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) March 3, 2004
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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
March 3, 2004, announcing its regular quarterly cash dividend on its
outstanding shares of preferred 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 March 3, 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/ Jeffrey M. Farber
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Jeffrey M. Farber
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Dated: March 3, 2004
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
(99.1) Press Release, dated March 3, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: Elizabeth Ventura (212) 272-9251
John Quinn (212) 272-5934
THE BEAR STEARNS COMPANIES INC.
DECLARES PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND
NEW YORK - March 3, 2004 - The Board of Directors of The Bear
Stearns Companies Inc. (NYSE: BSC) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $3.075
per share on the outstanding shares of 6.15% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series
E (which is equivalent to 76.875 cents per related depositary share); (ii) a
cash dividend of $2.86 per share on the outstanding shares of 5.72% Cumulative
Preferred Stock, Series F (which is equivalent to 71.50 cents per related
depositary share); and (iii) a cash dividend of $2.745 per share on the
outstanding shares of 5.49% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series G (which is
equivalent to 68.625 cents per related depositary share) all payable April 15,
2004 to stockholders of record on March 31, 2004.
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.