Registration Statement No. 333-217200
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Subject to Completion,
dated August 15, 2018
Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus
dated April 27, 2017,
the Prospectus Supplement dated
April 27, 2017 and the Product Supplement dated May 1, 2017
US$
l
Senior Medium-Term Notes,
Series D
Buffered Bullish Enhanced
Return Notes due August 31, 2020
Linked to the iShares
®
MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
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The notes are designed for investors who seek a 150% leveraged positive return based on any appreciation in the share price
of the iShares
®
MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (the “Underlying Asset”). Investors should be willing to accept
a payment at maturity that does not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount (as defined below), be willing to forgo periodic interest,
and be willing to lose 1% of their principal amount for each 1% that the closing price of the Underlying Asset decreases by more
than [20.00 – 23.00]% from its closing price on the Pricing Date.
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Investors in the notes may lose up to [77.00 -80.00]% of their principal amount at maturity (to be determined on the Pricing
Date).
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The Maximum Redemption Amount will be $1,200 for each $1,000 in principal amount (a 20.00% return).
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Any payment at maturity is subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.
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The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.
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The offering is expected to price on or about August 29, 2018, and the notes are expected to settle through the facilities
of The Depository Trust Company on or about August 31, 2018.
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The notes are scheduled to mature on or about August 31, 2020.
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The CUSIP number of the notes is 06367WBG7.
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Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”), is the agent for this offering. See “Supplemental Plan
of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.
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Investing in the notes
involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-5 of this
pricing supplement, the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-5 of the product
supplement, and the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and on page 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 pricing supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary
is a criminal offense.
The notes will be our unsecured
obligations and will not be savings accounts or deposits that are insured by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
the Deposit Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality or other
entity.
On the date of this preliminary
pricing supplement, the estimated initial value of the notes is $978.30 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 $960 per $1,000 in principal amount. However,
as discussed in more detail in this pricing supplement, the actual value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and
cannot be predicted with accuracy.
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Price to Public
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Agent’s Commission
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Proceeds to Bank of Montreal
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Per Note
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100%
US$1,000
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0.25%
US$ ●
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99.75%
US$ ●
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Total
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US$ ●
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US$ ●
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US$ ●
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BMO CAPITAL MARKETS
Key Terms of the Notes:
Underlying Asset:
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iShares
®
MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (Bloomberg symbol: EEM). See the section below entitled “The Underlying Asset” for additional information about the Underlying Asset.
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Payment at Maturity:
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(i) If the Percentage Change multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor
is greater than or equal to the Maximum Return, the payment at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will
equal the Maximum Redemption Amount.
(ii) If the Percentage Change multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor is
positive but is less than the Maximum Return, then the payment at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will
be calculated as follows:
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Principal Amount + [Principal Amount × (Percentage Change x Upside Leverage Factor)]
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(iii) If the Percentage Change is between 0% and – [20.00 – 23.00]%, then the payment at maturity will equal the principal amount of the notes.
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(iv) If the Percentage Change is less than – [20.00 –
23.00]%, then the payment at maturity will be calculated as follows:
Principal Amount + [Principal Amount × (Percentage
Change + Buffer Percentage)]
If the Percentage Change is less than – [20.00 – 23.00]%, investors
will lose up to [77.00 -80.00]% of the principal amount of the notes.
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Upside Leverage Factor:
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150%
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Maximum Return:
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20.00%
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Maximum Redemption
Amount:
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The payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount of $1,200 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.
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Initial Level:
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The closing price of the Underlying Asset on the Pricing Date.
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Final Level:
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The closing price of one share of the Underlying Asset on the Valuation Date.
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Buffer Level:
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[77.00 -80.00]% of the Initial Level (to be determined on the Pricing Date).
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Buffer Percentage:
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[20.00 – 23.00]% (to be determined on the Pricing Date). Accordingly, you will receive the principal amount of your notes at maturity only if the price of the Underlying Asset does not decrease by more than [20.00 – 23.00]% from the Pricing Date to the Valuation Date. If the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level, you will receive less than the principal amount of your notes at maturity, and you could lose up to [77.00 -80.00]% of the principal amount of your notes.
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Percentage Change:
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Final Level – Initial Level
, expressed as a percentage.
Initial Level
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Pricing Date:
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On or about August 29, 2018.
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Settlement Date:
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On or about August 31, 2018, as determined on the Pricing Date.
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Valuation Date:
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On or about August 26, 2020, as determined on the Pricing Date.
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Maturity Date:
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On or about August 31, 2020, as determined on the Pricing Date.
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Automatic Redemption:
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Not applicable.
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Calculation Agent:
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BMOCM
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Selling Agent:
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BMOCM
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The Pricing Date and the Settlement Date are subject to
change. The actual Pricing Date, Settlement Date, Valuation Date and Maturity Date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
Payoff Example
The following table shows the hypothetical payout profile of an investment
in the notes reflecting the 150% Upside Leverage Factor, reflecting a hypothetical Buffer Level of 78.50% (the midpoint between
77.00% and 80.00%), and the Maximum Return of 20.00%. Please see the hypothetical examples below for more detailed examples.
Additional Terms of the Notes
You should read this pricing supplement together with
the product supplement dated May 1, 2017, the prospectus supplement dated April 27, 2017 and the prospectus dated April 27, 2017.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all other
prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms,
correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials
of ours or the agent.
You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Additional Risk Factors
Relating to the Notes” in the product supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities.
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the notes.
You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov
as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971.
As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Bank of Montreal.
We have filed a registration statement (including
a prospectus) with the SEC for the 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 Underlying Asset. These risks are explained in more detail
in the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section of the product supplement.
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Your investment in the notes may result in a loss.
— You may lose some or substantially all of your investment
in the notes. The minimum percentage of your principal that you are entitled to receive under the terms of the notes is only [20.00
– 23.00]%. The payment at maturity will be based on the Final Level, and whether the Final Level of the Underlying Asset
on the Valuation Date has declined from the Initial Level to a price that is less than the Buffer Level. You will lose 1.00% of
the principal amount of your notes for each 1.00% that the Final Level is less than the Buffer Level.
Accordingly, you could
lose up to [77.00 -80.00]% of the principal amount of the notes (to be determined on the Pricing Date).
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Your return on the notes is limited to the Maximum Redemption Amount, regardless of any appreciation in the share price
of the Underlying Asset.
— You will not receive a payment at maturity with a value greater than the Maximum Redemption
Amount per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes. This will be the case even if the Percentage Change multiplied by the Upside
Leverage Factor exceeds the Maximum Return.
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Your investment is subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.
— Our credit ratings and credit spreads may
adversely affect the market value of the notes. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay the amount due at maturity, and therefore
investors are subject to our credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness. Any decline in our
credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect
the value of the notes.
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Potential conflicts.
— We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes,
including acting as calculation agent. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates
of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also engage
in trading of shares of the Underlying Asset or securities held by the Underlying Asset on a regular basis as part of our general
broker-dealer and other businesses, for proprietary accounts, for other accounts under management or to facilitate transactions
for our customers. Any of these activities could adversely affect the price of the Underlying Asset and, therefore, the market
value of the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also issue or underwrite other securities or financial or derivative
instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance of the Underlying Asset. By introducing competing products
into the marketplace in this manner, we or one or more of our affiliates could adversely affect the market value of the notes.
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Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the price to public. —
Our initial estimated value
of the notes is only an estimate, and is based on a number of factors. The price to public of the notes will exceed our initial
estimated value, because costs associated with offering, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the price to public,
but are not included in the estimated value. These costs include the underwriting discount and selling concessions, the profits
that we and our affiliates expect to realize for assuming the risks in hedging our obligations under the notes, and the estimated
cost of hedging these obligations. The initial estimated value may be as low as the amount indicated on the cover page of this
pricing supplement.
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Our initial estimated value does not represent any future value of the notes, and may also differ from the estimated value
of any other party.
— Our initial estimated value of the notes as of the date of this preliminary pricing supplement
is, and our estimated value as determined on the Pricing Date will be, derived using our internal pricing models. This value is
based on market conditions and other relevant factors, which include volatility of the Underlying Asset, dividend rates and interest
rates. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide values for the notes that are greater than or less than our initial
estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors after the Pricing Date are expected to change, possibly
rapidly, and our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. After the Pricing Date, the value of the notes could change dramatically
due to changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, and the other factors set forth in this pricing supplement and the product
supplement. These changes are likely to impact the price, if any, at which we or BMOCM would be willing to purchase the notes from
you in any secondary market transactions. Our initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which we or our affiliates
would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market at any time.
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The terms of the notes are not determined by reference to the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. —
To determine the terms of the notes, we will use an internal funding rate that represents a discount from the credit spreads
for our conventional fixed-rate debt. As a result, the terms of the notes are less favorable to you than if we had used a higher
funding rate.
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Certain costs are likely to adversely affect the value of the notes.
— Absent any changes in market conditions, any secondary market prices of the notes will likely be lower than the price to
public. This is because any secondary market prices will likely take into account our then-current market credit spreads, and because
any secondary market prices are likely to exclude all or a portion of the underwriting discount and selling concessions, the hedging
profits and estimated hedging costs that are included in the price to public of the notes and that may be reflected on your account
statements. In addition, any such price is also likely to reflect a discount to account for costs associated with establishing
or unwinding any related hedge transaction, such as dealer discounts, mark-ups and other transaction costs. As a result, the price,
if any, at which BMOCM or any other party may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at
all, will likely be lower than the price to public. Any sale that you make prior to the maturity date could result in a substantial
loss to you.
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Owning the notes is not the same as owning shares of the Underlying Asset or a security directly linked to the Underlying
Asset.
— The return on your notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the Underlying
Asset or a security directly linked to the performance of the Underlying Asset and held that investment for a similar period. Your
notes may trade quite differently from the Underlying Asset. Changes in the price of the Underlying Asset may not result in comparable
changes in the market value of your notes. Even if the price of the Underlying Asset increases during the term of the notes, the
market value of the notes prior to maturity may not increase to the same extent. It is also possible for the market value of the
notes to decrease while the price of the Underlying Asset increases. In addition, any dividends or other distributions paid on
the Underlying Asset will not be reflected in the amount payable on the notes.
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You will not have any shareholder rights and will have no right to receive any shares of the Underlying Asset at maturity.
— Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of the Underlying Asset or any securities held by the Underlying
Asset. Neither you nor any other holder or owner of the notes will have any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other
distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Asset or such other securities.
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Changes that affect the Underlying Index will affect the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.
—.The policies of MSCI Inc. (the “Index Sponsor”), the sponsor of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (the “Underlying
Index”), concerning the calculation of the Underlying Index, additions, deletions or substitutions of the components of the
Underlying Index and the manner in which changes affecting those components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers,
may be reflected in the Underlying Index and, therefore, could affect the share price of the Underlying Asset, the amount payable
on the notes at maturity and the market value of the notes prior to maturity. The amount payable on the notes and their market
value could also be affected if the Index Sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates
the Underlying Index, or if the Index Sponsor discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the Underlying Index.
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We have no affiliation with the Index Sponsor and will not be responsible for any actions taken by the Index Sponsor.
— The Index Sponsor is not our affiliate and will not be involved in the offering of the notes in any way. Consequently,
we have no control over the actions of the Index Sponsor, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation
agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The Index Sponsor has no obligation of any sort with respect to the notes. Thus,
the Index Sponsor has no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including in taking any actions that
might affect the value of the notes. None of our proceeds from the issuance of the notes will be delivered to the Index Sponsor.
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Adjustments to the Underlying Asset could adversely affect the notes.
—BlackRock, Inc. (collectively with its
affiliates, “BlackRock”), as the sponsor and advisor of the Underlying Asset, is responsible for calculating and maintaining
the Underlying Asset. BlackRock can add, delete or substitute the stocks comprising the Underlying Asset or may make other methodological
changes that could change the share price of the Underlying Asset at any time. If one or more of these events occurs, the calculation
of the amount payable at maturity may be adjusted to reflect such event or events. Consequently, any of these actions could adversely
affect the amount payable at maturity and/or the market value of the notes.
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We and our affiliates do not have any affiliation with the investment advisor of the Underlying Asset and are not responsible
for its public disclosure of information
. —The investment advisor of the Underlying Asset advises the Underlying Asset
on various matters including matters relating to the policies, maintenance and calculation of the Underlying Asset. We and our
affiliates are not affiliated with the investment advisor in any way and have no ability to control or predict its actions, including
any errors in or discontinuance of disclosure regarding its methods or policies relating to the Underlying Asset. The investment
advisor is not involved in the offering of the notes in any way and has no obligation to consider your interests as an owner of
the notes in taking any actions relating to the Underlying Asset that might affect the value of the notes. Neither we nor any of
our affiliates has independently verified the adequacy or accuracy of the information about the investment advisor or the Underlying
Asset contained in any public disclosure of information. You, as an investor in the notes, should make your own investigation into
the Underlying Asset.
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The correlation between the performance of the Underlying Asset and the performance of the Underlying Index may be imperfect
.
— The performance of the Underlying Asset is linked principally to the performance of the Underlying Index. However, because
of the potential discrepancies identified in more detail in the product supplement, the return on the Underlying Asset may correlate
imperfectly with the return on the Underlying Index.
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The Underlying Asset is subject to management risks
. — The Underlying Asset is subject to management risk, which
is the risk that the investment advisor’s investment strategy, the implementation of which is subject to a number of constraints,
may not produce the intended results. For example, the investment advisor may invest a portion of the Underlying Asset’s
assets in securities not included in the relevant industry or sector but which the investment advisor believes will help the Underlying
Asset track the relevant industry or sector.
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Lack of liquidity.
— The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. BMOCM may offer to purchase the
notes in the secondary market, but is not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity
to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the notes,
the price at which you may be able to trade the notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which BMOCM is willing to buy
the notes.
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Hedging and trading activities.
— We or any of our affiliates may carry out hedging activities related to the
notes, including purchasing or selling shares of the Underlying Asset or securities held by the Underlying Asset, or futures or
options relating to the Underlying Asset, or other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance
of the Underlying Asset. We or our affiliates may also engage in trading of shares of the Underlying Asset or securities included
in the Underlying Index from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Pricing Date and during
the term of the notes could adversely affect our payment to you at maturity.
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Many economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes.
— In addition to the price of the Underlying
Asset and interest rates on any trading day, the value of the notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors
that may either offset or magnify each other, and which are described in more detail in the product supplement.
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You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Underlying Asset.
— In the ordinary
course of their businesses, our affiliates from time to time may express views on expected movements in the price of the Underlying
Asset or the prices of the securities held by the Underlying Asset. One or more of our affiliates have published, and in the future
may publish, research reports that express views on the Underlying Asset or these securities. However, these views are subject
to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in the markets relating to the Underlying Asset at any time
may have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the Underlying
Asset from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by our affiliates.
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Neither the offering of the notes nor any views which our affiliates
from time to time may express in the ordinary course of their businesses constitutes a recommendation as to the merits of an investment
in the notes.
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An investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets.
— The Underlying Index
tracks the value of certain foreign equity securities. You should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of
foreign equity securities involve particular risks. The foreign securities markets comprising the Underlying Index may have less
liquidity and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently
from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these foreign securities markets,
as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally
less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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Prices of securities in foreign countries are subject to political,
economic, financial and social factors that apply in those geographical regions. These factors, which could negatively affect those
securities markets, include the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic and fiscal policies,
the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies
or investments in foreign equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the
possibility of outbreaks of hostility and political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health
developments in the region. Moreover, foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important
respects such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
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An investment in the notes is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk.
— The share price of the Underlying
Asset will fluctuate based upon its net asset value, which will in turn depend in part upon changes in the value of the currencies
in which the stocks held by the Underlying Asset are traded. Accordingly, investors in the notes will be exposed to currency exchange
rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the stocks held by the Underlying Asset are traded. An investor’s
net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar. If the dollar strengthens
against these currencies, the net asset value of the Underlying Asset will be adversely affected and the price of the Underlying
Asset may decrease.
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Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain.
— The tax treatment of the notes is uncertain.
We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or from any Canadian authorities regarding the tax treatment
of the notes, and the Internal Revenue Service or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement.
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The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice indicating that
it and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest
over the term of an instrument such as the notes even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the notes
until maturity and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize upon sale or maturity of an instrument such as the notes
could be treated as ordinary income. The outcome of this process is uncertain and could apply on a retroactive basis.
Please read carefully the section entitled “U.S. Federal Tax
Information” in this pricing supplement, the section entitled “Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S.
Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, the section 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.
Hypothetical Return on the Notes at Maturity
The following table and examples illustrate the hypothetical
return at maturity on a $1,000 investment in the notes. The “return,” as used in this section is the number, expressed
as a percentage, which results from comparing the payment at maturity per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes to $1,000. The
hypothetical total returns set forth below are based on a hypothetical Initial Level of $40.00, a hypothetical Buffer Percentage
of 21.50% (the midpoint between 20.00% and 23.00%), the Upside Leverage Factor of 150%, the Maximum Return of 20.00% and the Maximum
Redemption Amount of $1,200. The hypothetical returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual
returns applicable to investors in the notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and in the examples below have been
rounded for ease of analysis.
Hypothetical Final Level
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Hypothetical Percentage
Change
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Hypothetical Return on the
Notes
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$80.00
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100.00%
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20.00%
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$60.00
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50.00%
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20.00%
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$50.00
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25.00%
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20.00%
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$48.00
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20.00%
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20.00%
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$45.33
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13.33%
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20.00%
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$42.00
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5.00%
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7.50%
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$40.80
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2.00%
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3.00%
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$40.00
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0.00%
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0.00%
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$39.20
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-2.00%
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0.00%
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$36.00
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-10.00%
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0.00%
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$31.40
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-21.50%
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0.00%
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$28.00
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-30.00%
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-8.50%
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$24.00
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-40.00%
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-18.50%
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$16.00
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-60.00%
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-38.50%
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$8.00
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-80.00%
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-58.50%
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$0.00
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-100.00%
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-78.50%
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Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity
The following examples illustrate how the returns set
forth in the table above are calculated.
Example 1: The price of the Underlying Asset decreases from the hypothetical
Initial Level of $40.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $16.00, representing a Percentage Change of -60%.
Because the Percentage
Change is negative and the hypothetical Final Level of $16.00 is less than the Initial Level by more than the hypothetical Buffer
Percentage of 21.50%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $550.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated
as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-60% + 21.50%)] = $615.00
Example 2: The price of the Underlying Asset decreases from the hypothetical
Initial Level of $40.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $39.20, representing a Percentage Change of -2.00%.
Although the Percentage
Change is negative, because the hypothetical Final Level of $39.20 is less than the Initial Level by not more than the hypothetical
Buffer Percentage of 21.50%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,000.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.
Example 3: The price of the Underlying Asset increases from the hypothetical
Initial Level of $40.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $40.80, representing a Percentage Change of 2.00%.
Because the hypothetical
Final Level of $40.80 is greater than the Initial Level, and the Percentage Change of 2.00% multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor
of 150% does not exceed the Maximum Return of 20.00%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,040.00 per $1,000 in principal
amount of the notes, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (2.00% x 150%)] = $1,030.00
Example 4: The price of the Underlying Asset increases from the hypothetical
Initial Level of $40.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $60.00, representing a Percentage Change of 50%.
Because the hypothetical
Final Level of $60.00 is greater than the Initial Level, and the Percentage Change of 50% multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor
of 150% exceeds the Maximum Return of 20.00%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,200 per $1,000 in principal amount
of the notes, the Maximum Redemption Amount.
U.S. Federal Tax Information
By purchasing the notes, each holder
agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat each
note as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the notes should
be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the discussion (including the
opinion of our counsel Morrison & Foerster LLP) in the product supplement under “Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations,” which applies to the notes, except that the following disclosure supplements, and
to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion in the product supplement. The discussions below and in the accompanying
product supplement do not address the tax consequences applicable to holders subject to Section 451(b) of the Code.
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-U.S. holders 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 page of this pricing supplement. BMOCM has informed us that,
as part of its distribution of the notes, it will reoffer the notes to other dealers who will sell them. Each such dealer, or each
additional dealer engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM reoffers the notes, will receive a commission from BMOCM, which will not exceed
the commission set forth on the cover page.
We own, directly or indirectly, all
of the outstanding equity securities of BMOCM, the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMOCM may not make
sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.
We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel
or modify the offering of the notes and to reject orders in whole or in part. You may cancel any order for the notes prior to its
acceptance.
You should not construe the offering
of the notes as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Underlying Asset or as to the suitability
of an investment in the notes.
BMOCM may, but is not obligated to,
make a market in the notes. BMOCM will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion.
We may use the final pricing supplement
relating to the notes in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use the final pricing
supplement 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.
No Prospectus (as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC (as
amended, the “Prospectus Directive”)) will be prepared in connection with the notes. Accordingly, the notes may not
be offered to the public in any member state of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), and any purchaser of the notes
who subsequently sells any of the notes in any EEA member state must do so only in accordance with the requirements of the Prospectus
Directive, as implemented in that member state.
The notes are not intended to be offered,
sold or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the
EEA. For these purposes, the expression “offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient
information on the terms of the offer and the notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe
the notes, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point
(11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (b) a customer, within the meaning of Insurance
Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point
(10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key
information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or
selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering
or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
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 at that time. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of (a) the hedging profit that
we or our affiliates expect to realize over the term of the notes and (b) the underwriting discount and selling concessions paid
in connection with this offering. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis
over the three-month period.
Additional Information Relating to
the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes
Our estimated initial value of the notes
on the date of this preliminary pricing supplement, and that will be set forth on the cover page of the final pricing supplement
relating to the notes, equals the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components:
|
·
|
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 are derived from our internal pricing models. These models are based on factors
such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on other inputs, which include volatility, dividend rates,
interest rates and other factors. As a result, the estimated initial value of the notes on the Pricing Date will be determined
based on market conditions at that time.
The Underlying Asset
We have derived the following information regarding the
iShares
®
MSCI Emerging Markets ETF from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy
or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated with the Underlying Asset and the Underlying Asset will have
no obligation with respect to the notes. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and does not relate to the shares of
the Underlying Asset or any securities included in the Underlying Index. Neither we nor our affiliates participate in the preparation
of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor our affiliates have made any due diligence inquiry with respect
to the Underlying Asset in connection with the offering of the notes. There can be no assurance that all events occurring prior
to the date of this pricing supplement, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available
documents described below, that would affect the trading price of the shares of the Underlying Asset have been or will be publicly
disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the
Underlying Asset could affect the price of the shares of the Underlying Asset after the Pricing Date, and therefore could affect
the payment at maturity.
The selection of the Underlying Asset is not a recommendation
to buy or sell the shares of the Underlying Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the
performance of the shares of the Underlying Asset. Information provided to or filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the Underlying Asset may be obtained through the SEC’s website
at http://www.sec.gov. None of that information is included or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement.
iShares consists of numerous separate investment portfolios
(the “iShares Funds”), including the Underlying Asset. The Underlying Asset seeks investment results that correspond
generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Asset typically
earns income from dividends from securities held by the Underlying Asset. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable),
are passed along to the Underlying Asset’s shareholders as “ordinary income.” In addition, the Underlying Asset
realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to its shareholders
as “capital gain distributions.” However, because the notes are linked only to the share price of the Underlying Asset,
you will not be entitled to receive income, dividend, or capital gain distributions from the Underlying Asset or any equivalent
payments.
“iShares
®
” and “BlackRock
®
”
are registered trademarks of BlackRock
®
. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BlackRock
®
,
or by any of the iShares
®
Funds. Neither BlackRock
®
nor the iShares
®
Funds make any
representations or warranties to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in
the notes. Neither BlackRock
®
nor the iShares
®
Funds shall have any obligation or liability in connection
with the registration, operation, marketing, trading, or sale of the notes or in connection with our use of information about the
Underlying Asset or any of the iShares
®
Funds.
The Underlying Asset is intended to provide investment
results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
The Underlying Asset trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “EEM.”
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is intended to measure
equity market performance in the global emerging markets. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization
index with a base date of December 31, 1987 and an initial value of 100. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is calculated daily in
U.S. dollars and published in real time every 60 seconds during market trading hours. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index currently
consists of the following 24 emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Qatar, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand,
Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is part of the MSCI Regional
Equity Indices series and is an MSCI Global Investable Market Index, which is a family within the MSCI International Equity Indices.
MSCI is the Index Sponsor of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.
General – MSCI Global Investable Market Indices
MSCI provides global equity indices intended to measure
equity performance in international markets and the MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to serve as global equity performance
benchmarks. In constructing these indices, MSCI applies its index construction and maintenance methodology across developed, emerging,
and frontier markets.
MSCI enhanced the methodology used in its MSCI International
Equity Indices. The MSCI Standard and MSCI Small Cap Indices, along with the other MSCI equity indices based on them, transitioned
to the global investable market indices methodology described below. The transition was completed at the end of May 2008. The Enhanced
MSCI Standard Indices are composed of the MSCI Large Cap and Mid Cap Indices. The MSCI Global Small Cap Index transitioned to the
MSCI Small Cap Index resulting from the Global Investable Market Indices methodology and contains no overlap with constituents
of the transitioned MSCI Standard Indices. Together, the relevant MSCI Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap Indices will make up the
MSCI investable market index for each country, composite, sector, and style index that MSCI offers.
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices
.
MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:
|
·
|
defining the equity universe;
|
|
·
|
determining the market investable equity universe for each market;
|
|
·
|
determining market capitalization size segments for each market;
|
|
·
|
applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;
|
|
·
|
creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and
|
|
·
|
classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
|
Defining the Equity Universe. The equity universe is
defined by:
|
·
|
Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in
the MSCI Global Index Series, which will be classified as either Developed Markets (“DM”) or Emerging Markets (“EM”).
All listed equity securities, or listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, exchange
traded funds, equity derivatives, limited partnerships, and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in some countries and certain income trusts in Canada are also eligible for
inclusion.
|
|
·
|
Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified
in only one country.
|
Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes.
A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities
in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is equivalent to a single country, except in DM Europe, where
all DM countries in Europe are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Subsequently, individual DM Europe
country indices within the MSCI Europe Index are derived from the constituents of the MSCI Europe Index under the global investable
market indices methodology.
The investability screens used to determine the investable
equity universe in each market are as follows:
|
·
|
Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement
: this investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be
included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization.
|
|
·
|
Equity Universe Minimum Free Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement
: this investability screen is applied
at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free
float-adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement.
|
|
·
|
DM and EM Minimum Liquidity Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be
eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have adequate liquidity. The twelve-month and three-month
Annual Traded Value Ratio (“ATVR”), a measure that screens out extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account
the free float-adjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading are used to
measure liquidity. In the calculation of the ATVR, the trading volumes in depository receipts associated with that security, such
as ADRs or GDRs, are also considered. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency
of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe
of a DM, and a minimum liquidity level of 15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% of three-month frequency of trading over
the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an EM.
|
|
·
|
Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security
level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security’s Foreign Inclusion Factor (“FIF”)
must reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for
purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or
the foreign ownership limits applicable to a specific security (or company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or
larger than 0.15 to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe.
|
|
·
|
Minimum Length of Trading Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an
initial public offering (“IPO”) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue
must have started trading at least four months before the implementation of the initial construction of the index or at least three
months before the implementation of a semi−annual index review (as described below). This requirement is applicable to small
new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market
investable equity universe and the Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or Semi−Annual Index Review.
|
Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each
Market.
Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size−based indices:
|
·
|
Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);
|
|
·
|
Standard Index (Large + Mid);
|
Creating the size segment indices in each market involves
the following steps:
|
·
|
defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;
|
|
·
|
determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;
|
|
·
|
determining the market size−segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;
|
|
·
|
assigning companies to the size segments; and
|
|
·
|
applying final size−segment investability requirements.
|
Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices.
In
order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding
the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained
for a DM Standard Index and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index.
Creating Style Indices within Each Size Segment.
All
securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments using the MSCI Global Value and Growth
methodology.
Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification
Standard.
All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business
activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with Standard & Poor’s, the GICS. Under the GICS, each company
is assigned to one sub−industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one
industry grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.
Index Maintenance
The MSCI Global Investable Market Indices are maintained
with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to
achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, and index stability and low
index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:
|
(i)
|
Semi−Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices
which include:
|
|
·
|
updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;
|
|
·
|
taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and
|
|
·
|
updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
|
|
(ii)
|
Quarterly Index Reviews in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:
|
|
·
|
including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index;
|
|
·
|
allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and
|
|
·
|
reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS.
|
|
(iii)
|
Ongoing Event−Related Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly
large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the company’s tenth day of trading.
|
Through this maintenance process, MSCI may make structural
changes to the indices by adding or deleting component country indices. Consequently, the composition of the Underlying Index may
change over the term of the notes.
Neither we nor any of our affiliates, including BMOCM,
accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of, or for any error, omission, or disruption in the
Underlying Index, or any successor to the index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Underlying Index,
or any data included in the index. MSCI assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or disruption in the calculation and dissemination
of the Underlying Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of
the Underlying Index, or the manner in which the index is applied in determining the amount payable on the notes at maturity.
Historical Performance of the Underlying
Asset
The following table sets forth the high and low closing
prices for the Underlying Asset from the first quarter of 2008 through August 13, 2018.
The historical prices of the Underlying Asset are provided
for informational purposes only. You should not take the historical prices of the Underlying Asset as an indication of its future
performance, which may be better or worse than the prices set forth below.
Closing Levels of the Underlying
Asset
|
|
High ($)
|
|
Low ($)
|
2008
|
First Quarter
|
50.37
|
|
42.17
|
|
Second Quarter
|
51.70
|
|
44.43
|
|
Third Quarter
|
44.43
|
|
31.33
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
33.90
|
|
18.22
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
First Quarter
|
27.09
|
|
19.94
|
|
Second Quarter
|
34.64
|
|
25.65
|
|
Third Quarter
|
39.29
|
|
30.75
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
42.07
|
|
37.56
|
|
|
|
|
|
2010
|
First Quarter
|
43.22
|
|
36.83
|
|
Second Quarter
|
43.98
|
|
36.16
|
|
Third Quarter
|
44.77
|
|
37.59
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
48.58
|
|
44.77
|
|
|
|
|
|
2011
|
First Quarter
|
48.69
|
|
44.63
|
|
Second Quarter
|
50.21
|
|
45.50
|
|
Third Quarter
|
48.46
|
|
34.95
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
42.80
|
|
34.36
|
|
|
|
|
|
2012
|
First Quarter
|
44.76
|
|
38.23
|
|
Second Quarter
|
43.54
|
|
36.68
|
|
Third Quarter
|
42.37
|
|
37.42
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
44.35
|
|
40.14
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
First Quarter
|
45.20
|
|
41.80
|
|
Second Quarter
|
44.23
|
|
36.63
|
|
Third Quarter
|
43.29
|
|
37.34
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
43.66
|
|
40.44
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
First Quarter
|
40.99
|
|
37.09
|
|
Second Quarter
|
43.95
|
|
40.82
|
|
Third Quarter
|
45.85
|
|
41.56
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
42.44
|
|
37.73
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
First Quarter
|
41.07
|
|
37.92
|
|
Second Quarter
|
44.09
|
|
39.04
|
|
Third Quarter
|
39.78
|
|
31.32
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
36.29
|
|
31.55
|
|
|
|
|
|
2016
|
First Quarter
|
34.28
|
|
28.25
|
|
Second Quarter ...
|
35.26
|
|
31.87
|
|
Third Quarter
|
38.20
|
|
33.77
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
38.10
|
|
34.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
2017
|
First Quarter
|
39.99
|
|
35.43
|
|
Second Quarter...
|
41.93
|
|
38.81
|
|
Third Quarter...
|
45.85
|
|
41.05
|
|
Fourth Quarter...
|
47.81
|
|
44.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018
|
First Quarter
|
52.08
|
|
45.69
|
|
Second Quarter
|
48.14
|
|
42.33
|
|
Third Quarter (through August 13, 2018)
|
45.03
|
|
42.82
|
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