Registration Statement No. 333-173924
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Pricing Supplement, dated March 13, 2012
to the Prospectus dated June 22, 2011, the Prospectus Supplement
dated June 22, 2011 and the Product Supplement dated June 23, 2011
US$2,138,000
Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series B
Buffered Bullish Enhanced Return Notes due September 16, 2013
Linked to the iShares
®
MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
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The notes are designed for investors who seek a 150% leveraged return based on the appreciation in the share price of the iShares
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MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (the “Underlying Asset”). Investors should be willing to accept a payment at maturity that is capped at 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 price of the Underlying Asset decreases by more than 15% from its price on the Pricing Date.
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An investor in the notes may lose up to 85% of their principal amount at maturity.
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The maximum return at maturity will be equal to the product of the Upside Leverage Factor of 150% and the Cap of 15.00%. Accordingly, the Maximum Redemption Amount will be $1,225 for each $1,000 in principal amount.
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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 settle on March 16, 2012.
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The notes are scheduled to mature on September 16, 2013.
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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 CUSIP number of the notes is 06366Q3Q8.
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Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”), is the agent for this offering. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution—Conflicts of Interests” below.
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Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-4 of this pricing supplement, “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-5 of the product supplement, and “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-3 of the prospectus supplement and on page 7 of the prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these notes or passed upon the accuracy of this pricing supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will not be savings accounts or deposits that are insured by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Bank Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality or other entity.
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Price to Public
(1)
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Agent’s Commission
(1)
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Proceeds to Bank of Montreal
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Per Note
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US$1,000
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US$0.00
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US$1,000
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Total
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US$2,138,000
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US$0.00
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US$2,138,000
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(1)
The price to the public specified above includes the profit that we would recognize earned by hedging our exposure under the notes.
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Key Terms of the Notes:
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Underlying Asset:
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iShares
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MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund (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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If the Percentage Change is greater than or equal to the Cap, then the amount that the investors will receive at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal the Maximum Redemption Amount.
If the Percentage Change is positive but is less than the Cap, then the amount that the investors will receive at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal:
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Principal Amount + [Principal Amount × (Percentage Change x Upside Leverage Factor)]
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If the Percentage Change is between 0% and -15% inclusive, then the amount that the investors will receive at maturity will equal the principal amount of the notes.
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If the Percentage Change is less than -15%, then the payment at maturity will equal:
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Principal Amount + [Principal Amount × (Percentage Change + Buffer Percentage)]
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Upside Leverage Factor:
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150%
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Cap:
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15%.
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Maximum Redemption
Amount:
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The payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount of $1,225 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.
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Initial Level:
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44.51
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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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37.83, or 85% of the Initial Level.
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Buffer Percentage:
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15%. 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 15%. 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 85% 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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March 13, 2012
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Settlement Date:
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March 16, 2012
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Valuation Date:
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September 11, 2013
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Maturity Date:
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September 16, 2013
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Automatic Redemption:
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Not applicable.
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Calculation Agent:
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BMO Capital Markets Corp.
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Selling Agent:
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BMO Capital Markets Corp.
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We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMO Capital Markets Corp. or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale.
Unless our agent or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction.
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Additional Terms of the Notes
You should read this pricing supplement together with the product supplement dated June 23, 2011, the prospectus supplement dated June 22, 2011 and the prospectus dated June 22, 2011.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours or the agent.
You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” in the product supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the notes.
You may access these documents on the SEC website at
www.sec.gov
as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
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Product supplement dated June 23, 2011:
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Prospectus supplement dated June 22, 2011:
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Prospectus dated June 22, 2011:
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Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this pricing supplement, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Bank of Montreal.
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 15%. 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.
Accordingly, you could lose up to 85% of the principal amount of your notes.
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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. This will be the case even if the Percentage Change exceeds the Cap.
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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 securities included in 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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The inclusion of hedging profits, if any, in the original offering price of the notes, as well as our hedging costs, is likely to adversely affect the price at which you can sell your notes.
— Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which BMO Capital Markets Corp. or any other party may be willing to purchase the notes in secondary market transactions may be lower than the initial public offering price. The initial public offering price includes, and any price quoted to you is likely to exclude, the hedging profits that we expect to earn with respect to hedging our exposure under the notes. 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.
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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
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Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any shares of the Underlying Asset, or any securities held by the Underlying Asset. Neither you nor any other holder or owner of the notes will have any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions, or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Asset or such other securities.
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An investment in the notes is subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets.
— The Underlying Index is the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which 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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The notes are linked to the iShares
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MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund, and are therefore 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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Changes that affect the MSCI
Emerging Markets Index will affect the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.
— The policies of MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”), 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 MSCI changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the Underlying Index, or if MSCI discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the Underlying Index
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We have no affiliation with MSCI and will not be responsible for any actions taken by MSCI.
— MSCI is not an affiliate of ours or will not be involved in any offerings of the notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of MSCI, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. MSCI has no obligation of any sort with respect to the notes. Thus, MSCI 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 any issuance of the notes will be delivered to MSCI.
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Adjustments to the Underlying Asset could adversely affect the notes
. — BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), as the sponsor of the Underlying Asset, is responsible for calculating and maintaining the Underlying Asset. BTC can add, delete or substitute the stocks comprising the Underlying Asset or make other methodological changes that could change the share price of the Underlying Asset at any time. If one or more of these events occurs, the calculation of the amount payable at maturity may be adjusted to reflect such event or events. Consequently, any of these actions could adversely affect the amount payable at maturity and/or the market value of the notes.
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We and our affiliates generally do not have any affiliation with the investment advisor of the Underlying Asset and are not responsible for its public disclosure of information.
— BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), as 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 BFA in any way and have no ability to control or predict its actions, including any errors in or discontinuance of disclosure regarding their methods or policies relating to the Underlying Asset. BFA is not involved in any 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 assumes any responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the information about BFA 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. BMO Capital Markets Corp. 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 your notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which BMO Capital Markets Corp. is willing to buy the notes.
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Hedging and trading activities.
— We or any of our affiliates have carried out hedging activities related to the notes, including purchasing or selling securities included in 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 relating to the Underlying Asset from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities as of 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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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 the Initial Level of $44.51, a Buffer Percentage of 15% (the Buffer Level is 85% of the Initial Level), the Upside Leverage Factor of 150%, the Cap of 15% (a percentage change in the Underlying Asset of 15.00% results in a maximum return on the notes of 22.50%), and the Maximum Redemption Amount of $1,225. The hypothetical returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual returns applicable to investors in the notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and in the examples below have been rounded for ease of analysis.
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Hypothetical Final Level
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Percentage Change
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Return on the Notes
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$0.00
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-100.00%
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-85.00%
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$22.25
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-50.00%
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-35.00%
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$33.38
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-25.00%
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-10.00%
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$37.83
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-15.00%
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0.00%
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$42.28
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-5.00%
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0.00%
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$44.51
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0.00%
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0.00%
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$46.73
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5.00%
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7.50%
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$48.96
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10.00%
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15.00%
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$50.74
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14.00%
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21.00%
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$53.41
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20.00%
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22.50%
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$55.63
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25.00%
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22.50%
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$66.76
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50.00%
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22.50%
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$77.89
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75.00%
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22.50%
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$89.02
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100.00%
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22.50%
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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 Initial Level of $44.51 to a Final Level of $22.25, representing a Percentage Change of -50%.
Because the Percentage Change is negative and the Final Level of $50.00 is less than the Initial Level by more than the Buffer Percentage of 15%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $650 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (-50% + 15%)] = $650
Example 2: The price of the Underlying Asset decreases from the Initial Level of $44.51 to a Final Level of $42.28, representing a Percentage Change of -5%.
Although the Percentage Change is negative, because the Final Level of $42.28 is less than the Initial Level by not more than the Buffer Percentage of 15%, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.
Example 3: The price of the Underlying Asset increases from the Initial Level of $44.51 to a Final Level of $46.73, representing a Percentage Change of 5%.
Because the Final Level of $46.73 is greater than the Initial Level and the Percentage Change of 5% does not exceed the Cap, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,075 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [$1,000 x (5% x 150%)] = $1,075
Example 4: The price of the Underlying Asset increases from the Initial Level of $44.51 to a Final Level of $53.41, representing a Percentage Change of 20%.
Because the Final Level of $53.41 is greater than the Initial Level and the Percentage Change of 20% exceeds the Cap, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,225 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.
A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the U.S. and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-United States holder (as defined in the product supplement). Under recently proposed U.S. Treasury Department regulations, certain payments that are contingent upon or determined by reference to U.S. source dividends, including payments reflecting adjustments for extraordinary dividends, with respect to equity-linked instruments, including the notes, may be treated as dividend equivalents. If enacted in their current form, the regulations may impose a withholding tax on payments made on the notes on or after January 1, 2013 that are treated as dividend equivalents. In that case, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld. Further, non-United States holders may be required to provide certifications prior to, or upon the sale, redemption or maturity of the notes in order to minimize or avoid U.S. withholding taxes.
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
BMO Capital Markets Corp. will purchase the notes from us on the settlement date. BMO Capital Markets Corp. 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 further engaged by a dealer to whom BMO Capital Markets Corp. reoffers the notes, will purchase the notes at an agreed discount to the initial offering price.
We own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of BMO Capital Markets Corp., the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMO Capital Markets Corp. may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.
You should not construe the offering of any 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.
The Underlying Asset
We have derived the following information from publicly available documents published by BTC. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the following information. We are not affiliated with the Underlying Asset and the Underlying Asset will have no obligations with respect to the notes. This pricing supplement relates only to the notes and does not relate to the shares of the Underlying Asset or securities in the Underlying Index. Neither we nor BMO Capital Markets Corp. participates in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor BMO Capital Markets Corp. has 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 value of the shares of the Underlying Asset on the Valuation Date and therefore could affect the Payment at Maturity.
iShares consists of numerous separate investment portfolios, 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 dividends from securities included in the Underlying Index. 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 shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” However, because your 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.
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.
The iShares
®
MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund is intended to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of its Underlying Index, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. The Underlying Asset trades on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “EEM”. As of February 24, 2012, the five largest country weights were China (17.57%), Brazil (15.46%), South Korea (14.66%), Taiwan (10.72%), and South Africa (7.41%), and the five largest sector weights were Financials (23.98%), Energy (14.44%), Information Technology (13.28%), Materials (13.37%), and Consumer Discretionary (7.68%).
“iShares
®
” is a registered mark of BTC. BTC has licensed certain trademarks and trade names of BTC for our use. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by BTC, or its affiliates, including BFA. Neither BTC nor BFA makes 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 BTC nor BFA 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.
The Underlying Index
We have derived all information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Underlying Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, MSCI. MSCI, which owns the copyright and all other rights to the Underlying Index, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Underlying Index. None of us, the calculation agent, or any selling agent accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Underlying Index or any successor 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. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index currently consists of the following 21 emerging market country indices: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Turkey.
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.
General - MSCI Indices
MSCI provides global equity indices intended to measure equity performance in international markets and the MSCI International Equity Indices are designed to serve as global equity performance benchmarks. In constructing these indices, MSCI applies its index construction and maintenance methodology across developed, emerging, and frontier markets.
MSCI enhanced the methodology used in its MSCI International Equity Indices. The MSCI Standard and MSCI Small Cap Indices, along with the other MSCI equity indices based on them, transitioned to the global investable market indices methodology described below. The transition was completed at the end of May 2008. The Enhanced MSCI Standard Indices are composed of the MSCI Large Cap and Mid Cap Indices. The MSCI Global Small Cap Index transitioned to the MSCI Small Cap Index resulting from the Global Investable Market Indices methodology and contains no overlap with constituents of the transitioned MSCI Standard Indices. Together, the relevant MSCI Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap Indices will make up the MSCI investable market index for each country, composite, sector, and style index that MSCI offers.
Constructing the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices.
MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves:
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defining the equity universe;
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determining the market investable equity universe for each market;
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determining market capitalization size segments for each market;
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applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;
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creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and
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classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
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Defining the Equity Universe.
The equity universe is defined by:
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Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI Global Index Series, which will be classified as either Developed Markets (“DM”) or Emerging Markets (“EM”). All listed equity securities, or listed securities that exhibit characteristics of equity securities, except mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives, limited partnerships, and most investment trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) in some countries and certain income trusts in Canada are also eligible for inclusion.
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Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country.
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Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes.
A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is equivalent to a single country, except in DM Europe, where all DM countries in Europe are aggregated into a single market for index construction purposes. Subsequently, individual DM Europe country indices within the MSCI Europe Index are derived from the constituents of the MSCI Europe Index under the global investable market indices methodology.
The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are as follows:
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Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization.
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Equity Universe Minimum Free Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float-adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement.
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DM and EM Minimum Liquidity Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have adequate liquidity. The twelve-month and three-month Annual Traded Value Ratio (“ATVR”), a measure that screens out extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float-adjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading are used to measure liquidity. In the calculation of the ATVR, the trading volumes in depository receipts associated with that security, such as ADRs or GDRs, are also considered. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a DM, and a minimum liquidity level of 15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an EM.
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Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security’s Foreign Inclusion Factor (“FIF”) must reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or the foreign ownership limits applicable to a specific security (or company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or larger than 0.15 to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe.
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Minimum Length of Trading Requirement:
this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial public offering (“IPO”) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at least four months before the implementation of the initial construction of the index or at least three months before the implementation of a semi−annual index review (as described below). This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market investable equity universe and the Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or Semi−Annual Index Review.
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Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market.
Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size−based indices:
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Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);
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Standard Index (Large + Mid);
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Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps:
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defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;
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determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;
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determining the market size−segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;
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assigning companies to the size segments; and
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applying final size−segment investability requirements.
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Index Continuity Rules for the Standard Indices.
In order to achieve index continuity, as well as to provide some basic level of diversification within a market index, and notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules described in this section, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a DM Standard Index and a minimum number of three constituents will be maintained for an EM Standard Index.
Creating Style Indices within Each Size Segment.
All securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments using the MSCI Global Value and Growth methodology.
Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard.
All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities. To this end, MSCI has designed, in conjunction with Standard & Poor’s, the GICS. Under the GICS, each company is assigned to one sub−industry according to its principal business activity. Therefore, a company can belong to only one industry grouping at each of the four levels of the GICS.
Index Maintenance
The MSCI global investable market indices are maintained with the objective of reflecting the evolution of the underlying equity markets and segments on a timely basis, while seeking to achieve index continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the indices, and index stability, and low index turnover. In particular, index maintenance involves:
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(i)
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Semi−Annual Index Reviews (“SAIRs”) in May and November of the Size Segment and Global Value and Growth Indices which include:
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updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;
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taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and
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updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
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Quarterly Index Reviews (“QIRs”) in February and August of the Size Segment Indices aimed at:
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including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index;
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allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and
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reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS.
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Ongoing Event−Related Changes: changes of this type are generally implemented in the indices as they occur. Significantly large IPOs are included in the indices after the close of the company’s tenth day of trading.
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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 Emerging Markets Index, or any successor to the index. MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the MSCI Emerging Markets 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 Emerging Markets Index. MSCI disclaims all responsibility for any errors or omissions in the calculation and dissemination of the MSCI Emerging Markets 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 quarter-end high and low closing prices for the Underlying Asset from the first quarter of 2007 through March 13, 2012.
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 Prices of the Underlying Asset
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High
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Low
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2007
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First Quarter
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39.53
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35.03
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Second Quarter
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44.42
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39.13
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Third Quarter
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50.11
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39.50
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Fourth Quarter
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55.64
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47.27
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2008
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First Quarter
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50.37
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42.17
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Second Quarter
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51.70
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44.43
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Third Quarter
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44.43
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31.33
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Fourth Quarter
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33.90
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18.22
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2009
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First Quarter
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27.09
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19.94
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Second Quarter
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34.64
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25.65
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Third Quarter
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39.29
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30.75
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Fourth Quarter
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42.07
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37.56
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2010
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First Quarter
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43.22
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36.83
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Second Quarter
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43.98
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36.16
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Third Quarter
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44.77
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37.59
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Fourth Quarter
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48.58
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44.77
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2011
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First Quarter
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48.69
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44.63
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Second Quarter
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50.21
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45.50
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Third Quarter
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48.46
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34.95
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Fourth Quarter
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42.80
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34.36
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2012
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First Quarter (through March 13, 2012)
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44.53
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43.62
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