================================================================================
                       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 29, 2000

                     MERRILL  LYNCH  PREFERRED  CAPITAL  TRUST IV
        (Exact  name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of trust)

                         COMMISSION FILE NO.: 1-7182-08

       Delaware                                        13-7139562
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

    4  World Financial Center
         New York, New York                               10080
(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
--------------------------------      ------------------------------------------
7.12% 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 IV, L.P.
          (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its certificate of
                              limited partnership)

                         COMMISSION FILE NO.: 1-7182-07

       Delaware                                        13-3982446
(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

    4  World Financial Center
         New York, New York                               10080
(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
----------------------------           -----------------------------------------
7.12% 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  28,  2001,  no voting  stock  was  held by  non-affiliates  of the
Registrants.


<PAGE>

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

PROSPECTUS, DATED JUNE 16, 1998, FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b) IN CONNECTION
WITH REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 (No. 333-44173) FILED BY THE REGISTRANTS
AND  MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.- INCORPORATED  BY  REFERENCE  IN  PART  I
================================================================================




                                     PART I
                                     ------

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
         --------

         MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV

Merrill Lynch Preferred  Capital Trust IV (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 June 16, 1998.  The Trust exists for
the  exclusive  purposes of (i) issuing  trust  securities,  consisting of 7.12%
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 7.12%  Partnership  Preferred  Securities (the  "Partnership
Preferred  Securities")  issued by Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding IV, L.P. (the
"Partnership"),  and (iii) engaging in only those other activities  necessary or
incidental thereto.

         MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, 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 June 19,  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 IV", "Merrill Lynch Preferred Funding IV, 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 June 16, 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.


<PAGE>

                                     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.

(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  June 19,  1998 and
payable  quarterly  in  arrears  on each  March 30,  June 30,  September  30 and
December 30,  commencing  September  30, 1998, at an annual rate of 7.12% 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 7.12%.
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 Registrants'  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 Registrants'  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.


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
         ---------------------------------------------------------

On June 19, 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.


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.

<PAGE>


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:         John C. Stomber
                                            Stanley Schaefer

                  Property Trustee:         The Chase Manhattan Bank

                  Delaware Trustee:         Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware

Stanley  Schaefer is Senior  Director of  Corporate  Tax for the Company and has
served in that  capacity or another  capacity with the Company for the last five
years.  John C. Stomber is Senior Vice  President  and Treasurer of the Company.
Mr.  Stomber  joined the Company in March 1999.  Mr.  Stomber was an employee of
Deutsche Bank from 1991 to March 1999,  serving as Deutsche Bank's Treasurer for
the Americas Region starting in 1996.

With the exception of Mr.  Stomber,  each Trustee has served since the Trust was
organized on December 19, 1997. Mr. Stomber has served since September 30, 1999.
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.

<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  the  Trust's
              Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 26, 1998
              (File No. 1-7182-08))

         4.2  Form of Amended and  Restated  Declaration  of Trust of the Trust
              (incorporated   by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.2  to  Registration
              Statement  of Form S-3 (File No.  333-42859)  (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  Partnership's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
              period ended June 26, 1998 (File No. 1-7182-07))

         4.4  Form of Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited  Partnership of
              the Partnership  (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

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         None.

_______________

* Filed herewith

<PAGE>


                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                          -----------------------------

                                  ITEM 14(a)(1)

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

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV

     Balance Sheets, December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999               F-2

     Statements of Earnings, Year Ended December 29, 2000,
          December 31, 1999 and Period June 19, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                F-3

     Statements of Changes in  Stockholders' Equity,  Year  Ended
          December 29, 2000, December 31, 1999 and Period June 19,
          1998 to December 25, 1998                                        F-4

     Statements of Cash Flows, Year Ended December 29, 2000,
          December 31, 1999 and Period June 19, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                F-5

     Notes to Financial Statements                                         F-6

     Independent Auditors' Report                                          F-8


MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.

     Balance Sheets, December 29, 2000 and December 31, 1999               F-9

     Statements of Earnings, Year Ended December 29, 2000,
          December 31, 1999 and Period June 19, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                F-10

     Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital, Year Ended
          December 29, 2000, December 31, 1999 and Period
          June 19, 1998 to December 25, 1998                               F-11

     Statements of Cash Flows, Year Ended December 29, 2000,
          December 31, 1999 and Period June 19, 1998 to
          December 25, 1998                                                F-12

     Notes to Financial Statements                                         F-13

     Independent Auditors' Report                                          F-15



                                       F-1

<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV
BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except per security amounts)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                              DECEMBER 29, 2000       DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                                              -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                                           <C>                     <C>


ASSETS

Investment in partnership preferred securities                       $  412,372              $  412,372
Income receivable                                                         7,340                       -
                                                                     ----------              ----------
Total Assets                                                         $  419,712              $  412,372
                                                                     ==========              ==========

LIABILITY AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Distributions payable                                                $    7,340              $        -
                                                                     ----------              ----------

Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred  securities  (7.12%  Trust
         Originated  Preferred   Securities;
         16,000,000 authorized, issued, and
         outstanding; $25 liquidation
         amount per security)                                           400,000                 400,000
     Common securities (7.12% Trust Common
         Securities; 494,880 authorized,
         issued, and outstanding;
         $25 liquidation amount per security)                            12,372                  12,372
                                                                     ----------              ----------
     Total Stockholders' equity                                         412,372                 412,372
                                                                     ----------              ----------

Total Liability and Stockholders' Equity                             $  419,712              $  412,372
                                                                     ==========              ==========

</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       F-2

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED                   FOR THE PERIOD
                                                          ---------------------------------------        JUNE 19, 1998 TO
                                                          DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999       DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                          -----------------     -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                                       <C>                   <C>                     <C>

EARNINGS

Income on partnership preferred securities                        $  29,361             $  29,361               $  15,578
                                                                  =========             =========               =========



</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       F-3

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                                  FOR THE YEAR ENDED                      FOR THE PERIOD
                                                         ---------------------------------------        JUNE 19, 1998 TO
                                                         DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999       DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                         -----------------     -----------------       -----------------

<S>                                                  <C>                       <C>                     <C>

PREFERRED SECURITIES
Balance, beginning of period                                     $ 400,000             $ 400,000               $       -
Issuance of preferred securities                                         -                     -                 400,000
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------
Balance, end of period                                             400,000               400,000                 400,000
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------

COMMON SECURITIES
Balance, beginning of period                                        12,372                12,372                       -
Issuance of common securities                                            -                     -                  12,372
                                                                 ---------               -------                 -------
Balance, end of period                                              12,372                12,372                  12,372
                                                                 ---------               -------                 -------

UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS
Balance, beginning of period                                             -                     -                       -
Earnings                                                            29,361                29,361                  15,578
Distributions                                                      (22,021)              (29,361)                 (8,238)
Distributions payable                                               (7,340)                    -                  (7,340)
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------
Balance, end of period                                                   -                     -                       -
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------

Total Stockholders' Equity                                       $ 412,372             $ 412,372               $ 412,372
                                                                 =========             =========               =========


</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       F-4

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED                   FOR THE PERIOD
                                                         ---------------------------------------        JUNE 19, 1998 TO
                                                         DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999       DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                         -----------------     -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                                      <C>                  <C>                      <C>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Earnings                                                        $ 29,361              $ 29,361                $ 15,578
  (Increase) decrease in income receivable                          (7,340)                7,340                  (7,340)
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
        Cash provided by operating activities                       22,021                36,701                   8,238
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Purchase of partnership preferred securities                           -                     -                (412,372)
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
        Cash used for investing activities                               -                     -                (412,372)
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Distributions                                                    (22,021)              (36,701)                 (8,238)
  Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities                         -                     -                 400,000
  Proceeds from issuance of common securities                            -                     -                  12,372
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
        Cash (used for) provided by financing activities           (22,021)              (36,701)                404,134
                                                                  --------              --------                --------

NET CHANGE IN CASH                                                       -                     -                       -

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



SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS:

Preferred  and  common  distributions  of $7,120 and $220, respectively,  were
accrued at December 29, 2000 and December 25, 1998 and distributed in the
following fiscal years.

</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       F-5

<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 29, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE

Merrill Lynch Preferred Capital Trust IV (the "Trust") is a statutory  business
trust  formed  under the laws of the State of Delaware on December  19, 1997 for
the exclusive  purposes of (i) issuing its preferred and common  securities (the
"Trust Preferred  Securities" and the "Trust Common Securities",  respectively),
(ii) purchasing  partnership  preferred  securities (the "Partnership  Preferred
Securities"),  representing  the limited  partnership  interest of Merrill Lynch
Preferred Funding IV, L.P. (the "Partnership"),  with the proceeds from the sale
of Trust Preferred and Common 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 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 (i) pay all fees and  expenses  related to the  organization  and
operations of the Trust (including  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 Trust) and the offering
of the Trust  Preferred  Securities  and (ii) be  responsible  for all debts and
other  obligations of the Trust (other than with respect to the Trust  Preferred
and Common  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 accounting  principles
generally accepted in the United States of America,  which require management to
make estimates that affect reported  amounts and disclosure of  contingencies in
the  financial  statements.  As such,  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 IV
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 29, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. INVESTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP PREFERRED SECURITIES

The  Trust  holds  16,494,880 7.12% Partnership  Preferred  Securities,  $25
liquidation  preference per security.  The interest payment dates and redemption
provisions of the Partnership Preferred  Securities,  which are redeemable after
June 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  16,000,000  7.12%  Trust  Preferred   Securities,   $25
liquidation amount per security in a public offering on June 19, 1998. The Trust
Preferred  Securities  are redeemable on or after June 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  494,880 7.12% Trust Common  Securities,  $25  liquidation
amount  per  security,  to the  Company  on June  19,  1998.  The  Trust  Common
Securities  are redeemable on or after June 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 IV

We have  audited the  accompanying  balance  sheets of Merrill  Lynch  Preferred
Capital  Trust IV (the  "Trust") as of December  29, 2000 and December 31, 1999,
and the related statements of earnings, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the two years in the period  ended  December  29, 2000 and for
the period June 19, 1998 to December 25, 1998.  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 audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the  United  States of  America.  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  audits  provide  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 29, 2000 and December
31, 1999,  and the results of its  operations and its cash flows for each of the
two years in the period ended December 29, 2000 and for the period June 19, 1998
to December 25, 1998 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.


/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP


New York, New York
March 28, 2001



                                     F-8
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.
BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                         DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                                         -----------------     -----------------
<S>                                                        <C>                 <C>

ASSETS

Cash                                                            $        1            $        -

Investments:
     Affiliate debentures                                          480,292               480,292
     U.S. Treasury bills                                             4,911                 4,897
                                                                ----------            ----------
     Total investments                                             485,203               485,189

Interest receivable                                                  8,549                     -
                                                                ----------            ----------
Total Assets                                                    $  493,753            $  485,189
                                                                ==========            ==========

LIABILITY AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

Distributions payable                                           $    8,549            $        -
                                                                ----------            ----------
Partners' capital:
     Limited partnership interest                                  412,372               412,372
     General partnership interest                                   72,832                72,817
                                                                ----------            ----------
     Total partners' capital                                       485,204               485,189
                                                                ----------            ----------

Total Liability and Partners' Capital                           $  493,753            $  485,189
                                                                ==========            ==========

</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                       F-9

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED                   FOR THE PERIOD
                                                         ---------------------------------------        JUNE 19, 1998 TO
                                                         DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999       DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                         -----------------     -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                                     <C>                    <C>                     <C>


EARNINGS
Interest income:
     Affiliate debentures                                        $  34,197             $  34,197               $  18,143
     U.S. Treasury bills                                               281                   231                     131
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------
Earnings                                                         $  34,478             $  34,428               $  18,274
                                                                 =========             =========               =========


</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                      F-10

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
(dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED                   FOR THE PERIOD
                                                         ---------------------------------------        JUNE 19, 1998 TO
                                                         DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999       DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                         -----------------     -----------------       -----------------
<S>                                                      <C>                     <C>                   <C>

LIMITED PARTNER'S CAPITAL
Balance, beginning of period                                     $ 412,372             $ 412,372               $       -
Issuance of preferred securities                                         -                     -                 412,372
Net income allocated to limited partner                             29,361                29,361                  15,578
Distributions                                                      (22,021)              (29,361)                 (8,238)
Distributions payable                                               (7,340)                    -                  (7,340)
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------
Balance, end of period                                             412,372               412,372                 412,372
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------

GENERAL PARTNER'S CAPITAL
Balance, beginning of period                                        72,817                72,903                       -
Capital contribution                                                     -                     -                  72,772
Net income allocated to general partner                              5,117                 5,067                   2,696
Distributions                                                       (3,893)               (5,153)                 (1,356)
Distributions payable                                               (1,209)                    -                  (1,209)
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------
Balance, end of period                                              72,832                72,817                  72,903
                                                                 ---------             ---------               ---------

TOTAL PARTNERS' CAPITAL                                          $ 485,204             $ 485,189               $ 485,275
                                                                 =========             =========               =========


</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                      F-11

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                                                     FOR THE YEAR ENDED                   FOR THE PERIOD
                                                         ---------------------------------------        JUNE 19, 1998 TO
                                                         DECEMBER 29, 2000     DECEMBER 31, 1999       DECEMBER 25, 1998
                                                         -----------------     -----------------       -----------------

<S>                                                     <C>                      <C>                   <C>

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Earnings                                                     $ 34,478            $   34,428              $   18,274
     Accretion of U.S. Treasury bills                                 (281)                 (231)                   (131)
     (Increase) decrease  in interest receivable                    (8,549)                8,549                  (8,549)
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
        Cash provided by operating activities                       25,648                42,746                   9,594
                                                                  --------              --------                --------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Purchases of affiliate debentures                                   -                     -                (480,292)
     Purchases of investment securities                             (9,703)              (14,554)                 (4,852)
     Maturities of investment securities                             9,970                14,871                       -
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
        Cash provided by (used for) investing activities               267                   317                (485,144)
                                                                  --------              --------                --------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Distributions to limited partner                              (22,021)              (36,701)                 (8,238)
     Distributions to general partner                               (3,893)               (6,362)                 (1,356)
     Proceeds from issuance of preferred securities                      -                     -                 412,372
     Capital contribution - general partner                              -                     -                  72,772
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
        Cash (used for) provided by financing activities           (25,914)              (43,063)                475,550
                                                                  --------              --------                --------

NET CHANGE IN CASH                                                       1                     -                       -

CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD                                                -                     -                       -
                                                                  --------              --------                --------
CASH, END OF PERIOD                                               $      1              $      -                $      -
                                                                  ========              ========                ========




SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS:

Distributions of $8,549 were accrued at December 29, 2000 and December 25, 1998
and distributed in the following fiscal years.

</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements

                                      F-12

<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 29, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1. ORGANIZATION AND PURPOSE

Merrill  Lynch  Preferred  Funding IV, 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  purpose of  purchasing
certain  eligible debt  instruments of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company")
and wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company with (i) the proceeds from the sale
of its  preferred   securities  (the  "Partnership   Preferred   Securities"),
representing a limited  partner  interest,  to Merrill Lynch  Preferred  Capital
Trust IV (the  "Trust")  and (ii) a capital  contribution  from the  Company in
exchange for the general partnership interest in the Partnership.

The Company,  in its capacity as sole general  partner of the  Partnership,  has
agreed  to (i) pay  all  fees  and  expenses  related  to the  organization  and
operations  of  the  Partnership  (including  taxes,  duties,   assessments,  or
government  charges (other than withholding  taxes) imposed by the United States
or any  other  domestic  taxing  authority  upon  the  Partnership)  and (ii) be
responsible for all debts and other  obligations of the Partnership  (other than
with  respect to the  Partnership  Preferred  Securities).  The Company has also
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 accounting  principles
generally accepted in the United States of America,  which require management to
make estimates that affect reported  amounts and disclosure of  contingencies in
the  financial  statements.  As such,  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 IV, L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 29, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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 7.12% 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 June 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 16,494,880 7.12% Partnership  Preferred  Securities,
$25  liquidation  preference  per  security,  to the  Trust  on June  19,  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 June 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 IV, L.P.

We have  audited the  accompanying  balance  sheets of Merrill  Lynch  Preferred
Funding IV, L.P.  (the  "Partnership")  as of December 29, 2000 and December 31,
1999, and the related statements of earnings,  changes in partners' capital, and
cash flows for each of the two years in the period  ended  December 29, 2000 and
for the period June 19, 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 audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the  United  States of  America.  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  audits  provide  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 29, 2000 and
December 31, 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each
of the two years in the period  ended  December 29, 2000 and for the period June
19, 1998 to December 25, 1998 in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.



/s/  Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York
March 28, 2001


                                      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 28th day of March,
2001.

                              MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST IV*

                              By: /s/ John C. Stomber
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Name:   John C. Stomber
                              Title:  Regular Trustee

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


                              MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING IV, L.P.*

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

                              By: /s/ John C. Stomber
                              --------------------------------------------------
                              Name:   John C. Stomber
                              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 the Trust's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for
     the period ended June 26, 1998 (File No. 1-7182-08))

4.2  Form of Amended and Restated  Declaration  of Trust of the Trust
     (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.2  to  Registration
     Statement of Form S-3 (File No. 333-42859) (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 Partnership's
     Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 26, 1998 (File No.
     1-7182-07))

4.4  Form of Amended and Restated  Agreement of Limited  Partnership of the
     Partnership  (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

__________________

* Filed herewith