SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 7, 2003
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter
DELAWARE File No. 1-8989 13-3286161
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(State or Other (Commission File (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Number) Identification
Incorporation) Number)
383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 272-2000
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Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Item 5. Other Events
Filed herewith is a copy of The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. Press Release, dated
January 7, 2004, announcing its regular quarterly cash dividend on its
outstanding shares of common stock and the approval of an amendment to its share
repurchase program to allow the company to purchase up to $1.0 billion in
aggregate cost of common stock.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements of business acquired:
Not applicable.
(b) Pro Forma financial information:
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibit:
(99.1) Press Release, dated January 7, 2004
Signature
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.
Samuel L. Molinaro Jr.
Executive Vice President
(Chief Financial Officer)
Dated: January 9, 2004
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
(99.1) Press Release, dated January 7, 2004
[GRAPHIC OMITTED][GRAPHIC OMITTED] The Bear Stearns Companies Inc.
383 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10179
Tel (212) 272-2000
www.bearstearns.com
Exhibit No.(99.1)
Contact: Elizabeth Ventura (212) 272-9251
Kerri Kelly (212) 272-2529
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
DECLARES COMMON STOCK CASH DIVIDEND;
AUTHORIZES $1.0 BILLION SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM
NEW YORK -January 7, 2004- The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE: BSC) today
announced its regular quarterly cash dividend on its outstanding shares of
common stock.
The Board of Directors declared a regular, quarterly cash dividend of 20
cents per share on the outstanding shares of common stock, payable January 30,
2004 to stockholders of record on January 16, 2004.
Separately, the Board of Directors of the company approved an amendment
to its share repurchase program to allow the company to purchase up to $1.0
billion in aggregate cost of common stock. The amendment supercedes the previous
authorization and replenishes the total authorization back to $1.0 billion. The
company acquired approximately $775 million under the previous program. The
share repurchase program will be utilized primarily to acquire shares of common
stock in order to mitigate the dilutive effect of the company's stock award
plans. The purchases may be made periodically in 2004 or beyond in the open
market or through privately negotiated transactions.
Founded in 1923, The Bear Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE: BSC) is the
parent company of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., a leading investment banking and
securities trading and brokerage firm. With approximately $37.5 billion in total
capital, Bear Stearns serves governments, corporations, institutions and
individuals worldwide. The company's business includes corporate finance and
mergers and acquisitions, institutional equities and fixed income sales, trading
and research, private client services, derivatives, foreign exchange and futures
sales and trading, asset management and custody services. Through Bear, Stearns
Securities Corp., it offers financing, securities lending, clearing and
technology solutions to hedge funds, broker-dealers and investment advisors.
Headquartered in New York City, the company has approximately 10,500 employees
worldwide. For additional information about Bear Stearns, please visit the
firm's Web site at http://www.bearstearns.com.