424B2
Table of Contents

Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-229494 and 333-229494-01

 

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed without notice. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell these securities, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, in any jurisdiction where the offering is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 4, 2019

 

PRELIMINARY PRICING SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated February 1, 2019)

$            

 

 

LOGO

Jefferies Group LLC

Senior Fixed to Floating Rate Notes due March 21, 2031

Linked to USD 10CMS Rates

 

 

As further described below, interest will accrue and be payable quarterly, in arrears, (i) from the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, March 21, 2021 at a rate of 7.00% per annum and (ii) from and including March 21, 2021 to, but excluding, the stated maturity date (March 21, 2031), at a variable rate per annum equal to the CMS Reference Index plus the Floating Interest Rate Spread, subject to the Minimum Interest Rate of 0.00% per annum.

SUMMARY OF TERMS

 

Issuers:

Jefferies Group LLC and Jefferies Group Capital Finance Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary.

 

Title of the Notes:

Senior Fixed to Floating Rate Notes due March 21, 2031 Linked to USD 10CMS Rates

 

Aggregate Principal Amount:

$        . We may increase the Aggregate Principal Amount prior to the Original Issue Date but are not required to do so.

 

Issue Price:

At variable prices. The Notes will be offered at a price equal to 100% of the Stated Principal Amount per Note until the initial pricing date, which is                  , 2019. Thereafter, the Notes will be offered from time to time in one or more negotiated transactions at varying prices to be determined at the time of each sale, which may be at market prices prevailing, at prices related to such prevailing prices or at negotiated prices, subject to a maximum price of 100% of the Stated Principal Amount per Note.

 

Stated Principal Amount

$1,000 per note
 

Pricing Date:

                       , 2019

 

Original Issue Date:

March 21, 2019 (     Business Days after the Pricing Date)

 

Maturity Date:

March 21, 2031

 

Interest Accrual Date:

March 21, 2019

 

Payment at Maturity

The Payment at Maturity per Note will be the Stated Principal Amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

 

CMS Reference Index

10-Year U.S. Dollar Constant Maturity Swap Rate (“10CMS”), expressed as a percentage. Please see “The Notes” below.

 

Interest Rate

From and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, March 21, 2021: 7.00% per annum.

From and including March 21, 2021 to, but excluding, March 21, 2031 (the “Floating Interest Rate Period”): a variable rate per annum equal to the CMS Reference Index plus the Floating Interest Rate Spread, subject to the Minimum Interest Rate.

For the purposes of determining the level of the CMS Reference Index applicable to an Interest Payment Period, the level of the CMS Reference Index will be determined two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the related Interest Reset Date at the start of such Interest Payment Period (each, a “CMS Reference Determination Date”).

Interest for each Interest Payment Period during the Floating Interest Rate Period is subject to the Minimum Interest Rate of 0.00% per annum. Beginning March 21, 2021, it is possible that you could receive little or no interest on the Notes.

 

Floating Interest Rate Spread

Plus 1.00%

 

CMS Reference Determination Date

Two (2) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the related Interest Reset Date at the start of the applicable Interest Payment Period

 

Floating Interest Rate Period

From and including March 21, 2021 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date.

 

Interest Payment Period:

Quarterly (from and including the 21st day of each March, June, September and December to, but excluding, the 21st day of the month occurring three months following such month, beginning March 21, 2019)

 

Interest Payment Dates

Each March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21, beginning June 21, 2019; provided that if any such day is not a Business Day, that interest payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day and no adjustment will be made to any interest payment made on that succeeding Business Day.

 

Interest Payment Period End Dates

Unadjusted

 

Interest Reset Dates

Each March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21, beginning March 21, 2021; provided that such Interest Reset Dates shall not be adjusted for non-Business Days.
 

 

Minimum Interest Rate

0.00% per annum during the Floating Interest Rate Period.

 

Day-count Convention:

30/360 (ISDA). Please see “The Notes” below.

 

Redemption:

Not applicable

 

Specified Currency:

U.S. dollars

 

CUSIP/ISIN:

47233JBT4 / US47233JBT43

 

Book-entry or Certificated Note:

Book-entry

 

Business Day:

New York

 

Agent:

Jefferies LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jefferies Group LLC and an affiliate of Jefferies Group Capital Finance Inc. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution.”

 

Calculation Agent:

Jefferies Financial Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferies Group LLC and an affiliate of Jefferies Group Capital Finance Inc.

 

Trustee:

The Bank of New York Mellon

 

Estimated value on the Pricing Date

Approximately $938.87 per note, or within $40.00 of that estimate. Please see “The Notes” below.

 

 

Use of Proceeds:

General corporate purposes

 

Listing:

None

 

Conflict of Interest:

Jefferies LLC, the broker-dealer subsidiary of Jefferies Group LLC, is a member of FINRA and will participate in the distribution of the notes being offered hereby. Accordingly, the offering is subject to the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121 relating to conflicts of interest and will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 5121. See “Conflict of Interest.”

The Notes will be our senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally with our other senior unsecured indebtedness.

Investing in the Notes involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page PS-6 of this pricing supplement.

 

 

 

     PER NOTE      TOTAL  

Public Offering Price

     At variable prices        At variable prices  

Underwriting Discounts and Commissions

   $                                $                            

Proceeds to Jefferies Group LLC (Before Expenses)

   $        $    

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus or either prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We will deliver the Notes in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company on or about March 21, 2019 against payment in immediately available funds.

Jefferies

Pricing supplement dated                     , 2019.

You should read this document together with the related prospectus and prospectus supplement,

each of which can be accessed via the hyperlinks below, before you decide to invest.

 

Prospectus supplement dated February 1, 2019    Prospectus dated February 1, 2019


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

     PAGE  

PRICING SUPPLEMENT

  

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     PS-ii  

THE NOTES

     PS-1  

HOW THE NOTES WORK

     PS-3  

HISTORICAL 10CMS RATES

     PS-4  

RISK FACTORS

     PS-6  

HEDGING

     PS-9  

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     PS-10  

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     PS-11  

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

     PS-13  

LEGAL MATTERS

     PS-14  

EXPERTS

     PS-15  

 

 

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this pricing supplement or the accompanying prospectus or prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date later than the date on the front of this pricing supplement.

 

PS-i


Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement contain or incorporate by reference “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and represent only our belief as of the date such statements are made. There are a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, which affect our operations, performance, business strategy and results and could cause actual reported results and performance to differ materially from the performance and expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, financial market volatility, actions and initiatives by current and future competitors, general economic conditions, controls and procedures relating to the close of the quarter, the effects of current, pending and future legislation or rulemaking by regulatory or self-regulatory bodies, regulatory actions, and the other risks and uncertainties that are outlined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2018 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, on January 29, 2019 (the “Annual Report on Form 10-K”). You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date of the forward-looking statements.

 

PS-ii


Table of Contents

THE NOTES

The Notes are joint and several obligations of Jefferies Group LLC and Jefferies Group Capital Finance Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary. The Aggregate Principal Amount of the Notes is $            . The Notes will mature on March 21, 2031. From and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, March 21, 2021, the Notes will bear interest at the fixed rate of 7.00% per annum. From and including March 21, 2021 to, but excluding, the Maturity Date (the “Floating Interest Rate Period”), the Notes will bear interest at a per annum floating rate equal to the CMS Reference Index plus the Floating Interest Rate Spread, subject to the Minimum Interest Rate of 0.00% per annum. During the Floating Interest Rate Period, the interest rate will be reset quarterly on the Interest Reset Dates set forth in the “Summary of Terms” on the cover page of this pricing supplement. Interest on the Notes will be payable on a quarterly basis on the Interest Payment Dates set forth in the “Summary of Terms” on the cover page of this pricing supplement. We describe the basic features of these Notes in the sections of the accompanying prospectus called “Description of Securities We May Offer—Debt Securities” and the prospectus supplement called “Description of Notes”, subject to and as modified by any provisions described below and in the “Summary of Terms” on the cover page of this pricing supplement. All payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.

“10CMS” means the 10-year U.S. Dollar Constant Maturity Swap Rate, expressed as a percentage, as quoted on the Reuters Screen ICESWAP1 Page (or any successor thereto), at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the applicable CMS Reference Determination Date.

“30/360 (ISDA)” means the number of days in the Interest Payment Period in respect of which payment is being made divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows, as described in Section 4.16(f) of the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, without regard to any subsequent amendments or supplements:

 

   

[360 × (Y2 – Y1)] + [30 × (M2 – M1)] + (D2 –D1)

   
  360  

where:

“Y1” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Payment Period falls;

“Y2” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Payment Period falls;

“M1” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Payment Period falls;

“M2” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day included in the Interest Payment Period falls;

“D1” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Payment Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D1 will be 30; and

“D2” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Payment Period, unless such number would be 31 and D1 is greater than 29, in which case D2 will be 30.

The “CMS Reference Determination Date” for each quarterly Interest Reset Date during the Floating Interest Rate Period will be the second U.S. Government Securities Business Day prior to the beginning of the applicable quarterly Interest Reset Date. A “U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (or any successor thereto) recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S. government securities.

If, on any CMS Reference Determination Date, 10CMS is not quoted on the Reuters Screen ICESWAP1 Page, or any page substituted for that page, then 10CMS will be a percentage determined on the basis of the mid-market semi-annual swap rate quotations provided to the Calculation Agent by five leading swap dealers in the New York City interbank market (the “Reference Banks”) chosen by the Calculation Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that date. For this purpose, the semi-annual swap rate means the mean of the bid and offered rates for the semi-annual fixed leg, calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, of a fixed-for-floating U.S. dollar interest rate swap transaction with a term equal to 10 years, commencing on the applicable

 

PS-1


Table of Contents

date and in a representative amount with an acknowledged dealer of good credit in the swap market, where the floating leg, calculated on the actual number of days in a 360-day year, is equivalent to USD-LIBOR-BBA, as quoted on the Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, with a designated maturity of three months. The Calculation Agent will request the principal New York City office of each of the Reference Banks chosen by it to provide a quotation of its rate. If at least three quotations are provided, the rate for the relevant CMS Reference Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations, eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of the lowest). If fewer than three quotations are provided as requested, the CMS Reference Index will be determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.

The Stated Principal Amount of each Note is $1,000. The Issue Price will equal 100% of the Stated Principal Amount per Note until the initial pricing date and, thereafter, will be variable, subject to a maximum price of 100% of the Stated Principal Amount per Note. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the Notes, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the Notes on the Pricing Date will be less than the Issue Price. We estimate that the value of each Note on the Pricing Date will be approximately $938.87, or within $40.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the Notes as determined on the Pricing Date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

Valuation of the Notes

Jefferies LLC calculated the estimated value of the Notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement based on its proprietary pricing models at that time. Jefferies LLC’s proprietary pricing models generated an estimated value for the Notes by estimating the value of a hypothetical package of financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the Notes, which consists of a fixed-income bond (the “bond component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying the economic terms of the Notes (the “derivative component”). Jefferies LLC calculated the estimated value of the bond component using a discount rate based on our internal funding rate. Jefferies LLC calculated the estimated value of the derivative component based on a proprietary derivative-pricing model, which generated a theoretical price for the instruments that constitute the derivative component based on various inputs, including the factors described under “Risk Factors—The price at which the Notes may be resold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased.” below, but not including our creditworthiness. These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by Jefferies LLC in its discretionary judgment.

The estimated value of the Notes is a function of the terms of the Notes and the inputs to Jefferies LLC’s proprietary pricing models. The range for the estimated value of the Notes set forth on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement reflects uncertainty on the date of this preliminary pricing supplement about the inputs to Jefferies LLC’s proprietary pricing models on the Pricing Date.

Since the estimated value of the Notes is a function of the underlying assumptions and construction of Jefferies LLC’s proprietary derivative-pricing model, modification to this model will impact the estimated value calculation. Jefferies LLC’s proprietary models are subject to ongoing review and modification, and Jefferies LLC may change them at any time and for a variety of reasons. In the event of a model change, prior descriptions of the model and computations based on the older model will be superseded, and calculations of estimated value under the new model may differ significantly from those under the older model. Further, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of a note with a particular return formula than on a similar note with a different return formula. For example, to the extent a return formula contains leverage, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of that note than on a similar note without such leverage.

The relationship between the estimated value on the Pricing Date and the secondary market price of the Notes

The price at which Jefferies LLC purchases the Notes in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to interest rates and the CMS Reference Index, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the Pricing Date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as the bid-offer spread that Jefferies LLC would charge in a secondary market transaction of this type, the costs of unwinding the related hedging transactions and other factors.

Jefferies LLC may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the Notes and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.

 

PS-2


Table of Contents

HOW THE NOTES WORK

How to calculate the interest payments during the Floating Interest Rate Period.

The table below presents examples of hypothetical interest that would accrue on the Notes during any quarter in the Floating Interest Rate Period. The examples below are for purposes of illustration only. The examples of the hypothetical floating interest rate that would accrue on the Notes are based on both the level of the CMS Reference Index on the applicable CMS Reference Determination Date.

The actual interest payment amounts during the Floating Interest Rate Period will depend on the actual level of the CMS Reference Index on each CMS Reference Determination Date. The applicable Interest Rate for each quarterly Interest Payment Period will be determined on a per-annum basis but will apply only to that Interest Payment Period. The table assumes that the Interest Payment Period contains 90 calendar days. The examples below are for purposes of illustration only and would provide different results if different assumptions were made.

 

CMS REFERENCE INDEX

 

CMS REFERENCE INDEX
PLUS FLOATING INTEREST
RATE SPREAD*

 

HYPOTHETICAL QUARTERLY
INTEREST PAYMENT

 -2.00%     0.00%   $0.00
 -1.00%     0.00%   $0.00
  0.00%     1.00%   $2.50
  1.00%     2.00%   $5.00
  2.00%     3.00%   $7.50
  3.00%     4.00%   $10.00
  4.00%     5.00%   $12.50
  5.00%     6.00%   $15.00
  6.00%     7.00%   $17.50
  7.00%     8.00%   $20.00
  8.00%     9.00%   $22.50
  9.00%   10.00%   $25.00
10.00%   11.00%   $27.50
11.00%   12.00%   $30.00
12.00%   13.00%   $32.50
13.00%   14.00%   $35.00
14.00%   15.00%   $37.50
15.00%   16.00%   $40.00

*Subject to the minimum interest rate of 0%.

 

PS-3


Table of Contents

HISTORICAL 10CMS RATES

10CMS is a “constant maturity swap rate” that measures the fixed rate of interest payable on a hypothetical fixed-for-floating U.S. dollar interest rate swap transaction with a maturity of 10 years. In such a hypothetical swap transaction, the fixed rate of interest, payable semi-annually on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, is exchangeable for a floating 3-month LIBOR-based payment stream that is payable quarterly on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed during a quarterly period in a 360-day year. “LIBOR” is the London Interbank Offered Rate and is a common rate of interest used in the swaps industry.

In this pricing supplement, when we refer to 10CMS, we mean the rate as it appears on Reuters page ICESWAP1 (or any successor page) under the heading 10-year index maturity for rates at approximately 11:00 a.m. New York time, on each CMS Reference Determination Date. The rate reported on Reuters page “ICESWAP1” (or any successor page thereto) is calculated by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited based on tradeable quotes for the related interest rate swap of the relevant tenor that is sourced from electronic trading venues. This rate is one of the market-accepted indicators of medium to longer-term interest rates. On the CMS Reference Determination Date, if 10CMS cannot be determined by reference to Reuters Screen ICESWAP1 Page (or any successor page), then the Calculation Agent will determine 10CMS in accordance with the procedures set forth above.

The level of 10CMS has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of 10CMS during any period shown below is not an indication that 10CMS is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the life of your Notes.

You should not take the historical level of the 10CMS as an indication of the future level of 10CMS. We cannot give you any assurance that the future level of 10CMS will result in your receiving a return on your Notes that is greater than the return you would have realized if you invested in a debt security of comparable maturity that bears interest at a prevailing market rate.

In light of current market conditions, the trend reflected in the historical level of 10CMS may be less likely to be indicative of the level of 10CMS during the Floating Interest Rate Period.

Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of 10CMS during the Floating Interest Rate Period. The actual level of 10CMS during the Floating Interest Rate Period may bear little relation to the historical level of 10CMS shown below.

 

PS-4


Table of Contents

The graph below shows the historical performance of 10CMS from January 1, 2004 through February 28, 2019. We obtained the information in the graph below from Bloomberg, without independent verification. The rates displayed in the graph below are for illustrative purposes only.

 

 

LOGO

 

PS-5


Table of Contents

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained and incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement including the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should consider carefully the following factors before deciding to purchase the Notes.

Risks Associated with the Offering

The historical level of 10CMS is not an indication of the future level of 10CMS.

In the past, the level of 10CMS has experienced significant fluctuations. You should note that historical levels, fluctuations and trends of 10CMS is not necessarily indicative of future levels. Changes in the level of 10CMS will affect the trading price of the Notes, but it is impossible to predict whether such level will rise or fall. There can be no assurance that the CMS Reference Index level will be positive on any CMS Reference Determination Date during the Floating Interest Rate Period. Furthermore, the historical performance of the CMS Reference Index does not reflect the return the Notes would have had because they do not take into account the Floating Interest Rate Spread.

The estimated value of the Notes on the Pricing Date, based on Jefferies LLC proprietary pricing models at that time and our internal funding rate, will be less than the Issue Price.

The difference is attributable to certain costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the Notes that are included in the Issue Price. These costs include (i) the selling concessions paid in connection with the offering of the Notes, (ii) hedging and other costs incurred by us and our affiliates in connection with the offering of the Notes and (iii) the expected profit (which may be more or less than actual profit) to Jefferies LLC or other of our affiliates in connection with hedging our obligations under the Notes. These costs adversely affect the economic terms of the Notes because, if they were lower, the economic terms of the Notes would be more favorable to you. The economic terms of the Notes are also likely to be adversely affected by the use of our internal funding rate, rather than our secondary market rate, to price the Notes. See “The estimated value of the Notes would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate” below.

The estimated value of the Notes was determined for us by our affiliate using proprietary pricing models.

Jefferies LLC derived the estimated value disclosed on the cover page of this pricing supplement from its proprietary pricing models at that time. In doing so, it may have made discretionary judgments about the inputs to its models, such as the volatility of the CMS Reference Index and interest rates. Jefferies LLC’s views on these inputs and assumptions may differ from your or others’ views, and as an agent in this offering, Jefferies LLC’s interests may conflict with yours. Both the models and the inputs to the models may prove to be wrong and therefore not an accurate reflection of the value of the Notes. Moreover, the estimated value of the Notes set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement may differ from the value that we or our affiliates may determine for the Notes for other purposes, including for accounting purposes. You should not invest in the Notes because of the estimated value of the Notes. Instead, you should be willing to hold the Notes to maturity irrespective of the initial estimated value.

Since the estimated value of the Notes is a function of the underlying assumptions and construction of Jefferies LLC’s proprietary derivative-pricing model, modifications to this model will impact the estimated value calculation. Jefferies LLC’s proprietary models are subject to ongoing review and modification, and Jefferies LLC may change them at any time and for a variety of reasons. In the event of a model change, prior descriptions of the model and computations based on the older model will be superseded, and calculations of estimated value under the new model may differ significantly from those under the older model. Further, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of a note with a particular return formula than on a similar note with a different return formula. For example, to the extent a return formula contains leverage, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of that note than on a similar note without such leverage.

The estimated value of the Notes would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate.

The estimated value of the Notes included in this pricing supplement is calculated based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate at which we are willing to borrow funds through the issuance of the Notes. Our internal funding rate is generally lower than our secondary market rate, which is the rate that Jefferies LLC will use in

 

PS-6


Table of Contents

determining the value of the Notes for purposes of any purchases of the Notes from you in the secondary market. If the estimated value included in this pricing supplement were based on our secondary market rate, rather than our internal funding rate, it would likely be lower. We determine our internal funding rate based on factors such as the costs associated with the Notes, which are generally higher than the costs associated with conventional debt securities, and our liquidity needs and preferences. Our internal funding rate is not the same as the interest that is payable on the Notes.

Because there is not an active market for traded instruments referencing our outstanding debt obligations, Jefferies LLC determines our secondary market rate based on the market price of traded instruments referencing our debt obligations, but subject to adjustments that Jefferies LLC makes in its sole discretion. As a result, our secondary market rate is not a market-determined measure of our creditworthiness, but rather reflects the market’s perception of our creditworthiness as adjusted for discretionary factors such as Jefferies LLC’s preferences with respect to purchasing the Notes prior to maturity.

The estimated value of the Notes is not an indication of the price, if any, at which Jefferies LLC or any other person may be willing to buy the Notes from you in the secondary market.

Any such secondary market price will fluctuate over the term of the Notes based on the market and other factors described in the next risk factor. Moreover, unlike the estimated value included in this pricing supplement, any value of the Notes determined for purposes of a secondary market transaction will be based on our secondary market rate, which will likely result in a lower value for the Notes than if our internal funding rate were used. In addition, any secondary market price for the Notes will be reduced by a bid-ask spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate stated principal amount of the Notes to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding related hedging transactions. As a result, it is likely that any secondary market price for the Notes will be less than the Issue Price.

The price at which the Notes may be resold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased.

Some of these factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in the level of 10CMS, (ii) volatility of 10CMS, (iii) changes in interest and yield rates, (iv) any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit spreads and (v) time remaining to maturity. Generally, the longer the time remaining to maturity and the more tailored the exposure, the more the market price of the Notes will be affected by the other factors described in the preceding sentence. In addition, as indicated above, the proprietary derivative-pricing model we employ to value the Notes may change, which could have a significant impact on valuation of the Notes. Each of these factors can lead to significant adverse changes in the market price of securities like the Notes.

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to 10CMS.

In the ordinary course of their businesses, we or our affiliates may have expressed views on expected movements in 10CMS and related interest rates, and may do so in the future. These views or reports may be communicated to our clients and clients of our affiliates. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in markets relating to 10CMS may at any time have views that are significantly different from ours or those of our affiliates. For these reasons, you should consult information about 10CMS and related interest rates from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by us or our affiliates.

Neither the offering of the Notes nor any views which we or 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.

Regulatory investigations regarding possible manipulation of ISDAFIX may adversely affect your Notes.

Certain U.S. and non-U.S. regulators are investigating possible manipulation of ISDAFIX. If such manipulation occurred, it may have resulted in 10CMS being artificially lower (or higher) than it would otherwise have been. Any changes or reforms affecting the determination or supervision of ISDAFIX in light of these investigations could result in a sudden or prolonged decrease in reported ISDAFIX, which may have an adverse impact on the trading market for ISDAFIX-benchmarked securities, such as your Notes, the market value of your Notes and the payments on your Notes during the Floating Interest Rate Period.

 

PS-7


Table of Contents

10CMS Rates and the manner in which it is calculated may change in the future.

There can be no assurance that the method by which 10CMS rates is calculated will continue in its current form. Any changes in the method of calculation could reduce 10CMS and thus have a negative impact on the payments on the Notes and on the value of the Notes in the secondary market.

10CMS is based on a hypothetical interest rate swap referencing 3-month U.S. dollar LIBOR; uncertainty and changes with respect to LIBOR may adversely affect 10CMS, the CMS Reference Index and the value of your Notes.

10CMS represents the fixed rate of interest payable on a hypothetical interest rate swap with a floating leg based on 3-month U.S. dollar LIBOR. On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR to the administrator of LIBOR after 2021. The announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. We cannot predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of 3-month U.S. dollar LIBOR, and the value of, and the method of calculating, 10CMS. Uncertainty as to the nature of alternative reference rates to LIBOR and as to potential changes or other reforms to LIBOR may adversely affect 3-month U.S. dollar LIBOR rates and the 10CMS during the term of the Notes, which may adversely affect the value of the Notes.

In the event that a published 3-month U.S. dollar LIBOR rate is unavailable after 2021, it is possible that the 10CMS would also be unpublished, and in such case an alternative determination method, as set forth under “The Notes” above, will be used to determine the CMS Reference Index.

We may sell an additional aggregate face amount of the Notes at a different issue price.

At our sole option, we may decide to sell additional aggregate face amounts of the Notes subsequently to the date of this pricing supplement. The issue price of the Notes in the subsequent sale may differ substantially (higher or lower) from the Issue Price you paid. There is no stated limit on of the additional face amounts of the Notes we may sell.

The Notes will be treated as variable rate debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The Notes will be treated as variable rate debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences” below for a more detailed discussion. Please also consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and any other applicable tax consequences to you of owning your Notes in your particular circumstances.

Our trading and hedging activities may create conflicts of interest with you.

We or one or more of our affiliates, including Jefferies LLC, may engage in trading activities related to the Notes that are not for your account or on your behalf. We expect to enter into arrangements to hedge the market risks associated with our obligation to pay the amounts due under the Notes. We may seek competitive terms in entering into the hedging arrangements for the Notes, but are not required to do so, and we may enter into such hedging arrangements with one of our subsidiaries or affiliates. This hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially expected, but which could also result in a loss for the hedging counterparty. These trading and hedging activities may present a conflict of interest between your interest as a holder of the Notes and the interests we and our affiliates may have in our proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions for our customers, and in accounts under our management.

 

PS-8


Table of Contents

HEDGING

In order to meet our payment obligations on the Notes, at the time we issue the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with one or more of our affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined based upon terms provided by our affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of 10CMS, the tenor of the Notes and the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the Notes depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

The hedging arrangements may include hedging related charges, reflecting the costs associated with, and our affiliates’ profit earned from, these hedging arrangements. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than this amount.

For further information, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of this pricing supplement.

 

PS-9


Table of Contents

MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following is a general discussion of the material United States federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the Notes and is based upon the advice of Sidley Austin LLP, our tax counsel. The following discussion supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussions under “Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the accompanying prospectus and under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations that may be relevant to a holder of Notes. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. We have not sought a ruling from the IRS regarding any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not include any description of federal non-income tax laws, the tax laws of any state or local governments, or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to a particular holder of Notes.

This summary is directed solely to U.S. Holders (as defined in the accompanying prospectus supplement) that, except as otherwise specifically noted, will acquire the Notes upon original issuance and will hold the Notes as capital assets, within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means property held for investment, and that are not excluded from the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus supplement. This summary assumes that the issue price of the Notes, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes, equals the principal amount thereof.

In the opinion of our tax counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, your Notes will be treated as variable rate debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In particular, as described under “United States Federal Taxation—U.S. Holders—Floating Rate Notes—Floating Rate Notes that Provide for Multiple Rates” in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the Notes provide for stated interest at a fixed rate for an initial period of two years followed by a qualified floating rate.

A U.S. Holder will be required to include qualified stated interest payments in income in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will be required to include original issue discount in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest, without regard to the timing of the receipt of cash payments attributable to this income. Please see the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation—U.S. Holders—Floating Rate Notes” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for more detailed information regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of your Notes as variable rate debt instruments and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes.

In addition, pursuant to recently enacted legislation an accrual method taxpayer that reports revenues on an applicable financial statement generally must recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes no later than the taxable year in which such income is taken into account as revenue in an applicable financial statement of the taxpayer. For this purpose, an “applicable financial statement” generally means a financial statement certified as having been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or that is made on the basis of international financial reporting standards and which is used by the taxpayer for various specified purposes. Although this rule is generally currently in effect, this rule only applies to original issue discount for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2018. This rule could potentially require such a taxpayer to recognize income for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to a debt instrument issued with original issue discount prior to the time such income would be recognized pursuant to the original issue discount rules set forth in the Code. Potential investors in the Notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential applicability of these rules, if any, to their investment in the Notes.

 

PS-10


Table of Contents

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Jefferies LLC, the broker-dealer subsidiary of Jefferies Group LLC and an affiliate of Jefferies Group Capital Finance Inc., will act as our Agent in connection with the offering of the Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions contained in a distribution agreement between us and Jefferies LLC, the Agent has agreed to use its reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of the Notes. We have the right to accept offers to purchase Notes and may reject any proposed purchase of the Notes. The Agent may also reject any offer to purchase Notes. We or Jefferies LLC will pay various discounts and commissions to dealers of             per Note depending on market conditions.

We may also sell Notes to the Agent who will purchase the Notes as principal for its own account. In that case, the Agent will purchase the Notes at a price equal to the issue price specified on the cover page of this pricing supplement, less a discount. The discount will equal the applicable commission on an agency sale of the Notes.

The Agent may resell any Notes it purchases as principal to other brokers or dealers at a discount, which may include all or part of the discount the Agent received from us. If all the Notes are not sold at the initial offering price, the Agent may change the offering price and the other selling terms.

The Agent will sell any unsold allotment pursuant to this pricing supplement from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of time of sale, prices relating to the prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.

We may also sell Notes directly to investors. We will not pay commissions on Notes we sell directly.

The Agent, whether acting as agent or principal, may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify the Agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

If the Agent sells Notes to dealers who resell to investors and the Agent pays the dealers all or part of the discount or commission it receives from us, those dealers may also be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act.

The Agent is offering the Notes, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by it, subject to approval of legal matters by its counsel, including the validity of the Notes, and other conditions contained in the distribution agreement, such as the receipt by the Agent of officers’ certificates and legal opinions. The Agent reserves the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The Agent is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Accordingly, the offering of the notes will conform to the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. See “Conflict of Interest” below.

The Agent is not acting as your fiduciary or advisor solely as a result of the offering of the Notes, and you should not rely upon any communication from the Agent in connection with the Notes as investment advice or a recommendation to purchase the Notes. You should make your own investment decision regarding the Notes after consulting with your legal, tax, and other advisors.

We expect to deliver the Notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on March 21, 2019, which will be the         scheduled business day following the initial pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the Notes occurs more than two business days from a pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than two business days prior to the Original Issue Date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The Notes will be offered at a price equal to 100% of the Stated Principal Amount per Note until the initial pricing date. Thereafter, the Notes will be offered from time to time in one or more negotiated transactions at varying prices to be determined at the time of each sale, which may be at market prices prevailing, at prices related to such prevailing prices or at negotiated prices, subject to a maximum price of 100% of the Stated Principal Amount per Note.

Jefferies LLC and any of our other broker-dealer affiliates may use this pricing supplement, the prospectus and the prospectus supplements for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. Our affiliates may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of the sale.

 

PS-11


Table of Contents

None of this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the prospectus supplement is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive (as defined below).

PRIIPs Regulation/Prospectus Directive/Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors—The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC (the Insurance Mediation Directive), as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4{1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation CEU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPS Regulation.

This pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the prospectus supplement have been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any Member State of the EEA which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Directive (“Qualified Investors”). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant Member State of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this pricing supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the prospectus supplement may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither the issuers nor the Agent have authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of Notes other than to Qualified Investors. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (as amended, including by Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in the Relevant Member State.

 

PS-12


Table of Contents

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Jefferies LLC, the broker-dealer subsidiary of Jefferies Group LLC, is a member of FINRA and will participate in the distribution of the Notes. Accordingly, the offering is subject to the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121 relating to conflicts of interests and will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 5121. Jefferies LLC will not confirm sales of the Notes to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written specific approval of the customer.

 

PS-13


Table of Contents

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the Notes is being passed on for us by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York.

 

PS-14


Table of Contents

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements, and the related financial statement schedules, of Jefferies Group LLC incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of Jefferies Group LLC and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

The consolidated financial statements of Jefferies Group LLC and its subsidiaries for the year ended November 30, 2016 incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of Jefferies Finance LLC and Subsidiaries incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

PS-15


Table of Contents

 

 

$        

 

 

LOGO

Jefferies Group LLC

Senior Fixed to Floating Rate Notes due March 21, 2031

Linked to USD 10CMS Rates

 

 

PRICING SUPPLEMENT

 

 

 

                    , 2019