SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) November 17, 2003
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THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 1-8989 13-3286161
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification Number)
383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179
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(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 272-2000
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Not Applicable
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(former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Item 5. Other Events
Filed herewith are copies of:
(a) Form of Joinder Agreement amending the IncomeNotesSM Distribution
Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003 among The Bear Stearns
Companies Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and each of the Agents
listed on Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement.
(b) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain federal
income tax consequences described in the Medium-Term Notes
Prospectus Supplement, dated November 17, 2003, to the Prospectus,
dated November 17, 2003, included in the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 filed by the Company (Registration No. 333-109793).
(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
(d) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain federal
income tax consequences described in the IncomeNotesSM Prospectus
Supplement, dated November 17, 2003, to the Prospectus, dated
November 17, 2003, included in the Registration Statement on Form
S-3 filed by the Company (Registration No. 333-109793).
(e) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired:
Not applicable
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information:
Not applicable
(c) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference into the
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-109793)
as exhibits to such Registration Statement:
1(h) Form of Joinder Agreement amending the IncomeNotesSM
Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003 among
The Bear Stearns Companies Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co.
Inc. and each of the Agents listed on Schedule A to the
Distribution Agreement.
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8(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
federal income tax consequences.
8(b) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
federal income tax consequences.
23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
Exhibit 8(a)).
23(d) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
Exhibit 8(b)).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
By: /s/ Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.
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Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: November 18, 2003
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
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1(h) Form of Joinder Agreement amending the IncomeNotesSM Distribution
Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003 among The Bear Stearns
Companies Inc., Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and each of the Agents
listed on Schedule A to the Distribution Agreement.
8(a) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
federal income tax consequences.
8(b) Opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP as to certain
federal income tax consequences.
23(c) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
Exhibit 8(a)).
23(d) Consent of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP (Included in
Exhibit 8(b)).