SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 18, 2004
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE File No. 1-8989 13-3286161
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(State or other (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) Number)
383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179
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(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 272-2000
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Not Applicable
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(former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events
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Filed herewith are copies of:
(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to legality of the
3.25% Global Notes due 2009 to be issued by the Company.
(b) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain federal
income tax consequences described in the Prospectus Supplement,
dated March 18, 2004, to the Prospectus, dated November 17, 2003
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by the
Company (Registration No. 333-109793).
(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired:
Not applicable.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information:
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-109793) as
exhibits to such Registration Statement:
5(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to legality of
the 3.25% Global Notes due 2009 to be issued by the Company.
8(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
federal income tax consequences (Included in Exhibit 5(a)).
23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
Exhibit 5(a)).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
By: /s/ Jeffrey M. Farber
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Jeffrey M. Farber
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: March 25, 2004
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibit No. Description
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5(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to legality of
the 3.25% Global Notes due 2009 to be issued by The Bear
Stearns Companies Inc.
8(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
federal income tax consequences (Included in Exhibit 5(a)).
23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
Exhibit 5(a)).