PRICING SUPPLEMENT NO. 43 Rule 424(b)(3)
DATED: December 17, 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: $25,000,000 Floating Rate Notes [x] Book Entry Notes [x]
Original Issue Date: 12/27/2004 Fixed Rate Notes [ ] Certificated Notes [ ]
Maturity Date: 12/28/2009 CUSIP#: 073928H97
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): *
[ ] Treasury Rate Interest Reset Period: Monthly
[ ] LIBOR Reuters Interest Payment Date(s): **
[x] LIBOR Telerate
[ ] Prime Rate
[ ] CMT Rate
Initial Interest Rate: 2.6575% Interest Payment Period: Monthly
Index Maturity: One Month
Spread (plus or minus): +0.24%
* Commencing January 28, 2005 and on the 28th of each month thereafter prior to
Maturity.
** Commencing January 28, 2005 and on the 28th of each month thereafter,
including the maturity date.
The distribution of Notes will conform to the requirements set forth in Rule
2720 of the NASD Conduct Rules.