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<FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE<br>
COMMISSION ON AUGUST 23, 2002<br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UNITED STATES&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Registration No. 333-<br>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<br>
Washington, D.C. 20549<br>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">FORM S-8</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">REGISTRATION STATEMENT</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">UNDER</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">A.G. EDWARDS, INC.<br>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)<br>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P></FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><CENTER><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=638>
<TR><TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">Delaware</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="54%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">43-1288229</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(State or Other Jurisdiction</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="54%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(I.R.S. Employer</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">of Incorporation or Organization)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="54%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="17%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER></P>

<FONT SIZE=2>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">One North Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER">A.G. EDWARDS, INC. 2002 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN</P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Full Title of the Plan)</P>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P align="center">Douglas L. Kelly,<br>
Secretary<br>
A.G. Edwards, Inc.<br>
One North Jefferson Avenue<br>
St. Louis, Missouri 63103<br>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Name and Address of Agent for Service)<br>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER"><br>
(314) 955-3000<br>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=2>(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)<br>
</FONT><FONT SIZE=3><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Copy to:<br>
Craig A. Adoor<br>
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP<br>
720 Olive Street, 24th Floor<br>
St. Louis, Missouri 63101<br>
<P ALIGN ="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</P></FONT>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=8 WIDTH=624>
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="36%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55><P ALIGN ="CENTER">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER"><br>Title of<br>
Securities to<br>
<u> be Registered</U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P><P ALIGN="CENTER">
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><br>Amount to be<br>
<U>Registered</U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER"><P ALIGN="CENTER">Proposed Maximum<br>
Offering Price<br>
<U>Per Share</U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">Proposed<br>
Maximum Aggregate<br>
<U>Offering Price</U></FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><br>Amount of Registration<br>
<U> Fee</U></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="36%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P>Common Stock, ($1.00 par value) and associated Common Stock Purchase Rights</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="13%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">5,625,000<br>
Shares(1)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P ALIGN="CENTER">$37.865(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="20%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P>$212,990,625.00(2)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="15%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT SIZE=2><P>$19,595.00(2)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<FONT SIZE=2>
<P>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plus such additional shares and rights as may be issued by reason of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</P>
<P>(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The proposed maximum offering price per share and maximum aggregate offering price are estimated for the sole purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee.  The fee has been calculated in accordance with Rules 457(h)(1) and 457(c) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.  Accordingly, the maximum offering price per share is based on the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock for August&nbsp;21, 2002.</P>
</FONT><P ALIGN="CENTER">PART I</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</P>
<P>The documents containing the information about the A.G.&nbsp;Edwards 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &quot;Plan&quot;) specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to eligible employee as specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &quot;SEC&quot; or  &quot;Commission&quot;) Rule 428(b)(1).  Such documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part II, taken together, constitute prospectuses that meet the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities At of 1933, as amended.  All such documents will be dated and maintained in a &quot;prospectus file&quot; as required by SEC Rule 428(a) and will contain the following legend in a conspicuous place as directed by SEC Rule 428(b)(1):</P>

<P>This document (or specifically designated portions of this document) constitutes (constitute) part of a prospectus covering securities that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933.&quot;</P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER">PART II</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</P>
<U><P>Item 3</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference</U>.</P>
<P>The following documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &quot;Commission&quot;) pursuant to Section 13(a) are incorporated herein by reference:</P>
<P>(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended February&nbsp;28, 2002, filed pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &quot;Exchange Act&quot;) on May&nbsp;29, 2002;</P>
<P>(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2002, filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act on July 15, 2002;</P>
<P>(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The description of the Company's Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, as contained in the Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Section&nbsp;12 of the Exchange Act on January&nbsp;12, 1989, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and</P>
<P>(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The description of the Company's Common Stock Purchase Rights, as contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act on January 12, 1989, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</P>
<P>All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.</P>
<U><P>Item 4</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Description of Securities</U>.</P>
<P>Not applicable.</P>
<U><P>Item 5</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</U>.</P>
<P>Not applicable.</P>
<U><P>Item 6</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Indemnification of Directors and Officers</U>.</P>
<P>Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, Article IX of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Article VII of the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of directors, officers and others under certain conditions and subject to specific limitations.  Under its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Company must indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any and all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys' fees), reasonably incurred or suffered by him to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, as amended (and as may be amended in the future, if such amendments provide for broader indemnification rights).</P>
<P>The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance which protects each director and officer from liability for actions taken in their capacity as directors or officers.  This insurance may provide broader coverage for such individuals than may be required by the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.</P>
<P>The foregoing represents a summary of the general effect of Delaware law and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws for purposes of general description only.  Additional information regarding indemnification of directors and officers can be found in the Delaware statutes, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and its pertinent insurance contracts.</P>
<U><P>Item 7</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Exemption from Registration Claimed</U>.</P>
<P>Not applicable.</P>
<U><P>Item 8</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Exhibits</U>.</P>
<P>See Exhibit Index on page II-7 hereof.</P>
<U><P>Item 9</U>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<U>Undertakings</U>.</P>
<P>(a)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</P>
<P>(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</P><DIR>
<DIR>

<P>(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;</P>
<P>(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;</P>
<P>(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;</P></DIR>
</DIR>

<P>Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.</P>
<P>(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</P>
<P>(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</P>
<P>(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</P>
<P>(h)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</P>
<P>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on August 23, 2002.</P>
<P>A.G. EDWARDS, INC.</P>
<P>(Registrant)</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>By:&nbsp;<U>/s/ Robert L. Bagby<br>
</U>Robert L. Bagby<br>
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer<br>
and Director</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">POWER OF ATTORNEY</P>
<P>KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert L. Bagby and Douglas L. Kelly, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</P>
<P>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=8 WIDTH=623>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="CENTER">Signature</U></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="CENTER">Title</U></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P ALIGN="CENTER">Date</U></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP"><P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=58>
<U>
<P>/s/ Robert L. Bagby&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Robert L. Bagby</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=58><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=58>

<P>Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=58>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=58><P>August 23, 2002</TD></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP"><P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>/s/ Benjamin F. Edwards IV&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Benjamin F. Edwards IV</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Director</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP"><P><P>August 23, 2002</TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=22><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=22><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=22><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=22>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=22><P></TD></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=75>
<U><P>/s/ Douglas L. Kelly&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Douglas L. Kelly</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=75><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=75>
<P>Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=75>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=75><P>August 23, 2002</TD></P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP"><P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<U><P>/s/ Ronald J. Kessler&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Ronald J. Kessler</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55><P></P></TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<P>Vice Chairman of the Board and Director</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=55>
<P>August 23, 2002</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>/s/ Dr. E. Eugene Carter&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Dr. E. Eugene Carter</P>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Director</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>August 23, 2002</P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Samuel C. Hutchinson, Jr.</P>
</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Director</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">

<P>August 23, 2002</P></TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>/s/ Peter B. Madoff&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Peter B. Madoff</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Director</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">


</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>August 23, 2002</P></TD></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>/s/ Dr. Mark S. Wrighton&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Dr. Mark S. Wrighton</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Director</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">


</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>August 23, 2002</P></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>/s/ Thomas H. Martin, Jr.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Thomas H. Martin, Jr.</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Controller</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>August 23, 2002</P>
</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<U><P>/s/ Joseph G. Porter&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>
</U>Joseph G. Porter</TD>
<TD WIDTH="5%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="34%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Principal Accounting<br>
Officer</TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="TOP">

</TD>
<TD WIDTH="24%" VALIGN="TOP">

<P><P>August 23, 2002</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">EXHIBIT INDEX</P>
<U><P>Exhibit Number</U>*</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING=0 BORDER=0 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=638>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.1</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Articles IV, V, X, XII, XIII and XV of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1993, incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.2</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Article II, Article III Sections 1 and 15, Article IV Sections 1 and 3, Article VI and Article VII Sections 1-3 of the Company's Bylaws filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1994, incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.3</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Rights Agreement dated as of December 30, 1988 between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent as filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 8-K Report dated December 30, 1988 and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.4</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated May 24, 1991, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=79>
<P>4.5</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP" HEIGHT=79>
<P>Amendment No. 2 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated June 22, 1995, filed as Exhibit 3 to the Company's Form 8-A/A dated July 12, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.6</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Amendment No. 3 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated July 11, 1997, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>4.7</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Amendment No. 4 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated December 15, 2002, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Company's Form 8-A/A on December 19, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>5</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Opinion of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>15</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Omitted - Inapplicable.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>23.1</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Consent of Deloitte &amp; Touche LLP.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>23.2</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Consent of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP contained in Exhibit 5.</TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="11%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>24</TD>
<TD WIDTH="89%" VALIGN="TOP">
<P>Power of Attorney contained on Pages II-5 through II-6 hereof.</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<P>*Numbers correspond to document numbers in Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.</P></BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "EDWARDS A G INC", "cik": "0000718482", "assigned-sic": "6211", "irs-number": "431288229", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0228"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-98669", "film-number": "02747268"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE N JEFFERSON AVE", "city": "ST LOUIS", "state": "MO", "zip": "63103", "phone": "3142893000"}}
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON AUGUST 23, 2002
UNITED STATES                  Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
A.G. EDWARDS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
43-1288229
(State or Other Jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation or Organization)
Identification No.)
One North Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
A.G. EDWARDS, INC. 2002 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plan)
Douglas L. Kelly,
Secretary
A.G. Edwards, Inc.
One North Jefferson Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(314) 955-3000
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Craig A. Adoor
Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP
720 Olive Street, 24th Floor
St. Louis, Missouri 63101
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Securities to
be Registered
Amount to be
Registered
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price
Per Share
Proposed
Maximum Aggregate
Offering Price
Amount of Registration
Fee
Common Stock, ($1.00 par value) and associated Common Stock Purchase Rights
5,625,000
Shares(1)
$37.865(2)
$212,990,625.00(2)
$19,595.00(2)
(1)          Plus such additional shares and rights as may be issued by reason of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)          The proposed maximum offering price per share and maximum aggregate offering price are estimated for the sole purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee.  The fee has been calculated in accordance with Rules 457(h)(1) and 457(c) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.  Accordingly, the maximum offering price per share is based on the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock for August 21, 2002.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The documents containing the information about the A.G. Edwards 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to eligible employee as specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or  "Commission") Rule 428(b)(1).  Such documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II, taken together, constitute prospectuses that meet the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities At of 1933, as amended.  All such documents will be dated and maintained in a "prospectus file" as required by SEC Rule 428(a) and will contain the following legend in a conspicuous place as directed by SEC Rule 428(b)(1):
This document (or specifically designated portions of this document) constitutes (constitute) part of a prospectus covering securities that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933."
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3
.
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
.
The following documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Section 13(a) are incorporated herein by reference:
(a)     The Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2002, filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") on May 29, 2002;
(b)     The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2002, filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act on July 15, 2002;
(c)     (1)     The description of the Company's Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share, as contained in the Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act on January 12, 1989, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description; and
(2)     The description of the Company's Common Stock Purchase Rights, as contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act on January 12, 1989, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All reports and other documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.
Item 4
.
Description of Securities
.
Not applicable.
Item 5
.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
.
Not applicable.
Item 6
.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, Article IX of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Article VII of the Company's Bylaws provide for indemnification of directors, officers and others under certain conditions and subject to specific limitations.  Under its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Company must indemnify any person who is or was a director or officer or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against any and all expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys' fees), reasonably incurred or suffered by him to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of Delaware, as amended (and as may be amended in the future, if such amendments provide for broader indemnification rights).
The Company maintains directors' and officers' liability insurance which protects each director and officer from liability for actions taken in their capacity as directors or officers.  This insurance may provide broader coverage for such individuals than may be required by the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
The foregoing represents a summary of the general effect of Delaware law and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws for purposes of general description only.  Additional information regarding indemnification of directors and officers can be found in the Delaware statutes, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and its pertinent insurance contracts.
Item 7
.
Exemption from Registration Claimed
.
Not applicable.
Item 8
.
Exhibits
.
See Exhibit Index on page II-7 hereof.
Item 9
.
Undertakings
.
(a)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)     To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)     To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)    To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represents a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;
(iii)   To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement.
(2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)     To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b)     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(h)     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, on August 23, 2002.
A.G. EDWARDS, INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Robert L. Bagby
Robert L. Bagby
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert L. Bagby and Douglas L. Kelly, and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Robert L. Bagby
Robert L. Bagby
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
August 23, 2002
/s/ Benjamin F. Edwards IV
Benjamin F. Edwards IV
Vice Chairman of the Board, President and Director
August 23, 2002
/s/ Douglas L. Kelly
Douglas L. Kelly
Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)
August 23, 2002
/s/ Ronald J. Kessler
Ronald J. Kessler
Vice Chairman of the Board and Director
August 23, 2002
/s/ Dr. E. Eugene Carter
Dr. E. Eugene Carter
Director
August 23, 2002
Samuel C. Hutchinson, Jr.
Director
August 23, 2002
/s/ Peter B. Madoff
Peter B. Madoff
Director
August 23, 2002
/s/ Dr. Mark S. Wrighton
Dr. Mark S. Wrighton
Director
August 23, 2002
/s/ Thomas H. Martin, Jr.
Thomas H. Martin, Jr.
Controller
August 23, 2002
/s/ Joseph G. Porter
Joseph G. Porter
Principal Accounting
Officer
August 23, 2002
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number
*
4.1
Articles IV, V, X, XII, XIII and XV of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1993, incorporated herein by reference.
4.2
Article II, Article III Sections 1 and 15, Article IV Sections 1 and 3, Article VI and Article VII Sections 1-3 of the Company's Bylaws filed as Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1994, incorporated herein by reference.
4.3
Rights Agreement dated as of December 30, 1988 between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent as filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 8-K Report dated December 30, 1988 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.4
Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated May 24, 1991, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 1992, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.5
Amendment No. 2 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated June 22, 1995, filed as Exhibit 3 to the Company's Form 8-A/A dated July 12, 1995, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.6
Amendment No. 3 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated July 11, 1997, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 1998, and incorporated herein by reference.
4.7
Amendment No. 4 to the Rights Agreement dated December 30, 1988, between the Company and Boatmen's Trust Company as Rights Agent, dated December 15, 2002, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Company's Form 8-A/A on December 19, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference.
5
Opinion of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP.
15
Omitted - Inapplicable.
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2
Consent of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP contained in Exhibit 5.
24
Power of Attorney contained on Pages II-5 through II-6 hereof.
*Numbers correspond to document numbers in Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.