Registration Statement No.333-264388
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Subject to Completion,
dated January 10, 2025
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
Buffer Notes due July 15, 2026
Linked to the Least Performing of the shares of iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF and the S&P 500® Index
| · | The notes are designed for investors who seek periodic interest payments at the interest rate (the "Interest
Rate") of 3.10% per semiannual period (approximately 6.20% per annum). Investors should be willing to forego any potential to participate
in the appreciation of the shares of iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF and the S&P 500® Index (each, a "Reference Asset" and,
collectively, the "Reference Assets") , and be willing to lose a significant portion of their principal at maturity. |
| · | The notes will pay a Coupon on each Coupon Payment Date at the Interest Rate. |
| · | The notes do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity. Instead, the payment at maturity will
be based on the Final Level of the Least Performing Reference Asset (as defined below) and whether the Final Level of any Reference Asset
has declined from its Initial Level to below its Buffer Level on the Valuation Date (a “Trigger Event”), as described below.
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| · | If a Trigger Event has occurred you will receive a cash amount at maturity that is less than the principal
amount, together with the final Coupon. Specifically, the value of the cash amount that you receive will decrease by approximately 1.3333%
for each 1% decrease in the level of the Least Performing Reference Asset from its Initial Level to its Final Level in excess of 25.00%.
Even with Interest payments, the return on the notes may be negative. |
| · | 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. |
| · | Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”), 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
Strike Date: |
January 08, 2025 |
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Pricing Date: |
January 10, 2025 |
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Valuation Date: |
July 10, 2026 |
Settlement Date: |
January 15, 2025 |
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Maturity Date: |
July 15, 2026 |
1Expected. See “Key Terms of the Notes” below
for additional details.
Specific Terms of the Notes:
Series
Number |
Reference
Assets |
Ticker
Symbol |
Initial
Level |
Interest Rate |
Buffer
Level |
CUSIP |
Principal
Amount |
Price to
Public1 |
Agent’s
Commission1 |
Proceeds to
Bank of
Montreal1 |
4433 |
The shares of iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF |
EFA |
$76.22 |
3.10% per semiannual period (approximately 6.20% per annum) |
$57.17, 75.00% of its Initial Level |
06376CTB2 |
[ ] |
100% |
Up to 0.15%
[ ] |
At least 99.85%
[ ] |
The S&P 500® Index |
SPX |
5,918.25 |
4,438.69, 75.00% 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 $998.50 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 $989.80 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 $940.00 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.
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS
Key Terms of the Notes:
Reference Assets: |
The shares of iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (ticker symbol "EFA") and the S&P 500® Index (ticker symbol "SPX"). See "The Reference Assets" below for additional information. |
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Underlying Index: |
With respect to iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, the MSCI EAFE Index |
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Coupons: |
A Coupon will be paid on the corresponding Coupon Payment Date at the Interest Rate. |
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Interest Rate: |
3.10% per semiannual period (approximately 6.20% per annum). Accordingly, each Coupon will equal $31.00 for each $1,000 in principal amount. |
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Coupon Payment Dates:1 |
Interest will be paid on the 15th day of each July, and January (or, if such day is not a business day, the next following business day), beginning on July 15, 2025 and ending on the Maturity Date. |
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Payment at Maturity: |
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 + Buffer Percentage)]
This amount will be less than the principal amount
of your notes, and may be zero. Specifically, you will lose approximately 1.3333% 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 excess of 25.00%.
You will also receive the final Coupon. Even with Coupons, the return
on the notes may be negative. |
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Trigger Event: |
A Trigger Event will be deemed to occur if the Final Level of any Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level on the Valuation Date. |
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Least Performing Reference Asset: |
The Reference Asset with the lowest Percentage Change. |
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Percentage Change: |
With respect to each Reference Asset, the quotient, expressed as a percentage,
of the following formula:
(Final Level - Initial Level)
Initial Level |
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Initial Level:2 |
As set forth on the cover hereof. |
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Downside Leverage Factor: |
A percentage equal to the quotient of 100% divided by 75% (approximately 133.33%) |
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Buffer Level:2 |
$57.17 with respect to EFA and 4,438.69 with respect to SPX, each of which is 75.00% of the respective Initial Level (rounded to two decimal places). |
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Buffer Percentage: |
25.00% Accordingly, you will receive the principal amount of your notes at maturity only if the level of the Least Performing Reference Asset does not decrease by more than 25.00% over the term of the notes. If the Final Level of the Least Performing Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level, you will receive less than the principal amount of your notes at maturity and you could lose up to 100.00% of the principal amount of your notes. |
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Final Level:2 |
With respect to each Reference Asset, the closing level of that Reference Asset on the Valuation Date. |
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Strike Date:1 |
January 08, 2025 |
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Pricing Date:1 |
January 10, 2025 |
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Settlement Date:1 |
January 15, 2025 |
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Valuation Date:1 |
July 10, 2026 |
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Maturity Date:1 |
July 15, 2026 |
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Calculation Agent: |
BMOCM |
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Selling Agent: |
BMOCM |
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
Coupon Payment 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 — Anti-dilution Adjustments to a Reference Asset that Is an Equity
Security (Including Any ETF)” and “— Adjustments to a Reference Asset that Is an ETF” in the product supplement
with respect to the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF and "General Terms of the Notes - Adjustments to a Reference Asset that is an Index"
with respect to the S&P 500® Index in the product supplement for additional information.
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.
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. 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 Buffer Level, a Trigger Event will occur, and 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. |
| · | Your return on the notes is limited to the Coupons 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 the final Coupon. Accordingly, your maximum
return on the applicable notes is limited to the potential return represented by the Coupons. |
| · | Your payment at maturity may be determined solely by reference to the least performing Reference Asset, even if any other Reference
Assets perform better. — 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. — 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 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 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.
Even if 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 Interest Rate or lower Buffer 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 Interest
Rate and Buffer 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 a Trigger Event could occur
and, as a consequence, an increased risk of loss. All things being equal, this greater expected volatility will generally be reflected
in a higher Interest Rate than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity or on otherwise comparable
securities, and/or a lower Buffer Levels than those terms on otherwise comparable securities. Therefore, a relatively higher Interest
Rate may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, a relatively lower Buffer Levels may not necessarily indicate that the notes have
a greater likelihood of a return of principal at maturity. 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. |
Risks Related to the Reference Assets
| · | Owning the notes is not the same as owning shares of any Reference Asset, making a hypothetical direct investment in any Reference
Asset or owning a security directly linked to the Reference Assets. — The return on your notes will not reflect the return you
would realize if you actually owned shares of any Reference Asset, made a hypothetical direct investment in any Reference Asset or the
underlying securities of any Reference Asset, or owned 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.
In addition, any dividends or other distributions paid on a Reference Asset will not be reflected in the amount payable on the notes. |
| · | You will not have any shareholder rights and will have no right to receive any shares of the Reference Assets (or any company included
in a Reference Asset) at maturity. — Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any shares of the Reference Assets
or any securities held by 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 the Reference Assets or such underlying securities. |
| · | No delivery of shares of the Reference Assets. — The notes will be payable only in cash. You should not invest in the
notes if you seek to have the shares of a Reference Asset delivered to you at maturity. |
| · | Changes that affect an Underlying Index will affect the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.
— With respect to a Reference Asset that is an ETF, the policies of the applicable index sponsor concerning the calculation
of the applicable Underlying Index, additions, deletions or substitutions of the components of the applicable Underlying Index and the
manner in which changes affecting those components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, may be reflected in the applicable
Reference Asset and, therefore, could affect the share price of the Reference Asset, the amounts payable on the notes and the market value
of the notes prior to maturity. The amount payable on the notes and their market value could also be affected if the applicable index
sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the applicable Underlying Index, or if the
applicable index sponsor discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the applicable Underlying Index. |
| · | We have no affiliation with any index sponsor of any Underlying Index and will not be responsible for any index sponsor's actions.
— The sponsors of the Underlying Indices 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 of any Underlying
Index. |
| · | Adjustments to a Reference Asset that is an ETF could adversely affect the notes. — The sponsor and advisor of each
ETF Reference Asset is responsible for calculating and maintaining that Reference Asset. The sponsor and advisor of each ETF Reference
Asset can add, delete or substitute the stocks comprising that Reference Asset or make other methodological changes that could change
the share price of the applicable Reference Asset at any time. If one or more of these events occurs, the calculation of the amount payable
at maturity may be adjusted to reflect such event or events. Consequently, any of these actions could adversely affect the amount payable
at maturity and/or the market value of the notes. |
| · | Changes that affect a Reference Asset that is an index could adversely affect the notes. — The policies of the sponsor
of each index Reference Asset with respect to the applicable Reference Asset concerning the calculation of the applicable Reference Asset,
additions, deletions or substitutions of the components of the applicable Reference Asset and the manner in which changes affecting those
components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, may be reflected in the applicable Reference Asset and, therefore, could
affect the level of the applicable Reference Asset, the amount payable on the notes at maturity and the market value of the notes prior
to maturity. The amount payable on the notes and their market value could also be affected if an index sponsor changes these policies,
for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the applicable Reference Asset, or if an index sponsor discontinues or suspends
the calculation or publication of the applicable Reference Asset. If an index sponsor discontinues publication of a Reference Asset, the
calculation agent may select a successor index (and make any corresponding adjustments to the applicable Initial Level and Trigger Level)
which will be used as a substitute for the relevant Reference Asset for all purposes with respect to the notes. |
| · | We and our affiliates do not have any affiliation with any applicable investment advisor or any Reference Asset Issuer and are
not responsible for their public disclosure of information. — The investment advisor of each ETF Reference Asset advises the
issuer of the applicable Reference Asset (each, a “Reference Asset Issuer” and, collectively, the “Reference Asset Issuers”)
on various matters, including matters relating to the policies, maintenance and calculation of the applicable Reference Asset. We and
our affiliates are not affiliated with the investment advisor of any Reference Asset or any Reference Asset Issuer in any way and have
no ability to control or predict their actions, including any errors in or discontinuance of disclosure regarding the methods or policies
relating to a Reference Asset. No investment advisor of a Reference Asset nor any Reference Asset Issuer is involved in the offerings
of the notes in any way and has no obligation to consider your interests as an owner of the notes in taking any actions relating to a
Reference Asset that might affect the value of the notes. Neither we nor any of our affiliates has independently verified the adequacy
or accuracy of the information about any investment advisor or any Reference Asset Issuer contained in any public disclosure of information.
You, as an investor in the notes, should make your own investigation into any Reference Asset Issuers. |
| · | The correlation between the performance of an ETF Reference Asset and the performance of the applicable Underlying Index may be
imperfect. — The performance of each ETF Reference Asset is linked principally to the performance of the applicable Underlying
Index. However, because of the potential discrepancies identified in more detail in the product supplement, the return on an ETF Reference
Asset may correlate imperfectly with the return on the applicable Underlying Index. |
| · | Any Reference Asset that is an ETF is subject to management risks. — Any Reference Asset that is an ETF is subject to
management risk, which is the risk that the applicable investment advisor’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is
subject to a number of constraints, may not produce the intended results. For example, the applicable investment advisor may invest a
portion of a Reference Asset Issuer’s assets in securities not included in the relevant industry or sector but which the applicable
investment advisor believes will help the applicable Reference Asset track the relevant industry or sector. |
| · | 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 prices of the Reference Assets
or the prices of the securities held by 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 iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF
| · | The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, and therefore an investment in the notes, is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. - The
share price of the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF will fluctuate based upon its net asset value, which will in turn depend in part upon changes
in the value of the currencies in which the stocks held by the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF are traded. Accordingly, investors in the notes
will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of these currencies. An investor’s net exposure will depend
on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar. If the dollar strengthens against these currencies,
the net asset value of the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF will be adversely affected and the price of its shares may decrease. |
| · | The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, and therefore an investment in the notes, is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets.
- The Underlying Index of the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF tracks the value of certain foreign equity securities. You should be aware that
investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. The foreign securities markets comprising
the Underlying Index of the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities
markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government
intervention to stabilize these foreign securities markets, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices
and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S.
companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign companies are subject
to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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. |
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 shares of any Reference Asset that is an ETF or the securities held by or 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. |
| · | 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 BMOCM would be willing
to purchase the notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at
which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market at any time. |
| · | 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 BMOCM or any other party may be willing to purchase the notes from you in
secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely be lower than the price to public. Any sale that you make prior to the Maturity
Date could result in a substantial loss to you. |
| · | Lack of liquidity. — The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. BMOCM may offer to purchase the notes in
the secondary market, but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow
you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the notes, the price at which
you may be able to trade the notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which BMOCM is willing to buy the notes. |
| · | 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 shares of any Reference Assets that are ETFs or securities held by or included in the Reference
Assets, futures or options relating to the Reference Assets or securities held by or 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 held by or included in
the Reference Assets. We or our affiliates may also trade in any Reference Assets that are ETFS, such securities, 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. |
Examples of the Hypothetical Payout for a $1,000 Investment in the
Notes
The following tables illustrate the hypothetical
payments on a note, assuming different scenarios. The hypothetical payments are based on a $1,000 investment, a hypothetical Initial Level
of 100.00 for each Reference Asset, a hypothetical Buffer Level of 75.00 for each Reference Asset (75.00% of the hypothetical Initial
Level), a hypothetical interest rate of 3.100% per semiannual period (approximately 6.20% per annum), and a range of hypothetical closing
levels of the Reference Assets.
The hypothetical examples shown below are intended
to help you understand the terms of the notes. The actual cash amount that you will receive at maturity will depend upon the Final Level
of the Least Performing Reference Asset. The numbers appearing in the following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.
The table below illustrates the hypothetical total
Coupons per note over the term of the notes based on the hypothetical terms set forth above. The hypothetical total Coupons paid per note
over the term of the notes will be equal to the maximum amount shown in the table below.
Number of Coupons |
Total Coupon Payments |
1 |
$31.00 |
2 |
$62.00 |
3 |
$93.00 |
The following table illustrates the hypothetical
payments on a note at maturity.
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 |
75.00 |
75.00% |
$1,000.00 |
74.99 |
74.99% |
$999.87 |
60.00 |
60.00% |
$800.00 |
40.00 |
40.00% |
$533.33 |
20.00 |
20.00% |
$266.67 |
0.00 |
0.00% |
$0.00 |
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 an investment unit consisting of a
Debt Portion and a Put Option (as such terms are defined in the accompanying product supplement) 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 an investment unit consisting of
a Debt Portion and a Put Option in respect of the Reference Assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following table sets forth
the amount of stated interest on the notes and the portion that will be treated as an interest payment on the Debt Portion and as payment
for the Put Option for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Interest Rate per Annum |
Treated as an Interest Payment on
the Debt Portion |
Treated as Payment for the Put
Option |
6.200% |
[*]% |
[*]% |
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 an Investment Unit Consisting of a Debt Portion and a Put Option,” 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.
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
BMOCM will purchase the notes from us at a purchase
price reflecting the commission set forth on the cover hereof. BMOCM has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the notes, it
will reoffer the notes to other dealers who will sell them. Each such dealer, or each additional dealer engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM
reoffers the notes, will receive a commission from BMOCM, which will not exceed the commission set forth on the cover page. 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 one business day, unless the parties to any such trade
expressly agree otherwise. 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 own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding
equity securities of BMOCM, the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMOCM may not make sales in this offering
to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.
We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify
the offering of the notes and to reject orders in whole or in part. You may cancel any order for the notes prior to its acceptance.
You should not construe the offering of the notes
as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Assets or as to the suitability of an investment
in the notes.
BMOCM may, but is not obligated to, make a market
in the notes. BMOCM will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion.
We may use the final pricing supplement relating
to the notes in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use the final pricing supplement in
market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless BMOCM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale,
the final pricing supplement is being used by BMOCM in a market-making transaction.
For a period of approximately three months following
issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value
that BMOCM may also publish for the notes through one or more financial information vendors and which could be indicated for the notes
on any brokerage account statements, will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from our estimated value of the notes that would otherwise
be determined and applicable at that time. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of (a) the hedging profit that we or
our affiliates expect to realize over the term of the notes and (b) 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.
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:
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.
The Reference Assets
We have derived the following information from publicly
available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated
with any Reference Asset Issuer or any sponsor of any Reference Asset or Underlying Index and no Reference Asset Issuer or any sponsor
of any Reference Asset or Underlying Index will have any obligations with respect to the notes. This document relates only to the notes
and does not relate to the Reference Assets, shares of the Reference Assets or any securities included in the Underlying Index or Reference
Assets. Neither we nor any of our affiliates participates in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither
we nor any of our affiliates has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Reference Assets in connection with the offering of
the notes. There can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof, including events that would affect the accuracy
or completeness of the publicly available documents described below and that would affect the trading levels of the Reference Assets,
have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future
events concerning the Reference Assets could affect the levels of the Reference Assets and therefore could affect the payments on the
notes. The information below regarding any Reference Asset or any Underlying Index reflects the policies of, and is subject to change
by, the applicable sponsors. The sponsors of an index, including any Reference Asset or Underlying Index, are under no obligation to continue
to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the index. Neither we nor BMO Capital Markets Corp. accepts any responsibility for the
calculation, maintenance or publication of any index referred to herein.
Information provided to or filed with the SEC under
the Exchange Act and the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to any Reference Asset that is an ETF may be obtained through the SEC’s
website at http://www.sec.gov.
We encourage you to review recent levels of the Reference
Assets prior to making an investment decision with respect to the notes.
iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF
The iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF is an investment portfolio
maintained and managed by iShares, Trust. and advised by BlackRock Fund Advisors. iShares is a registered investment company that consists
of numerous separate investment portfolios, including the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF. The iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF seeks investment
results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI EAFE Index. Information about
the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF filed with the SEC can be found by reference to its SEC file numbers: 333-92935 and 811-09729 or its CIK
Code: 0001100663. Shares of the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF are listed on the NYSE Arca under ticker symbol "EFA."
The MSCI EAFE Index
All information in this document regarding the MSCI
EAFE Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, is derived from publicly
available information. Such information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”). Neither
we nor any of our affiliates has undertaken any independent review or due diligence of such information. MSCI owns the copyright and all
other rights to the MSCI EAFE Index. MSCI has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the MSCI EAFE
Index.
The MSCI EAFE Index is intended to measure equity
market performance in developed market countries, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization
equity index. The MSCI EAFE Index currently consists of the following 21 developed market country indices: Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The MSCI Global Investable Market Indices
The MSCI EAFE Index is an MSCI Global Investable
Market Index
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market
Indices.
MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which
involves:
| · | defining the equity universe for each market; |
| · | determining the market investable equity universe for each market; |
| · | determining market capitalization size segments for each market; |
| · | applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index; |
| · | classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”); and |
| · | using a building block approach, regional and composite Indexes can be created from the individual market indexes for each size-segment |
Defining the Equity Universe
The equity universe is defined by:
| · | Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI
Global Index Series, which will be classified as either Developed Markets (“DM”) or Emerging Markets (“EM”). All
listed equity securities, or listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, exchange traded
funds, equity derivatives, limited partnerships, and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Real Estate
Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in some countries and certain income trusts in Canada are also eligible for inclusion. |
| · | Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified
in only one country. |
Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes
A market investable equity universe for a market
is derived by (i) identifying eligible listings for each security in the equity universe; and (ii) applying investability screens to individual
companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is generally equivalent to a single country.
A security may have a listing in the country where
it is classified (a “local listing”) and/or in a different country (a “foreign listing”). A security may be represented
by either a local listing or a foreign listing (including a depositary receipt) in the global investable equity universe. A security may
be represented by a foreign listing only if the security is classified in a country that meets the foreign listing materiality requirement
(as described below), and the security’s foreign listing is traded on an eligible stock exchange of a developed market country if
the security is classified in a developed market country or, if the security is classified in an emerging market country, an eligible
stock exchange of a developed market country or an emerging market country.
In order for a country to meet the foreign listing
materiality requirement, MSCI determines all securities represented by a foreign listing that would be included in the country’s
MSCI Country Investable Market Index if foreign listings were eligible from that country. The aggregate free-float adjusted market capitalization
for all such securities should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant MSCI Country
Investable Market Index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index. If a
country does not meet the foreign listing materiality requirement, then securities in that country may not be represented by a foreign
listing in the global investable equity universe.
The investability screens used to determine the investable
equity universe in each market are as follows:
| · | Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be included
in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization. |
| · | Equity Universe Minimum Free Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the
individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float-adjusted
market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement. |
| · | DM and EM Minimum Liquidity Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible
for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have at least one eligible listing with adequate liquidity. The
twelve-month and three-month Annual Traded Value Ratio (“ATVR”), a measure that screens out extreme daily trading volumes
and takes into account the free float-adjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading
are used to measure liquidity. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency of trading
over the last four consecutive quarters, as well as 20% of 12-month ATVR are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable
equity universe of a DM, and a minimum liquidity level of 15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% of three-month frequency of trading
over the last four consecutive quarters, as well as 15% of 12-month ATVR are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable
equity universe of an EM. |
| · | Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level.
To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security’s Foreign Inclusion Factor (“FIF”) must
reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in
the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or the foreign ownership
limits applicable to a specific security (or company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or larger than 0.15 to be eligible
for inclusion in a market investable equity universe. |
| · | Minimum Length of Trading Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial
public offering (“IPO”) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started
trading at least three months before the implementation of a semi−annual index review (as described below). This requirement is
applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included
in a market investable equity universe and the Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or Semi−Annual Index Review. |
| · | Minimum Foreign Room Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For a security that
is subject to a foreign ownership limit to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the proportion of shares
still available to foreign investors relative to the maximum allowed (referred to as “foreign room”) must be at least 15%. |
Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for
Each Market. Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size−based indices:
| · | Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small); |
| · | Standard Index (Large + Mid); |
Creating the size segment indices in each market
involves the following steps:
| · | defining the market coverage target range for each size segment; |
| · | determining the global minimum size range for each size segment; |
| · | determining the market size−segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies; |
| · | assigning companies to the size segments; and |
| · | applying final size−segment investability requirements. |
Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices.
In order to achieve index continuity, as well as
to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules
described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index and a minimum number of three
constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index.
Classifying Securities under the Global Industry
Classification Standard.
All securities in the global investable equity universe
are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with S&P
Dow Jones Indices, the GICS. The GICS currently consists of 11 Sectors, 24 Industry Groups, 69 Industries and 158 Sub-Industries. Under
the GICS, each company is assigned to one Sub−Industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong
to only one grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.
Calculation Methodology for the MSCI® EAFE
Index.
The performance of the underlying index is a free-float
weighted average of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.
Prices used to calculate the component securities
are the official exchange closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security
does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries forward the previous day’s price (or latest available
closing price). In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the
last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation unless MSCI determines that another price is
more appropriate based on the circumstances. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing exchange
rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00PM London Time.
Index Maintenance
The MSCI Global Investable Market Indices are maintained
with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve
index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, and index stability and low index turnover.
In particular, index maintenance involves:
Semi−Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”)
in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:
| · | updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe; |
| · | taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and |
| · | updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”). |
Quarterly Index Reviews in February and August
of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:
| · | including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index; |
| · | allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and |
| · | reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS. |
Ongoing Event−Related Changes: changes of this
type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the
company’s tenth day of trading.
MSCI’s semi-annual index review is designed
to systematically reassess the component securities of the index. During each semi-annual index review, the universe of component securities
is updated and the global minimum size range for the index is recalculated. Then, the following index maintenance activities, among others,
are undertaken: the eligible equity securities are reviewed, minimum size requirements are reevaluated, and size-segment requirements
are reassessed. The results of the semi-annual index reviews are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation
date as of the close of the last business day of May and November.
MSCI’s quarterly index review process is designed
to ensure that the country indices continue to be an accurate reflection of evolving equity markets. This goal is achieved by timely reflecting
significant market driven changes that were not captured in each index at the time of their actual occurrence and that should not wait
until the semi-annual index review due to their importance. These quarterly index reviews may result in additions and deletions of component
securities from a country index (or a security being removed from one country listing and represented by a different country listing)
and changes in FIFs and in NOS.
These guidelines and the policies implementing the
guidelines are the responsibility of, and, ultimately, subject to adjustment by, MSCI.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates, including BMOCM,
accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in the MSCI®
EAFE Index, or any successor to the index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the MSCI® EAFE Index, or any
data included in the index. MSCI assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or disruption in the calculation and dissemination of
the MSCI® EAFE Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the MSCI®
EAFE Index, or the manner in which the index is applied in determining the amount payable on the notes at maturity.
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.
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.
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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