================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                    FORM 10-K

                      ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
                 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                 -----------------------------------------------

                  For the fiscal year ended December 25, 1998

                    Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III
      (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of trust)

                         Commission File No.: 1-7182-06

               Delaware                                  13-7139561
   (State or other jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
    incorporation or organization)
        World Financial Center
             North Tower
          New York, New York                               10281
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:    (212) 449-1000

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class                    Name of each exchange on which registered
-------------------                    -----------------------------------------
7% Trust Originated Preferred          New York Stock Exchange 
Securities ("TOPrS") 
(and the related guarantee)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

                    Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.
      (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of limited
                                  partnership)

                         Commission File No.: 1-7182-05

               Delaware                                  13-3982448
    (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     incorporation or organization)         
         World Financial Center
              North Tower
           New York, New York                               10281
(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:     (212) 449-1000

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class                    Name of each exchange on which registered
-------------------                    -----------------------------------------
7% Partnership Preferred               New York Stock Exchange 
Securities
(and the related guarantee)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to
such requirements for the past 90 days. Yes |X| No |_|

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. |X|

As of March 23, 1999, no voting stock was held by non-affiliates of the
Registrants.

                      Documents Incorporated By Reference:

Prospectus, dated January 12, 1998, filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) in connection
with Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-42859) filed by the Registrants
and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. -- Incorporated by reference in Part I
================================================================================
<PAGE>

                                     PART I

ITEM 1. Business

      Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III

      Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") is a statutory
business trust formed under the Delaware Business Trust Act, as amended,
pursuant to a declaration of trust and the filing of a certificate of trust with
the Secretary of State on December 19, 1997, which was subsequently amended by
an amended and restated declaration of trust dated as of January 12, 1998. The
Trust exists for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing trust securities,
consisting of 7% Trust Originated Preferred Securities (the "TOPrS") and trust
common securities (the "Trust Common Securities"), representing undivided
beneficial ownership interests in the assets of the Trust, (ii) investing the
gross proceeds of the trust securities in 7% Partnership Preferred Securities
(the "Partnership Preferred Securities") issued by Merrill Lynch Preferred
Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership"), and (iii) engaging in only those other
activities necessary or incidental thereto.

      Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.

      The Partnership is a limited partnership formed under the Delaware Revised
Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended, pursuant to an agreement of limited
partnership and the filing of a certificate of limited partnership with the
Secretary of State on December 19, 1997, which was subsequently amended by an
amended and restated agreement of limited partnership dated January 16, 1998.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") is the sole general partner of the
Partnership. The Partnership is managed by the general partner and exists for
the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing its partnership interests, consisting of
the Company's general partner interest and the Partnership Preferred Securities,
(ii) investing the proceeds thereof in certain eligible securities of the
Company and wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company (the "Affiliate Investment
Instruments") and certain eligible debt securities, and (iii) engaging in only
those other activities necessary or incidental thereto.

      The information set forth under the headings "Merrill Lynch Preferred
Capital Trust III", "Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.", "Description of
the Trust Preferred Securities", "Description of the Trust Guarantee",
"Description of the Partnership Preferred Securities", "Description of the
Partnership Guarantee", and "Use of Proceeds" in the Prospectus dated January
12, 1998 of the Trust and the Partnership is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 2. Properties

      Not Applicable.

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings

      The Registrants know of no material legal proceedings involving the Trust,
the Partnership or the assets of either of them.

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

      No matter was submitted to a vote of holders of any securities of the
Trust or the Partnership during the fiscal year covered by this report.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Registrants' Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

      (a) There is no established public market for the Trust Common Securities
or the general partnership interest in the Partnership.


                                       1
<PAGE>

      (b) All of the Trust Common Securities and the entire general partnership
interest in the Partnership are owned of record and beneficially by the Company.

      (c) The Company, as holder of the Trust Common Securities, is entitled to
receive cumulative cash distributions accumulating from January 16, 1998 and
payable quarterly in arrears on each March 30, June 30, September 30 and
December 30, commencing March 30, 1998, at an annual rate of 7% of the
liquidation amount per annum. Distributions not paid on the scheduled payment
date will accumulate and compound quarterly at a rate per annum equal to 7%. The
certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership does not require any
regular periodic distributions to be made to the general partner; however, to
the extent that aggregate payments to the Partnership on the Affiliate
Investment Instruments and on certain eligible debt securities exceed
distributions accumulated or payable with respect to the Partnership Preferred
Securities, the Partnership may at times have excess funds which shall be
allocated to and may, in the general partner's sole discretion, be distributed
to the general partner.

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

      The Registrant's activities are limited to issuing securities and
investing the proceeds as described in ITEM 1. -- Business, above. Accordingly,
the financial statements included herein in response to ITEM 8. -- Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data are incorporated by reference in response to
this item.

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

      The Registrant's activities are limited to issuing securities and
investing the proceeds as described in ITEM 1. -- Business above. Since the
Trust was organized on December 19, 1997, its activities, as specified in its
declaration of trust, have been limited to the issuance of the TOPrS and the
Trust Common Securities, the investing of the proceeds in the Partnership
Preferred Securities, and the payment of distributions on the TOPrS and the
Trust Common Securities in accordance with their terms. Since the Partnership
was organized on December 19, 1997, its activities, as specified in its
agreement of limited partnership, have been limited to the issuance of the
Partnership Preferred Securities, the receipt of a capital contribution from the
Company, as general partner, the investment of the proceeds in Affiliate
Investment Instruments and certain eligible debt securities, and the payment of
distributions on the Partnership Preferred Securities.

      As the millennium approaches, Merrill Lynch has undertaken initiatives to
address the Year 2000 problem (the "Y2K problem"). The Y2K problem is the result
of a widespread programming technique that causes computer systems to identify a
date based on the last two numbers of a year, with the assumption that the first
two numbers of the year are "19". As a result, the year 2000 would be stored as
"00," causing computers to incorrectly interpret the year as 1900. Left
uncorrected, the Y2K problem may cause information technology systems (e.g.,
computer databases) and non-information technology systems (e.g., elevators) to
produce incorrect data or cease operating completely. The Trust and the
Partnership have no independent operations and are dependent upon Merrill Lynch.
The Y2K problem, and the steps Merrill Lynch has taken to address this problem,
are more fully discussed in the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 1998 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

      On January 16, 1998, the Trust invested the gross proceeds from the sale
of the Trust Common Securities and the TOPrS in the Partnership Preferred
Securities (the "Trust Assets"). The Partnership, in turn, invested the proceeds
from the sale of the Partnership Preferred Securities and a capital contribution
from ML & Co. in certain Affiliate Investment Instruments and eligible
securities (the "Partnership Assets"). To the extent the Partnership has funds
available from the Partnership Assets, the general partner of the Partnership
may declare distributions to the Trust, as holder of the Partnership Preferred
Securities. The Trust's ability to pay distributions to the holders of the TOPrS
is dependent on its receipt of distributions on the Trust Assets from the
Partnership. Therefore, upon the receipt by the Partnership of payments from the
Partnership Assets and the distribution thereof to the Trust, the Trust will
pass through such payments to the holders of the TOPrS.


                                       2
<PAGE>

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

      In response to this ITEM 8, the financial statements and notes thereto and
the independent auditors' reports set forth on pages F-1 through F-15 are
incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
        Financial Disclosures

      None.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

      The Trustees of the Trust are as follows:

            Regular Trustees:       Theresa Lang
                                    Stanley Schaefer

            Property Trustee:       The Chase Manhattan Bank

            Delaware Trustee:       Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware

      Theresa Lang is Senior Vice President and Treasurer of the Company.
Stanley Schaefer is the Company's Director of Corporate Taxation. Each of them
has served in that or another capacity with the Company for the last five years.

      Each Trustee has served since the Trust was organized on December 19,
1997. The Trustees serve at the pleasure of the Company, as the holder of the
Trust Common Securities.

      The Partnership has no directors or executive officers.

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

      Neither the Trust nor the Partnership has any executive officers. No
employee of the Company receives any compensation for serving as a Regular
Trustee or acting in any capacity for the Trust or the Partnership separate from
his or her compensation as an employee of the Company.

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

      The information in ITEM 1. -- Business and ITEM 5. -- Market for
Registrants' Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters with respect to
ownership of the Trust Common Securities is incorporated by reference in
response to this item.

ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

      None.


                                       3
<PAGE>

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a) Documents filed as part of this Report:

      1. Financial Statements

            The contents of the financial statements are listed on page F-1
      hereof, and the financial statements and accompanying independent
      auditors' reports appear on pages F-2 through F-15.

      2. Financial Statement Schedules

      None.

      3. Exhibits

            Certain of the following exhibits were previously filed as exhibits
      to other reports or registration statements filed by the Registrants and
      are incorporated herein by reference to such reports or registration
      statements as indicated parenthetically below by the appropriate report
      reference date or registration statement number.

      4.1   Certificate of Trust dated December 19, 1997, of the Trust
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement
            on Form S-3 (No. 333-42859) (the "Registration Statement"))

      4.2   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of
            January 12, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
            Registration Statement)

      4.3   Certificate of Limited Partnership, dated as of December 19, 1997,
            of the Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
            Registration Statement)

      4.4   Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the
            Partnership, dated January 16, 1998 (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement)

      4.5   Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the
            Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration
            Statement)

      4.6   Form of Partnership Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between
            the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration
            Statement)

      4.7   Form of Subordinated Debenture Indenture between the Company and The
            Chase Manhattan Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement)

      4.8   Form of Affiliate Debenture Guarantee Agreement between the Company
            and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement)

      4.9   Form of Trust Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.2 above)

      4.10  Form of Partnership Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.4
            above)

      4.11  Form of Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            4.11 to the Registration Statement)


                                       4
<PAGE>

      12*   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and
            Preferred Securities Distributions

      23*   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

      24*   Powers of Attorney

      27*   Financial Data Schedules. The Financial Data Schedules to be
            contained in Exhibit 27 are required to be submitted only in the
            Registrants' electronic filing of this Form 10-K by means of the
            EDGAR system.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

      None.

------------

* Filed herewith


                                       5
<PAGE>

                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  ITEM 14(a)(1)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                                                        PAGE
--------------------                                                        ----

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III

      Balance Sheet, December 25, 1998                                      F-2

      Statement of Earnings, For the Period January 16, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                 F-3

      Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, For the Period
          January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998                             F-4

      Statement of Cash Flows, For the Period January 16, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                 F-5

      Notes to Financial Statements                                         F-6

      Independent Auditors' Report                                          F-8


MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.

      Balance Sheet, December 25, 1998                                      F-9

      Statement of Earnings, For the Period January 16, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                 F-10

      Statement of Changes in Partners' Capital, For the Period
          January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998                             F-11

      Statement of Cash Flows, For the Period January 16, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                 F-12

      Notes to Financial Statements                                         F-13

      Independent Auditors' Report                                          F-15


                                      F-1
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
BALANCE SHEET
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                               DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                               -----------------
ASSETS

Investment in partnership preferred securities                      $773,196,000

Income receivable                                                     13,530,930
                                                                    ------------

Total Assets                                                        $786,726,930
                                                                    ============

LIABILITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Distributions payable                                               $ 13,530,930
                                                                    ------------

Stockholders' equity:

    Preferred securities (7% Trust Originated
      Preferred Securities; 30,000,000 authorized,
      issued, and outstanding; $25 liquidation
      amount per security)                                           750,000,000

    Common securities (7% Trust Common Securities;
      927,840 authorized, issued, and outstanding;
      $25 liquidation amount per security)                            23,196,000
                                                                    ------------

   Total stockholders' equity                                        773,196,000
                                                                    ------------

Total Liability and Stockholders' Equity                            $786,726,930
                                                                    ============

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-2
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                  FOR THE PERIOD
                                                             JANUARY 16, 1998 TO
                                                               DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                             -------------------

EARNINGS

Income on partnership preferred securities                          $ 51,726,821
                                                                    ============

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-3
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD
                                                            JANUARY 16, 1998 TO
                                                              DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                            -------------------

PREFERRED SECURITIES

Balance, beginning of period                                      $          --

Issuance of preferred securities                                    750,000,000
                                                                  -------------

Balance, end of period                                              750,000,000
                                                                  -------------

COMMON SECURITIES

Balance, beginning of period                                                 --

Issuance of common securities                                        23,196,000
                                                                  -------------

Balance, end of period                                               23,196,000
                                                                  -------------

UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS

Balance, beginning of period                                                 --

Earnings                                                             51,726,821

Distributions                                                       (38,195,891)

Distribution payable                                                (13,530,930)
                                                                  -------------

Balance, end of period                                                       --
                                                                  -------------

Total Stockholders' Equity                                        $ 773,196,000
                                                                  =============

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-4
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD
                                                            JANUARY 16, 1998 TO
                                                              DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                            -------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

   Earnings                                                       $  51,726,821

   Increase in income receivable                                    (13,530,930)
                                                                  -------------

      Cash provided by operating activities                          38,195,891
                                                                  -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

   Purchase of partnership preferred securities                    (773,196,000)
                                                                  -------------

      Cash used for investing activities                           (773,196,000)
                                                                  -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

   Distributions                                                    (38,195,891)

   Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities                   750,000,000

   Proceeds from issuance of common securities                       23,196,000
                                                                  -------------

      Cash provided by financing activities                         735,000,109
                                                                  -------------

NET CHANGE IN CASH                                                           --

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                    --
                                                                  -------------

CASH, END OF PERIOD                                               $          --
                                                                  =============

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS:

Preferred and common distributions of $13,125,000 and $405,930, respectively,
were accrued at December 25, 1998.

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-5
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 25, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.    ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE

      Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III (the "Trust") is a statutory
      business trust formed on December 19, 1997 under the laws of the State of
      Delaware for the exclusive purposes of (i) issuing the Trust Originated
      Preferred Securities (the "Trust Preferred Securities") and the Trust
      Common Securities (together with the Trust Preferred Securities, the
      "Trust Securities") representing undivided beneficial ownership interests
      in the assets of the Trust, (ii) purchasing Partnership Preferred
      Securities (the "Partnership Preferred Securities") representing the
      limited partnership interests of Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.
      (the "Partnership") with the proceeds from the sale of the Trust
      Securities, and (iii) engaging in only those other activities necessary or
      incidental thereto. The Trust has a perpetual existence, subject to
      certain termination events as provided in the Declaration of Trust under
      which it was formed.

      Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") has paid compensation to the
      underwriters of the offering of the Trust Preferred Securities. The
      Company also has agreed to pay all fees and expenses related to the
      organization and operations of the Trust (including any taxes, duties,
      assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other than
      withholding taxes) imposed by the United States or any other domestic
      taxing authority upon the Trust) and be responsible for all debts and
      other obligations of the Trust (other than the Trust Securities). The
      Company has agreed to indemnify the trustees and certain other persons.

2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      BASIS OF PRESENTATION

      The financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. generally
      accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates
      that affect reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the
      financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

      INVESTMENT

      The investment in Partnership Preferred Securities represents a limited
      partnership interest in the Partnership and is recorded at cost. As of
      year end, the fair value of the investment approximates its carrying
      value. Income on the Partnership Preferred Securities is accrued when
      earned.

      INCOME TAXES

      The Trust does not incur any income tax liabilities. Such liabilities are
      incurred directly by the security holders.


                                      F-6
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 25, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.    INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP PREFERRED SECURITIES

      The Trust holds 30,927,840 7% Partnership Preferred Securities, $25
      liquidation preference per security. The interest payment dates and
      redemption provisions of the Partnership Preferred Securities, which are
      redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the Partnership,
      correspond to the distribution payment dates and redemption provisions of
      the Trust Preferred Securities. Upon any redemption of the Partnership
      Preferred Securities, the Trust Preferred Securities will be redeemed. The
      Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, the payment of
      distributions by the Partnership on the Partnership Preferred Securities
      if, as, and when declared out of funds legally available and payments upon
      liquidation of the Partnership or the redemption of the Partnership
      Preferred Securities to the extent of funds legally available.

4.    STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

      TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES

      The Trust issued 30,000,000 7% Trust Preferred Securities, $25 liquidation
      amount per security, in a public offering on January 16, 1998. The Trust
      Preferred Securities are redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the
      option of the Trust, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to
      $25 per security. Distributions on the Trust Preferred Securities are
      cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable quarterly if,
      as, and when the Trust has funds available for payment. Holders of the
      Trust Preferred Securities have limited voting rights and are not entitled
      to vote to appoint, remove or replace, or to increase or decrease the
      number of, trustees, which voting rights are vested exclusively in the
      holder of the Trust Common Securities. Under certain circumstances, the
      Trust Preferred Securities have preferential rights to payment relative to
      the Trust Common Securities.

      The Company has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, the payment in full
      of all distributions and other payments on the Trust Preferred Securities
      to the extent that the Trust has funds legally available. This guarantee
      and the partnership distribution guarantee are subordinated to all other
      liabilities of the Company and rank equally with the most senior preferred
      stock of the Company.

      TRUST COMMON SECURITIES

      The Trust issued 927,840 7% Trust Common Securities, $25 liquidation
      amount per security, to the Company on January 16, 1998. The Trust Common
      Securities are redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the
      Trust, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to $25 per
      security.


                                      F-7
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

To the Trustees of
  Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust III

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Merrill Lynch Preferred
Capital Trust III (the "Trust") as of December 25, 1998 and the related
statements of earnings, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for the
period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998 ended. These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Trust at December 25, 1998 and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the period January 16, 1998 to
December 25, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York
March 23, 1999


                                      F-8
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
BALANCE SHEET
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                               DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                               -----------------

ASSETS

Cash                                                                $    421,119

Investments:

   Affiliate debentures                                              900,546,600

   U.S. Treasury bills                                                 9,110,566
                                                                    ------------
   Total investments                                                 909,657,166

Interest receivable                                                   15,759,566
                                                                    ------------

Total Assets                                                        $925,837,851
                                                                    ============

LIABILITY AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

Distributions payable                                               $ 15,759,566
                                                                    ------------

Partners' capital:

   Limited partnership interest                                      773,196,000

   General partnership interest                                      136,882,285
                                                                    ------------
   Total partners' capital                                           910,078,285
                                                                    ------------

Total Liability and Partners' Capital                               $925,837,851
                                                                    ============

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-9
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                  FOR THE PERIOD
                                                             JANUARY 16, 1998 TO
                                                               DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                             -------------------
EARNINGS

Interest income:

   Affiliate debentures                                              $60,246,568

   U.S. Treasury bills                                                   437,955
                                                                     -----------

Earnings                                                             $60,684,523
                                                                     ===========

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-10
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD
                                                            JANUARY 16, 1998 TO
                                                              DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                            -------------------

LIMITED PARTNER'S CAPITAL

Issuance of preferred securities                                  $ 773,196,000

Net income allocated to limited partner                              51,726,821

Distributions                                                       (38,195,891)

Distribution payable                                                (13,530,930)
                                                                  -------------

Balance, end of period                                              773,196,000
                                                                  -------------

GENERAL PARTNER'S CAPITAL

Capital contribution                                                136,447,000

Net income allocated to general partner                               8,957,702

Distributions                                                        (6,293,781)

Distribution payable                                                 (2,228,636)
                                                                  -------------

Balance, end of period                                              136,882,285
                                                                  -------------

TOTAL PARTNERS' CAPITAL                                           $ 910,078,285
                                                                  =============

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-11
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 FOR THE PERIOD
                                                            JANUARY 16, 1998 TO
                                                              DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                            -------------------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

   Earnings                                                       $  60,684,523

   Accretion of U.S. Treasury bills                                    (437,955)

   Increase in interest receivable                                  (15,759,566)
                                                                  -------------

   Cash provided by operating activities                             44,487,002
                                                                  -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

   Purchase of affiliate debentures                                (900,546,600)

   Purchases of investment securities                               (27,507,611)

   Maturity of investment securities                                 18,835,000
                                                                  -------------

      Cash used for investing activities                           (909,219,211)
                                                                  -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

   Distributions to limited partner                                 (38,195,891)

   Distributions to general partner                                  (6,293,781)

   Proceeds from the issuance of preferred securities               773,196,000

   Capital contribution - general partner                           136,447,000
                                                                  -------------
      Cash provided by financing activities                         865,153,328
                                                                  -------------

NET CHANGE IN CASH                                                      421,119

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                    --
                                                                  -------------

CASH, END OF PERIOD                                               $     421,119
                                                                  =============

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS:

Distributions of $15,759,566 were accrued at December 25, 1998.

See Notes to Financial Statements


                                      F-12
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 25, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.    ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE

      Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnership") is a limited
      partnership that was formed under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited
      Partnership Act on December 19, 1997 for the exclusive purposes of
      purchasing certain eligible debt instruments of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
      (the "Company") and wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company with the
      proceeds from the sale of Partnership Preferred Securities (the
      "Partnership Preferred Securities") to Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital
      Trust III (the "Trust") and a capital contribution from the Company in
      exchange for the general partnership interest in the Partnership.

      The Company serves as the sole general partner of the Partnership. The
      Company, in its capacity as General Partner of the Partnership, has agreed
      to pay all fees and expenses related to the organization and operations of
      the Partnership (including any taxes, duties, assessments or government
      charges of whatever nature (other than withholding taxes) imposed by the
      United States or any other domestic taxing authority upon the Partnership)
      and be responsible for all debts and other obligations of the Partnership
      (other than with respect to the Partnership Preferred Securities). The
      Company has agreed to indemnify certain officers and agents of the
      Partnership.

2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

      BASIS OF PRESENTATION

      The financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. generally
      accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates
      that affect reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in the
      financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

      INVESTMENTS

      The Partnership's investment in affiliate debentures is recorded at cost,
      and its investment in U.S. Treasury Bills is classified as
      available-for-sale and recorded at accreted cost, which approximates fair
      value.

      INCOME TAXES

      The Partnership does not incur any income tax liabilities. Such
      liabilities are incurred directly by the partners.


                                      F-13
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 25, 1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.    INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE DEBENTURES

      The Partnership holds debentures of the Company and a wholly owned
      subsidiary of the Company. The debentures have a term of approximately 20
      years and bear interest at 7% per annum. The interest payment dates and
      redemption provisions of the debentures, which are redeemable at the
      option of the Company and its subsidiary on or after March 30, 2008,
      correspond to the distribution payment dates and redemption provisions of
      the Partnership Preferred Securities. Interest and redemption payments on
      the subsidiary debenture are guaranteed by the Company on a subordinated
      basis.

4.    PARTNERS' CAPITAL

      The Partnership issued 30,927,840 7% Partnership Preferred Securities, $25
      liquidation preference per security, to the Trust on January 16, 1998.
      Distributions on the Partnership Preferred Securities are cumulative from
      the date of original issue and are payable quarterly if, as, and when
      declared by the general partner. The Partnership Preferred Securities are
      redeemable on or after March 30, 2008 at the option of the Partnership, at
      a redemption price equal to $25 per security. Except as provided in the
      Limited Partnership Agreement and Partnership Preferred Securities
      Guarantee Agreement, and as otherwise provided by law, the holders of the
      Partnership Preferred Securities have no voting rights.

      The Company has guaranteed the payment of distributions by the Partnership
      on the Partnership Preferred Securities if, as, and when declared out of
      funds legally available and payments upon liquidation of the Partnership
      or the redemption of the Partnership Preferred Securities to the extent of
      funds legally available. This guarantee is subordinated to all other
      liabilities of the Company and ranks equally with the most senior
      preferred stock of the Company.


                                      F-14
<PAGE>

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
To the General Partner and Limited Partner of 
  Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding III, L.P.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Merrill Lynch Preferred
Funding III, L.P. (the "Partnerhsip") as of December 25, 1998 and the related
statements of earnings, changes in partners' capital and cash flows for the
period January 16, 1998 to December 25, 1998. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Partnership's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 25, 1998 and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for the period January 16, 1998 to
December 25, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York
March 23, 1999


                                      F-15
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 24th day of March,
1999.

                                MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III*

                                By:    /s/ Theresa Lang
                                       --------------------------------------
                                Name:  Theresa Lang
                                Title: Regular Trustee

                                By:    /s/ Stanley Schaefer
                                       --------------------------------------
                                Name:  Stanley Schaefer
                                Title: Regular Trustee

                                MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.*

                                By:    MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC., as General
                                       Partner

                                By:    /s/ Theresa Lang
                                       --------------------------------------
                                Name:  Theresa Lang
                                Title: Senior Vice President and Treasurer,
                                       and as Attorney-in-Fact for a majority of
                                       the Board of Directors**

------------
*     There is no principal executive officer(s), principal financial officer,
      controller, principal accounting officer or board of directors of the
      Registrants. The Trustees of the Trust (which include the Regular
      Trustees, the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee) together exercise
      all powers and perform all functions with respect to the Trust.

**    Pursuant to Powers of Attorney filed as Exhibit 24 hereto.
<PAGE>

                                  Exhibit Index

4.1   Certificate of Trust dated December 19, 1997, of the Trust (incorporated
      by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No.
      333-42859) (the "Registration Statement"))

4.2   Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of
      January 12, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
      Registration Statement)

4.3   Certificate of Limited Partnership, dated as of December 19, 1997, of the
      Partnership (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration
      Statement)

4.4   Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership,
      dated January 16, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the
      Registration Statement)

4.5   Form of Trust Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the Company
      and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by
      reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement)

4.6   Form of Partnership Preferred Securities Guarantee Agreement between the
      Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated
      by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement)

4.7   Form of Subordinated Debenture Indenture between the Company and The Chase
      Manhattan Bank, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to
      the Registration Statement)

4.8   Form of Affiliate Debenture Guarantee Agreement between the Company and
      The Chase Manhattan Bank, as guarantee trustee (incorporated by reference
      to Exhibit 4.8 to the Registration Statement)

4.9   Form of Trust Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.2 above)

4.10  Form of Partnership Preferred Security (included in Exhibit 4.4 above)

4.11  Form of Subordinated Debenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11
      to the Registration Statement)

12*   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
      Securities Distributions

23*   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

24*   Powers of Attorney

27*   Financial Data Schedules. The Financial Data Schedules to be contained in
      Exhibit 27 are required to be submitted only in the Registrants'
      electronic filing of this Form 10-K by means of the EDGAR system.

-------------------

* Filed herewith