Registration Statement No. 333-196387
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Subject to Completion, dated March 28, 2017
Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus dated June 27, 2014, the Prospectus Supplement
dated June 27, 2014 and the Product Supplement dated October 1, 2015
US$ l
Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series C
Buffered Bullish Digital Return Notes due April 11, 2019
Linked to the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
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The notes are designed for investors who seek a fixed positive return based on any appreciation in the share price of the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (the “Underlying Asset”). Investors should be willing to accept a payment at maturity that is capped at the Digital Return (as defined below), be willing to forgo periodic interest, and be willing to lose 1% of their principal amount for each 1% that the price of the Underlying Asset decreases by more than 10.00% from its Initial Level.
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Investors in the notes may lose up to 90% of their principal amount at maturity.
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The maximum return at maturity will be equal to the Digital Return. Accordingly, the maximum amount to be paid at maturity will be $1,175 for each $1,000 in principal amount (a 17.50% return).
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Any payment at maturity is subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.
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The notes will not bear interest. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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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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The offering is expected to price on or about April 6, 2017 and the notes are expected to settle through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company on or about April 11, 2017.
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The notes are scheduled to mature on or about April 11, 2019.
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The CUSIP number of the notes is 06367TUP3.
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Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”), is the agent for this offering. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
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Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-5 of this pricing supplement, the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-5 of the product supplement, and the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-1 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, the estimated initial value of the notes is $973.50 per $1,000 in principal amount. The estimated initial value of the notes on the pricing date may differ from this value but will not be less than $950.00 per $1,000 in principal amount. 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.
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Price to Public(1)
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Agent’s Commission(1)
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Proceeds to Bank of Montreal
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Per Note
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US$1,000
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US$8.00
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US$992
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Total
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US$●
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US$●
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US$●
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(1) Certain dealers who purchase the notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the notes in these accounts may be between $992 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount.
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS
Key Terms of the Notes:
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Underlying Asset:
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iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (Bloomberg symbol: EEM). See the section below entitled “The Underlying Asset” for additional information about the Underlying Asset.
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Payment at Maturity:
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(i) If, at maturity, the Percentage Change is positive, then the investors will receive an amount equal to:
Principal Amount + (Principal Amount x Digital Return)
(ii) If, at maturity, the Percentage Change is zero or negative, but not by more than the Buffer Percentage, then the investors will receive their Principal Amount.
(iii) If, at maturity, the Percentage Change is negative, by more than the Buffer Percentage, then the investors will receive a cash payment equal to:
Principal Amount + [Principal Amount x (Percentage Change + Buffer Percentage)]
In this case, investors will lose 1% of their principal for each 1% that the Final Level declines by more than the Buffer Percentage.
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Digital Return:
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17.50%
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Digital Payment:
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The payment at maturity will not exceed the Digital Payment of $1,175 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.
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Initial Level:
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The closing price of one share of the Underlying Asset on the pricing date.
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Final Level:
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The closing price of one share of the Underlying Asset on the valuation date.
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Buffer Level:
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90.00% of the Initial Level.
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Buffer Percentage:
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10.00%. Accordingly, you will receive the principal amount of your notes at maturity only if the price of the Underlying Asset does not decrease by more than 10.00% between the pricing date and the Valuation Date. If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will receive less than the principal amount of your notes at maturity, and you could lose up to 90.00% of the principal amount of your notes.
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Percentage Change:
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Final Level – Initial Level, expressed as a percentage.
Initial Level |
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Pricing Date:
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On or about April 6, 2017.
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Settlement Date:
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On or about April 11, 2017, as determined on the pricing date.
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Valuation Date:
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On or about April 8, 2019, as determined on the pricing date.
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Maturity Date:
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On or about April 11, 2019, as determined on the pricing date.
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Automatic Redemption:
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Not applicable.
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Calculation Agent:
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BMOCM
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Selling Agent:
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BMOCM
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The pricing date and settlement date are subject to change. The actual pricing date, settlement date, valuation date and maturity date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
P-2
Payoff Example
The following table shows the hypothetical payout profile of an investment in the notes reflecting the Digital Return of 17.50% and the Buffer Level of 90%. Please see the section below, “Hypothetical Return on the Notes at Maturity,” for more detailed examples.
P-3
Additional Terms of the Notes
You should read this pricing supplement together with the product supplement dated October 1, 2015, the prospectus supplement dated June 27, 2014 and the prospectus dated June 27, 2014. 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 October 1, 2015:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000121465915006903/c101151424b5.htm |
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Prospectus supplement dated June 27, 2014:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000119312514254915/d750935d424b5.htm |
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Prospectus dated June 27, 2014:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000119312514254905/d749601d424b2.htm |
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Bank of Montreal.
We have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offerings to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may obtain these documents free of charge by visiting the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we will arrange to send to you the prospectus (as supplemented by the prospectus supplement and product supplement) if you request it by calling our agent toll-free at 1-877-369-5412.
P-4
Selected Risk Considerations
An investment in the notes involves significant risks. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Underlying Asset. 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. — You may lose some or a substantial portion of your investment in the notes. The minimum percentage of your principal that you are entitled to receive under the terms of the notes is only 10.00%. The payment at maturity will be based on the Final Level, and whether the Final Level of the Underlying Asset on the Valuation Date has declined from the Initial Level to a price that is less than the Buffer Level. If the Percentage Change is negative by more than the Buffer Percentage, you will lose 1.00% of the principal amount of your notes for each 1.00% that the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level. Accordingly, you could lose up to 90.00% of the principal amount of the notes.
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Your return on the notes is limited to the Digital Payment, regardless of any appreciation in the price of the Underlying Asset. — You will not receive a payment at maturity with a value greater than the Digital Payment of $1,175 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes. This will be the case even if the Percentage Change exceeds the Digital Return.
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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 the amount due at maturity, 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 Underlying Asset or securities held by the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset. 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 the notes is only an estimate, and is based on a number of factors. The price to public 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 underwriting discount and selling concessions, 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 the notes may be as low as the 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 Underlying Asset, 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. 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 value does 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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P-5
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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 underwriting discount and selling concessions, 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 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 shares of the Underlying Asset or a security directly linked to the Underlying Asset. — The return on your notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Underlying Asset or a security directly linked to the performance of the Underlying Asset and held that investment for a similar period. Your notes may trade quite differently from the Underlying Asset. Changes in the price of the Underlying Asset may not result in comparable changes in the market value of your notes. Even if the price of the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset increases. In addition, any dividends or other distributions paid on the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset at maturity. — Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any shares of the Underlying Asset or any securities held by the Underlying Asset. 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 those securities.
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Changes that affect the Underlying Index will affect the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive at maturity. — The policies of MSCI Inc. (the “Index Sponsor”), the sponsor of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “Underlying Index”), concerning the calculation of the Underlying Index, additions, deletions or substitutions of the components of the Underlying Index and the manner in which changes affecting those components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, may be reflected in the Underlying Index, and, therefore, could affect the share price of the Underlying Asset, 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 Index Sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the Underlying Index, or if the Index Sponsor discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the Underlying Index.
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We have no affiliation with the Index Sponsor and will not be responsible for any actions taken by the Index Sponsor. — The Index Sponsor is not an affiliate of ours and will not be involved in the offering of the notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of the Index Sponsor, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The Index Sponsor has no obligation of any sort with respect to the notes. Thus, the Index Sponsor has 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 the issuance of the notes will be delivered to the Index Sponsor.
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Adjustments to the Underlying Asset could adversely affect the notes. — BlackRock, Inc. (collectively with its affiliates, “BlackRock”), as the sponsor and advisor of the Underlying Asset, is responsible for calculating and maintaining the Underlying Asset. BlackRock can add, delete or substitute the stocks comprising the Underlying Asset or make other methodological changes that could change the share price of the Underlying Asset 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 notes.
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P-6
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We and our affiliates do not have any affiliation with the investment advisor of the Underlying Asset and are not responsible for its public disclosure of information. —The investment advisor of the Underlying Asset advises the Underlying Asset on various matters including matters relating to the policies, maintenance and calculation of the Underlying Asset. We and our affiliates are not affiliated with the investment advisor 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 the Underlying Asset. The investment advisor is not involved in the offering of the notes in any way and has no obligation to consider your interests as an owner of the notes in taking any actions relating to the Underlying Asset that might affect the value of the notes. Neither we nor any of our affiliates has independently verified the adequacy or accuracy of the information about the investment advisor or the Underlying Asset contained in any public disclosure of information. You, as an investor in the notes, should make your own investigation into the Underlying Asset.
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The correlation between the performance of the Underlying Asset and the performance of the Underlying Index may be imperfect. — The performance of the Underlying Asset is linked principally to the performance of the Underlying Index. However, because of the potential discrepancies identified in more detail in the product supplement, the return on the Underlying Asset may correlate imperfectly with the return on the Underlying Index.
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The Underlying Asset is subject to management risks. — The Underlying Asset is 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 the Underlying Asset’s assets in securities not included in the relevant industry or sector but which the investment advisor believes will help the Underlying Asset 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 purchasing or selling shares of the Underlying Asset or securities held by the Underlying Asset, or futures or options relating to the Underlying Asset, or other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance of the Underlying Asset. We or our affiliates may also engage in trading of shares of the Underlying Asset or securities held by the Underlying Asset 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 our payment to you at maturity.
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Many economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes. — In addition to the price of the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset. — In the ordinary course of their businesses, our affiliates from time to time may express views on expected movements in the price of the Underlying Asset or the prices of the securities held by the Underlying Asset. One or more of our affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports that express views on the Underlying Asset or these securities. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in the markets relating to the Underlying Asset at any time may have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the Underlying Asset from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by our affiliates.
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P-7
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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An investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets. — The Underlying 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 Underlying 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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Prices of securities in foreign countries are subject to political, economic, financial and social factors that apply in those geographical regions. These factors, which could negatively affect those securities markets, include the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of outbreaks of hostility and political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments in the region. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important respects such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
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An investment in the notes is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. — The share price of the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset is 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 the Underlying Asset is 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 Underlying Asset will be adversely affected and the price of the Underlying Asset may decrease.
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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 “U.S. Federal Tax Information” in this pricing supplement, the section entitled “Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product 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.
P-8
Hypothetical Return on the Notes at Maturity
The following table and examples illustrate the hypothetical return at maturity on a $1,000 investment in the notes. The “return,” as used in this section is the number, expressed as a percentage, which results from comparing the payment at maturity per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are based on a hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00, the Buffer Percentage of 10.00% (the Buffer Level is 90% of the Initial Level), the Digital Return of 17.50% and the Digital Payment of $1,175. The hypothetical returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual returns applicable to investors in the notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.
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Hypothetical Final Level
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Hypothetical Percentage Change
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Hypothetical Return on the Notes
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$200.00
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100.00%
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17.50%
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$160.00
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60.00%
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17.50%
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$140.00
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40.00%
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17.50%
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$120.00
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20.00%
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17.50%
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$117.50
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17.50%
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17.50%
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$110.00
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10.00%
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17.50%
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$105.00
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5.00%
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17.50%
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$100.00
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0.00%
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0.00%
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$98.00
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-2.00%
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0.00%
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$95.00
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-5.00%
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0.00%
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$90.00
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-10.00%
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0.00%
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$80.00
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-20.00%
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-10.00%
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$70.00
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-30.00%
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-20.00%
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$60.00
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-40.00%
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-30.00%
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$50.00
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-50.00%
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-40.00%
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$40.00
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-60.00%
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-50.00%
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$30.00
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-70.00%
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-60.00%
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$20.00
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-80.00%
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-70.00%
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$0.00
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-100.00%
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-90.00%
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Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity
The following examples illustrate how the returns set forth in the table above are calculated.
Example 1: The price of the Underlying Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $95.00, representing a Percentage Change of -5%. Because the Percentage Change is negative and the hypothetical Final Level of $95.00 is less than the Initial Level but not by more than the Buffer Percentage of 10.00% (and the Buffer Level of $90), the investor receives the principal amount.
Example 2: The price of the Underlying Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $70.00, representing a Percentage Change of -30.00%. Because the Percentage Change is negative and the hypothetical Final Level of $70.00 is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Percentage of 10.00% (and is less than the Buffer Level of $90), the investor receives a payment at maturity of $800 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-30% + 10%)] = $800
P-9
Example 3: The price of the Underlying Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $105.00, representing a Percentage Change of 5%. Because the hypothetical Final Level of $105.00 is greater than the Initial Level, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,175 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + ($1,000 x 17.5%) = $1,175
Example 4: The price of the Underlying Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $125.00, representing a Percentage Change of 25%. Although the hypothetical Final Level of $125.00 is greater than the Initial Level and the Percentage Change of 25% exceeds the Digital Return, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,175 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, representing the Digital Return. In this case, the investor’s return on the notes will be less than the Percentage Change.
P-10
U.S. Federal Tax Information
By purchasing the notes, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat each note as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the notes should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the discussion (including the opinion of our counsel Morrison & Foerster LLP) in the product supplement under “Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” which applies to the notes, except that the following disclosure supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product supplement.
A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the U.S. Treasury regulations provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2018. Based on our determination that the notes are not “delta-one” instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the notes. However, it is possible that the notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the applicable Underlying Asset or the notes, and following such occurrence the notes could be treated as delta-one specified ELIs that are subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-United States holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the applicable Underlying Asset or the notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, 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.
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 each additional dealer engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM reoffers the notes, will receive a commission from BMOCM, which will not exceed the commission set forth on the cover page. This commission will include a selling concession paid by BMOCM or one of its affiliates to certain dealers of up to 1.60% of the principal amount in connection with the distribution of the notes.
Certain dealers who purchase the notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the notes in these accounts may be less than 100% of the principal amount, as set forth on the cover page of this document. Investors that hold their notes in these accounts may be charged fees by the investment advisor or manager of that account based on the amount of assets held in those accounts, including the notes.
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 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 the notes as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Underlying Asset, 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 the final pricing supplement relating to the notes in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use the final pricing supplement relating to the notes in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless BMOCM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the final pricing supplement is being used by BMOCM in a market-making transaction.
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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 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 underwriting discount and 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 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 the notes on the pricing date will be determined based on market conditions at that time.
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The Underlying Asset
We have derived the following information regarding the Underlying Asset from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated with the Underlying Asset and the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset or any securities included in the Underlying Index. Neither we nor our affiliates participate in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Underlying Asset 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 prices of the shares of the Underlying Asset 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 Underlying Asset could affect the price of the shares of the Underlying Asset after the Pricing Date, and therefore could affect the payment at maturity.
The selection of the Underlying Asset is not a recommendation to buy or sell the shares of the Underlying Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the shares of the Underlying Asset. Information provided to or filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the Underlying Asset may be obtained through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. None of such information is incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement.
iShares consists of numerous separate investment portfolios (the “iShares Funds”), including the Underlying Asset. The Underlying Asset seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Asset typically earns income from dividends from securities held by the Underlying Asset. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to the Underlying Asset’s shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the Underlying Asset realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to its shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the notes are linked only to the share price of the Underlying Asset, you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the Underlying Asset or any equivalent payments.
“iShares®” and “BlackRock®” are registered trademarks of BlackRock. The notes are not 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 the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in 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 the notes or in connection with our use of information about the Underlying Asset or any of the iShares® Funds.
iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF is intended to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Underlying Asset trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “EEM.”
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is intended to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index with a base date of December 31, 1987 and an initial value of 100. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is calculated daily in U.S. dollars and published in real time every 60 seconds during market trading hours. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index currently consists of the following 23 emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The MSCI Emerging Markets 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. MSCI is the Index Sponsor of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
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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;
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determining the market investable equity universe for each market;
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determining market capitalization size segments for each market;
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applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;
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creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and
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classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
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Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is defined by:
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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.
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Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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DM and EM 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, and a minimum liquidity level of 15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% 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 an EM.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);
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Standard Index (Large + Mid);
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Large Cap Index;
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Mid Cap Index; or
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Small Cap Index.
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Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps:
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defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;
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determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;
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determining the market size−segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;
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assigning companies to the size segments; and
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applying final size−segment investability requirements.
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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 and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM 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.
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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:
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Semi−Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:
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updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;
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taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and
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updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
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Quarterly Index Reviews in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:
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including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index;
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allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and
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reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS.
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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.
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Through this maintenance process, MSCI may make structural changes to the indices by adding or deleting component country indices. Consequently, the composition of the Underlying 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 Underlying Index, or any successor to the index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Underlying 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 Underlying Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the Underlying Index, or the manner in which the index is applied in determining the amount payable on the notes at maturity.
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Historical Performance of the Underlying Asset
The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices for the Underlying Asset from the first quarter of 2012 through March 27, 2017.
The historical prices of the Underlying Asset are provided for informational purposes only. You should not take the historical prices of the Underlying Asset as an indication of its future performance, which may be better or worse than the prices set forth below.
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High ($)
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Low ($)
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2012
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First Quarter
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44.76
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38.23
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Second Quarter
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43.54
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36.68
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Third Quarter
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42.37
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37.42
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Fourth Quarter
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44.35
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40.14
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2013
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First Quarter
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45.20
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41.80
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Second Quarter
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44.23
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36.63
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Third Quarter
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43.29
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37.34
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Fourth Quarter
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43.66
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40.44
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2014
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First Quarter
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40.27
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37.09
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Second Quarter
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43.95
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40.82
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Third Quarter
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45.85
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41.56
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Fourth Quarter
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42.44
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37.73
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2015
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First Quarter
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41.07
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37.92
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Second Quarter
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44.09
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39.04
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Third Quarter
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39.78
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31.32
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Fourth Quarter
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36.29
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31.55
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2016
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First Quarter
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34.28
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28.25
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Second Quarter
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35.26
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31.89
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Third Quarter
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38.21
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33.77
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Fourth Quarter
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38.10
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34.08
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2017
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First Quarter (to March 27, 2017)
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39.985
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35.43
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