New Issue-Merrill Lynch sells total 95 bln yen samurai

TOKYO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Merrill Lynch & Co. MER.N has
launched a total of 95 billion yen ($796.8 million) of five-year
samurai bonds in two tranches, lead manager Merrill Lynch Japan
Securities said on Friday.
Merrill Lynch said it launched 70 billion yen in five-year
samurai bonds at 1.58 percent, and 25 billion yen of five-year
floating-rate samurai bonds. The bonds were priced at par.

Samurai bonds are yen bonds issued in Japan by non-Japanese
entities.

The details are as follows:

1. Five-year floating rate bond

Issue amount: 25 billion yen

Coupon: 0.17 percent over three-month yen LIBOR

Issue price: par

Maturity date: Feb. 23, 2012

Coupon payments: Feb. 23, May 23, Aug. 23, Nov. 23

Payment date: Feb. 23, 2007

Lead manager: Merrill Lynch Japan Securities

Fiscal agent: Mizuho Corporate Bank

Ratings: Aa3(Moody's)

AA-(S&P)

AA(R&I)

2. Five-year fixed rate bond

Issue amount: 70 billion yen

Coupon: 1.58 percent

Issue price: par

Maturity date: Feb. 23, 2012

Coupon payments: May 23 and Nov. 23

Payment date: Feb. 23, 2007

Lead manager: Merrill Lynch Japan Securities

Fiscal agent: Mizuho Corporate Bank

Ratings: Aa3(Moody's)

AA-(S&P)

AA(R&I)

Spread: L+17 basis points