December 12, 2000 MERRILL LYNCH & CO. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED c/o MERRILL LYNCH & CO. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Merrill Lynch World Headquarters...Purchase Agreement • December 20th, 2000 • Lowes Companies Inc • Retail-lumber & other building materials dealers • New York
