PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 6 Rule 424(b)(3) DATED: January 9, 2004 File No. 333-109793 (To Prospectus dated November 17, 2003, and Prospectus Supplement dated November 17, 2003) $10,668,950,162 THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC. Medium-Term Notes, Series B Principal Amount: $100,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x] Original Issue Date: 1/20/2004 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ] Maturity Date: 1/20/2005 CUSIP#: 073928C92 Option to Extend Maturity: No [x] Yes [ ] Final Maturity Date: Optional Optional Redemption Repayment Repayment Redeemable On Price(s) Date(s) Price(s) ------------- -------------- ------------- ----------- N/A N/A N/A N/A Applicable Only to Fixed Rate Notes: ----------------------------------- Interest Rate: Interest Payment Dates: Applicable Only to Floating Rate Notes: -------------------------------------- Interest Rate Basis: Maximum Interest Rate: N/A [ ] Commercial Paper Rate Minimum Interest Rate: N/A [ ] Federal Funds Effective Rate [ ] Federal Funds Open Rate Interest Reset Date(s): Daily [ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Daily [ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): * [ ] LIBOR Telerate [x] Prime Rate + [ ] CMT Rate Initial Interest Rate: 1.06% Interest Payment Period: Quarterly Index Maturity: N/A Spread (plus or minus): -2.94% + Prime Rate as reported on Telerate Page 5 under the heading "Bank Rates/Prime." * On the 20th of April, July, October and at Maturity. The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule 2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.