series B
|
|
$7,000,000
|
|
$214.90
|
(1)
Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The filing fee of $214.90 is being paid in connection with the
registration of these Medium-Term Notes, Series B.
Filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration
No. 333-136666
PRICING
SUPPLEMENT
(To
Prospectus Dated August 16, 2006 and
Prospectus
Supplement Dated August 16, 2006)
The
Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
$7,000,000
Principal Protected Leveraged Lookback Notes, Linked to the Strengthening of
the
Brazilian Real, Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee and Chinese Yuan Exchange Rates
against the U.S. Dollar, Due November 30, 2009
·
|
The
Notes are 100% principal protected if held to maturity and are linked
to
an equally weighted basket (the “Basket”) consisting of
the currency exchange rates between: (1) the U.S. Dollar and the
Brazilian Real (the “BRL Exchange Rate”); (2) the U.S. Dollar and the
Russian Ruble (the “RUB Exchange Rate”); (3) the U.S. Dollar and the
Indian Rupee (the “INR Exchange Rate”); and (4) the U.S. Dollar and
the Chinese Yuan (the
“CNY Exchange Rate” and, together with the BRL Exchange Rate, the RUB
Exchange Rate and the INR Exchange Rate, each a “Component” and
collectively the “Components”),
each expressed as the number of units of the U.S. Dollar, per Brazilian
Real, Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee or Chinese Yuan (each a “Reference
Currency” and collectively the “Reference Currencies”), as
applicable. The
weighting of each Component is fixed at 25% and will not change,
unless
any Component is modified during the term of the Notes.
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 is based on the Highest
Basket Performance.
|
·
|
If,
at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the
Cash
Settlement Value per note will equal $1,000 plus the product of:
(a)
$1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the Participation Rate multiplied
by
(c) the Highest Basket Performance.
|
·
|
If,
at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is less than or equal
to 0%,
the Cash Settlement Value per Note will equal $1,000. Because the
Notes
are 100% principal protected if held to maturity, in no event will
the
Cash Settlement Value at maturity be less than $1,000 per
Note.
|
·
|
The
Participation Rate is 150.00%.
|
·
|
The
Highest Basket Performance is equal to the greatest of the four Basket
Performances.
|
·
|
The
Basket Performance, with respect to an Observation Date, is equal
to the
quotient (expressed as a percentage) of (i) the sum of the four Component
Performances, for such Observation Date, divided
by
(ii) 4. The “Component Performance” with respect to each Component on the
applicable Observation Date, is the percentage resulting from the
quotient
of (a) the applicable Observation Fixing Level minus the Initial
Fixing
Level, divided by (b) the Initial Fixing Level. For the avoidance
of
doubt, the Basket Performance is greater
when the Exchange Rates, on average, increase,
as increasing Exchange Rates mean that fewer units of the respective
Reference Currency are required to purchase one U.S.
Dollar.
|
·
|
The
Observation Dates are scheduled to be May 27, 2008; November 27,
2008, May
27, 2009; and November 24, 2009 (the “Final Observation Date”). The
Observation Dates are subject to adjustment as described
herein.
|
·
|
The
Maturity Date for the Notes is expected to be November 30, 2009.
If the
Final Observation Date is postponed, the Maturity Date will be three
Business Days following the postponed Final Observation
Date.
|
·
|
The
CUSIP number for the Notes is
073928Y72.
|
·
|
The
Notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation
system.
|
INVESTMENT
IN THE NOTES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. 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-11.
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 price1
|
|
|
100.00%‡
|
|
$
|
7,000,000
|
|
Agent’s
discount
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
$
|
122,500
|
|
Proceeds,
before expenses, to us
|
|
|
98.25
|
%
|
$
|
6,877,500
|
|
1
Investors
who purchase an aggregate amount of at least $1,000,000 of Notes will be
entitled to purchase such Notes for 99.00% of the principal amount.
‡Any
additional reissuances will be offered at a price to be determined at the time
of pricing of each offering of Notes, which will be a function of the prevailing
market conditions and the Components at the time of the relevant
sale.
We
may
grant the agents a 13-day option from the date of the final pricing supplement,
to purchase from us up to an additional $1,050,000 of Notes at the public
offering price, less the agent’s discount, to cover any
over-allotments.
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 the Settlement Date, 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. 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 the principal 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, Principal Protected Notes,
Linked to the Strengthening of the Brazilian Real, Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee
and Chinese Yuan Exchange Rates against the U.S. Dollar, Due November 30, 2009
(the “Notes”) are Notes whose return is tied or “linked” to an equally weighted
basket (the “Basket”) comprised of the currency exchange rates between: (i) the
U.S. Dollar and the Brazilian Real (the “BRL Exchange Rate”); (ii) the U.S.
Dollar and the Russian Ruble (the “RUB Exchange Rate”); (iii) the U.S. Dollar
and the Indian Rupee (the “INR Exchange Rate”); and (iv) the U.S. Dollar and the
Chinese Yuan (the “CNY Exchange Rate” and, together with the BRL Exchange Rate,
the RUB Exchange Rate and the INR Exchange Rate, each a “Component” and
collectively the “Components”), each expressed as the number of units of the
U.S. Dollar, per Brazilian Real, Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee or Chinese Yuan
(each a “Reference Currency” and collectively the “Reference Currencies”), as
applicable. The weighting of each Component is fixed at 25% and will not change,
unless any Component is modified during the term of the Notes. When we refer
to
Notes in this pricing supplement, we mean Notes with a principal amount of
$1,000. The Notes are principal protected if held to maturity.
On
the
Maturity Date, you will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an amount in cash
that is based on the Highest Basket Performance. The Highest Basket Performance
is equal to the greatest of the four Basket Performances. The Basket
Performance, with respect to an Observation Date, is equal to the quotient
(expressed as a percentage) of (i) the sum of the four Component Performances,
for such Observation Date, divided
by
(ii) 4.
The Component Performance with respect to each Component on the applicable
Observation Date, is the percentage resulting from the quotient of (a) the
applicable Observation Fixing Level minus the Initial Fixing Level, divided
by
(b) the Initial Fixing Level. For the avoidance of doubt, the Basket Performance
is greater
when the
Exchange Rates, on average, increase,
as
increasing Exchange Rates mean that fewer units of the respective Reference
Currency are required to purchase one U.S. Dollar. If, at maturity, the Highest
Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement Value per note will
equal $1,000 plus the product of: (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the
Participation Rate multiplied
by
(c) the
Highest Basket Performance. If, at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance
is
less than or equal to 0%, the Cash Settlement Value per Note will equal $1,000.
Because the Notes are 100% principal protected if held to maturity, in no event
will the Cash Settlement Value at maturity be less than $1,000 per Note. We
will
not pay any interest during the term of the Notes.
Selected
Investment Considerations
|
·
|
Full
principal protection—If, at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is
less than or equal to 0%, in all cases the Cash Settlement Value
per Note
will be $1,000. Because the Notes are 100% principal protected, in
no
event will the Cash Settlement Value, at maturity, be less than $1,000
per
Note.
|
|
·
|
Bullish
on the Reference Currencies / Bearish on the U.S. Dollar—The Notes may be
an attractive investment for investors who have a bullish view, on
average, of the Reference Currencies relative to the U.S. Dollar
(or
equivalently, a bearish view, on average, of the U.S. Dollar relative
to
the Reference Currencies). If, at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance
is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement Value per note will equal
$1,000
plus the product of: (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the Participation Rate multiplied
by
(c) the Highest Basket Performance. Therefore the Notes will allow
you to
participate in 150.00% of the Highest Basket Performance, at maturity.
The
Highest Basket Performance will only be positive if, on any Observation
Date, the value of the U.S. Dollar depreciates relative to the Initial
Fixing Levels of the Reference Currencies. If, on each Observation
Date,
the U.S. Dollar appreciates in value relative to the Reference Currencies,
the Cash Settlement Value payable at maturity, and therefore the
market
value of the Notes, will be adversely
affected.
|
|
·
|
No
current income—We will not pay any interest on the Notes. 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.
Because the Cash Settlement Value depends upon the Highest Basket
Performance, the effective yield to maturity on the Notes is not
known and
may not be enough to compensate you for any opportunity cost implied
by
inflation and other factors relating to the time value of
money.
|
|
·
|
Diversification—
The Basket represents the relationship between each of the Reference
Currencies and the U.S. Dollar. The Basket Performance on an Observation
Date is greater
when
the Exchange Rates, on average, increase,
as increasing Exchange Rates mean that fewer units of the respective
Reference Currency are required to purchase one U.S. Dollar. Therefore,
the Notes may allow you to diversify an existing portfolio or
investment.
|
Selected
Risk Considerations
|
·
|
Possible
loss of value in the secondary market—Your principal investment in the
Notes is 100% protected only if you hold your Notes to maturity.
If you
sell your Notes prior to the Maturity Date, you may receive less,
and
possibly significantly less, than your initial investment in the
Notes.
|
|
·
|
Volatility
of the Components—The Components are volatile and are affected by numerous
factors specific to each country represented by a Reference Currency.
The
value of each Reference Currency relative to the U.S. Dollar, which
is
primarily affected by the supply and demand for the respective Reference
Currency and the U.S. Dollar, may be affected by political, economic,
financial, legal, accounting and tax matters specific to the country
in
which the Reference Currency is the official
currency.
|
|
·
|
No
interest, dividend or other payments—During the term of the Notes, you
will not receive any periodic interest or other distributions and
such
payments will not be included in the calculation of the Cash Settlement
Value payable at maturity.
|
|
·
|
Not
listed on any securities exchange or quotation system—You should be aware
that we cannot ensure that a secondary market in the Notes will develop;
and, if such market does develop, it may not be liquid. Our subsidiary,
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. (“Bear
Stearns”)
has advised us that it intends, under ordinary market conditions,
to
indicate prices for the Notes upon 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. In any event,
any
such market-making activities will cease as of the close of business
on
the Maturity Date.
|
|
·
|
Components
may not move in tandem—At
a time when the value of one or more of the Reference Currencies
increases, the value of one or more of the other Reference Currencies
may
decline. Therefore, in calculating the Basket Performance with respect
to
an Observation Date, increases in the value of one or more of the
Reference Currencies against the U.S. Dollar may be moderated, or
wholly
offset, by lesser increases or declines in the value of one or more
of the
other Reference Currencies against the U.S.
Dollar.
|
|
·
|
Not
subject to the special rules for nonfunctional currency contingent
payment
debt instruments—We intend to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt
instruments that are subject to taxation as described under the heading
“Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax
Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax
Purposes—Contingent Payment Debt Instruments” in the accompanying
prospectus supplement.
|
KEY
TERMS
Issuer:
|
The
Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
|
Face
Amount:
|
The
Notes will be denominated in U.S. Dollars. Each Note will be issued
in
minimum denominations of $1,000, with amounts in excess thereof in
integral multiples of $1,000. When we refer to Notes in this pricing
supplement, we mean Notes with a principal amount of
$1,000.
|
Further
Issuances:
|
Under
certain limited circumstances, and at our sole discretion, we may
offer
further issuances of the Notes. These further issuances, if any,
will be
consolidated to form a single series with the Notes and will have
the same
CUSIP number and will trade interchangeably with the Notes immediately
upon settlement.
|
Basket:
|
The
Basket is comprised of the currency exchange rates between: (1) the
U.S. Dollar and the Brazilian Real (the “BRL Exchange Rate”); (2) the
U.S. Dollar and the Russian Ruble (the “RUB Exchange Rate”); (3) the
U.S. Dollar and the Indian Rupee (the “INR Exchange Rate”); and
(4) the U.S. Dollar and the Chinese Yuan (the “CNY Exchange Rate”
and, together with the BRL Exchange Rate, the RUB Exchange Rate and
the
INR Exchange Rate, each a “Component” and collectively the “Components”),
each expressed as the number of units of the U.S. Dollar, per Brazilian
Real, Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee or Chinese Yuan (each a “Reference
Currency”), as applicable. The weighting of each Component is fixed at 25%
and will not change, unless any Component is modified during the
term of
the Notes.
|
Cash
Settlement Value:
|
On
the Maturity Date, you will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an
amount
in cash that is based on the Highest Basket
Performance:
|
|
If,
at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the
Cash
Settlement Value per note will equal $1,000 plus the product of:
(a)
$1,000 multiplied by (b) the Participation Rate multiplied by (c)
the
Highest Basket Performance.
|
|
If,
at maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is less than or equal
to 0%,
the Cash Settlement Value per Note will equal $1,000. Because the
Notes
are 100% principal protected if held to maturity, in no event will
the
Cash Settlement Value at maturity be less than $1,000 per
Note.
|
Highest
Basket Performance:
|
Will
be equal to the greatest of the four Basket
Performances.
|
Basket
Performance:
|
With
respect to an Observation Date, is equal to the quotient (expressed
as a
percentage) of (i) the sum of the four Component Performances, for
such
Observation Date, divided
by
(ii) 4.
|
|
For
the avoidance of doubt, the Basket Performance is greater
when the Exchange Rates, on average, increase,
as increasing Exchange Rates mean that fewer units of the respective
Reference Currency are required to purchase one U.S.
Dollar.
|
Component
Performance:
|
With
respect to each Component, on the applicable Observation Date, is
the
percentage resulting from the quotient of (a) the applicable Observation
Fixing Level minus the Initial Fixing Level, divided by (b) the Initial
Fixing Level.
|
Participation
Rate:
|
150.00%.
|
Initial
Fixing Level:
|
0.5550
with respect to the BRL Exchange Rate (“BRL Initial”); 0.04097 with
respect to the RUB Exchange Rate (“RUB Initial”); 0.02520 with respect to
the INR Exchange Rate (“INR Initial”); and 0.1353 with respect to the CNY
Exchange Rate(“CNY Initial”) which, in each case, represents the Currency
Exchange Rate of such Component on the Initial Fixing
Date.
|
Observation
Fixing Level:
|
With
respect to each Component, the Currency Exchange Rate on the relevant
Observation Date (referred to as “BRL Observation”, “RUB Observation”,
“INR Observation” and “CNY Observation”, as applicable), as determined by
the Calculation Agent.
|
Currency
Exchange Rate:
|
With
respect to each Component, the quotient of (i) one divided
by
(ii) the number of units of the applicable Reference Currency which
can be
exchanged for one unit of the U.S. Dollar as stated on the Fixing
Page on
the applicable Observation Date.
|
|
If,
with respect to a Component, no fixing is published on any Observation
Date or the Initial Fixing Date, the relevant fixing level shall
be
determined by the Calculation Agent for such Observation Date or
the
Initial Fixing Date, as applicable.
|
Fixing
Page:
|
With
respect to the BRL Exchange Rate, the ask side exchange rate published
on
Bloomberg page BZFXPTAX <Currency> <Go>;
with respect to the RUB Exchange Rate, the spot exchange rate published
on
Reuters page EMTA; with respect to the INR Exchange Rate, the reference
rate published on Bloomberg page INRRATE <Currency> <Go>; and
with respect to the CNY Exchange Rate, the reference rate published
on
Bloomberg page CYCFUSD <Currency>
<Go>.
|
Observation
Dates:
|
May
27, 2008; November 27, 2008; May 27, 2009; and November 24, 2009
(the
“Final Observation Date”) provided that, with respect to a Component, (i)
if such date is not a Component Business Day (as defined herein)
for that
Component, then the Observation Date for that Component will be the
next
succeeding day that is a Component Business Day for that Component
and
(ii) if a Market Disruption Event (as defined herein) exists for
that
Component on the Observation Date, the Observation Date for that
Component
will be the next Component Business Day for that Component on which
a
Market Disruption Event does not exist for that Component. If the
Observation Date for any Component is postponed for three consecutive
Component Business Days due to the existence of a Market Disruption
Event,
then, notwithstanding the existence of a Market Disruption Event
on that
third Component Business Day, that third Component Business Day will
be
the Observation Date for that Component. If no Market Disruption
Event
exists with respect to a Component on the Observation Date, the
determination of that Component’s Observation Fixing Level will be made on
the Observation Date, irrespective of the existence of a Market Disruption
Event with respect to one or more of the other
Components.
|
Initial
Fixing Date:
|
November
28, 2007
|
Maturity
Date:
|
The
Notes are expected to mature on November 30, 2009 unless such date
is not
a Business Day, in which case the Maturity Date shall be the next
Business
Day. If the Final Observation Date is postponed, the Maturity Date
will be
three Business Days following the Final Observation Date, as postponed
for
the last Component for which an Observation Fixing Level is
determined.
|
Interest:
|
The
Notes will not bear interest.
|
Business
Day:
|
Means
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.
|
Component
Business Day:
|
With
respect to any Component, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday,
on
which banking institutions in the cities of (i) New York, New York,
(ii)
London, England, and (iii) the Local Jurisdiction are not authorized
or
obligated by law or executive order to
close.
|
Local
Jurisdiction:
|
With
respect to the BRL Exchange Rate: São Paulo, Brazil; with respect to the
RUB Exchange Rate: Moscow, Russia; with respect to the INR Exchange
Rate:
Mumbai, India; and with respect to the CNY Exchange Rate: Beijing,
China.
|
Exchange
Listing:
|
The
Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation
system.
|
Calculation
Agent:
|
Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc.
|
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 Basket. The Notes may be an attractive investment for
investors who have a bullish view, on average, of the Reference Currencies
relative to the U.S. Dollar. 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 November 30, 2009. 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 the Notes,” for a detailed description of the Notes prior to
making an investment in the Notes.
Are
the Notes equity or debt securities?
The
Notes
are our unsecured debt securities. The Notes are 100% principal protected if
held to maturity. However, the Notes differ from traditional debt securities
in
that the Notes provide you with participation in 150.00% of the Highest Basket
Performance if the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%.
Are
there any risks associated with my investment?
Yes.
The
Notes are subject to a number of risks. You should refer to the section “Risk
Factors” in this pricing supplement and the section “Risk Factors” in the
accompanying prospectus supplement.
What
will I receive at maturity of the Notes?
We
have
designed the Notes for investors who want to protect their initial investment
by
receiving at least 100% of the principal amount of their Notes at
maturity.
On the
Maturity Date, you will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an amount in cash
that depends upon the Highest Basket Performance. The Cash Settlement Value,
per
Note, will be calculated as follows:
If,
at
maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement
Value per note will equal $1,000 plus the product of: (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the Participation Rate multiplied by (c) the Highest Basket Performance.
If,
at
maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is less than or equal to 0%, the Cash
Settlement Value per Note will equal $1,000. Because the Notes are 100%
principal protected if held to maturity, in no event will the Cash Settlement
Value at maturity be less than $1,000 per Note.
The
“Highest Basket Performance” will be equal to the greatest of the four Basket
Performances.
The
“Basket Performance” with respect to an Observation Date, is equal to the
quotient (expressed as a percentage) of (i) the sum of the four Component
Performances, for such Observation Date, divided
by
(ii)
4.
For
the
avoidance of doubt, the Basket Performance is greater when the Exchange Rates,
on average, increase, as increasing Exchange Rates mean that fewer units of
the
respective Reference Currency are required to purchase one U.S.
Dollar.
The
“Component Performance” with respect to each Component, on the applicable
Observation Date, is the percentage resulting from the quotient of (a) the
applicable Observation Fixing Level minus the Initial Fixing Level, divided
by
(b) the Initial Fixing Level.
The
“Participation Rate” is 150.00%.
For
more
specific information about the Cash Settlement Value and for an illustrative
example, you should refer to the section “Description of the
Notes.”
Will
there be additional offering of the Notes?
Under
certain limited circumstances, and at our sole discretion, we may offer further
issuances of the Notes. These further issuances, if any, will be consolidated
to
form a single series with the Notes and will have the same CUSIP number and
will
trade interchangeably with the Notes immediately upon settlement. Any additional
issuance will increase the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes
of this series to include the aggregate principal amount of any Notes bearing
the same CUSIP number that are issued pursuant to (i) any 13-day option we
grant
to Bear Stearns, and (ii) any future issuances of Notes bearing the same CUSIP
number. The price of any additional offerings will be determined at the time
of
pricing of each offering, which will be a function of the prevailing market
conditions and the value of the Basket at the time of the relevant sale.
We
intend
to treat any additional offerings of Notes as part of the same issue as the
Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, for purposes of the
Treasury regulations governing original issue discount on debt instruments,
we
will treat any additional offerings of Notes as having the same issue date,
the
same issue price and, with respect to holders, the same adjusted issue price
as
the Notes. Consequently, the “issue price” of any additional offering of Notes
for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be the first price at which a
substantial amount of the Notes were sold to the public (excluding sales to
bond
houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity
of
underwriters, placement agents, or wholesalers). If we offer further issuances
of the Notes, we will disclose the treatment of any relevant accrued interest.
What
does “principal
protected” mean?
“Principal
protected” means that your initial principal investment in the Notes will not be
at risk as a result of a negative Highest Basket Performance, provided the
Notes
are held to maturity. If the Highest Basket Performance is less than 0%
(i.e.,
the
value of the U.S. Dollar has appreciated, on average, against the Reference
Currencies on each of the Observation Dates), the Cash Settlement Value, per
Note, will equal $1,000. Because the Notes are 100% principal protected if
held
to maturity, in no event will the Cash Settlement Value be less than $1,000
per
Note.
Will
I receive interest on the Notes?
You
will
not receive any periodic interest payments on the Notes. The only payment you
will receive, if any, will be the Cash Settlement Value upon the maturity of
the
Notes.
How
have
the Components performed historically?
We
have
provided graphs showing the historical levels of the Components beginning in
October 2002. You can find these tables in the section “Description of the
Basket—Historical Data on the Components” in this pricing supplement. We have
provided this historical information to help you evaluate the behavior of the
Components in various economic environments; however, please note that this
time
period is relatively limited and past performance is not indicative of the
manner in which the Components will perform in the future. You should refer
to
the section “Risk Factors—The historical performance of a Component is not an
indication of the future performance of such Component.”
Will
the Notes be listed on a securities exchange?
The
Notes
will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system; and we do
not
expect a secondary market to develop. This 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 in the future; nor can we predict the price at which any such bids will
be
made. In any event, any market-making transactions in the Notes will cease
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 once 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.”
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 increase, if any, in the value of the Reference
Currencies against the U.S. Dollar, on average, on the Observation Dates, they
may be appropriate for investors with specific investment horizons who seek
to
participate in the greatest depreciation in the value of the U.S. Dollar against
the Reference Currencies, on average, on any Observation Date. In particular,
the Notes may be an attractive investment for investors who:
|
·
|
are
seeking an investment that offers 100% principal protection if held
to
maturity and are willing to hold the Notes to
maturity;
|
|
·
|
want
150.00% exposure to the potential depreciation, on average, of the
value
of the U.S. Dollar against the Reference Currencies, on the Observation
Dates;
|
|
·
|
believe
that the value of the U.S. Dollar will decline against the Reference
Currencies, on average, on the Observation Dates, or equivalently,
that
the value, on average, of the Reference Currencies will increase
against
the U.S. Dollar, on the Observation
Dates;
|
|
·
|
are
willing to forgo interest payments or any other payments in return
for
100% principal protection if the Notes are held to maturity;
and
|
|
·
|
understand
that the values of the Components may not move in tandem and that
increases in one or more Components may be offset by decreases in
one or
more other Components.
|
The
Notes
may not be a suitable investment for you if you:
|
·
|
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
|
|
·
|
have
a bullish view of the value of the U.S. Dollar against the Reference
Currencies, on average, over the term of the
Notes.
|
What
are the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the
Notes?
We
intend
to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt instruments that are not subject
to the special rules for nonfunctional currency contingent payment debt
instruments. We intend to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt instruments
that are subject to taxation as described under the heading “Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Notes
as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes—Contingent Payment Debt
Instruments” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
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 law
similar to Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any entity any
portion of the assets of which are deemed to be “plan assets” for purposes of
ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or otherwise, 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.
RISK
FACTORS
The
Notes
are 100% principal protected if held to maturity. You will be subject to risks
not associated with conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt securities.
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 value of the Basket will fluctuate, and the possibility that you will
receive an amount less than your initial investment if the Notes are sold prior
to maturity. 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 impact on the value of, or the payment made on, the
Notes.
Your
Notes are principal protected only if you hold the Notes until
maturity.
If
you
sell your Notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than the amount you
originally invested.
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 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.”
The
Notes are subject to foreign exchange risk.
The
relationship between the U.S. Dollar and the Reference Currencies varies based
on a number of interrelated factors, including economic, financial and political
events or actions that we cannot control. There can be no assurance that the
value of the U.S. Dollar will depreciate against the Reference Currencies,
on
average, during the period from the Initial Fixing Date to the applicable
Observation Date.
The
Components are volatile and are affected by numerous factors specific to each
country represented by a Reference Currency.
The
value
of each Reference Currency relative to the U.S. Dollar, which is primarily
affected by the supply and demand for the respective Reference Currency and
the
U.S. Dollar, may be affected by political, economic, financial, legal,
accounting and tax matters specific to the country in which the Reference
Currency is the official currency. Relevant factors include the possibility
that
exchange controls with respect to the Reference Currency and U.S. Dollar could
be imposed or modified, the possible imposition of regulatory controls or taxes,
the overall growth and performance of the economies of the U.S. and Reference
Currency country, the trade and current account balance between the U.S. and
Reference Currency country, market interventions by the Federal Reserve Board
or
the central bank of the Reference Currency country, inflation, interest rate
levels, the performance of the stock markets in the U.S. and the Reference
Currency country, the stability of the governments and banking systems of the
U.S. and Reference Currency countries, wars in which the U.S. and the Reference
Currency country are directly or indirectly involved or that occur anywhere
in
the world, major natural disasters in the U.S. or the Reference Currency
country, and other foreseeable and unforeseeable events. Factors that may affect
the likelihood of the Reference Currency country imposing exchange control
restrictions include the extent of the country’s foreign currency reserves, the
balance of payments, the extent of governmental surpluses and deficits, the
size
of the country’s debt service burden relative to the economy as a whole,
regional hostilities, terrorist attacks or social unrest, and political
constraints to which the country may be subject. The Reference Currency
country’s government may choose to affect the exchange rate of its currency by
central bank intervention, imposition of regulatory controls, taxes, revaluation
or devaluation of the currency, the issuance of a replacement currency or by
other available means. The value of the Reference Currency may also be affected
by the operation of, and the identity of persons and entities trading on,
interbank and interdealer foreign exchange markets in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Investments
linked to foreign currencies involve risks associated with the currency markets
of those countries, including risks of volatility and governmental intervention
in those markets. There is also generally less publicly available information
about foreign currencies and foreign fiscal and economic policies than there
is
concerning the U.S. Dollar and U.S. fiscal and economic policies.
The
Federative Republic of Brazil.
According to publicly available information, Brazil employs a flexible exchange
rate system and relies on inflation-targeting to influence its monetary policy.
Brazil has defined inflation targets for the upcoming years and given their
Central Bank the responsibility of conducting economic policy in such a way
that
meets their inflationary objectives. Low and consistent inflation is the
overriding long-term objective of Brazil’s monetary policy. The Central Bank has
been given full authority to employ any necessary means by which to control
the
rate of inflation.
The
Russian Federation.
Accordingly to publicly available information, the Russian Central Bank’s goals
are to dampen inflation but maintain price competitiveness. Monetary policy
centers on controlling the nominal exchange rate. In order to even out the
ruble
exchange rate the Central Bank employs three methods: foreign exchange
interventions, deposit operations to regulate the level of ruble liquidity
in
the interbank market, and shifting interest rates on the Bank of Russia
operations in the money market. The Central Bank attempts to maintain a stable
exchange rate while allowing the ruble to gradually move against the dollar
based on market pressures.
The
Republic of India.
According to publicly available information, during the past decade, the Indian
government has pursued policies of economic liberalization and deregulation,
but
the government's role in the economy has remained significant. The Indian
government allows the exchange rate to float freely, without a fixed target
or
band, but will intervene when it deems necessary to preserve stability. It
also
has the ability to restrict the conversion of Rupees into foreign currencies,
and under certain circumstances investors that seek to convert Rupees into
foreign currency must obtain the approval of the Reserve Bank of India.
The
People's Republic of China.
According to publicly available information, since the beginning of 1994, the
Chinese government has used a managed floating exchange rate system, under
which
the People's Bank of China allows the Yuan to float within a specified band
around the central exchange rate that it published daily. In July 2005, the
Bank
revalued the Yuan by 2% and announced that in the future it would set the value
of the Yuan with reference to a basket of currencies rather than solely with
reference to the U.S. Dollar. In addition, the Bank recently announced that
the
reference basket of currencies used to set the value of the Yuan will be based
on a daily poll of market dealers and other undisclosed factors. To the extent
that management of the Yuan results in trading levels that do not fully reflect
market forces, any further changes in the government's management of its
currency could result in significant movement in the exchange rate between
the
Chinese Yuan and the U.S. Dollar.
The
Components may not move in tandem; and increases in one Component may be offset
by declines in another Component.
A
Component may not move in tandem with each of the other Components comprising
the Basket. At a time when the value of one or more of the Reference Currencies
increases relative to the U.S. Dollar, the value of one or more of the other
Reference Currencies may decline. Therefore, in calculating the Basket
Performance on any Observation Date, increases in the value of one or more
of
the Components may be moderated, or wholly offset, by lesser increases or
declines in the value of one or more of the other Components.
Changes
in correlation among the Components may adversely affect the value of the
Notes.
Correlation
is the extent to which the levels among the Components comprising the Basket
increase or decrease to the same degree at the same time. To the extent that
correlation among the Components changes, the value of the Notes may be
adversely affected. For example, if one Component increases sharply and the
others decline slightly or remain unchanged, the value of the Basket may
appreciate, which may cause the value of the Notes to decline. Moreover, a
sharp
decrease in the value of one or more of the Reference Currencies relative to
the
others may negatively affect the Basket Performance and, therefore, limit the
cash payment you will receive at maturity to the principal amount of your Notes.
You
must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment in the
Notes.
In
connection with your purchase of the Notes, we urge you to consult your own
financial, tax and legal advisors as to the risks entailed by an investment
in
Notes and to investigate the Reference Currencies, the Components and the Basket
and not rely on our views in any respect. You should make such investigation
as
you deem appropriate as to the merits of an investment in the Notes. In the
ordinary course of our business, we may from time to time express views on
expected movements in the foreign currency markets in general and in the
Components in particular. These views may vary over differing time horizons
and
are subject to change without notice. Moreover, other professionals who deal
in
the currency markets may at any time have views that differ significantly from
ours.
The
liquidity, trading value and Cash Settlement Value payable at maturity under
the
Notes could be affected by the actions of the governments of the United States
and the countries in which the Reference Currencies are the official
currency.
Governments,
from time to time, may not allow their currencies to float freely in response
to
economic forces or, as is currently the case with China, may use a managed
floating system. Moreover, governments, including those of the United States
and
the countries in which the Reference Currencies are the official currencies,
use
a variety of techniques, such as intervention by their central banks or
imposition of regulatory controls or taxes, to affect the exchange rates of
their respective currencies. Governments may also issue a new currency to
replace an existing currency or alter the exchange rate or relative exchange
characteristics by devaluation or revaluation of a currency. Thus, a special
risk in purchasing the Notes is that their liquidity, trading value and the
amount of cash payment on each Note at maturity could be affected by the actions
of sovereign governments which could change or interfere with currency valuation
and the movement of currencies across borders. There will be no adjustment
or
change in the terms of the Notes in the event that exchange rates should become
fixed, or in the event of any devaluation or revaluation or imposition of
exchange or other regulatory controls or taxes, or in the event of the issuance
of a replacement currency or in the event of any other development affecting
the
Basket or the U.S. Dollar.
The
Interdealer market in foreign currencies is an around-the-clock market; however,
if a secondary market develops, the Notes may trade only during regular trading
hours in the United States.
The
interdealer market for foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market.
Therefore, the hours of trading for the Notes may not conform to the hours
during which the Reference Currencies and the U.S. Dollar are traded. To the
extent that U.S. markets are closed while international markets remain open,
significant movements may take place in the underlying foreign exchange markets
that will not be reflected immediately in the price of the Notes. There is
no
systematic reporting of last-sale information for foreign currencies. Reasonable
current bid and offer information is available in certain brokers’ offices and
to others who wish to subscribe for this information, but this information
may
not necessarily reflect the spot rate relevant for determining the value of
the
Notes. The absence of last-sale information and the limited availability of
quotations to individual investors would make it difficult for many investors
to
obtain timely, accurate data about the state of the underlying foreign exchange
markets.
Tax
consequences.
We
intend
to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt instruments that are not subject
to the special rules for nonfunctional currency contingent payment debt
instruments. We intend to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt instruments
that are subject to taxation as described under the heading “Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Notes
as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes—Contingent Payment Debt
Instruments” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
The
historical performance of a
Component is not an indication of the future performance of such
Component.
The
historical performances of each Component, which is included in this pricing
supplement, should not be taken as an indication of the future performances
of
such Component. It is impossible to predict whether the value of the Reference
Currencies will fall or rise relative to the U.S. Dollar. The Reference
Currencies will be influenced by the complex and interrelated economic,
financial, regulatory, geographical, judicial, political and other factors
that
can affect the capital markets generally and the currency trading markets in
particular, and by various circumstances that can affect the value of a
particular currency in relation to another currency.
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 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 value and
volatility of the Components regardless of the value of the Basket at any given
time, changes in interest rates in the international markets, 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 value of the
Components is less than, equal to or not sufficiently above the value, on
average, of the Components on the date you purchased the Notes. 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.
|
·
|
Performance
of the Basket.
We expect that the trading value of the Notes will depend substantially
on
the amount, if any, of depreciation, on average, in the value of
the U.S.
Dollar against the Reference Currencies. If you decide to sell your
Notes
on a date before maturity when the Basket Performance would be positive
if
calculated with such date as the Maturity Date, you may nonetheless
receive substantially less than the amount that would be payable
at
maturity based on that hypothetical Basket Performance because of
expectations that the performance of the Basket will continue to
fluctuate
until the Basket Performance is determined on the Final Fixing Date.
Economic, financial, regulatory, geographical, judicial, political
and
other developments that affect the Components may also affect the
value of
the Notes.
|
|
·
|
Volatility
of the Components.
Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of
market
fluctuations. Generally, if the volatility of the Components increases,
the trading value of the Notes will increase; and, if the volatility
of
the Components decreases, the trading value of the Notes will
decrease.
|
|
·
|
Interest
rates.
We expect that the trading value of the Notes will be affected by
changes
in interest rates in the international markets. In general, if U.S.
interest rates increase, the value of outstanding debt securities
tends to
decrease; conversely, if U.S. interest rates decrease, the value
of
outstanding debt securities tends to increase. Interest rates also
may
affect the U.S. and international economies and, in turn, the Components
and the performance of the Basket, which would affect the value of
the
Notes.
|
|
·
|
Our
credit ratings, financial condition and results of
operations.
Actual or anticipated changes in our current credit ratings (A1 by
Moody’s
Investor Service, Inc., A+ by Fitch Ratings, Ltd. 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 depreciation, on average, of the value of the U.S. Dollar against
the
Reference Currencies, 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.
|
|
·
|
Time
remaining to maturity.
A
“time premium” results from expectations concerning the value of the
Basket 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.
|
|
·
|
Size
and liquidity of the secondary market.
The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange; and 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 secondary
market does develop, there can be no assurance that there will be
liquidity in the secondary market. If the secondary 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. 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 may
offset some or all of any change in the value of the Notes attributable to
another factor.
You
have no rights to receive any
Component.
Investing
in the Notes will not make you a holder of any Component. The Notes will be
paid
in U.S. Dollars, and you will have no right to receive delivery of a
Component.
The
Calculation Agent is our affiliate 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 Basket
Performance or deciding whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred. You
should refer to “Description of the Notes—Discontinuance of a Component” and
“—Market Disruption Events.” Because Bear Stearns is our affiliate, conflicts of
interest may arise in connection with our affiliate performing its role as
Calculation Agent.
Bear
Stearns and its affiliates may, at various times, engage in transactions
involving any of the Reference Currencies to which the Basket relates for their
proprietary accounts, and for other accounts under their management. These
transactions, if effected in substantial size, may influence the value of such
currencies, and therefore the value of the Basket. BSIL, an affiliate of Bear
Stearns, 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 BSIL’s
obligations under our hedge.
Trading
and other transactions by us or our affiliates could affect the
values
of the Components, the value of the Basket, 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 the Reference Currencies or
any
Components or derivative instruments related to the Reference Currencies or
any
Components 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 for our other customers and in accounts under our
management. The transactions, if effected in substantial size, could affect
the
Components or the performance of the Basket 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 Components 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 either of the
Reference Currencies or any Components, or derivative or synthetic instruments
related to the Reference Currencies or any Components, we or any of our
affiliates may liquidate a portion of such holdings at or about the time of
the
maturity of the Notes. 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 Components, we cannot
assure you that these activities will not affect such prices and the trading
value of the Notes prior to maturity or the cash amount 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 issue, underwrite or assist unaffiliated entities
in
the issuance or underwriting of other securities or financial instruments with
returns indexed to the Components. By introducing competing products into the
marketplace in this manner, we or our affiliates could adversely affect the
value of the Notes.
One
or
more of our affiliates have published, and may in the future publish, research
reports regarding the currencies to which the Basket relates. This research
may
be modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide
recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing, holding or selling the
Notes. Any of these activities may affect the trading value of the Notes.
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 movements of the
Components than do the Notes (e.g., to take a bullish rather than a bearish
view
of the U.S. Dollar).
The
Cash
Settlement Value payable at maturity 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 Final Fixing Date, a Market Disruption
Event has occurred or is continuing, the determination of the value of one
or
more Components 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, you 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—Events 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 “Currency
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 entitled “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 $7,000,000. The Notes are
expected to mature on November 30, 2009 and do not provide for earlier
redemption. The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, and in
minimum denominations of $1,000.00; provided, however, that the minimum purchase
for any purchaser domiciled in a member state of the European Economic Area
shall be $100,000.00. 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 $1,000.00 principal
amount of Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or
quotation system.
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.
Future
Issuances
Under
certain limited circumstances, and at our sole discretion, we may offer further
issuances of the Notes. These further issuances, if any, will be consolidated
to
form a single series with the Notes and will have the same CUSIP number and
will
trade interchangeably with the Notes immediately upon settlement. Any additional
issuance will increase the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes
of this series, plus the aggregate principal amount of any Notes bearing the
same CUSIP number that are issued pursuant to (i) any 13-day option we grant
to
Bear Stearns, and (ii) any future issuances of Notes bearing the same CUSIP
number. The price of any additional offerings will be determined at the time
of
pricing of each offering, which will be a function of the prevailing market
conditions and performance of the Basket at the time of the relevant
sale.
Interest
We
will
not make any periodic payments of interest on the Notes. The only payment you
will receive, if any, will be the Cash Settlement Value upon the maturity of
the
Notes.
Payment
at Maturity
We
have
designed the Notes for investors who want to protect their investment by
receiving at least 100% of the principal amount of their Notes at maturity.
On
the
Maturity Date, you will receive the Cash Settlement Value, an amount in cash
that depends upon the Highest Basket Performance. The Cash Settlement Value,
per
Note, will be calculated as follows:
If,
at
maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement
Value per note will equal $1,000 plus the product of: (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the Participation Rate multiplied by (c) the Highest Basket Performance.
If,
at
maturity, the Highest Basket Performance is less than or equal to 0%, the Cash
Settlement Value per Note will equal $1,000. Because the Notes are 100%
principal protected if held to maturity, in no event will the Cash Settlement
Value at maturity be less than $1,000 per Note.
The
“Highest Basket Performance” will be equal to the greatest of the four Basket
Performances.
The
“Basket Performance” with respect to an Observation Date, is equal to the
quotient (expressed as a percentage) of (i) the sum of the four Component
Performances, for such Observation Date, divided
by
(ii) 4.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Basket Performance is greater when the Exchange
Rates, on average, increase, as increasing Exchange Rates mean that fewer units
of the respective Reference Currency are required to purchase one U.S.
Dollar.
The
“Component Performance” with respect to each Component, on the applicable
Observation Date, is the percentage resulting from the quotient of (a) the
applicable Observation Fixing Level minus the Initial Fixing Level, divided
by
(b) the Initial Fixing Level.
The
“Participation Rate” is 150.00%.
The
“Initial Fixing Level” means 0.5550 with respect to the BRL Exchange Rate (“BRL
Initial”); 0.04097 with respect to the RUB Exchange Rate (“RUB Initial”);
0.02520 with respect to the INR Exchange Rate (“INR Initial”); and 0.1353 with
respect to the CNY Exchange Rate(“CNY Initial”) which, in each case, represents
the Currency Exchange Rate of such Component on the Initial Fixing
Date.
The
“Observation Fixing Level” means, with respect to each Component, the Currency
Exchange Rate on the relevant Observation Date (referred to as “BRL
Observation”, “RUB Observation”, “INR Observation” and “CNY Observation”, as
applicable) , as determined by the Calculation Agent.
The
“Currency Exchange Rate” means, with respect to each Component, the quotient of
(i) one divided by (ii) the number of units of the U.S. Dollar which can be
exchanged for one applicable unit of the Reference Currency as stated on the
Fixing Page on the applicable Observation Date. If, with respect to a Component,
no fixing is published on any Observation Date or the Initial Fixing Date,
the
relevant fixing level shall be determined by the Calculation Agent for such
Observation Date or the Initial Fixing Date, as applicable.
The
“Fixing Page” means with respect to the BRL Exchange Rate, the ask side exchange
rate published on Bloomberg page BZFXPTAX <Currency> <Go>; with
respect to the RUB Exchange Rate, the spot exchange rate published on Reuters
page EMTA; with respect to the INR Exchange Rate, the reference rate published
on Bloomberg page INRRATE <Currency> <Go>; and with respect to the
CNY Exchange Rate, the reference rate published on Bloomberg page CYCFUSD
<Currency> <Go>.
The
“Observation Dates” are scheduled to be May 27, 2008; November 27, 2008; May 27,
2009; and November 24, 2009 (the “Final Observation Date”); provided
that,
with
respect to a Component, (i) if such date is not a Component Business Day (as
defined herein) for that Component, then the Observation Date for that Component
will be the next succeeding day that is a Component Business Day for that
Component and (ii) if a Market Disruption Event (as defined herein) exists
for
that Component on the Observation Date, the Observation Date for that Component
will be the next Component Business Day for that Component on which a Market
Disruption Event does not exist for that Component. If the Observation Date
for
any Component is postponed for three consecutive Component Business Days due
to
the existence of a Market Disruption Event, then, notwithstanding the existence
of a Market Disruption Event on that third Component Business Day, that third
Component Business Day will be the Observation Date for that Component. If
no
Market Disruption Event exists with respect to a Component on the Observation
Date, the determination of that Component’s Observation Fixing Level will be
made on the Observation Date, irrespective of the existence of a Market
Disruption Event with respect to one or more of the other
Components.
The
“Initial Fixing Date” is November 28, 2007.
The
“Maturity Date” is scheduled to be November 30, 2009 unless such date is not a
Business Day, in which case the Maturity Date shall be the next Business Day.
If
the Final Observation Date is postponed, the Maturity Date will be three
Business Days following the Final Observation Date, as postponed for the last
Component for which an Observation Fixing Level is determined.
A
“Business Day” means 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.
A
“Component Business Day” means with respect to any Component, any day other than
a Saturday or Sunday, on which banking institutions in the cities of (i) New
York, New York, (ii) London, England, and (iii) the Local Jurisdiction are
not
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
The
“Local Jurisdiction” means with respect to the BRL Exchange Rate: São Paulo,
Brazil; with respect to the RUB Exchange Rate: Moscow, Russia; with respect
to
the INR Exchange Rate: Mumbai, India; and with respect to the CNY Exchange
Rate:
Beijing, China.
The
“Calculation Agent” is Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
Illustrative
Examples:
The
following illustrative examples demonstrating the hypothetical Cash Settlement
Value of a Note are based on the assumptions outlined below. The examples do
not
purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases
or
decreases in the Components or the Basket Performances. You should not construe
these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of
the
Notes. Actual returns may be different. Numbers are rounded for the ease of
use.
These illustrative examples demonstrating the hypothetical Cash Settlement
Value
of a Note are based on the following assumptions:
|
·
|
Investor
purchases $1,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes at the initial
public
offering price of $1,000.
|
|
·
|
Investor
holds the Notes to maturity.
|
|
·
|
The
Initial Fixing Level is 0.5456 with respect to the BRL Exchange Rate;
0.0402 with respect to the RUB Exchange Rate; 0.0251 with respect
to the
INR Exchange Rate; and 0.1332 with respect to the CNY Exchange
Rate.
|
|
·
|
The
Participation Rate is 150.00%
|
|
·
|
All
returns are based on a 2-year term; pre-tax
basis.
|
|
·
|
No
Market Disruption Events or Events of Default occur during the term
of the
Notes.
|
Hypothetical
Example 1: The Basket Performance is negative on the first Observation Date,
yet
steadily appreciates over the term of the Notes.
Step
1: Calculate the Highest Basket Performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRL
Exchange Rate
|
|
RUB
Exchange Rate
|
|
INR
Exchange Rate
|
|
CNY
Exchange Rate
|
|
Basket
Performance
|
|
Initial
Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5456
|
|
|
0.0402
|
|
|
0.0251
|
|
|
0.1332
|
|
|
--
|
|
First
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5447
|
|
|
0.0357
|
|
|
0.0250
|
|
|
0.1342
|
|
|
-2.75
|
%
|
Second
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5633
|
|
|
0.0352
|
|
|
0.0268
|
|
|
0.1595
|
|
|
4.33
|
%
|
Third
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.6070
|
|
|
0.0366
|
|
|
0.0279
|
|
|
0.1707
|
|
|
10.40
|
%
|
Fourth
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.6003
|
|
|
0.0423
|
|
|
0.0321
|
|
|
0.1764
|
|
|
18.89
|
%
|
In
this
example, the Highest Basket Performance is 18.89%.
Step
2: Calculate the Cash Settlement Value at maturity.
Because
the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement Value
per
Note is equal to $1,000 plus the product of (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the
Participation Rate multiplied
by
(c) the
Highest Basket Performance (or, $1,000 + ($1,000 x 150.00% x 18.89%)).
Therefore, the Cash Settlement Value at maturity is $1,283.35 per Note
representing a 28.34% return on investment over the term of the Notes. This
example illustrates that although the Basket Performance may be negative on
one
or more Observation Dates, the Cash Settlement Value payable at maturity is
based on the Highest Basket Performance over the term of the Notes.
Hypothetical
Example 2: The Basket Performance appreciates over the first three Observation
Dates, and declines as of the Final Observation Date.
Step
1: Calculate the Highest Basket Performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRL
Exchange Rate
|
|
RUB
Exchange Rate
|
|
INR
Exchange Rate
|
|
CNY
Exchange Rate
|
|
Basket
Performance
|
|
Initial
Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5456
|
|
|
0.0402
|
|
|
0.0251
|
|
|
0.1332
|
|
|
--
|
|
First
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5913
|
|
|
0.0448
|
|
|
0.0251
|
|
|
0.1361
|
|
|
5.50
|
%
|
Second
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.6262
|
|
|
0.0521
|
|
|
0.0254
|
|
|
0.1425
|
|
|
13.14
|
%
|
Third
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.6196
|
|
|
0.0507
|
|
|
0.0285
|
|
|
0.1509
|
|
|
16.63
|
%
|
Fourth
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5979
|
|
|
0.0507
|
|
|
0.0253
|
|
|
0.1464
|
|
|
11.60
|
%
|
In
this
example, the Highest Basket Performance is 16.63%.
Step
2: Calculate the Cash Settlement Value at maturity.
Because
the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement Value
per
Note is equal to $1,000 plus the product of (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the
Participation Rate multiplied
by
(c) the
Highest Basket Performance (or, $1,000 + ($1,000 x 150.00% x 16.63%)).
Therefore, the Cash Settlement Value at maturity is $1,249.45 per Note
representing a 24.95% return on investment over the term of the Notes. This
example illustrates that although the Basket Performance may decline as of
the
Final Observation Date, the Cash Settlement Value payable at maturity is based
on the Highest Basket Performance over the term of the Notes.
Hypothetical
Example 3: The Basket Performance is negative on two Observation Dates and
positive on the other two Observation Dates.
Step
1: Calculate the Highest Basket Performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRL
Exchange Rate
|
|
RUB
Exchange Rate
|
|
INR
Exchange Rate
|
|
CNY
Exchange Rate
|
|
Basket
Performance
|
|
Initial
Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5456
|
|
|
0.0402
|
|
|
0.0251
|
|
|
0.1332
|
|
|
--
|
|
First
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5306
|
|
|
0.0394
|
|
|
0.0259
|
|
|
0.1204
|
|
|
-2.79
|
%
|
Second
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5387
|
|
|
0.0398
|
|
|
0.0291
|
|
|
0.1382
|
|
|
4.36
|
%
|
Third
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5203
|
|
|
0.0382
|
|
|
0.0285
|
|
|
0.1381
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
|
Fourth
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5247
|
|
|
0.0359
|
|
|
0.0267
|
|
|
0.1314
|
|
|
-2.38
|
%
|
In
this
example, the Highest Basket Performance is 4.36%.
Step
2: Calculate the Cash Settlement Value at maturity.
Because
the Highest Basket Performance is greater than 0%, the Cash Settlement Value
per
Note is equal to $1,000 plus the product of (a) $1,000 multiplied
by
(b) the
Participation Rate multiplied
by
(c) the
Highest Basket Performance (or, $1,000 + ($1,000 x 150.00% x 4.36%)). Therefore,
the Cash Settlement Value at maturity is $1,065.40 per Note representing a
6.54%
return on investment over the term of the Notes. This example illustrates that
although the Basket Performance may be negative on the first and last
Observation Date, the Cash Settlement Value payable at maturity is based on
the
Highest Basket Performance over the term of the Notes.
Hypothetical
Example 4: The Basket Performance is negative on each Observation Date over
the
term of the Notes.
Step
1: Calculate the Highest Basket Performance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BRL
Exchange Rate
|
|
RUB
Exchange Rate
|
|
INR
Exchange Rate
|
|
CNY
Exchange Rate
|
|
Basket
Performance
|
|
Initial
Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5456
|
|
|
0.0402
|
|
|
0.0251
|
|
|
0.1332
|
|
|
--
|
|
First
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5264
|
|
|
0.0381
|
|
|
0.0238
|
|
|
0.1284
|
|
|
-4.38
|
%
|
Second
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5220
|
|
|
0.0385
|
|
|
0.0234
|
|
|
0.1222
|
|
|
-5.90
|
%
|
Third
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5206
|
|
|
0.0349
|
|
|
0.0232
|
|
|
0.1142
|
|
|
-9.90
|
%
|
Fourth
Observation Fixing Level
|
|
|
0.5075
|
|
|
0.0345
|
|
|
0.0253
|
|
|
0.1178
|
|
|
-7.98
|
%
|
In
this
example, the Highest Basket Performance is -4.38%.
Step
2: Calculate the Cash Settlement Value at maturity.
Because
the Highest Basket Performance is less than 0%, the Cash Settlement Value at
maturity is $1,000 per Note representing a 0.00% return on investment over
the
term of the Notes. This example illustrates that because the Notes are 100%
principal protected, in no event will the Cash Settlement Value, at maturity,
be
less than $1,000 per Note.
Discontinuance
of a
Component
If
the
Calculation Agent determines that a Reference Currency has been removed from
circulation or otherwise discontinued and banks dealing in foreign exchange
and
foreign currency deposits in the Reference Currency have commenced trading
a
successor or substitute currency substantially similar to the Reference Currency
that the Calculation Agent determines to be comparable to the Reference Currency
(the “Successor Currency”), then any applicable Basket Performance will be
determined by reference to the Successor Currency at the time determined by
the
Calculation Agent on the markets for the Successor Currency on the applicable
Observation Date.
If
the
Calculation Agent determines that any Successor Currency shall be utilized
for
purposes of calculating any Basket Performance, the Calculation Agent will
make
such calculations and adjustments as may be necessary in order to arrive at
such
Basket Performance and the Highest Basket Performance.
Upon
any
selection by the Calculation Agent of a Successor Currency, the Calculation
Agent will notify us and the Trustee, who will provide notice to you. If a
Successor Currency is selected by the Calculation Agent, the Successor Currency
will be used as a substitute for the Reference Currency for all purposes,
including for purposes of calculating the Cash Settlement Value and determining
whether a Market Disruption Event exists.
If
the
Calculation Agent determines that (i) it is unable to select a Successor
Currency and, as a result is unable to determine for three consecutive Business
Days the applicable Basket Performance, or (ii) that a Reference Currency has
been removed from circulation or otherwise discontinued and that no Successor
Currency is available at such time, the Calculation Agent will determine the
value of the Component relating to such Reference Currency to be used for the
applicable Basket Performance determination. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
if a
Reference Currency has been removed from circulation or otherwise discontinued,
and the Calculation Agent determines that no Successor Currency is available
at
such time and no Successor Currency is likely to become available, the
Calculation Agent may (a) at maturity, calculate any applicable Basket
Performance occurring following such circumstances described in (i) or (ii)
above without regard to the Component relating to such Reference Currency,
or
(b) accelerate the Maturity Date for the Notes, calculate the Highest Basket
Performance based upon any Basket Performances determined prior to such
acceleration as specified above and calculate the Cash Settlement Value based
upon such Highest Basket Performance.
Market
Disruption Events
If
there
is a Market Disruption Event with respect to a Component on any Observation
Date, the Observation Fixing Level with respect to that Component will be
determined on the basis of the first succeeding Component Business Day on which
there is no Market Disruption Event with respect to that Component. In no event,
however, will the date with respect to which the Observation Fixing Level with
respect to that Component is determined be a date that is more than three
Component Business Days following the original date that, but for the Market
Disruption Event, would have been utilized to determine the applicable Basket
Performance. In that case, the third Component Business Day will be deemed
to be
the applicable Observation Date, notwithstanding the Market Disruption Event,
and the Calculation Agent will determine the applicable Basket Performance
on
that third Component Business Day in accordance with the method of calculating
the Basket Performance in effect prior to the Market Disruption Event (that
would have prevailed but for such suspension or limitation) as of that third
Component Business Day.
A
“Market
Disruption Event”
means
any of the following events, as determined by the Calculation
Agent:
(a) the
occurrence or existence of any condition or event (other than an event described
in (b) below) which the Calculation Agent determines is material that, at any
time, disrupts or impairs (as determined by the Calculation Agent) the ability
of market participants in general through legal channels to (A) convert a
Reference Currency or any Successor Currency into U.S. Dollars, (B) deliver
U.S.
Dollars from accounts within the Local Jurisdiction for the any Reference
Currency or any Successor Currency, to accounts outside such jurisdiction,
or
(C) to deliver any Reference Currency or any Successor Currency between accounts
within the Local Jurisdiction to a person that is a non-resident of such
jurisdiction; or
(b)
any
other event that, in the determination of the Calculation Agent, materially
interferes with our ability or our affiliates’ ability to unwind all or a
material portion of a hedge with respect to the Notes that we or our affiliates
have effected or may effect.
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 Notes will
be
equal to the cash payment at maturity calculated 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 by Bear Stearns will be made 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 Basket
General
We
obtained all information regarding the Reference Currencies and the Components
contained in this pricing supplement from publicly available information without
independent verification. We do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy
or completeness of any information relating to the Reference Currencies or
the
Components.
The
weighting of each Component is fixed at 25% and will not change, unless any
Component is modified during the term of the Notes.
Historical
Data on the Components
The
graphs below were constructed using historical data regarding the Components.
The historical data is for illustrative purposes and is not indicative of the
future performance of the Components or the future value of the Notes. While
the
value of the Components will determine the performance of the Basket, it is
impossible to predict whether the performance of the Basket will rise or fall
during the term of the Notes. Trading prices of the Components will be
influenced by both the complex and interrelated political, economic, financial
and other factors that can affect the currency markets generally and the markets
for the Components in particular. Any historical upward or downward trend in
the
value of the Components during any period set forth below is not an indication
that the Components are more or less likely to increase or decrease at any
time
during the term of the Notes. All information in the tables that follow was
obtained from the Bloomberg Financial Service, without independent
verification.
The
graphs below set forth the historical currency exchange rates for each Component
(each expressed as the number of units of the U.S. Dollar which can be exchanged
for one unit of the respective Component) for the five year period beginning
October 25, 2002 and ending October 25, 2007.
BRL
Exchange Rate
RUB
Exchange Rate
INR
Exchange Rate
CNY
Exchange Rate
Foreign
Exchange Market
The
foreign exchange market is the largest and most liquid financial market in
the
world. The foreign exchange market is predominantly an over-the-counter market,
with no fixed location and it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
London, New York City and Tokyo are the principal geographic centers of the
world-wide foreign exchange market. Other, smaller markets include Singapore,
Zurich and Frankfurt.
There
are
three major kinds of transactions in the traditional foreign exchange markets:
spot transactions, outright forwards and foreign exchange swaps. “Spot” trades
are foreign exchange transactions that settle typically within two business
days
with the counterparty to the trade. “Forward” trades are transactions that
settle on a date beyond spot, and “swap” transactions are transactions in which
two parties exchange two currencies on one or more specified dates over an
agreed period and exchange them again when the period ends. There also are
transactions in currency options, which trade both over-the-counter and, in
the
U.S., on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Currency futures are transactions
in
which an institution buys or sells a standardized amount of foreign currency
on
an organized exchange for delivery on one of several specified dates, but
typically closes out the contract prior to making or taking delivery. Currency
futures are traded in a number of regulated markets, including the International
Monetary Market division of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the Singapore
Exchange Derivatives Trading Limited (formerly the Singapore International
Monetary Exchange) and the London International Financial Futures
Exchange.
Participants
in the foreign exchange market have various reasons for participating.
Multinational corporations and importers need foreign currency to acquire
materials or goods from abroad. Banks and multinational corporations sometimes
require specific wholesale funding for their commercial loan or other foreign
investment portfolios. Some participants hedge open currency exposure through
off-balance-sheet products.
The
primary market participants in foreign exchange are banks (including
government-controlled central banks), investment banks, money managers,
multinational corporations and institutional investors. The most significant
participants are the major international commercial banks that act both as
brokers and as dealers. In their dealer role, these banks maintain long or
short
positions in a currency and seek to profit from changes in exchange rates.
In
their broker role, the banks handle buy and sell orders from commercial
customers, such as multinational corporations. The banks earn commissions when
acting as agent. They profit from the spread between the rates at which they
buy
and sell currency for customers when they act as principal.
CERTAIN
U.S.
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The
following discussion (in conjunction with the discussion in the prospectus
supplement) summarizes certain of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, beneficial ownership, and disposition of the
Notes. We intend to treat the Notes as contingent payment debt instruments
that
are not subject to the special rules for nonfunctional currency contingent
payment debt instruments. We intend to treat the Notes as contingent payment
debt instruments that are subject to taxation as described under the heading
“Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—U.S. Federal Income Tax
Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax
Purposes—Contingent Payment Debt Instruments” in the accompanying prospectus
supplement. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, each Holder agree to treat
the
Notes consistent with our treatment for all U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The comparable yield for U.S. Holders will be an annual rate of 5.70%, and
the
Calculation Agent has determined that the projected payment schedule for the
Notes consists of a projected cash settlement value at maturity equal to $117.25
in respect of each Note. Based
upon the comparable yield for the Notes, a U.S. Holder that pays taxes on a
calendar year basis and buys one Note for $1,000 and holds it to maturity would
be required to accrue the following amounts of ordinary income from the Note
each year: $4.44 in 2007, $57.25 in 2008, and $55.55 in 2009. However, for 2009,
the amount of ordinary income on which a U.S. Holder will be required to pay
taxes in respect of a Note may be greater or less than $55.55, depending upon
the Cash Settlement Value. U.S. Holders should note that the actual projected
payment schedule may vary from the figures provided herein depending upon market
conditions on the date the Notes are issued. The Calculation Agent’s estimate of
the comparable yield of the Notes is based on an issue price of Notes equal
to
the principal amount of the Notes. U.S. Holders may obtain the actual comparable
yield by contacting The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.,
Bill Bamber at (212) 272-6635.
If,
on
any Observation Date that is six months or more prior to the Final Observation
Date, the Basket Performance is such that the Cash Settlement Value to be paid
on the Maturity Date is certain to be greater than the contingent payment for
the Maturity Date that is reflected on the projected payment schedule, a U.S.
Holder may be required to treat the difference between the net present value
of
such Basket Performance and the net present value of the contingent payment
for
the Maturity Date that is reflected on the projected payment schedule (each
net
present value determined by discounting the amount to the Observation Date
at
the comparable yield) as a positive adjustment that is recognized on the
Observation Date. In this event, the U.S. Holder would be taxable in the taxable
year that includes the Observation Date on an amount that exceeds the cash
payments on the Note in such year and that exceeds the amount that would have
been included in income in such year had the positive adjustment not occurred.
In addition, in this event, the projected Cash Settlement Value that is
reflected in the projected payment schedule would be increased by the absolute
difference between the Basket Performance that is certain to be paid on the
Maturity Date and the contingent payment for the Maturity Date that is reflected
on the projected payment schedule. Prospective investors should consult their
tax advisors with respect to their treatment in this event.
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
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, an 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 Notes 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 the Notes are acquired or held pursuant
to
and in accordance with an applicable statutory or administrative exemption.
Each
of us, Bear Stearns and Bear Stearns Securities Corp. is considered a
“disqualified person” under the Code or a “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 Pension Protection Act of 2006 contains a 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
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 statutory
exemption (Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code)
and
purchasing Notes 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 exemption. Any purchaser that is
a
Plan is encouraged to consult with counsel regarding the application of the
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 Notes 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 Notes, 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
Notes, will be deemed to represent that the purchase, holding and disposition
of
the Notes 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 Notes. Each fiduciary of a Similar Law Plan will be deemed to represent
that
the Similar Law Plan’s (direct or indirect) acquisition and holding of the Notes
will not result in a non-exempt violation of applicable Similar Law.
The
sale
of any Note 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.
We or one or more of our subsidiaries (including BSIL) may hedge 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
Reference Currencies or any Component, cash or forward contract positions in
the
Reference Currencies, futures contracts on the Components 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 levels
of
the Components), 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 any of these instruments. 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 any of these instruments then we
or
one or more of our subsidiaries may liquidate a portion of these instruments
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 any of these instruments or on the Components, we cannot
guarantee that we and one or more of our subsidiaries will not affect such
prices or the Components 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
June 19, 2003, 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.
|
|
|
|
Agents
|
|
Principal
Amount of Notes
|
|
Bear,
Stearns & Co. Inc.
|
|
$
|
7,000,000
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
7,000,000
|
|
The
agents intend to initially offer $7,000,000 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. Potential investors should
understand that, as described on the cover, investors who purchase an aggregate
amount of at least $1,000,000 of Notes in this initial distribution will be
entitled to purchase such Notes for 99.00% of the principal amount. In the
future, the agents 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 at a discount of 98.25% of the price at which the Notes are offered
to the public. Bear Stearns may reallow a discount to other agents not in excess
of 98.25% of the public offering price.
In
order
to facilitate the offering of the Notes, we may grant the agents a 13-day option
from the date of the final pricing supplement, to purchase from us up to an
additional $1,050,000 of Notes at the public offering price, less the agent’s
discount, to cover any over-allotments. The agents may over-allot or effect
transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the Notes at a
level higher than that which might otherwise prevail in the open market.
Specifically, the agents may over-allot or otherwise create a short position
in
the Notes for its own account by selling more Notes than have been sold to
them
by us. If this option is exercised, in whole or in part, subject to certain
conditions, the agents will become obligated to purchase from us and we will
be
obligated to sell to the agents an amount of Notes equal to the amount of the
over-allotment exercised. The Agents may elect to cover any such short position
by purchasing Notes in the open market.
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. 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 secondary market. The Notes
will not be listed on any securities exchange; and we do not expect a secondary
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 secondary market
for the Notes will develop or, if such a secondary market develops, as to the
liquidity of such secondary 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,
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,
the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. If anyone
provides
you with different or inconsistent information, you should not
rely on it.
This pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement
and
prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes, and these documents
are
not soliciting an offer to buy these Notes, 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, the accompanying
prospectus supplement and prospectus is correct on any date after
their
respective dates.
|
|
The
Bear Stearns
Companies
Inc.
$7,000,000
Medium-Term
Notes, Series B
Linked
to the Strengthening of the Brazilian
Real,
Russian Ruble, Indian Rupee and
Chinese
Yuan Exchange Rates against the U.S. Dollar
Due
November 30, 2009
PRICING
SUPPLEMENT
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
|
|
Pricing
Supplement
|
|
|
|
Page
|
|
Summary
|
PS-2
|
|
Key
Terms
|
PS-4
|
|
Questions
and Answers
|
PS-7
|
|
Risk
Factors
|
PS-11
|
|
Description
of the Notes
|
PS-17
|
|
Description
of the Basket
|
PS-24
|
|
Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
|
PS-27
|
|
Certain
ERISA Considerations
|
PS-27
|
|
Use
of Proceeds and Hedging
|
PS-29
|
|
Supplemental
Plan of Distribution
|
PS-29
|
|
Legal
Matters
|
PS-30
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|