a731131424b2.htm
The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Registration Statement No. 333-173924
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Subject to Completion, dated July 31, 2013
Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus dated June 22, 2011,
the Prospectus Supplement dated June 22, 2011, and the Product Supplement dated April 24, 2012
Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series B
Autocallable Cash-Settled Notes with Step Up Call Price due August 31, 2015
Each Linked to a Single Exchange Traded Fund
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This pricing supplement relates to two separate offerings of Autocallable Cash-Settled Notes with Step Up Call Price linked to the iShares® Russell 2000 ETF and the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (the “Reference Stock Issuers”). We refer to the shares of each Reference Stock Issuer as the “Reference Stock.” Each issue of the notes is linked to one, and only one, Reference Stock. You may participate in either of the two offerings individually or, at your election, in both of the offerings. This pricing supplement does not, however, allow you to purchase a single note linked to both of the Reference Stocks described below.
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The notes are designed for investors who are willing to forgo receiving interest on the notes and are seeking a predetermined return on the notes if the closing price of the applicable Reference Stock on any Call Date is greater than the applicable Initial Stock Price. Investors should be willing to have their notes automatically redeemed prior to maturity and be willing to lose some or all of their principal at maturity.
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If on any Call Date, the closing price of the applicable Reference Stock is greater than its Initial Stock Price, the applicable notes will be automatically called. On the applicable Call Settlement Date, for each $1,000 principal amount, investors will receive the applicable Call Price set forth below.
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The notes do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Instead, if the notes are not automatically called, the payment at maturity will be based on the Final Stock Price of the applicable Reference Stock and whether the Final Stock Price of the applicable Reference Stock is below Trigger Price on the Valuation Date.
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If the notes are not automatically redeemed, and the Final Stock Price is lower than the Trigger Price on the Valuation Date, investors are subject to one-for-one loss of the principal amount of the applicable issue of the notes for any percentage decrease from the Initial Stock Price to the Final Stock Price. In such a case, you will receive a cash amount at maturity that is less than the principal amount.
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There will be no periodic payments of interest on the notes.
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All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.
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The offerings are expected to price on August 28, 2013, and the notes are expected to settle through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about August 30, 2013.
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Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing in the shares of any of the Reference Stocks.
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The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
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Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp., is the agent for these offerings. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
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Autocallable
RevEx
Number
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Trigger Price
(% of the
Initial Stock
Price)
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Proceeds to Bank
of Montreal
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0058
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iShares® Russell 2000 ETF
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IWM
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85%
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2
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06366RQL2
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100%
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●%
US$●
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●%
US$●
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0059
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Shares® MSCI EAFE ETF
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EFA
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85%
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2
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06366RQM0
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100%
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●%
US$●
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●%
US$●
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Autocallable
RevEx
Number
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Call Date Occuring on
August 27, 2014
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Call Date Occuring on
August 27, 2015
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0058
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iShares® Russell 2000 ETF
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$1,102.50
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$1,205.00
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0059
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iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF
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$1,082.50
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$1,165.00
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(1) The actual agent’s commission will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-4 of this pricing supplement, the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-4 of the product supplement, and the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page S-3 of the prospectus supplement and on page 7 of the prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these notes or passed upon the accuracy of this pricing supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will not be savings accounts or deposits that are insured by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality or other entity.
On the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, based on the terms set forth above, the estimated initial value of the notes is $965.00 per $1,000 in principal amount as to the notes linked to IWM and $961.90 per $1,000 in principal amount as to the notes linked to EFA. The estimated initial value of the notes on the pricing date may differ from this value but will not be less than $940.00 per $1,000 in principal amount in the case of notes linked to IWM and $940.00 per $1,000 in principal amount in the case of notes linked to EFA. However, as discussed in more detail in this pricing supplement, the actual value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS
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Key Terms of the Notes:
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Automatic Redemption:
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If, on any Call Date, the closing price of the applicable Reference Stock is greater than its Initial Stock Price, the applicable notes will be automatically redeemed.
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Payment upon Automatic
Redemption:
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If the notes are automatically redeemed, then, on the applicable Call Settlement Date, for each $1,000 principal amount, investors will receive the applicable Call Price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
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Call Dates:
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August 27, 2014 and the Valuation Date.
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Call Settlement Dates:
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The second business day following the applicable Call Date. The call settlement date for the final Call Date will be the maturity date.
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Payment at Maturity:
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If the notes are not automatically redeemed, the payment at maturity for each of the notes is based on the performance of the applicable Reference Stock. You will receive $1,000 for each $1,000 in principal amount of the note, unless the Final Stock Price is less than the Trigger Price.
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If the Final Stock Price is less than the Trigger Price, you will receive at maturity, for each $1000 in principal amount of your notes, a cash amount equal to:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change)]
This amount will be less than the principal amount of your notes, and may be zero.
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The Percentage Change, expressed as a percentage, is calculated using the following formula:
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Final Stock Price - Initial Stock Price
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Initial Stock Price
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Pricing Date:
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On or about August 28, 2013
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Settlement Date:
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On or about August 30, 2013
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Valuation Date:
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On or about August 27, 2015
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Maturity Date:
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On or about August 31, 2015
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Interest:
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None. The only payments on the notes will be the Call Price, if the notes are called prior to maturity, or the payment at maturity.
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Monitoring Period:
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The Valuation Date. The price of the applicable Reference Stock between the Pricing Date and the Valuation Date will not impact the Payment at Maturity.
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Physical Delivery Amount:
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We will only pay cash on the maturity date, and you will have no right to receive any shares of the applicable Reference Stock.
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Initial Stock Price:
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The closing price of the applicable Reference Stock on the pricing date. The Initial Stock Price is subject to adjustments in certain circumstances. See “General Terms of the Notes — Payment at Maturity” and “— Anti-dilution Adjustments” in the product supplement for additional information about these adjustments.
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Final Stock Price:
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The closing price of the applicable Reference Stock on the Valuation Date.
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The pricing date and the settlement date are subject to change. The actual pricing date, settlement date, Call Dates, Valuation Date and maturity date for each of the notes will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”) or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless our agent or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.
Additional Terms of the Notes
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Additional Terms of the Notes
This pricing supplement relates to two separate note offerings. Each issue of offered notes is linked to one, and only one, Reference Stock. The purchaser of a note will acquire a security linked to a single Reference Stock (and not to a basket that includes any other Reference Stock). You may participate in one of the note offerings or, at your election, in both of the offerings.
You should read this pricing supplement together with the product supplement dated April 24, 2012, the prospectus supplement dated June 22, 2011 and the prospectus dated June 22, 2011. This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours or the agent. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” in the product supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the notes.
You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
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Product supplement dated April 24, 2012:
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Prospectus supplement dated June 22, 2011:
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Prospectus dated June 22, 2011:
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Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this pricing supplement, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Bank of Montreal.
Selected Risk Considerations
An investment in the notes involves significant risks. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in any of the Reference Stocks. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section of the product supplement.
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Your investment in the notes may result in a loss. — The notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The notes do not pay interest. If the notes are not automatically redeemed, the payment at maturity will be based on the applicable Final Stock Price and whether the closing price of the applicable Reference Stock has declined from the applicable Initial Stock Price to a closing price that is less than the applicable Trigger Price on the Valuation Date. If the applicable Final Stock Price is less than the Trigger Price, you will be subject to a one-for-one loss of the principal amount of each of the notes for any Percentage Change from the applicable Initial Stock Price. In such a case, you will receive at maturity a cash payment that is less than the principal amount of each note and may be zero. Accordingly, you could lose up to the entire principal amount of your notes.
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Your notes are subject to automatic early redemption. — We will redeem the notes if the closing price of the applicable Reference Stock on any Call Date is greater than its Initial Stock Price. Following an automatic redemption, you may not be able to reinvest your proceeds in an investment with returns that are comparable to the notes.
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Your return on the notes, if any, is limited to the applicable Call Price, regardless of any appreciation in the value of the applicable Reference Stock. — Unless the notes are automatically called, you will not receive a payment at maturity with a value greater than your principal amount. If the notes are automatically called, you will not receive a payment greater than the applicable Call Price, even if the Final Stock Price exceeds the Initial Stock Price by a substantial amount.
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Your investment is subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal. — Our credit ratings and credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the notes. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the notes at maturity and on any applicable Call Settlement Date, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the value of the notes.
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Potential conflicts. — We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes, including acting as calculation agent. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also engage in trading of shares of the Reference Stocks or the securities held by the Reference Stocks on a regular basis as part of our general broker-dealer and other businesses, for proprietary accounts, for other accounts under management or to facilitate transactions for our customers. Any of these activities could adversely affect the price of the Reference Stocks and, therefore, the market value of the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also issue or underwrite other securities or financial or derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance of the Reference Stocks. By introducing competing products into the marketplace in this manner, we or one or more of our affiliates could adversely affect the market value of the notes.
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Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the price to public. — Our initial estimated value of each of the notes is only an estimate, and is based on a number of factors. The price to public of each of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value, because costs associated with offering, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the price to public, but are not included in the estimated value. These costs include the agent’s commission, and the profits that we and our affiliates expect to realize for assuming the risks in hedging our obligations under the notes and the estimated cost of hedging these obligations. The initial estimated value of each of the notes may be as low as the applicable amount indicated on the cover page of this pricing supplement.
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Our initial estimated value does not represent any future value of the notes, and may also differ from the estimated value of any other party. — Our initial estimated value of the notes as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement is, and our estimated value as determined on the pricing date will be, derived using our internal pricing models. This value is based on market conditions and other relevant factors, which include volatility of the Reference Stock, dividend rates and interest rates. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide values for the notes that are greater than or less than our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors after the pricing date are expected to change, possibly rapidly, and our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. After the pricing date, the value of the notes could change dramatically due to changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, and the other factors set forth in this pricing supplement and the product supplement. The value of each of the notes after the pricing date is not expected to correlate with one another. These changes are likely to impact the price, if any, at which we or BMOCM would be willing to purchase the notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our initial estimated values do not represent a minimum price at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market at any time.
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The terms of the notes are not determined by reference to the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. — To determine the terms of the notes, we will use an internal funding rate that represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. As a result, the terms of the notes are less favorable to you than if we had used a higher funding rate.
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Certain costs are likely to adversely affect the value of the notes. — Absent any changes in market conditions, any secondary market prices of the notes will likely be lower than the price to public. This is because any secondary market prices will likely take into account our then-current market credit spreads, and because any secondary market prices are likely to exclude all or a portion of the agent’s commission and the hedging profits and estimated hedging costs that are included in the price to public of the notes and that may be reflected on your account statements. In addition, any such price is also likely to reflect a discount to account for costs associated with establishing or unwinding any related hedge transaction, such as dealer discounts, mark-ups and other transaction costs. As a result, the price, if any, at which BMOCM or any other party may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely to be lower than the price to public. Any sale that you make prior to the maturity date could result in a substantial loss to you.
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Owning the notes is not the same as owning the applicable Reference Stock or a security directly linked to the applicable Reference Stock. — The return on your notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the applicable Reference Stock or a security directly linked to the performance of the applicable Reference Stock and held that investment for a similar period. Your notes may trade quite differently from the applicable Reference Stock. Changes in the price of the applicable Reference Stock may not result in comparable changes in the market value of your notes. Even if the price of the applicable Reference Stock increases during the term of the notes, the market value of the notes prior to maturity may not increase to the same extent. It is also possible for the market value of the notes to decrease while the price of the applicable Reference Stock increases. In addition, any dividends or other distributions paid on the applicable Reference Stock will not be reflected in the amount payable on the notes.
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You will not have any shareholder rights and will have no right to receive any shares of the applicable Reference Stock Issuer at maturity. — Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any shares of the applicable Reference Stock Issuer, or any securities held by the applicable Reference Stock Issuer. Neither you nor any other holder or owner of the notes will have any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions, or any other rights with respect to the applicable Reference Stock or such other securities.
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No Delivery of Shares of the Reference Stock Issuer. — The notes will be payable only in cash. You should not invest in the notes if you seek to have the shares of the applicable Reference Stock Issuer delivered to you at maturity.
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No affiliation with the any of Reference Stock Issuers. — We are not affiliated with any of the Reference Stock Issuers. You should make your own investigation into the applicable Reference Stock and the applicable Reference Stock Issuer. We are not responsible for any Reference Stock Issuer’s public disclosure of information, whether contained in SEC filings or otherwise.
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Changes that affect the applicable underlying index will affect the market value of the notes, whether the notes will be automatically called, and the amount you will receive at maturity. — The policies of the sponsors (each, an “Index Sponsor”) of the Russell 2000® Index and the MSCI EAFE Index (each, an underlying index of the applicable Reference Stock Issuer), concerning the calculation of the applicable underlying index, additions, deletions or substitutions of the components of the applicable underlying index and the manner in which changes affecting those components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, may be reflected in the applicable underlying index and, therefore, could affect the share price of the applicable Reference Stock, the amount payable on the notes at maturity, and the market value of the notes prior to maturity. The amount payable on the notes and their market value could also be affected if the applicable Index Sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the applicable underlying index, or if the applicable Index Sponsor discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the applicable underlying index
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We have no affiliation with any Index Sponsor and will not be responsible for any actions taken by any Index Sponsor. — None of the Index Sponsors is an affiliate of ours or will be involved in the offerings of the notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of any Index Sponsor, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The Index Sponsors have no obligation of any sort with respect to the notes. Thus, the Index Sponsors have no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including in taking any actions that might affect the value of the notes. None of our proceeds from any issuance of the notes will be delivered to any Index Sponsor.
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Adjustments to the applicable Reference Stock could adversely affect the notes. — BlackRock, Inc. (collectively with its affiliates, “BlackRock”), in its role as the sponsor and advisor of the Reference Stock Issuers, is responsible for calculating and maintaining each of the Reference Stocks. BlackRock can add, delete or substitute the stocks comprising the applicable Reference Stock or may make other methodological changes that could change the share price of the applicable Reference Stock at any time. If one or more of these events occurs, the calculation of the amount payable at maturity may be adjusted to reflect such event or events. Consequently, any of these actions could adversely affect the amount payable at maturity and/or the market value of the applicable notes.
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We and our affiliates do not have any affiliation with the investment advisor of the Reference Stock Issuers and are not responsible for its public disclosure of information. —We and our affiliates are not affiliated with BlackRock in any way and have no ability to control or predict its actions, including any errors in or discontinuance of disclosure regarding its methods or policies relating to any of the Reference Stock Issuers. BlackRock is not involved in the offerings of the notes in any way and has no obligation to consider your interests as an owner of the applicable notes in taking any actions relating to the applicable Reference Stock Issuer that might affect the value of those notes. Neither we nor any of our affiliates has independently verified the adequacy or accuracy of the information about BlackRock or any of the Reference Stocks Issuers contained in any public disclosure of information. You, as an investor in the applicable notes, should make your own investigation into the applicable Reference Stock Issuer.
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The correlation between the performance of a Reference Stock and the performance of the related underlying index may be imperfect. — The performance of each Reference Stock is linked principally to the performance of the related underlying index. However, because of the potential discrepancies identified in more detail in the product supplement, the return on each Reference Stock may correlate imperfectly with the return on the applicable underlying index.
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The Reference Stocks are subject to management risks. — The Reference Stocks are subject to management risk, which is the risk that the investment advisor’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. For example, the investment advisor may invest a portion of a Reference Stock Issuer’s assets in securities not included in the relevant industry or sector but which the investment advisor believes will help the Reference Stock track the relevant industry or sector.
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Lack of liquidity. — The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. BMOCM may offer to purchase the notes in the secondary market, but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade the notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which BMOCM is willing to buy the notes.
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Hedging and trading activities. — We or any of our affiliates may carry out hedging activities related to the notes, including in the Reference Stocks, the securities that they hold, or instruments related to the Reference Stocks. We or our affiliates may also trade in the Reference Stocks, such securities, or instruments related to one or both of the Reference Stocks from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the pricing date and during the term of the notes could adversely affect the payments on the notes.
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Many economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes. — In addition to the price of the applicable Reference Stock and interest rates on any trading day, the value of the notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, and which are described in more detail in the product supplement.
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You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the applicable Reference Stock. — In the ordinary course of their businesses, our affiliates from time to time may express views on expected movements in the price of the Reference Stocks or the securities held by the Reference Stock. One or more of our affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports that express views on the Reference Stock or these securities. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in the markets relating to Reference Stock at any time may have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the Reference Stocks from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by our affiliates.
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Neither the offering of the notes nor any views which our affiliates from time to time may express in the ordinary course of their businesses constitutes a recommendation as to the merits of an investment in the notes.
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Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain. — The tax treatment of the notes is uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or from any Canadian authorities regarding the tax treatment of the notes, and the Internal Revenue Service or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement.
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The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice indicating that it and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as the notes even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the notes until maturity and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize upon sale or maturity of an instrument such as the notes could be treated as ordinary income. The outcome of this process is uncertain and could apply on a retroactive basis.
Please read carefully the section entitled “Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement, the section “United States Federal Income Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled “Certain Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.
Additional Risks Relating to the iShares® Russell 2000 ETF
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An investment in the Reference Stock is subject to risks associated in investing in stocks with a small market capitalization. — The Russell 2000® Index consists of stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalizations. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies. As a result, the share price of the Reference Stock may be more volatile than that of a market measure that does not track solely small-capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also generally more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to many investors if they do not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization companies are typically less well-established and less stable financially than large-capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of those individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and fewer competitive strengths than large-capitalization companies. These companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.
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Additional Risks Relating to the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF
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An investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets. — The MSCI EAFE Index tracks the value of certain foreign equity securities. You should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. The foreign securities markets comprising the MSCI EAFE Index may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these foreign securities markets, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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An investment in the notes is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. — The share price of this Reference Stock will fluctuate based upon its net asset value, which will in turn depend in part upon changes in the value of the currencies in which the stocks held by the Reference Stock Issuer are traded. Accordingly, investors in the notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the stocks held by this Reference Stock are traded. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar. If, the dollar strengthens against these currencies, the net asset value of the Reference Stock will be adversely affected and the price of the Reference Stock may decrease.
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The Reference Stocks
We have derived the following information regarding the Reference Stocks from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated with the applicable Reference Stock Issuers and those issuers will have no obligations with respect to the notes. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and does not relate to the shares of the applicable Reference Stock or to the securities in the applicable underlying index. Neither we nor BMOCM participates in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor BMOCM has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the applicable Reference Stock in connection with the offering of the notes. There can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date of this pricing supplement, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described below, that would affect the trading price of the shares of the applicable Reference Stock have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the applicable Reference Stock could affect the value of the shares of the applicable Reference Stock and therefore could affect the Payment at Maturity or whether the notes are called.
Information concerning each of the Reference Stocks filed with the SEC by iShares under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 can be located by reference to SEC file numbers 033-97598 and 811-09102, respectively. Information provided to or filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC or through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. None of this publicly available information is incorporated by reference into this pricing supplement.
The selection of the applicable Reference Stock relating to any of the notes is not a recommendation to buy or sell the shares of the applicable Reference Stock. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the shares of any of the Reference Stocks.
iShares consists of numerous separate investment portfolios (the “iShares Funds”), including the applicable Reference Stock. Each of the Reference Stocks seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of their respective underlying indices. The Reference Stocks typically earn income from dividends from securities held by the Reference Stocks. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to the Reference Stocks’ shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the Reference Stocks realizes capital gains or losses whenever they sell securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to their respective shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the applicable notes are linked only to the share price of the applicable Reference Stock, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the applicable Reference Stock or any equivalent payments.
“iShares®” and “BlackRock®” are registered trademarks of BlackRock. None of the notes are sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BlackRock, or by any of the iShares Funds. Neither BlackRock nor the iShares Funds make any representations or warranties to the owners of any of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in any of the notes. Neither BlackRock nor the iShares Funds shall have any obligation or liability in connection with the registration, operation, marketing, trading, or sale of any of the notes or in connection with our use of information about any of the Reference Stocks or any of the iShares Funds.
iShares® Russell 2000 ETF
The Reference Stock seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Russell 2000® Index. The Reference Stock typically earns income dividends from securities included in the Russell 2000® Index. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to the Reference Stock’s shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the Reference Stock realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because your notes are linked only to the share price of the Reference Stock, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the Reference Stock or any equivalent payments.
The shares of the Reference Stock trade on the NYSE Arca, Inc. under the symbol “IWM”.
Russell 2000® Index
We have derived all information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Russell 2000® Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, Russell. Russell has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Russell 2000® Index. None of us, the calculation agent, or any selling agent accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Russell 2000® Index or any successor index.
Russell began dissemination of the Russell 2000® Index on January 1, 1984 and calculates and publishes the Russell 2000® Index. The Russell 2000® Index was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. The Russell 2000® Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the Russell 2000® Index consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The Russell 2000® Index is determined, comprised, and calculated by Russell without regard to the notes.
Selection of Stocks Comprising the Russell 2000® Index
All companies eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000® Index must be classified as a U.S. company under Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not the same, Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume) (“ADDTV”). Using the HCIs, Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, Russell will use the primary country from which the company’s revenues are primarily derived for the comparison with the three HCIs in a similar manner. Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data, to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, Russell will assign the company to the country of its headquarters, which is defined as the address of the company’s principal executive offices, unless that country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation “BDI” country, in which case the company will be assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including countries such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000® Index must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Bulletin board, pink-sheets, and over-the-counter (“OTC”) traded securities are not eligible for inclusion. Stocks must trade at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. Initial public offerings must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If a stock, new or existing, does not have a closing price at or above $1.00 (on its primary exchange) on the last trading day in May, but does have a closing price at or above $1.00 on another major U.S. exchange, that stock will be eligible for inclusion. Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the Russell 2000® Index. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their shares available in the marketplace are not eligible for the Russell 2000® Index.
Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (business development companies are eligible), blank check companies, special-purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are ineligible for inclusion. Preferred and convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, and trust receipts are not eligible for inclusion in the Russell 2000®Index.
Annual reconstitution is a process by which the Russell 2000® Index is completely rebuilt. On the last trading day of May, all eligible securities are ranked by their total market capitalization. The largest 4,000 become the Russell 3000E Index, and the other Russell indexes are determined from that set of securities. Reconstitution of the Russell 2000® Index occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 28th, 29th, or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, Russell adds initial public offerings to the Russell 2000® Index on a quarterly basis based on market capitalization guidelines established during the most recent reconstitution.
After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
Historical Information of the Reference Stock
The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of the Reference Stock from the first quarter of 2010 through July 26, 2013.
|
|
|
High ($)
|
|
Low ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
First Quarter
|
69.25
|
|
58.68
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
74.14
|
|
61.08
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
67.67
|
|
59.04
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
79.22
|
|
66.94
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
First Quarter
|
84.17
|
|
77.18
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
86.37
|
|
77.77
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
85.65
|
|
64.25
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
76.45
|
|
60.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
First Quarter
|
84.41
|
|
74.56
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
83.79
|
|
73.64
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
86.40
|
|
76.68
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
84.69
|
|
76.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
First Quarter
|
94.80
|
|
86.65
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
99.51
|
|
89.58
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter (through July 26, 2013)
|
104.54
|
|
98.08
|
|
iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF
The Reference Stock seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Index. The Reference Stock typically earns income from dividends from securities held by the Reference Stock. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to the Reference Stock’s shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the Reference Stock realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the notes are linked only to the share price of the Reference Stock, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the Reference Stock or any equivalent payments.
The shares of the Reference Stock trade on the NYSE Arca under the symbol “EFA.”
The MSCI EAFE Index
We have derived all information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the MSCI EAFE Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information, including Bloomberg Financial Markets. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by MSCI. MSCI has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the MSCI EAFE Index.
The MSCI EAFE Index is intended to measure equity market performance in developed market countries, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization equity index with a base date of December 31, 1969 and an initial value of 100. The MSCI EAFE Index is calculated daily in U.S. dollars and published in real time every 60 seconds during market trading hours. The MSCI EAFE Index currently consists of the following 22 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The MSCI EAFE Index is part of the MSCI Regional Equity Indices series and is an MSCI Global Investable Market Index, which is a family within the MSCI International Equity Indices.
General - MSCI Global Investable Market Indices
MSCI provides global equity indices intended to measure equity performance in international markets and the MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to serve as global equity performance benchmarks. In constructing these indices, MSCI applies its index construction and maintenance methodology across developed, emerging, and frontier markets.
MSCI enhanced the methodology used in its MSCI International Equity Indices. The MSCI Standard and MSCI Small Cap Indices, along with the other MSCI equity indices based on them, transitioned to the global investable market indices methodology described below. The transition was completed at the end of May 2008. The Enhanced MSCI Standard Indices are composed of the MSCI Large Cap and Mid Cap Indices. The MSCI Global Small Cap Index transitioned to the MSCI Small Cap Index resulting from the Global Investable Market Indices methodology and contains no overlap with constituents of the transitioned MSCI Standard Indices. Together, the relevant MSCI Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap Indices will make up the MSCI investable market index for each country, composite, sector, and style index that MSCI offers.
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:
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·
|
defining the equity universe;
|
|
·
|
determining the market investable equity universe for each market;
|
|
·
|
determining market capitalization size segments for each market;
|
|
·
|
applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;
|
|
·
|
creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and
|
|
·
|
classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
|
Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is defined by:
|
·
|
Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI Global Index Series, which will be classified as either Developed Markets (“DM”) or Emerging Markets (“EM”). All listed equity securities, or listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, exchange traded funds, equity derivatives, limited partnerships, and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in some countries and certain income trusts in Canada are also eligible for inclusion.
|
|
·
|
Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country.
|
Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes. A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is equivalent to a single country, except in DM Europe, where all DM countries in Europe are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Subsequently, individual DM Europe country indices within the MSCI Europe Index are derived from the constituents of the MSCI Europe Index under the global investable market indices methodology.
The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are as follows:
|
·
|
Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization.
|
|
·
|
Equity Universe Minimum Free Float−Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float−adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement.
|
|
·
|
DM Minimum Liquidity Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have adequate liquidity. The twelve-month and three-month Annual Traded Value Ratio (“ATVR”), a measure that screens out extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float−adjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading are used to measure liquidity. In the calculation of the ATVR, the trading volumes in depository receipts associated with that security, such as ADRs or GDRs, are also considered. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a DM.
|
|
·
|
Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security’s Foreign Inclusion Factor (“FIF”) must reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or the foreign ownership limits applicable to a specific security (or company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or larger than 0.15 to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe.
|
|
·
|
Minimum Length of Trading Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial public offering (“IPO”) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at least four months before the implementation of the initial construction of the index or at least three months before the implementation of a semi−annual index review (as described below). This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market investable equity universe and the Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or Semi−Annual Index Review.
|
Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market. Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size−based indices:
|
·
|
Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);
|
|
·
|
Standard Index (Large + Mid);
|
Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps:
|
·
|
defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;
|
|
·
|
determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;
|
|
·
|
determining the market size−segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;
|
|
·
|
assigning companies to the size segments; and
|
|
·
|
applying final size−segment investability requirements.
|
Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices. In order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index.
Creating Style Indices within Each Size Segment. All securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments using the MSCI Global Value and Growth methodology.
Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard. All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with Standard & Poor’s, the GICS. Under the GICS, each company is assigned to one sub−industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one industry grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.
Index Maintenance
The MSCI Global Investable Market Indices are maintained with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, and index stability and low index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:
(i)
|
Semi−Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:
|
|
·
|
updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;
|
|
·
|
taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and
|
|
·
|
updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
|
(ii)
|
Quarterly Index Reviews in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:
|
|
·
|
including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index;
|
|
·
|
allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and
|
|
·
|
reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS.
|
(iii)
|
Ongoing Event−Related Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the company’s tenth day of trading.
|
Through this maintenance process, MSCI may make structural changes to the indices by adding or deleting component country indices. Consequently, the composition of the MSCI EAFE Index may change over the term of the notes.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates, including BMOCM, accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in the MSCI EAFE Index, or any successor to the index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the MSCI EAFE Index, or any data included in the index. MSCI assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or disruption in the calculation and dissemination of the MSCI EAFE Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the MSCI EAFE Index, or the manner in which the index is applied in determining the amount payable on the notes at maturity.
Historical Information of the Reference Stock
The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices of the Reference Stock from the first quarter of 2010 through July 26, 2013.
|
|
|
High ($)
|
|
Low ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
First Quarter
|
57.96
|
|
50.45
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
58.03
|
|
46.29
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
55.42
|
|
47.09
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
59.46
|
|
54.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
First Quarter
|
61.91
|
|
55.31
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
63.87
|
|
57.10
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
60.80
|
|
46.66
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
55.57
|
|
46.45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
First Quarter
|
55.80
|
|
49.15
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
55.51
|
|
46.55
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
55.15
|
|
47.62
|
|
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
56.88
|
|
51.96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
First Quarter
|
59.89
|
|
56.90
|
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
63.53
|
|
57.03
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter (through July 26, 2013)
|
61.18
|
|
57.55
|
|
Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the Notes
The following table illustrates the hypothetical payments on a note at maturity that is not automatically called on the first Call Date. The hypothetical payments are based on a $1,000 investment in the note, a hypothetical Initial Stock Price of $100.00, a hypothetical Trigger Price of $85.00 (85% of the Initial Stock Price), a hypothetical final Call Price of $1,205, a range of hypothetical Final Stock Prices and the effect on the payment at maturity: (i) if the Final Stock Price of the applicable Reference Stock is above the Initial Stock Price on the Valuation Date (which is the final Call Date), your payment at maturity will be the final Call Price; (ii) if the Final Stock Price of the applicable Reference Stock is less than the Initial Stock Price but does not fall below the Trigger Price, your payment at maturity will be 100% of the principal amount; however, (iii) if the Final Stock Price is less than the Trigger Price, the value of the cash payment that you receive will be less than your principal amount.
The hypothetical examples shown below are intended to help you understand the terms of the notes. If the notes are not automatically called before the final Call Date, the actual cash amount that you will receive at maturity will depend upon the Final Stock Price of the applicable Reference Stock, and whether its closing price is below the applicable Trigger Price on the Valuation Date. If the notes are automatically called prior to maturity, the hypothetical examples below will not be relevant, and you will receive on the applicable Call Settlement Date, for each $1,000 principal amount, the applicable Call Price.
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price Expressed
as a Percentage of the
Initial Stock Price
|
Payment at Maturity
|
$150.00
|
150%
|
$1,205.00
|
$125.00
|
125%
|
$1,205.00
|
$100.00
|
100%
|
$1,000.00
|
$90.00
|
90%
|
$1,000.00
|
$85.00
|
85%
|
$1,000.00
|
$75.00
|
75%
|
$750.00
|
$70.00
|
70%
|
$700.00
|
$65.00
|
65%
|
$650.00
|
$50.00
|
50%
|
$500.00
|
$25.00
|
25%
|
$250.00
|
$0.00
|
0%
|
$0.00
|
Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general description of the material U.S. tax considerations relating to the notes. It does not purport to be a complete analysis of all tax considerations relating to the notes. Prospective purchasers of the notes should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences under the tax laws of the country of which they are resident for tax purposes and the tax laws of Canada and the U.S. of acquiring, holding and disposing of the notes and receiving payments under the notes. This summary is based upon the law as in effect on the date of this pricing supplement and is subject to any change in law that may take effect after such date.
The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement with respect to United States holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus). The following section supersedes the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying product supplement in its entirety. Except as otherwise noted under “Non-United States Holders” and “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act” below, it applies only to those United States holders who are not excluded from the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, the discussion below assumes that an investor in the notes will be subject to a significant risk that it will lose a significant amount of its investment in the notes.
You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the notes in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
NO STATUTORY, JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY DIRECTLY DISCUSSES HOW THE NOTES SHOULD BE TREATED FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. AS A RESULT, THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES ARE UNCERTAIN. BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR IN DETERMINING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICATION OF STATE, LOCAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS AND THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN FEDERAL OR OTHER TAX LAWS.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether any Reference Stock or the issuer of any component stock included in any Reference Stock would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code or a “U.S. real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If any Reference Stock or the issuer of any component stock included in any Reference Stock were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply. You should refer to any available information filed with the SEC by any Reference Stock and each issuer of any component stock included in any Reference Stock and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you in this regard.
In the opinion of our counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat a note with terms described in this pricing supplement as a callable pre-paid cash settled derivative contract in respect of the Reference Stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the terms of the notes require a holder and us (in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the notes for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. If the notes are so treated, subject to the discussion below concerning the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rules under Section 1260 of the Code, a United States holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, call or maturity of the notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount a United States holder receives at such time and the United States holder’s tax basis in the notes. In general, a United States holder’s tax basis in the notes will be equal to the price the holder paid for the notes. Capital gain recognized by an individual United States holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year and is generally taxed at ordinary income rates where the property is held for one year or less. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Potential Application of Section 1260 of the Code
Since any Reference Stock is the type of financial asset described under Section 1260 of the Code (including, among others, any equity interest in pass-thru entities such as ETFs, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships, and passive foreign investment companies, each a “Section 1260 Financial Asset”), while the matter is not entirely clear, there exists a substantial risk that an investment in a note is, in whole or in part, a “constructive ownership transaction” to which Section 1260 of the Code applies. If Section 1260 of the Code applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by a United States holder in respect of a note will be recharacterized as ordinary income (the “Excess Gain”). In addition, an interest charge will also apply to any deemed underpayment of tax in respect of any Excess Gain to the extent such gain would have resulted in gross income inclusion for the United States holder in taxable years prior to the taxable year of the sale, exchange, or settlement (assuming such income accrued at a constant rate equal to the applicable federal rate as of the date of sale, exchange, or settlement).
If an investment in a note is treated as a constructive ownership transaction, it is not clear to what extent any long-term capital gain of a United States holder in respect of the note will be recharacterized as ordinary income. It is possible, for example, that the amount of the Excess Gain (if any) that would be recharacterized as ordinary income in respect of the note will equal the excess of (i) any long-term capital gain recognized by the United States holder in respect of the note and attributable to Section 1260 Financial Assets, over (ii) the “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Code) such United States holder would have had if such United States holder had acquired an amount of the corresponding Section 1260 Financial Assets at fair market value on the original issue date for an amount equal to the portion of the issue price of the note attributable to the corresponding Section 1260 Financial Assets and sold such amount of Section 1260 Financial Assets upon the date of sale, exchange, or settlement of the note at fair market value (and appropriately taking into account any leveraged upside exposure). To the extent any gain is treated as long-term capital gain after application of the recharacterization rules of Section 1260 of the Code, such gain would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates that would have been applicable to the net underlying long-term capital gain. United States holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code to an investment in the note.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative tax treatments of the notes are also possible and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that a treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, it would also be possible to treat the notes, and the Internal Revenue Service might assert that the notes should be treated, as a single debt instrument. Since the notes have a term that exceeds one year, such a debt instrument would be subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the notes are so treated, a United States holder would generally be required to accrue interest currently over the term of the notes irrespective of the amount of interest paid on the notes. In addition, any gain a United States holder might recognize upon the sale or maturity of the notes would be ordinary income and any loss recognized by a holder at such time would be ordinary loss to the extent of interest that same holder included in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of the notes, and thereafter, would be capital loss.
If any Reference Stock periodically rebalances, it is possible that the notes could be treated as a series of callable pre-paid derivative contracts, each of which matures on the next rebalancing date. If the notes were properly characterized in such a manner, a United States holder would be treated as disposing of the notes on each rebalancing date in return for new callable pre-paid derivative contracts that mature on the next rebalancing date, and a holder would accordingly likely recognize capital gain or loss on each rebalancing date equal to the difference between the holder’s basis in the notes (which would be adjusted to take into account any prior recognition of gain or loss) and the fair market value of the notes on such date.
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the notes, it is also possible that the Internal Revenue Service could seek to characterize the notes in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the Internal Revenue Service could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize upon the sale, call or maturity of the notes should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.
The Internal Revenue Service has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to the notice, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether the holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, and they are seeking taxpayer comments on the subject. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code might be applied to such instruments. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the significance, and the potential impact, of the above considerations. We intend to treat the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described in this pricing supplement unless and until such time as the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Please see the discussion under “United States Federal Income Taxation—Other Considerations—Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on your notes.
Non-United States Holders
The following discussion applies to non-United States holders of the notes. A non-United States holder is a beneficial owner of a note that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or a foreign estate or trust.
A non-United States holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the notes, provided that (i) the holder complies with any applicable certification requirements, (ii) the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the holder of a U.S. trade or business, and (iii) if the holder is a non-resident alien individual, such holder is not present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale or maturity of the notes. In the case of (ii) above, the holder generally would be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to any income or gain in the same manner as if the holder were a United States holder and, in the case of a holder that is a corporation, the holder may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by an applicable U.S. income tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments. Payments made to a non-United States holder may be subject to information reporting and to backup withholding unless the holder complies with applicable certification and identification requirements as to its foreign status.
A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the U.S. and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-United States holder. Under proposed Treasury Department regulations, certain payments that are contingent upon or determined by reference to U.S. source dividends, including payments reflecting adjustments for extraordinary dividends, with respect to equity-linked instruments, including the notes, may be treated as dividend equivalents. If enacted in their current form, the regulations will impose a withholding tax on payments made on the notes on or after January 1, 2014 that are treated as dividend equivalents. In that case, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld. Further, non-United States holders may be required to provide certifications prior to, or upon the sale, redemption or maturity of the notes in order to minimize or avoid U.S. withholding taxes.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the notes to become subject to withholding tax, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate. The Internal Revenue Service has also indicated that it is considering whether income in respect of instruments such as the notes should be subject to withholding tax. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act was enacted on March 18, 2010 and will impose a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S. source payments, including interest (and OID), dividends, other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the Treasury Department to collect and provide to the Treasury Department substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution. The legislation also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity.
These withholding and reporting requirements will generally apply to payments made after June 30, 2014. However, this withholding tax will not be imposed on payments pursuant to obligations outstanding on July 1, 2014. Account holders subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act may include holders of the notes. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this recently enacted legislation on their investment in the notes.
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
BMOCM will purchase the notes from us at a purchase price reflecting the commission set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. BMOCM has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the notes, it will reoffer the notes to other dealers who will sell them. Each such dealer, or further engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM reoffers the notes, will purchase the notes at an agreed discount to the initial offering price.
We own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of BMOCM, the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMOCM may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.
We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offering of any of the notes and to reject orders in whole or in part. You may cancel any order for the notes prior to its acceptance.
You should not construe the offering of any of the notes as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the applicable Reference Stock or as to the suitability of an investment in the notes.
BMOCM may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the notes. BMOCM will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion.
We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless BMOCM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used by BMOCM in a market-making transaction.
For a period of approximately three months following issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that BMOCM may also publish for the notes through one or more financial information vendors and which could be indicated for the notes on any brokerage account statements, will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from our applicable estimated value of the notes that would otherwise be determined and applicable at that time. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of (a) the hedging profit that we or our affiliates expect to realize over the term of the notes and (b) the selling concessions paid in connection with this offering. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the three-month period.
Additional Information Relating to the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes
Our estimated initial value of each of the notes on the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, and that will be set forth on the cover page of the final pricing supplement relating to the notes, equals the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components:
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a fixed-income debt component with the same tenor as the notes, valued using our internal funding rate for structured notes; and
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one or more derivative transactions relating to the economic terms of the notes.
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The internal funding rate used in the determination of the initial estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The value of these derivative transactions are derived from our internal pricing models. These models are based on factors such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on other inputs, which include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. As a result, the estimated initial value of each of the notes on the Pricing Date will be determined based on market conditions at that time.