Registration Statement No.333-264388
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

 

Subject to Completion, dated May 15, 2024
Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus dated May 26, 2022,
the Prospectus Supplement dated May 26, 2022 and the Product Supplement dated July 22, 2022

 

 

 

US$ [ ]
Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series I
Autocallable Barrier Notes with Memory Coupons due June 04, 2027
Linked to the Least Performing of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the S&P 500® Index

 

·The notes are designed for investors who are seeking quarterly contingent periodic interest payments (as described in more detail below), as well as a return of principal if the closing level of each of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the S&P 500® Index (each, a "Reference Asset" and, collectively, the "Reference Assets") on any quarterly Observation Date beginning in November 2024 is greater than 100% of its Initial Level (the “Call Level”). Investors should be willing to have their notes automatically redeemed prior to maturity, be willing to forego any potential to participate in any increase in the level of the Reference Assets and be willing to lose some or all of their principal at maturity.

·The notes may pay Contingent Coupons at the Contingent Interest Rate of 2.075% per quarter (approximately 8.30% per annum) depending on the performance of the Reference Assets. If the closing level of each Reference Asset on the applicable quarterly Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Level, the notes will pay (i) a Contingent Coupon on the corresponding Contingent Coupon Payment Date and (ii) and previously unpaid Contingent Coupons in respect of any prior Observation Dates pursuant to the Memory Coupon Feature. If the closing level of any Reference Asset is less than its Coupon Barrier Level on an Observation Date, the notes will not pay the Contingent Coupon on the corresponding Contingent Coupon Payment Date.

·Beginning on November 29, 2024, if on any Observation Date, the closing level of each Reference Asset is greater than its Call Level, the notes will be automatically redeemed. On the following Contingent Coupon Payment Date (the “Call Settlement Date"), investors will receive their principal amount plus the Contingent Coupon otherwise due. After the notes are redeemed, investors will not receive any additional payments in respect of the notes.

·The notes do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Instead, if the notes are not automatically redeemed, the payment at maturity will be based on the Final Level of each Reference Asset and whether the Final Level of any Reference Asset has declined from its Initial Level to below its Trigger Level on the Valuation Date (a “Trigger Event”), as described below.

·If the notes are not automatically redeemed and a Trigger Event has occurred, investors will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% decrease in the level of the Least Performing Reference Asset from its Initial Level to its Final Level. In such a case, you will receive a cash amount at maturity that is less than the principal amount, together with the final Contingent Coupon, if payable.

·Investing in the notes is not equivalent to a hypothetical direct investment in the Reference Assets.

·The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

·All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.

·The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

·Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citigroup”), is the agent for this offering. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.

·The notes will not be subject to conversion into our common shares or the common shares of any of our affiliates under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the “CDIC Act”).

 

Terms of the Notes:1

 

 Pricing Date:  May 30, 2024    Valuation Date:  June 01, 2027
 Settlement Date:  June 04, 2024    Maturity Date:  June 04, 2027

1Expected. See “Key Terms of the Notes” below for additional details.

 

Specific Terms of the Notes:

 

Autocallable
Number
Reference
Assets
Ticker
Symbol
Initial
Level
Contingent
Interest Rate
Coupon
Barrier
Level
Trigger
Level
CUSIP Principal
Amount
Price to
Public
1
Agent’s
Commission
1
Proceeds to
Bank of
Montreal
1
3513  The EURO STOXX 50® Index  SX5E  [ ]  2.075% per quarter (approximately 8.30% per annum)  [ ], 80.00% of its Initial Level  [ ], 80.00% of its Initial Level 06376AM80 [ ] 100%

Up to 2.00%

[ ]

At least 98.00%

[ ]

 The S&P 500® Index  SPX  [ ]  [ ], 80.00% of its Initial Level  [ ], 80.00% of its Initial Level

1 The total “Agent’s Commission” and “Proceeds to Bank of Montreal” to be specified above will reflect the aggregate amounts at the time Bank of Montreal establishes its hedge positions on or prior to the Pricing Date, which may be variable and fluctuate depending on market conditions at such times. Certain dealers who purchased 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 $980.00 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount. We or one of our affiliates may also pay a referral fee to certain dealers in connection with the distribution of the notes.

Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-5 hereof, the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-6 of the product supplement, and the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and on page 8 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 document, 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 Deposit Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality or other entity.

On the date hereof, based on the terms set forth above, the estimated initial value of the notes is $971.20 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 $925.00 per $1,000 in principal amount. However, as discussed in more detail below, the actual value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.

 

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.

 

   
 

 

Key Terms of the Notes:

 

Reference Assets: The EURO STOXX 50® Index (ticker symbol "SX5E") and the S&P 500® Index (ticker symbol "SPX"). See "The Reference Assets" below for additional information.
   
Contingent Coupons: If the closing level of each Reference Asset on an Observation Date is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Level, on the corresponding Contingent Coupon Payment Date you will receive (i) a Contingent Coupon (calculated at the Contingent Interest Rate) in respect of that Observation Date and (ii) any previously unpaid Contingent Coupons in respect of any prior Observation Dates pursuant to the Memory Coupon Feature.
   
Contingent Interest Rate: 2.075% per quarter (approximately 8.30% per annum), if payable. Accordingly, each Contingent Coupon, if payable, will equal $20.75 for each $1,000 in principal amount.
   
Memory Coupon Feature:

If a Contingent Coupon is not paid on a Contingent Coupon Payment Date (other than the Maturity Date) because the closing level of a Reference Asset is less than its Coupon Barrier Level on the related Observation Date, such Contingent Coupon will be paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date if the closing level of each Reference Asset is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Level on the relevant Observation Date.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, once a previously unpaid Contingent Coupon has been paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date, it will not be paid again on any subsequent Contingent Coupon Payment Date.

 

If the closing level of a Reference Asset is less than its Coupon Barrier Level on each of the Observation Dates, you will receive no Contingent Coupons during the term of the notes.

   
Observation Dates:1 Five trading days prior to each scheduled Contingent Coupon Payment Date, provided however that the final Observation Date will be the Valuation Date.
   
Contingent Coupon Payment
Dates:1
Interest, if payable, will be paid on the 4th day of each September, December, March, and June (or, if such day is not a business day, the next following business day), beginning on September 04, 2024 and ending on the Maturity Date, subject to the automatic redemption feature.
   
Automatic Redemption: Beginning on November 29, 2024, if, on any Observation Date, the closing level of each Reference Asset is greater than its Call Level, the notes will be automatically redeemed. No further amounts will be owed to you under the Notes.
   
Payment upon Automatic
Redemption:
If the notes are automatically redeemed, then, on the Call Settlement Date, investors will receive their principal amount plus any Contingent Coupons (including any Contingent Coupons due pursuant to the Memory Coupon Feature) otherwise due.
   
Call Settlement Date:1 If the notes are automatically redeemed, the Contingent Coupon Payment Date immediately following the relevant Observation Date.
   
Payment at Maturity:

If the notes are not automatically redeemed, the payment at maturity for the notes is based on the performance of the Reference Assets.

 

You will receive $1,000 for each $1,000 in principal amount of the note, unless a Trigger Event has occurred.

 

If a Trigger Event has occurred, you will receive at maturity, for each $1,000 in principal amount of your notes, a cash amount equal to:

 

$1,000 + [$1,000 x Percentage Change of the Least Performing Reference Asset]

 

This amount will be less than the principal amount of your notes, and may be zero.

 

You will also receive any Contingent Coupons (including any Contingent Coupons due pursuant to the Memory Coupon Feature) otherwise due.

   
Trigger Event:2 A Trigger Event will be deemed to occur if the Final Level of any Reference Asset is less than its Trigger Level on the Valuation Date.
   
Least Performing Reference Asset: The Reference Asset with the lowest Percentage Change.
   
Percentage Change:

With respect to each Reference Asset, the quotient, expressed as a percentage, of the following formula:

 

(Final Level - Initial Level)
Initial Level

   
Initial Level:2 With respect to each Reference Asset, the closing level of that Reference Asset on the Pricing Date.

 

 2 
 

 

Coupon Barrier Level:2 With respect to each Reference Asset, 80.00% of its Initial Level.
   
Trigger Level:2 With respect to each Reference Asset, 80.00% of its Initial Level.
   
Call Level:2 With respect to each Reference Asset, 100% of its Initial Level.
   
Final Level: With respect to each Reference Asset, the closing level of that Reference Asset on the Valuation Date.
   
Pricing Date:1 May 30, 2024
   
Settlement Date:1 June 04, 2024
   
Valuation Date:1 June 01, 2027
   
Maturity Date:1 June 04, 2027
   
Calculation Agent: BMO Capital Markets Corp.
   
Selling Agent: Citigroup

 

1 Expected and subject to the occurrence of a market disruption event, as described in the accompanying product supplement. If we make any change to the expected Pricing Date and Settlement Date, the Contingent Coupon Payment Dates (and therefore the Observation Dates and potential Call Settlement Dates), the Valuation Date and Maturity Date will be changed so that the stated term of the notes remains approximately the same.

 

2 As determined by the calculation agent and subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. See "General Terms of the Notes - Adjustments to a Reference Asset that is an Index" in the product supplement for additional information.

 

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Additional Terms of the Notes

 

You should read this document together with the product supplement dated July 22, 2022, the prospectus supplement dated May 26, 2022 and the prospectus dated May 26, 2022. This document, 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):

 

Product supplement dated July 22, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000121465922009102/r712220424b2.htm

 

Prospectus supplement dated May 26, 2022 and prospectus dated May 26, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000927971/000119312522160519/d269549d424b5.htm

 

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this document, "we", "us" or "our" refers to Bank of Montreal.

 

We have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering 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.

 

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Selected Risk Considerations

 

An investment in the notes involves significant risks. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Assets. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section of the product supplement.

 

Risks Related to the Structure or Features of the Notes

 

·Your investment in the notes may result in a loss. — The notes do not guarantee any return of principal. If the notes are not automatically redeemed, the payment at maturity will be based on the Final Level of each Reference Asset and whether a Trigger Event has occurred. If the Final Level of any Reference Asset is less than its Trigger Level, a Trigger Event will occur, and you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Level of the Least Performing Reference Asset is less than its Initial Level. In such a case, you will receive at maturity a cash payment that is less than the principal amount of the notes and may be zero. Accordingly, you could lose your entire investment in the notes.

·You may not receive any Contingent Coupons with respect to your notes. — We will not necessarily make periodic interest payments on the notes. If the closing level of any Reference Asset on an Observation Date is less than its Coupon Barrier Level, we will not pay you the Contingent Coupon on the corresponding Contingent Coupon Payment Date. However, if a Contingent Coupon is not paid on a Contingent Coupon Payment Date (other than the Maturity Date) because the closing level of a Reference Asset is less than the Coupon Barrier Level on the related Observation Date, pursuant to the Memory Coupon Feature such Contingent Coupon will be paid on a later Contingent Coupon Payment Date if the closing level of each Reference Asset is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier Level on the related Observation Date. If the closing level of a Reference Asset is less than its Coupon Barrier Level on each of the Observation Dates, we will not pay you any Contingent Coupons during the term of the notes, and you will not receive a positive return on the notes. Generally, this non-payment of any Contingent Coupons will coincide with a greater risk of principal loss on your notes.

·Your notes are subject to automatic early redemption. — We will redeem the notes if the closing level of each Reference Asset on any Observation Date is greater than its Call Level. Following an automatic redemption, you will not receive any additional Contingent Coupons and may not be able to reinvest your proceeds in an investment with returns that are comparable to the notes. Furthermore, to the extent you are able to reinvest such proceeds in an investment with a comparable return for a similar level of risk, you may incur transaction costs such as dealer discounts and hedging costs built into the price of the new notes.

·Your return on the notes is limited to the Contingent Coupons, if any, regardless of any increase in the level of any Reference Asset. — You will not receive a payment at maturity with a value greater than your principal amount plus any Contingent Coupons otherwise due . In addition, if the notes are automatically redeemed, you will not receive a payment greater than the principal amount plus any applicable Contingent Coupons, even if the Final Level of one or more Reference Assets exceeds its Call Level by a substantial amount. Accordingly, your maximum return on the applicable notes is limited to the potential return represented by the Contingent Coupons.

·Whether you receive any Contingent Coupons and your payment at maturity may be determined solely by reference to the least performing Reference Asset, even if any other Reference Assets perform better. - We will only make a Contingent Coupon payment on the notes if the closing level of each Reference Asset on the applicable Observation Date exceeds the applicable Coupon Barrier, even if the levels of any other Reference Assets have increased significantly. Similarly, if a Trigger Event occurs with respect to any Reference Asset and the Final Level of any Reference Asset is less than its Initial Level, your payment at maturity will be determined by reference to the performance of the Least Performing Reference Asset. Even if the levels of any other Reference Assets have increased over the term of the notes, or have experienced a decline that is less than that of the Least Performing Reference Asset, your return at maturity will only be determined by reference to the performance of the Least Performing Reference Asset if a Trigger Event occurs.

·The payments on the notes will be determined by reference to each Reference Asset individually, not to a basket, and the payments on the notes will be based on the performance of the least performing Reference Asset. — Whether each Contingent Coupon is payable, and the payment at maturity if a Trigger Event occurs, will be determined only by reference to the performance of the least performing Reference Asset as of the applicable Observation Date and/or Valuation Date, regardless of the performance of any other Reference Assets. The notes are not linked to a weighted basket, in which the risk may be mitigated and diversified among each of the basket components. For example, in the case of notes linked to a weighted basket, the return would depend on the weighted aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. As a result, a decrease of the level of one basket component could be mitigated by the increase of the level of the other basket components, as scaled by the weighting of that basket component. However, in the case of the notes, the individual performance of each Reference Asset will not be combined, and the performance of one Reference Asset will not be mitigated by any positive performance of any other Reference Assets. Instead, your receipt of Contingent Coupon payments on the notes will depend on the level of each Reference Asset on each Observation Date, and your return at maturity will depend solely on the Final Level of the Least Performing Reference Asset if a Trigger Event occurs.

·Your return on the notes may be lower than the return on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. — The return that you will receive on your notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. The notes do not provide for fixed interest payments and you may not receive any Contingent Coupons over the term of the notes. Even if you do receive one or more Contingent Coupons and your return on the notes is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of ours with the same maturity or if you invested directly in the Reference Assets. Your investment may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you take into account factors that affect the time value of money.

·A higher Contingent Interest Rate or lower Trigger Levels or Coupon Barrier Levels may reflect greater expected volatility of the Reference Assets, and greater expected volatility generally indicates an increased risk of loss at maturity. — The economic terms for the notes, including the Contingent Interest Rate, Coupon Barrier Levels and Trigger Levels, are based, in part, on the expected volatility of the Reference Assets at the time the terms of the notes are set. “Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the level of a Reference Asset. The greater the expected volatility of the Reference Assets as of the Pricing Date, the greater the expectation is as of that date that the closing level of a Reference Asset could be less than its Coupon Barrier Level on any Observation Date and that a Trigger Event could occur and, as a consequence, indicates an increased risk of not receiving a Contingent Coupon and an increased risk of loss, respectively. All things being equal, this greater expected volatility will generally be reflected in a higher Contingent Interest Rate than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity or on otherwise comparable securities, and/or a lower Trigger Levels and/or Coupon Barrier Levels than those terms on otherwise comparable securities. Therefore, a relatively higher Contingent Interest Rate may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, relatively lower Trigger Levels and/or Coupon Barriers may not necessarily indicate that the notes have a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity and/or paying Contingent Coupons. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Reference Assets and the potential to lose a significant portion or all of your initial investment.

 

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Risks Related to the Reference Assets

 

·Owning the notes is not the same as a hypothetical direct investment in the Reference Assets or a security directly linked to the Reference Assets. — The return on your notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you made a hypothetical direct investment in the Reference Assets or the underlying securities of the Reference Assets or a security directly linked to the performance of the Reference Assets or the underlying securities of the Reference Assets and held that investment for a similar period. Your notes may trade quite differently from the Reference Assets. Changes in the level of a Reference Asset may not result in comparable changes in the market value of your notes. Even if the levels of the Reference Assets increase 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 levels of the Reference Assets increase.

·You will not have any shareholder rights and will have no right to receive any shares of any company included in a Reference Asset at maturity. — Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any securities included in the Reference Assets. 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 such underlying securities.

·We have no affiliation with any index sponsor and will not be responsible for any index sponsor's actions. — The sponsors of the Reference Assets are not our affiliates and will not be involved in the offering of the notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of any index sponsor, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The index sponsors have no obligation of any sort with respect to the notes. Thus, the index sponsors have no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including in taking any actions that might affect the value of the notes. None of our proceeds from the issuance of the notes will be delivered to any index sponsor.

·You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Reference Assets. — In the ordinary course of their businesses, our affiliates from time to time may express views on expected movements in the levels of the Reference Assets or the prices of the securities included in the Reference Assets. One or more of our affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports that express views on the Reference Assets 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 Reference Assets at any time may have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the Reference Assets from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by our affiliates. 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.

 

Risks Relating to the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

·An investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets. — The EURO STOXX 50® 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 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 SEC, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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.

·An investment in the notes is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. — The value of the EURO STOXX 50® Index will fluctuate based in part upon changes in the value of the currencies in which the relevant stocks are traded. Accordingly, investors in the notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the stocks represented by the EURO STOXX 50® Index are traded. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar.

 

General Risk Factors

 

·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 any amounts due on the notes, 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.

·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 securities included in a Reference 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 level of the Reference Assets and, therefore, the market value of, and the payments on, the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also issue or underwrite other securities or financial or derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance of the Reference Assets. 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 any 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 hereof.

·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 hereof is, and our estimated value as determined on the Pricing Date will be, derived using our internal pricing models. This value is based on market conditions and other relevant factors, which include volatility of the Reference Assets, 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 herein and in the product supplement. These changes are likely to impact the price, if any, at which we or Citigroup or any of our or their affiliates 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, Citigroup or our or their affiliates would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market at any time.

·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.

·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 any 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 we, Citigroup or any of our or their affiliates 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.

·Lack of liquidity. — The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Citigroup 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 Citigroup is willing to buy the notes.

·Hedging and trading activities. — We or any of our affiliates have carried out or may carry out hedging activities related to the notes, including purchasing or selling securities included in the Reference Assets, futures or options relating to the Reference Assets or securities included in the Reference Assets or other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance on the Reference Assets or securities included in the Reference Assets. We or our affiliates may also trade in the securities included in the Reference Assets or instruments related to the Reference Assets or such securities from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Pricing Date and during the term of the notes could adversely affect the payments on the notes.

·Many economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes. — In addition to the levels of the Reference Assets 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.

·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 herein.
The Internal Revenue Service has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. According to the notice, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury are actively considering whether the holder of such instruments should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. While it is not clear whether the notes would be viewed as similar to such instruments, it is possible that any future guidance could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
Please read carefully the section entitled "U.S. Federal Tax Information" herein, the section entitled "Supplemental Tax Considerations–Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying product supplement, the section entitled "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.

 

 7 
 

 

Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the Notes

 

The following table illustrates the hypothetical payments on a note at maturity, assuming that the notes are not automatically redeemed. The hypothetical payments are based on a $1,000 investment in the note, a hypothetical Initial Level of 100.00, a hypothetical Trigger Level of 80.00 for each Reference Asset (80.00% of the hypothetical Initial Level), a hypothetical Call Level of 100.00 (100.00% of the hypothetical Initial Level), a range of hypothetical Final Levels and the effect on the payment at maturity.

 

The hypothetical examples shown below are intended to help you understand the terms of the notes. If the notes are not automatically redeemed, the actual cash amount that you will receive at maturity will depend upon the Final Level of the Least Performing Reference Asset. If the notes are automatically redeemed prior to maturity, the hypothetical examples below will not be relevant, and you will receive on the applicable Call Settlement Date, for each $1,000 principal amount, the principal amount plus any Contingent Coupons otherwise due.

 

As discussed in more detail above, your total return on the notes will also depend on the number of Contingent Coupon Dates on which the Contingent Coupon is payable. It is possible that the only payments on your notes will be the payment, if any, due at maturity. The payment at maturity will not exceed the principal amount, and may be significantly less.

 

 

 

Hypothetical Final Level of the
Least Performing Reference Asset
Hypothetical Final Level of the
Least Performing Reference Asset
Expressed as a Percentage of its
Initial Level
Payment at Maturity (Excluding
Coupons)
200.00 200.00% $1,000.00
180.00 180.00% $1,000.00
160.00 160.00% $1,000.00
140.00 140.00% $1,000.00
120.00 120.00% $1,000.00
100.00 100.00% $1,000.00
90.00 90.00% $1,000.00
80.00 80.00% $1,000.00
79.99 79.99% $799.90
60.00 60.00% $600.00
40.00 40.00% $400.00
20.00 20.00% $200.00
0.00 0.00% $0.00

 

 8 
 

 

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 contingent income-bearing derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of our counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat the notes as pre-paid contingent income-bearing derivative contracts in respect of the Reference Assets 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 in the accompanying product supplement under "Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Notes Treated as an Investment Unit Consisting of a Debt Portion and a Put Option, as a Pre-Paid Contingent Income-Bearing Derivative Contract, or as a Pre-Paid Derivative Contract—Notes Treated as a Pre-Paid Contingent Income-Bearing Derivative Contract," which applies to the notes, except the following disclosure which supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product supplement.

 

Under current Internal Revenue Service guidance, withholding on "dividend equivalent" payments (as discussed in the product supplement), if any, will not apply to notes that are issued as of the date of this pricing supplement unless such notes are "delta-one" instruments. Based on our determination that the notes are not delta-one instruments, non-United States holders (as defined in the product supplement) should not generally be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the notes.

 

 9 
 

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)

 

Citigroup will purchase the notes from us at a purchase price reflecting the commission set forth on the cover hereof. Citigroup has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the notes, it may reoffer the notes to other dealers who will sell them. Each such dealer, or each additional dealer engaged by a dealer to whom Citigroup reoffers the notes, will receive a commission from Citigroup, which will not exceed the commission set forth on the cover page. We or one of our affiliates may also pay a referral fee to certain dealers 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 will deliver the notes on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Effective May 28, 2024, the standard settlement cycle under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act will be shortened from two business days to one business day. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than one business day prior to the issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

 

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 Reference Assets or as to the suitability of an investment in the notes. 

 

Citigroup or one or more of our or their affiliates may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the notes. Citigroup and/or any of our or their affiliates will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion. 

 

Citigroup may use the final pricing supplement relating to the notes in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, Citigroup or one of our or their affiliates may use the final pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless Citigroup or we or one of our or their affiliates inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the final pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.

 

For a period of approximately three months following issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which we or Citigroup our one of our or their affiliates would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that we, Citigroup or one of our or their affiliates 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) any underwriting discount and the selling concessions paid in connection with this offering. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the three-month period. 

 

The notes and the related offer to purchase notes and sale of notes under the terms and conditions provided herein do not constitute a public offering in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and are being made available only to individually identified investors pursuant to a private offering as permitted in the relevant jurisdiction. The notes are not, and will not be, registered with any securities exchange or registry located outside of the United States and have not been registered with any non-U.S. securities or banking regulatory authority. The contents of this document have not been reviewed or approved by any non-U.S. securities or banking regulatory authority. Any person who wishes to acquire the notes from outside the United States should seek the advice or legal counsel as to the relevant requirements to acquire these notes.

 

British Virgin Islands. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the laws and regulations of the British Virgin Islands, nor has any regulatory authority in the British Virgin Islands passed comment upon or approved the accuracy or adequacy of this document. This pricing supplement and the related documents shall not constitute an offer, invitation or solicitation to any member of the public in the British Virgin Islands for the purposes of the Securities and Investment Business Act, 2010, of the British Virgin Islands.

 

Cayman Islands. Pursuant to the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, no invitation may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for the notes by or on behalf of the issuer unless at the time of such invitation the issuer is listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. The issuer is not presently listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange and, accordingly, no invitation to the public in the Cayman Islands is to be made by the issuer (or by any dealer on its behalf). No such invitation is made to the public in the Cayman Islands hereby.

 

Dominican Republic. Nothing in this pricing supplement constitutes an offer of securities for sale in the Dominican Republic. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered with the Superintendence of Securities Market of the Dominican Republic (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores), under Dominican Securities Market Law No. 249-17 (“Securities Law 249-17”), and the notes may not be offered or sold within the Dominican Republic or to, or for the account or benefit of, Dominican persons (as defined under Securities Law 249-17 and its regulations). Failure to comply with these directives may result in a violation of Securities Law 249-17 and its regulations.

 

Israel. This pricing supplement is intended solely for investors listed in the First Supplement of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968, as amended. A prospectus has not been prepared or filed, and will not be prepared or filed, in Israel relating to the notes offered hereunder. The notes cannot be resold in Israel other than to investors listed in the First Supplement of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968, as amended.

 

No action will be taken in Israel that would permit an offering of the notes or the distribution of any offering document or any other material to the public in Israel. In particular, no offering document or other material has been reviewed or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. Any material provided to an offeree in Israel may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose, nor be furnished to any other person other than those to whom copies have been provided directly by us or the selling agents.

 

 10 
 

 

Nothing in this pricing supplement or any other offering material relating to the notes, should be considered as the rendering of a recommendation or advice, including investment advice or investment marketing under the Law For Regulation of Investment Advice, Investment Marketing and Investment Portfolio Management, 1995, to purchase any note. The purchase of any note will be based on an investor’s own understanding, for the investor’s own benefit and for the investor’s own account and not with the aim or intention of distributing or offering to other parties. In purchasing the notes, each investor declares that it has the knowledge, expertise and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the notes, without relying on any of the materials provided.

 

Mexico. The notes have not been registered with the National Registry of Securities maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. This pricing supplement and the related documents may not be publicly distributed in Mexico. The notes may only be offered in a private offering pursuant to Article 8 of the Securities Market Law.

 

Switzerland. This pricing supplement is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in any notes. Neither this pricing supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes constitutes a prospectus compliant with the requirements of articles 35 et seq. of the Swiss Financial Services Act ("FinSA")) for a public offering of the notes in Switzerland and no such prospectus has been or will be prepared for or in connection with the offering of the notes in Switzerland.

 

Neither this pricing supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes has been or will be filed with or approved by a Swiss review body (Prüfstelle). No application has been or is intended to be made to admit the notes to trading on any trading venue (SIX Swiss Exchange or on any other exchange or any multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this pricing supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the notes may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

The notes may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of FinSA except (i) in any circumstances falling within the exemptions to prepare a prospectus listed in article 36 para. 1 FinSA or (ii) where such offer does not qualify as a public offer in Switzerland, provided always that no offer of notes shall require the Issuer or any offeror to publish a prospectus pursuant to article 35 FinSA in respect to such offer and that such offer shall comply with the additional restrictions set out below (if applicable). The Issuer has not authorised and does not authorise any offer of notes which would require the Issuer or any offeror to publish a prospectus pursuant to article 35 FinSA in respect of such offer. For purposes of this provision "public offer" shall have the meaning as such term is understood pursuant to article 3 lit. g and h FinSA and the Swiss Financial Services Ordinance ("FinSO").

 

The notes do not constitute participations in a collective investment scheme within the meaning of the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act. They are not subject to the approval of, or supervision by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority ("FINMA"), and investors in the notes will not benefit from protection under CISA or supervision by FINMA.

 

Prohibition of Offer to Private Clients in Switzerland - No Key Information Document pursuant to article 58 FinSA (Basisinformationsblatt für Finanzinstrumente) or equivalent document under foreign law pursuant to article 59 para. 2 FinSA has been or will be prepared in relation to the notes. Therefore, the following additional restriction applies: Notes qualifying as "debt securities with a derivative character" pursuant to article 86 para. 2 FinSO may not be offered within the meaning of article 58 para. 1 FinSA, and neither this pricing supplement nor any other offering or marketing material relating to such notes may be made available, to any retail client (Privatkunde) within the meaning of FinSA in Switzerland.

 

The notes may also be sold in the following jurisdictions, provided, in each case, any sales are made in accordance with all applicable laws in such jurisdiction:

 

·Barbados

·Bermuda

 

 11 
 

 

Additional Information Relating to the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes

 

Our estimated initial value of the notes on the date hereof, 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:

 

·a fixed-income debt component with the same tenor as the notes, valued using our internal funding rate for structured notes; and 

·one or more derivative transactions relating to the economic terms of the notes. 

 

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 is 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 the market conditions on the Pricing Date. 

 

 12 
 

 

The Reference Assets

 

All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Reference Asset, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation, and changes in their components and their historical closing levels, have been derived from publicly available information prepared by the applicable sponsor. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the sponsor. The sponsor owns the copyrights and all rights to the Reference Asset. The sponsor is under no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Reference Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Reference Asset or any successor. We encourage you to review recent levels of the Reference Asset prior to making an investment decision with respect to the notes.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index (“SX5E”)

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index was created by STOXX Limited, a joint venture between Deutsche Börse AG and SIX Group AG. Publication of the EURO STOXX 50® Index began in February 1998, based on an initial Index level of 1,000 at December 31, 1991. On March 1, 2010, STOXX announced the removal of the “Dow Jones” prefix from all of its indices, including the EURO STOXX 50® Index. Additional information about the EURO STOXX 50® Index is available on the STOXX Limited website: stoxx.com. However, information included in that website is not included or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement.

 

EURO STOXX 50® Index Composition and Maintenance

 

For each of the 20 EURO STOXX Supersector indices, the stocks are ranked in terms of free-float market capitalization. The largest stocks are added to the selection list until the coverage is close to, but still less than, 60% of the free-float market capitalization of the corresponding EURO STOXX TMI Supersector Index. If the next highest-ranked stock brings the coverage closer to 60% in absolute terms, then it is also added to the selection list. All current stocks in the index are then added to the selection list. All of the stocks on the selection list are then ranked in terms of free-float market capitalization to produce the final index selection list. The largest 40 stocks on the selection list are selected; the remaining 10 stocks are selected from the largest remaining current stocks ranked between 41 and 60; if the number of stocks selected is still below 50, then the largest remaining stocks are selected until there are 50 stocks. In exceptional cases, STOXX Limited’s management board can add stocks to and remove them from the selection list. The index stocks are subject to a capped maximum index weight of 10%, which is applied on a quarterly basis.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is composed of 50 component stocks of market sector leaders from within the 20 EURO STOXX® Supersector indices, which represent the Eurozone portion of the STOXX Europe 600® Supersector indices. The index stocks have a high degree of liquidity and represent the largest companies across a wide range of market sectors.

 

Composition and Maintenance of the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

The composition of the EURO STOXX 50® Index is reviewed annually, based on the closing stock data on the last trading day in August. Changes in the composition of the EURO STOXX 50® Index are made to ensure that it includes the 50 market sector leaders from within the EURO STOXX Index.

 

The free float factors for each component stock used to calculate the EURO STOXX 50® Index, as described below, are reviewed, calculated, and implemented on a quarterly basis and are fixed until the next quarterly review.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is subject to a “fast exit rule.” The index stocks are monitored for any changes based on the monthly selection list ranking. A stock is deleted from the EURO STOXX 50® Index if: (a) it ranks 75 or below on the monthly selection list and (b) it ranked 75 or below on the selection list of the previous month. The highest-ranked non-component will be selected. Changes will be implemented on the close of the fifth trading day of the month, and are effective the next trading day.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is also subject to a “fast entry rule.” All stocks on the latest selection lists and initial public offering (IPO) stocks are reviewed for a fast-track addition on a quarterly basis. A stock is added, if (a) it qualifies for the latest blue-chip selection list generated end of February, May, August or November and (b) it ranks within the “lower buffer” (ranks 1-25) on this selection list.

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is also reviewed on an ongoing basis. Corporate actions (including initial public offerings, mergers and takeovers, spin-offs, delistings, and bankruptcy) that affect the EURO STOXX 50® Index composition are immediately reviewed. Any changes are announced, implemented, and effective in line with the type of corporate action and the magnitude of the effect.

 

Calculation of the EURO STOXX 50® Index

 

The EURO STOXX 50® Index is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula,” which measures the aggregate price changes against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the EURO STOXX 50® Index value can be expressed as follows:

 

Index = free float market capitalization of the index at the time
divisor of the index at the time

 

The “free float market capitalization of the index” is equal to the sum of the products of the closing price, number of shares, free float factor and the weighting cap factor for each component company as of the time that the EURO STOXX 50® Index is being calculated.

 

The divisor of the EURO STOXX 50® Index is adjusted to maintain the continuity of the EURO STOXX 50® Index’s values across changes due to corporate actions, such as the deletion and addition of stocks, the substitution of stocks, stock dividends, and stock splits. Changes in weights due to corporate actions are distributed proportionally across all index components and equal an investment into the portfolio.

 

 13 
 

 

License Agreement

 

We have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with STOXX, which grants us a license in exchange for a fee to use the EURO STOXX 50® Index in connection with the issuance of certain securities, including the notes.

 

STOXX and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship with us or BMOCM, other than the licensing of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the related trademarks for use in connection with the notes.

 

STOXX and its Licensors do not:

 

·sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the notes.

 

·recommend that any person invest in the notes or any other securities.

 

·have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount or pricing of the notes.

 

·have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management or marketing of the notes.

 

·consider the needs of the notes or the owners of the notes in determining, composing or calculating the EURO STOXX 50® Index or have any obligation to do so.

 

STOXX and its Licensors will not have any liability in connection with the notes. Specifically,

 

·STOXX and its Licensors do not make any warranty, express or implied, and disclaim any and all warranty about:

 

·the results to be obtained by the notes, the owner of the notes or any other person in connection with the use of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and the data included in the EURO STOXX 50® Index;

 

·the accuracy or completeness of the EURO STOXX 50® Index and its data;

 

·the merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the EURO STOXX 50® Index or its data;

 

·STOXX and its Licensors will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the EURO STOXX 50® Index or its data; and

 

·any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX knows that they might occur.

 

The licensing agreement among us, BMOCM and STOXX is solely for the benefit of the parties thereto and not for the benefit of the owner of the notes or any other third parties.

 

The S&P 500® Index (“SPX”)

 

The S&P 500® Index measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. market. The S&P 500® Index includes 500 leading companies and covers approximately 80% of available market capitalization. The calculation of the level of the S&P 500® Index is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.

 

S&P calculates the S&P 500® Index by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the S&P 500® Index without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the constituent stocks of the S&P 500® Index and received the dividends paid on those stocks.

 

Computation of the S&P 500® Index

 

While S&P currently employs the following methodology to calculate the S&P 500® Index, no assurance can be given that S&P will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the Payment at Maturity.

 

Historically, the market value of any component stock of the S&P 500® Index was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, S&P began shifting the S&P 500® Index halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the S&P 500® Index to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. S&P’s criteria for selecting stocks for the S&P 500® Index did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the S&P 500® Index.

 

Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the S&P 500® Index reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.

 

 14 
 

 

In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock’s outstanding shares, other than holdings by “block owners,” were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the S&P 500® Index. Generally, these “control holders” will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.

 

Treasury stock, stock options, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block.

 

For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company’s officers and directors hold 3% of the company’s shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company’s shares, S&P would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company’s officers and directors hold 3% of the company’s shares and another control group holds 20% of the company’s shares, S&P would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company’s outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the S&P 500® Index. Constituents of the S&P 500® Index prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines were grandfathered in and continue to be included in the S&P 500® Index. If a constituent company of the S&P 500® Index reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the S&P 500® Index at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.

 

The S&P 500® Index is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the S&P 500® Index reflects the total market value of all 500 component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to use and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941-43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the S&P 500® Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the “index divisor.” By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the S&P 500® Index, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the S&P 500® Index. The index divisor keeps the S&P 500® Index comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the S&P 500® Index, which is index maintenance.

 

Index Maintenance

 

Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the S&P 500® Index, and do not require index divisor adjustments.

 

To prevent the level of the S&P 500® Index from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the S&P 500® Index require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the S&P 500® Index remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the S&P 500® Index. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the S&P 500® Index closing level.

 

Changes in a company’s total shares outstanding of 5% or more due to public offerings are made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes of 5% or more (for example, due to tender offers, Dutch auctions, voluntary exchange offers, company stock repurchases, private placements, acquisitions of private companies or non-index companies that do not trade on a major exchange, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participations, at-the-market stock offerings or other recapitalizations) are made weekly, and are generally announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading the following Friday (one week later). If a 5% or more share change causes a company’s IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

License Agreement

 

We and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P”) have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to us and certain of our affiliates, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use the S&P 500® Index, in connection with certain securities, including the notes. The S&P 500® Index is owned and published by S&P.

 

The license agreement between S&P and us provides that the following language must be set forth in this pricing supplement:

 

The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, Standard and Poor’s Financial Services LLC or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the S&P 500® Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to us with respect to the S&P 500® Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The S&P 500® Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the notes. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the notes into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500® Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the notes or the timing of the issuance or sale of the notes or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the notes are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500® Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the notes currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the notes. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the S&P 500® Index. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the notes.

 

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S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500® INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

 

S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. These trademarks have been licensed for use by Bank of Montreal. “Standard & Poor’s®”, “S&P 500®” and “S&P®” are trademarks of S&P. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P and S&P makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

 

 

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