This pricing supplement, which is not complete and may be changed, relates to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933. This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes in any country or jurisdiction where such an offer would not be permitted.
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The Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF, due December 27, 2027 (the “Notes”) are expected to price on March 21, 2025 and expected to issue on March 26, 2025.
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Approximate 2.75 year term if not called prior to maturity.
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Payments on the Notes will depend on the individual performance of the KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF (each an “Underlying”).
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Contingent coupon rate of 12.50% per annum (1.0417% per month) payable monthly if the Observation Value of each Underlying on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to 80.00% of its Starting Value, assuming the Notes have not been called.
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Beginning with the September 22, 2025 Call Observation Date, automatically callable monthly for an amount equal to the principal amount plus the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment, if the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to 100.00% of its Starting Value on any Call Observation Date.
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Assuming the Notes are not called prior to maturity, if either Underlying declines by more than 20% from its Starting Value, at maturity your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying beyond a 20% decline, with up to 80% of the principal at risk; otherwise, at maturity, you will receive the principal amount. At maturity you will also receive a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Observation Value of each Underlying on the final Observation Date is greater than or equal to 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance” or the “Issuer”), as issuer of the Notes, and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC” or the “Guarantor”), as guarantor of the Notes.
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•
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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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CUSIP No. 09711GG66.
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Public offering price(1)
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Underwriting discount(1)(2)
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Proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance(2)
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Per Note
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$1,000.00
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$35.00
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$965.00
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Total
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(1)
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Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $965.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
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(2)
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The underwriting discount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes may be as high as $35.00, resulting in proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance of as low as $965.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
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Are Not FDIC Insured
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Are Not Bank Guaranteed
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May Lose Value
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Selling Agent
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Issuer:
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BofA Finance
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Guarantor:
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BAC
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Denominations:
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The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000.00 and whole multiples of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.
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Term:
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Approximately 2.75 years, unless previously automatically called.
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Underlyings:
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The KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF (Bloomberg symbol: “KWEB”) and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF (Bloomberg symbol: “SMH”).
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Pricing Date*:
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March 21, 2025
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Issue Date*:
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March 26, 2025
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Valuation Date*:
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December 21, 2027, subject to postponement as described under “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Maturity Date*:
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December 27, 2027
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Starting Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Closing Market Price on the pricing date.
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Observation Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Closing Market Price on the applicable Observation Date or Call Observation Date, as applicable, multiplied by its Price Multiplier.
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Ending Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Observation Value on the Valuation Date.
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Call Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, 100.00% of its Starting Value.
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Price Multiplier:
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With respect to each Underlying, 1, subject to adjustment for certain events relating to that Underlying as described in “Description of the Notes — Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs” beginning on page PS-28 of the accompanying product supplement.
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Coupon Barrier:
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With respect to each Underlying, 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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Threshold Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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Contingent Coupon Payment:
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If, on any monthly Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment of $10.417 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes (equal to a rate of 1.0417% per month or 12.50% per annum) on the applicable Contingent Payment Date (including the Maturity Date).
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Automatic Call:
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Beginning with the September 22, 2025 Call Observation Date, all (but not less than all) of the Notes will be automatically called if the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value on any Call Observation Date. If the Notes are automatically called, the Early Redemption Amount will be paid on the applicable Call Payment Date. No further amounts will be payable following an Automatic Call.
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Early Redemption Amount:
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For each $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, $1,000.00, plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment.
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Redemption Amount:
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If the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity, the Redemption Amount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes will be:
a) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Threshold Value:
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b) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value:
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-2
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In this case, the Redemption Amount (excluding any final Contingent Coupon Payment) will be less than the principal amount and you could lose up to 80.00% of your investment in the Notes.
The Redemption Amount will also include a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier.
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Observation Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-4
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Contingent Payment Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-4
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Call Observation Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-6
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Call Payment Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-6. Each Call Payment Date is also a Contingent Payment Date.
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Calculation Agent:
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BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”), an affiliate of BofA Finance.
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Selling Agent:
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BofAS
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CUSIP:
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09711GG66
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Underlying Return:
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With respect to each Underlying,
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Least Performing Underlying:
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The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
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Events of Default and Acceleration:
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If an Event of Default, as defined in the senior indenture relating to the Notes and in the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities of BofA Finance LLC—Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration; Covenant Breaches” on page 54 of the accompanying prospectus, with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of the Notes upon any acceleration permitted under the senior indenture will be equal to the amount described under the caption “Redemption Amount” above, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Maturity Date of the Notes and as though the Valuation Date were the third Trading Day prior to the date of acceleration. We will also determine whether a final Contingent Coupon Payment is payable based upon the prices of the Underlyings on the deemed Valuation Date; any such final Contingent Coupon Payment will be prorated by the calculation agent to reflect the length of the final contingent payment period. In case of a default in the payment of the Notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, the Notes will not bear a default interest rate.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-3
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Observation Dates*
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Contingent Payment Dates
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April 21, 2025
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April 24, 2025
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May 21, 2025
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May 27, 2025
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June 23, 2025
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June 26, 2025
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July 21, 2025
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July 24, 2025
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August 21, 2025
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August 26, 2025
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September 22, 2025
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September 25, 2025
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October 21, 2025
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October 24, 2025
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November 21, 2025
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November 26, 2025
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December 22, 2025
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December 26, 2025
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January 21, 2026
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January 26, 2026
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February 23, 2026
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February 26, 2026
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March 23, 2026
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March 26, 2026
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April 21, 2026
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April 24, 2026
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May 21, 2026
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May 27, 2026
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June 22, 2026
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June 25, 2026
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July 21, 2026
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July 24, 2026
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August 21, 2026
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August 26, 2026
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September 21, 2026
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September 24, 2026
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October 21, 2026
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October 26, 2026
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November 23, 2026
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November 27, 2026
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December 21, 2026
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December 24, 2026
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January 21, 2027
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January 26, 2027
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February 22, 2027
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February 25, 2027
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March 22, 2027
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March 25, 2027
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April 21, 2027
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April 26, 2027
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May 21, 2027
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May 26, 2027
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June 21, 2027
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June 24, 2027
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July 21, 2027
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July 26, 2027
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August 23, 2027
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August 26, 2027
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September 21, 2027
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September 24, 2027
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October 21, 2027
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October 26, 2027
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November 22, 2027
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November 26, 2027
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December 21, 2027 (the “Valuation Date”)
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December 27, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”)
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-4
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-5
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Call Observation Dates*
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Call Payment Dates
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September 22, 2025
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September 25, 2025
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October 21, 2025
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October 24, 2025
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November 21, 2025
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November 26, 2025
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December 22, 2025
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December 26, 2025
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January 21, 2026
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January 26, 2026
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February 23, 2026
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February 26, 2026
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March 23, 2026
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March 26, 2026
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April 21, 2026
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April 24, 2026
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May 21, 2026
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May 27, 2026
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June 22, 2026
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June 25, 2026
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July 21, 2026
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July 24, 2026
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August 21, 2026
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August 26, 2026
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September 21, 2026
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September 24, 2026
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October 21, 2026
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October 26, 2026
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November 23, 2026
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November 27, 2026
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December 21, 2026
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December 24, 2026
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January 21, 2027
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January 26, 2027
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February 22, 2027
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February 25, 2027
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March 22, 2027
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March 25, 2027
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April 21, 2027
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April 26, 2027
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May 21, 2027
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May 26, 2027
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June 21, 2027
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June 24, 2027
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July 21, 2027
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July 26, 2027
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August 23, 2027
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August 26, 2027
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September 21, 2027
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September 24, 2027
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October 21, 2027
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October 26, 2027
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November 22, 2027
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November 26, 2027
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-6
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-7
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-8
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Number of Contingent Coupon Payments
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Total Contingent Coupon Payments
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0
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$0.000
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2
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$20.834
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4
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$41.668
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6
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$62.502
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8
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$83.336
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10
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$104.170
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12
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$125.004
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14
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$145.838
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16
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$166.672
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18
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$187.506
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20
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$208.340
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22
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$229.174
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24
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$250.008
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26
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$270.842
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28
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$291.676
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30
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$312.510
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32
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$333.344
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33
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$343.761
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-9
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Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying
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Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying
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Redemption Amount per Note (including any final Contingent Coupon Payment)
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Return on the Notes(1)
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160.00
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60.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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150.00
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50.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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140.00
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40.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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130.00
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30.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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120.00
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20.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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110.00
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10.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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105.00
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5.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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102.00
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2.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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100.00(2)
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0.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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90.00
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-10.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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80.00(3)
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-20.00%
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$1,010.417
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1.0417%
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79.99
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-20.01%
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$999.900
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-0.0100%
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70.00
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-30.00%
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$900.000
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-10.0000%
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60.00
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-40.00%
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$800.000
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-20.0000%
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50.00
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-50.00%
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$700.000
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-30.0000%
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0.00
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-100.00%
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$200.000
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-80.0000%
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(1)
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The “Return on the Notes” is calculated based on the Redemption Amount and potential final Contingent Coupon Payment, not including any Contingent Coupon Payments paid prior to maturity.
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(2)
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The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in the table above has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a likely Starting Value of any Underlying.
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(3)
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This is the hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Threshold Value of the Least Performing Underlying.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-10
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•
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Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the Notes at maturity. If the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of either Underlying is less than its Threshold Value, at maturity, your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying beyond a 20% decline and you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value. In that case, you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes.
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•
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Your return on the Notes is limited to the return represented by the Contingent Coupon Payments, if any, over the term of the Notes. Your return on the Notes is limited to the Contingent Coupon Payments paid over the term of the Notes, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of any Underlying exceeds its Coupon Barrier or Starting Value, as applicable. Similarly, the amount payable at maturity or upon an Automatic Call will never exceed the sum of the principal amount and the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of any Underlying exceeds its Starting Value. In contrast, a direct investment in the Underlyings or in the securities held by or included in the Underlyings would allow you to receive the benefit of any appreciation in their values. Any return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned those securities and received the dividends paid or distributions made on them.
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•
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The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call, which would limit your ability to receive the Contingent Coupon Payments over the full term of the Notes. The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call. Beginning with the September 22, 2025 Call Observation Date, the Notes will be automatically called if, on any Call Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value. If the Notes are automatically called prior to the Maturity Date, you will be entitled to receive the Early Redemption Amount on the applicable Call Payment Date, and no further amounts will be payable on the Notes. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to receive Contingent Coupon Payments after the date of the Automatic Call. If the Notes are called prior to the Maturity Date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that could provide a return that is similar to the Notes.
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•
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You may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments. The Notes do not provide for any regular fixed coupon payments. Investors in the Notes will not necessarily receive any Contingent Coupon Payments on the Notes. If the Observation Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment applicable to that Observation Date. If the Observation Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier on all the Observation Dates during the term of the Notes, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes, and will not receive a positive return on the Notes.
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Your return on the Notes may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. Any return that you receive on the Notes may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with the same Maturity Date. As a result, your investment in the Notes may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money. In addition, if interest rates increase during the term of the Notes, the Contingent Coupon Payment (if any) may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.
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The Contingent Coupon Payment, Early Redemption Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, will not reflect changes in the prices of the Underlyings other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable. The prices of the Underlyings during the term of the Notes other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable, will not affect payments on the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, investors should generally be aware of the performance of the Underlyings while holding the Notes, as the performance of the Underlyings may influence the market value of the Notes. The calculation agent will determine whether each Contingent Coupon Payment is payable and will calculate the Early Redemption Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, by comparing only the Starting Value, the Coupon Barrier, the Call Value or the Threshold Value, as applicable, to the Observation Value or the Ending Value for each Underlying. No other prices of the Underlyings will be taken into account. As a result, if the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value, you will receive less than the principal amount at maturity even if the price of each Underlying was always above its Threshold Value prior to the Valuation Date.
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•
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Because the Notes are linked to the least performing (and not the average performance) of the Underlyings, you may not receive any return on the Notes and may lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes even if the Observation Value or Ending Value of one Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier or Threshold Value, as applicable. Your Notes are linked to the least performing of the Underlyings, and a change in the price of one Underlying may not correlate with changes in the price of the other Underlying. The Notes are not linked to a basket composed of the Underlyings, where the
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-11
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depreciation in the price of one Underlying could be offset to some extent by the appreciation in the price of the other Underlying. In the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each Underlying would not be combined, and the depreciation in the price of one Underlying would not be offset by any appreciation in the price of the other Underlying. Even if the Observation Value of an Underlying is at or above its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to that Observation Date if the Observation Value of the other Underlying is below its Coupon Barrier on that day. In addition, even if the Ending Value of an Underlying is at or above its Threshold Value, you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes if the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Threshold Value.
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•
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Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk and the credit risk of the Guarantor, and any actual or perceived changes in our or the Guarantor’s creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the Notes. The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. Any payment on the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The Notes are not guaranteed by any entity other than the Guarantor. As a result, your receipt of any payments on the Notes will be dependent upon our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to repay our respective obligations under the Notes on the applicable payment date, regardless of the performance of the Underlyings. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition or the financial condition of the Guarantor will be at any time after the pricing date of the Notes. If we and the Guarantor become unable to meet our respective financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amount(s) payable under the terms of the Notes.
In addition, our credit ratings and the credit ratings of the Guarantor are assessments by ratings agencies of our respective abilities to pay our obligations. Consequently, our or the Guarantor’s perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our respective securities and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities (the “credit spread”) prior to the Maturity Date may adversely affect the market value of the Notes. However, because your return on the Notes depends upon factors in addition to our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to pay our respective obligations, such as the values of the Underlyings, an improvement in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the Notes. |
•
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We are a finance subsidiary and, as such, have no independent assets, operations, or revenues. We are a finance subsidiary of the Guarantor, have no operations other than those related to the issuance, administration and repayment of our debt securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor, and are dependent upon the Guarantor and/or its other subsidiaries to meet our obligations under the Notes in the ordinary course. Therefore, our ability to make payments on the Notes may be limited.
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•
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The public offering price you pay for the Notes will exceed their initial estimated value. The range of initial estimated values of the Notes that is provided on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement, and the initial estimated value as of the pricing date that will be provided in the final pricing supplement, are each estimates only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads and those of the Guarantor, the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates, dividends and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the Notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the prices of the Underlyings, changes in the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” below. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways.
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•
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The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, BAC, BofAS or any of our other affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Underlyings, our and BAC’s creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.
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•
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We cannot assure you that a trading market for your Notes will ever develop or be maintained. We will not list the Notes on any securities exchange. We cannot predict how the Notes will trade in any secondary market or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.
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•
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Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may create conflicts of interest with you and may affect your return on the Notes and their market value. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may buy or sell shares or units of the Underlyings or the securities held by or included in the Underlyings, as applicable, or futures or options contracts or exchange traded instruments on the Underlyings or those securities, or other instruments whose value is derived from the Underlyings or those securities. While we, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may from time to time own shares or units of the Underlyings or securities represented by the Underlyings, except to the extent that BAC’s common stock may be included in the Underlyings, we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, do not control any company included in the Underlyings, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-12
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reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the Notes. These transactions may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the Notes and the interests we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, may have in our or their proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management. These transactions may adversely affect the prices of the Underlyings in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the Notes. On or before the pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the Guarantor or our other affiliates, including BofAS or others on our or their behalf (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with the Notes), may affect the prices of the Underlyings. Consequently, the prices of the Underlyings may change subsequent to the pricing date, which may adversely affect the market value of the Notes.
We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, also expect to engage in hedging activities that could affect the prices of the Underlyings on the pricing date. In addition, these hedging activities, including the unwinding of a hedge, may decrease the market value of your Notes prior to maturity, and may affect the amounts to be paid on the Notes. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the Notes and may hold or resell the Notes. For example, BofAS may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making activities in which it engages. We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the prices of the Underlyings, the market value of your Notes prior to maturity or the amounts payable on the Notes. |
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There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. One of our affiliates will be the calculation agent for the Notes and, as such, will make a variety of determinations relating to the Notes, including the amounts that will be paid on the Notes. Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between its status as our affiliate and its responsibilities as calculation agent.
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Adverse conditions in the internet sector may reduce your return on the Notes. All of the stocks held by the KWEB are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the internet sector. Internet companies are subject to intense competition, the risk of product obsolescence, changes in consumer preferences and legal, regulatory and political changes. Internet companies are also especially at risk of hacking and other cybersecurity events. In addition, it can be difficult to determine what qualifies as an internet company. Any adverse developments affecting the internet sector could adversely affect the price of the KWEB and, in turn, the value of the Notes.
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The KWEB is subject to concentrated risks associated with the internet sector in China. The securities held by the KWEB are concentrated in China-based companies whose primary business or businesses are in the internet and internet-related sectors. Companies in these sectors are subject to concentrated risks, including risks of changes in technology, the competitive environment and government regulation. The underlying shares of the KWEB may be more volatile and be more adversely affected by a single negative economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting the internet and internet-related sectors in China than a different investment in a more broadly diversified group of industries.
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Adverse conditions in the semiconductor production and equipment sector may reduce your return on the Notes. All or substantially all of the stocks held by the SMH are issued by companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the semiconductor production and equipment sector. The SMH is subject to the risk that companies that are in the semiconductor production and equipment sector may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. They also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components. Moreover, they may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. Some of the companies involved in the semiconductor production and equipment sector are also engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the semiconductor business, and they may experience problems with these lines of business, which could adversely affect their operating results. The international operations of many semiconductor companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business. The semiconductor production and equipment sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. Companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector also may be subject to competition from new market entrants. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile compared to the overall market. These factors could affect the semiconductor production and equipment sector and could affect the value of the equity securities held by the SMH and the price of the SMH during the term of the Notes, which may adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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The Notes are subject to risks associated with foreign securities markets. The KWEB includes 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
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-13
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securities markets comprising the KWEB may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than U.S. or other securities markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these foreign securities markets, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in these markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC, and foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
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The stocks held by the KWEB are concentrated in one sector. The KWEB holds securities issued by companies in the internet sector. As a result, some of the stocks that will determine the performance of the Notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the KWEB, the return on an investment in the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in this sector. Accordingly, by investing in the Notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.
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The stocks held by the SMH are concentrated in one sector. The SMH holds securities issued by companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector. As a result, some of the stocks that will determine the performance of the Notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the SMH, the return on an investment in the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in this sector. Accordingly, by investing in the Notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.
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Recent executive orders may adversely affect the performance of the KWEB. Pursuant to recent executive orders, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions in, or possession of, publicly traded securities of certain companies that are determined to be linked to the People’s Republic of China military, intelligence and security apparatus, or securities that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to, those securities. If the issuer of any of the equity securities held by the KWEB is in the future designated as such a prohibited company, the value of that company may be adversely affected, perhaps significantly, which would adversely affect the performance of the KWEB. In addition, under these circumstances, the KWEB is expected to remove the equity securities of that company from the KWEB. Any changes to the composition of the KWEB in response to these executive orders could adversely affect the performance of the KWEB.
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There are risks associated with emerging markets. An investment in the Notes will involve risks not generally associated with investments which have no emerging market component. In particular, many emerging nations are undergoing rapid change, involving the restructuring of economic, political, financial and legal systems. Regulatory and tax environments may be subject to change without review or appeal. Many emerging markets suffer from underdevelopment of capital markets and tax regulation. The risk of expropriation and nationalization remains a threat. Guarding against such risks is made more difficult by low levels of corporate disclosure and unreliability of economic and financial data.
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The performance of an Underlying may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as the net asset value per share or unit of the Underlying, especially during periods of market volatility. The performance of an Underlying and that of its underlying index generally will vary due to, for example, transaction costs, management fees, certain corporate actions, and timing variances. Moreover, it is also possible that the performance of an Underlying may not fully replicate or may, in certain circumstances, diverge significantly from the performance of its underlying index. This could be due to, for example, the Underlying not holding all or substantially all of the underlying assets included in its underlying index and/or holding assets that are not included in its underlying index, the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market, the performance of any derivative instruments held by the Underlying, differences in trading hours between the Underlying (or the underlying assets held by the Underlying) and its underlying index, or other circumstances. This variation in performance is called the “tracking error,” and, at times, the tracking error may be significant. In addition, because the shares or units of each Underlying are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share or unit of an Underlying may differ from its net asset value per share or unit; shares or units of the Underlying may trade at, above, or below its net asset value per share or unit. During periods of market volatility, securities held by an Underlying may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share or unit of the Underlying and the liquidity of the Underlying may be adversely affected. Market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to trade shares or units of the Underlying. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares or units of the Underlying. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares or units of the Underlying may vary substantially from the net asset value per share or unit of the Underlying.
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The anti-dilution adjustments will be limited. The calculation agent may adjust the Price Multiplier of an Underlying and other terms of
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-14
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the Notes to reflect certain actions by an Underlying, as described in the section “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs” in the accompanying product supplement. The calculation agent will not be required to make an adjustment for every event that may affect an Underlying and will have broad discretion to determine whether and to what extent an adjustment is required.
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The publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor of an Underlying may adjust that Underlying in a way that affects its prices, and the publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor has no obligation to consider your interests. The publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor of an Underlying can add, delete, or substitute the components included in that Underlying or make other methodological changes that could change its price. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the Notes. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or securities similar to the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain. Under the terms of the Notes, you will have agreed with us to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, as described below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—General.” If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the Notes, the timing and character of income, gain or loss with respect to the Notes may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the Notes and no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary.” You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Notes.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-15
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-16
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-17
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a full market capitalization exceeding US$150 million;
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a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least US$1 million at the current review and also at the previous two reviews; and
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at least 250,000 shares traded per month over the last six months at the current review and also at the previous two reviews.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-18
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a full market capitalization exceeding US$75 million; and
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a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least US$0.2 million in at least two of the latest three quarters (current review and also at previous two reviews)
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In addition, a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least US$0.6 million at current review or at one of the previous two reviews; or
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at least 200,000 shares traded per month over the last six months at the current review or at one of the previous two reviews.
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exceeds the free-float market capitalization of a share line of the same company which is an index component by at least 25%; and
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fulfills all size and liquidity eligibility criteria for non-components,
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the current component share line will be replaced by the larger one. MVIS can, in exceptional cases (e.g., significantly higher liquidity), decide to keep the current share line instead.
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(1)
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The largest 50 stocks (by full market capitalization) from the investable universe qualify.
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(2)
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The 50 stocks are ranked in two different ways — by free-float market capitalization in descending order (the largest company receives rank “1”) and then by three-month average-daily-trading volume in descending order (the most liquid company receives rank “1”). These two ranks are added up.
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(3)
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The 50 stocks are then ranked by the sum of their two ranks in Step 2 in ascending order. If two companies have the same sum of ranks, the larger company is placed on top.
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Initially, the highest ranked 25 companies made up the MVSMH.
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On-going, a 10-40 buffer is applied: the highest ranked 10 companies qualify. The remaining 15 companies are selected from the highest ranked remaining current MVSMH components ranked between 11 and 40. If the number of selected companies is still below 25, then the highest ranked remaining stocks are selected until 25 companies have been selected.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-19
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the IPO must have a full market capitalization exceeding US$150 million;
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the IPO must have a free-float factor of at least 10%;
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the IPO must have an average-daily-trading volume of at least US$1 million; and
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the IPO must have traded at least 250,000 shares per month (or per 22 days).
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(1)
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All MVSMH components are weighted by their free-float market capitalization.
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(2)
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All companies exceeding 4.5% but at least the largest five and at the maximum the largest 10 companies are grouped together (so called
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-20
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“Large-Weights”). All other companies are grouped together as well (so called “Small-Weights“).
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(4)
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The aggregated weighting of the Large-Weights is capped at 50%:
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Large-Weights: If the aggregated weighting of all companies in Large-Weight exceeds 50%, then a capping factor is calculated to bring the weighting down to 50%; at the same time, a second capping factor for the Small-Weights is calculated to increase the aggregated weight to 50%. These two factors are then applied to all companies in the Large-Weights or the Small-Weights respectively.
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Large-Weights: The maximum weight for any single stock is 20% and the minimum weighting is 5%. If a stock is above the maximum or below the minimum weight, then the weight will be reduced to the maximum weight or increased to the minimum weight and the excess weight will be re-distributed proportionally across all other remaining MVSMH constituents in the Large-Weights.
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Small-Weights: The maximum weight for any single stock is 4.5%. If a stock is above the maximum weight, then the weight will be reduced to the maximum weight and the excess weight will be re-distributed proportionally across all other remaining MVSMH constituents in the Small-Weights.
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Special cash dividend
pi, adjusted = pi – (Dividend x (1 – Withholding Tax))
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Divisor change: Yes
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Split
Shareholders receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: No
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Rights offering
Shareholders receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held.
If the subscription-price is either not available or not smaller than the closing price, then no adjustment will be done.
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Divisor change: No
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-21
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Stock dividend
Shareholders receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: No
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Stock dividend from treasury
Stock dividends from treasury are adjusted as ordinary cash dividends. Shareholders receive ‘B’ new shares for every ‘A’ share held.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Stock dividend of a different company security
Shareholders receive “B” shares of a different company for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Spin-offs
Shareholders receive “B” shares of a different company for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Addition/deletion of a company
Net change in market value determines the divisor adjustment.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Changes in shares outstanding/free-float
Any secondary issuance, share repurchase, buy back, tender offer, Dutch auction, exchange offer, bought deal equity offering or prospectus offering will be updated at the semi-annual review if the change is smaller than 10%. Changes larger than 10% will be pre-announced (3 trading days’ notice) and implemented on a best efforts basis. If necessary and information is available, resulting float changes are taken into consideration. Share changes will not be implemented in the week between review announcement and implementation.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Changes due to a merger/takeover/spin-off
Net change in free-float market value determines the divisor adjustment. In case of no change, the divisor change is 0.
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Divisor change: Yes
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-22
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-23
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-24
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-25
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-26
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-27
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-28
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-29
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Product Supplement EQUITY-1 dated December 30, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315473/d429684d424b2.htm |
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Series A MTN prospectus supplement dated December 30, 2022 and prospectus dated December 30, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1682472/000119312522315195/d409418d424b3.htm |
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-30
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