Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-271881
The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. |
Subject To Completion, dated October 1, 2024 PRELIMINARY PRICING SUPPLEMENT dated October 1, 2024 (To Product Supplement No. 2 dated June 30, 2023 Prospectus Supplement dated May 12, 2023 and Prospectus dated May 12, 2023) |
| | Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Medium-Term Notes, Series A Exchange-Traded Fund Linked Securities |
| | Market Linked Securities— Auto-Callable with Leveraged Upside Participation and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund due November 4, 2027 |
| | |
■ Linked to the Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund ■ Unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest, do not repay a fixed amount of principal at maturity and are subject to potential automatic call upon the terms described below. Whether the securities are automatically called for a fixed call premium or, if not automatically called, the maturity payment amount, will depend, in each case, on the performance of the Fund ■ Automatic Call. If the fund closing price of the Fund on the call date occurring approximately one year after issuance is greater than or equal to the starting price, the securities will be automatically called for the face amount plus a call premium of at least 14.00% of the face amount (to be determined on the pricing date). ■ Maturity Payment Amount. If the securities are not automatically called, you will receive a maturity payment amount that could be greater than, equal to or less than the face amount per security depending on the ending price of the Fund as follows: ■ If the ending price is greater than the starting price, you will receive the face amount plus a positive return equal to 125% of the percentage increase in the price of the Fund from the starting price ■ If the ending price is equal to or less than the starting price, but not by more than the buffer amount of 10%, you will receive the face amount ■ If the ending price is less than the starting price by more than the buffer amount, you will receive less than the face amount and have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the price of the Fund in excess of the buffer amount ■ Investors may lose up to 90% of the face amount ■ If the securities are automatically called, the positive return on the securities will be limited to the call premium, and you will not participate in any appreciation of the Fund beyond the call premium, which may be significant. If the securities are automatically called, you will no longer have the opportunity to participate in any appreciation of the Fund at the upside participation rate ■ All payments on the securities are subject to our credit risk, and you will have no ability to pursue the Fund or any securities included in the Fund for payment; if we default on our obligations under the securities, you could lose some or all of your investment ■ No periodic interest payments or dividends ■ No exchange listing; designed to be held to maturity |
We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date will be approximately $964.00, or within $30.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement. See “Estimated Value of the Securities” in this pricing supplement.
The securities have complex features and investing in the securities involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page PRS-8 herein and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement.
The securities are senior unsecured obligations of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. and, accordingly, all payments are subject to our credit risk. If we default on our obligations under the securities, you could lose some or all of your investment. The securities are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of a depository institution and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this pricing supplement or the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
| Original Offering Price | Agent Discount(1)(2) | Proceeds to the Issuer |
| | | | |
| Per Security | $1,000.00 | $25.75 | $974.25 |
| Total | | | |
| (1) | Jefferies LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are the agents for the distribution of the securities and are acting as principal. See “Terms of the Securities—Agents” and “Estimated Value of the Securities” in this pricing supplement for further information. |
| (2) | In respect of certain securities sold in this offering, Jefferies LLC, the broker-dealer subsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group Inc., may pay a fee of up to $3.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers. |
| Jefferies | Wells Fargo Securities |
| | Issuer: | | Jefferies Financial Group Inc. |
| | Market Measure: | | Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund (the “Fund”). |
| | Fund Underlying Index: | | The Energy Select Sector Index (the “Fund Underlying Index”) |
| | Pricing Date*: | | October 30, 2024. |
| | Issue Date*: | | November 4, 2024 |
| | Original Offering Price: | | $1,000 per security. |
| | Face Amount: | | $1,000 per security. References in this pricing supplement to a “security” are to a security with a face amount of $1,000. |
| | Automatic Call: | | If the fund closing price of the Fund on the call date is greater than or equal to the starting price, the securities will be automatically called, and on the call settlement date you will be entitled to receive a cash payment per security in U.S. dollars equal to the face amount per security plus the call premium. If the securities are automatically called, the positive return on the securities will be limited to the call premium, and you will not participate in any appreciation of the Fund beyond the call premium, which may be significant. If the securities are automatically called, you will no longer have the opportunity to participate in any appreciation of the Fund at the upside participation rate. If the securities are automatically called, they will cease to be outstanding on the call settlement date and you will have no further rights under the securities after such call settlement date. You will not receive any notice from us if the securities are automatically called. |
| | Call Date*: | | November 4, 2025, subject to postponement as described below in “—Market Disruption Events and Postponement Provisions”. |
| | Call Premium: | | At least 14.00% of the face amount, or at least $140.00 per $1,000 face amount of the securities (to be determined on the pricing date). |
| | Call Settlement Date: | | Three business days after the call date (as the call date may be postponed as described below in “—Market Disruption Events and Postponement Provisions”, if applicable) |
| | Maturity Payment Amount: | | If the securities are not automatically called, then on the stated maturity date, you will be entitled to receive a cash payment per security in U.S. dollars equal to the maturity payment amount. The “maturity payment amount” per security will equal: • if the ending price is greater than the starting price: $1,000 plus $1,000 × fund return × upside participation rate; • if the ending price is equal to or less than the starting price, but greater than or equal to the threshold price: $1,000; or • if the ending price is less than the threshold price: $1,000 + [$1,000 × (fund return + buffer amount)] |
| | If the securities are not automatically called and the ending price is less than the threshold price, you will have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the price of the Fund in excess of the buffer amount and will lose some, and possibly up to 90%, of the face amount of your securities at maturity. |
| | Stated Maturity Date*: | | November 4, 2027, subject to postponement. The securities are not subject to repayment at the option of any holder of the securities prior to the stated maturity date. |
| | Starting Price: | | , the fund closing price of the Fund on the pricing date. |
| | Fund Closing Price: | | Fund closing price, closing price and adjustment factor have the meanings set forth under “General Terms of the Securities—Certain Terms for Securities Linked to a Fund—Certain Definitions” in the accompanying product supplement. |
| | Ending Price: | | The “ending price” will be the fund closing price of the Fund on the final calculation day. |
| | Threshold Price: | | , which is equal to 90% of the starting price. |
| | Buffer Amount: | | 10%. |
| | Upside Participation Rate: | | 125% |
| | Fund Return: | | The “fund return” is the percentage change from the starting price to the ending price, measured as follows: ending price – starting price starting price |
| | Final Calculation Day: | | November 1, 2027, subject to postponement. |
| | Market Disruption Events and Postponement Provisions: | | The call date and the final calculation day are subject to postponement due to non-trading days and the occurrence of a market disruption event. In addition, the call settlement date and the stated maturity date will be postponed if the call date or the final calculation day, as applicable, is postponed and will be adjusted for non-business days. For more information regarding adjustments to the call date, the final calculation day, the call settlement date and the stated maturity date, see “General Terms of the Securities—Consequences of a Market Disruption Event; Postponement of a Calculation Day—Securities Linked to a Single Market Measure” and “—Payment Dates” in the accompanying product supplement. For purposes of the accompanying product supplement, each of the call date and the final calculation day is a “calculation day” and each of the call settlement date and the stated maturity date is a “payment date.” In addition, for information regarding the circumstances that may result in a market disruption event, see “General Terms of the Securities—Certain Terms for Securities Linked to a Fund—Market Disruption Events” in the accompanying product supplement. |
| | Calculation Agent: | | Jefferies Financial Services Inc. (“JFSI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. |
| | Material Tax Consequences: | | For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, see “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” |
| | Agents: | | Jefferies LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“WFS”) are the agents for the distribution of the securities. The agents will receive an agent discount of up to $25.75 per security. The agents may resell the securities to other securities dealers at the original offering price of the securities less a concession not in excess of $20.00 per security. Such securities dealers may include Wells Fargo Advisors (“WFA”) (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of WFS’s affiliates, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC). In addition to the concession allowed to WFA, WFS may pay $0.75 per security of the underwriting discount to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each security sold by WFA. In addition, in respect of certain securities sold in this offering, Jefferies LLC may pay a fee of up to $3.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers. The agents and/or one or more of their respective affiliates expects to realize hedging profits projected by their proprietary pricing models to the extent they assume the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. If the agents or any other dealer participating in the distribution of the securities or any of their affiliates conduct hedging activities for us in connection with the securities, that dealer or its affiliates will expect to realize a profit projected by its proprietary pricing models from those hedging activities. Any such projected profit will be in addition to any discount, concession or fee received in connection with the sale of the securities to you. |
| | Denominations: | | $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. |
| | CUSIP: | | 47233YBL8 |
| * | To the extent that we make any change to the expected pricing date or expected issue date, the call date, the final calculation day and stated maturity date may also be changed in our discretion to ensure that the term of the securities remains the same. |
| Additional Information about the Issuer and the Securities |
You should read this pricing supplement together with product supplement No. 2 dated June 30, 2023, the prospectus supplement dated May 12, 2023 and the prospectus dated May 12, 2023 for additional information about the securities. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus.
As used in this pricing supplement, “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Jefferies Financial Group Inc., unless the context requires otherwise.
You may access the product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus on the SEC website www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filing for the relevant date on the SEC website):
| • | Product Supplement No. 2 dated June 30, 2023: |
| • | Prospectus Supplement dated May 12, 2023 and Prospectus dated May 12, 2023: |
| Estimated Value of the Securities |
The face amount of each security is $1,000. The original issue price will equal 100% of the face amount per security. This price includes costs associated with issuing, selling, structuring and hedging the securities, which are borne by you, and, consequently, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be less than the original offering price. We estimate that the value of each security on the pricing date will be approximately $964.00, or within $30.00 of that estimate. Our estimate of the value of the securities as determined on the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.
Valuation of the Securities
Jefferies LLC calculated the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement based on its proprietary pricing models at that time. Jefferies LLC’s proprietary pricing models generated an estimated value for the securities by estimating the value of a hypothetical package of financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the securities, which consists of a fixed-income bond (the “bond component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying the economic terms of the securities (the “derivative component”). In calculating the estimated value of the derivative component, Jefferies LLC estimated future cash flows based on a proprietary derivative-pricing model that is in turn based on various inputs, including the factors described under “Selected Risk Considerations—The estimated value of the securities was determined for us by our subsidiary using proprietary pricing models” below. These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by Jefferies LLC in its discretionary judgment. Estimated cash flows on the bond and derivative components were discounted using a discount rate based on our internal funding rate.
The estimated value of the securities is a function of the terms of the securities and the inputs to Jefferies LLC’s proprietary pricing models. The range for the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement reflects uncertainty on the date of this preliminary pricing supplement about the inputs to Jefferies LLC’s proprietary pricing models on the pricing date.
Since the estimated value of the securities is a function of the underlying assumptions and construction of Jefferies LLC’s proprietary derivative-pricing model, modification to this model will impact the estimated value calculation. Jefferies LLC’s proprietary models are subject to ongoing review and modification, and Jefferies LLC may change them at any time and for a variety of reasons. In the event of a model change, prior descriptions of the model and computations based on the older model will be superseded, and calculations of estimated value under the new model may differ significantly from those under the older model. Further, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of a note with a particular return formula than on a similar note with a different return formula. For example, to the extent a return formula contains leverage, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of that note than on a similar note without such leverage.
WFS has advised us that if it, WFA or any of their affiliates makes a secondary market in the securities at any time up to the issue date or during the 3-month period following the issue date, the secondary market price offered by it, WFA or any of their affiliates will be increased by an amount reflecting a portion of the costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the securities that are included in their original offering price. Because this portion of the costs is not fully deducted upon issuance, WFS has advised us that any secondary market price it, WFA or any of their affiliates offers during this period will be higher than it otherwise would be after this period, as any secondary market price offered after this period will reflect the full deduction of the costs as described above. WFS has advised us that the amount of this increase in the secondary market price will decline steadily to zero over this 3-month period.
The relationship between the estimated value on the pricing date and the secondary market price of the securities
The price at which the agents or any of their respective affiliates purchase the securities in the secondary market, absent changes in market conditions, including those related to interest rates and the Market Measure, may vary from, and be lower than, the estimated value on the pricing date, because the secondary market price takes into account our secondary market credit spread as well as a bid-offer spread that would be charged in a secondary market transaction of this type, the costs of unwinding the related hedging transactions and other factors.
The agents and/or their respective affiliates may, but are not obligated to, make a market in the securities and, if it once chooses to make a market, may cease doing so at any time.
The securities are not appropriate for all investors. The securities may be an appropriate investment for investors who:
| ■ | seek a fixed return equal to the call premium if the securities are automatically called on the call date; |
| ■ | understand that the securities may be automatically called prior to the stated maturity and that the term of the securities may be as short as approximately one year; |
| ■ | seek 125% leveraged exposure to the upside performance of the Fund if the securities are not automatically called and the ending price is greater than the starting price; |
| ■ | desire to limit downside exposure to the Fund through the buffer amount; |
| ■ | are willing to accept the risk that, if the securities are not automatically called and the ending price is less than the starting price by more than the buffer amount, they will lose some, and possibly up to 90%, of the face amount per security at maturity; |
| ■ | are willing to forgo interest payments on the securities and dividends on the Fund and the securities included in the Fund; and |
| ■ | are willing to hold the securities until maturity or automatic call. |
The securities may not be an appropriate investment for investors who:
| ■ | seek a liquid investment or are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity or automatic call.; |
| ■ | seek a security with a fixed term; |
| ■ | are unwilling to accept the risk that the securities will not be automatically called and the ending price of the Fund may decrease from the starting price by more than the buffer amount; |
| ■ | seek full return of the face amount of the securities at stated maturity; |
| ■ | are unwilling to purchase securities with an estimated value as of the pricing date that is lower than the original offering price and that may be as low as the lower estimated value set forth on the cover page; |
| ■ | are unwilling to accept the risk of exposure to the Fund; |
| ■ | seek exposure to the Fund but are unwilling to accept the risk/return trade-offs inherent in the maturity payment amount for the securities; |
| ■ | are unwilling to accept our credit risk, to obtain exposure to the Fund generally, or to the exposure to the Fund that the securities provide specifically; or |
| ■ | prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings. |
The considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the securities are an appropriate investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances, and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review carefully the “Selected Risk Considerations” herein and the “Risk Factors” in the accompanying product supplement for risks related to an investment in the securities. For more information about the Fund, please see the section titled “The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund” below.
| Determining Timing and Amount of Payment on the Securities |
Whether the securities are automatically called on the call date for the call premium will be determined based on the fund closing price of the Fund on the call date as follows:
If the securities have not been automatically called, then on the stated maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per security (the maturity payment amount) calculated as follows:
| Selected Risk Considerations |
The securities have complex features and investing in the securities will involve risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. Some of the risks that apply to an investment in the securities are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of the risks relating to the securities generally in the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying product supplement. You should reach an investment decision only after you have carefully considered with your advisors the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances.
Risks Relating To The Securities Generally
If The Securities Are Not Automatically Called And The Ending Price Is Less Than The Threshold Price, You Will Lose Some, And Possibly Up To 90%, Of The Face Amount Of Your Securities At Maturity.
We will not repay you a fixed amount on the securities on the stated maturity date. The maturity payment amount will depend on the direction of and percentage change in the ending price of the Fund relative to the starting price and the other terms of the securities. Because the price of the Fund will be subject to market fluctuations, the maturity payment amount may be more or less, and possibly significantly less, than the face amount of your securities.
If the securities are not automatically called and the ending price is less than the threshold price, the maturity payment amount will be less than the face amount and you will have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the price of the Fund in excess of the buffer amount, resulting in a loss of 1% of the face amount for every 1% decline in the Fund in excess of the buffer amount. The threshold price is 90% of the starting price. As a result, if the ending price is less than the threshold price, you will lose some, and possibly up to 90%, of the face amount per security at maturity. This is the case even if the price of the Fund is greater than or equal to the starting price or the threshold price at certain times during the term of the securities.
If the securities are not automatically called, even if the ending price is greater than the starting price, the maturity payment amount may only be slightly greater than the face amount, and your yield on the securities may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a traditional interest-bearing debt security of ours or another issuer with a similar credit rating with the same stated maturity date.
No Periodic Interest Will Be Paid On The Securities.
No periodic payments of interest will be made on the securities.
If The Securities Are Automatically Called, The Return On The Securities Will Be Limited To The Call Premium.
If the securities are automatically called, the return on the securities will be limited to the call premium, regardless of the performance of the Fund. The Fund may appreciate by significantly more than the percentage represented by the call premium from the pricing date through the call date, in which case an investment in the securities will underperform a hypothetical alternative investment providing a 1-to-1 return based on the performance of the Fund. If the securities are automatically called, you will no longer have the opportunity to participate in any appreciation of the Fund at the upside participation rate.
The Securities Are Subject To A Potential Automatic Call, Which Would Limit Your Ability To Receive Further Payment On The Securities.
The securities are subject to a potential automatic call. If your securities are automatically called early, the term of the securities may be reduced to as short as approximately one year. The securities will be automatically called if, on the call date, the fund closing price of the Fund is greater than or equal to the starting price. If the securities are automatically called, you will be entitled to receive the face amount and the call premium with respect to the applicable call date, and no further amounts will be payable with respect to the securities. In this case, you will no longer have the opportunity to participate in any appreciation of the Fund at the upside participation rate. If the securities are called, 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 securities.
The Call Settlement Date Or The Stated Maturity Date May Be Postponed If The Call Date Or The Final Calculation Day Is Postponed.
The call date or the final calculation day will be postponed if the originally scheduled call date or final calculation day is not a trading day or if the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event has occurred or is continuing on that day. If such a postponement occurs with respect to the call date, then the call settlement date will be postponed. If such a postponement occurs with respect to the final calculation day, the stated maturity date will be the later of (i) the initial stated maturity date and (ii) three business days after the final calculation day as postponed.
The Tax Consequences Of An Investment In Your Securities Are Uncertain.
The tax consequences of an investment in your securities are uncertain, both as to the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of your securities.
The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) announced on December 7, 2007 that it is considering issuing guidance regarding the tax treatment of an instrument such as your securities, and any such guidance could adversely affect the value and the tax treatment of your securities. Among other things, the IRS may decide to require the holders to accrue ordinary income on a current basis and recognize ordinary income on payment at maturity, and could subject non-U.S. investors to withholding tax. Furthermore, in 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if enacted, would have required holders that acquired instruments such as your securities after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of such instruments even though there will be no interest payments over the term of such instruments. It is not possible to predict whether a similar or identical bill will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your securities. We describe these developments in more detail under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences – U.S. Holders – Possible Change in Law” below. You should consult your tax advisor about this matter. Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, we intend to continue treating the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below unless and until such time as Congress, the Treasury Department or the IRS determine that some other treatment is more appropriate. Please also consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and any other applicable tax consequences to you of owning your securities in your particular circumstances.
Your Securities May Be Subject to the Constructive Ownership Rules
There exists a risk that the constructive ownership rules of Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code could apply to your securities. If your notes were subject to the constructive ownership rules, then any long-term capital gain that you realize upon the sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of your notes would be re-characterized as ordinary income (and you would be subject to an interest charge on deferred tax liability with respect to such re-characterized capital gain) to the extent that such capital gain exceeds the amount of “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code). Because the application of the constructive ownership rules is unclear you are strongly urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the possible application of the constructive ownership rules to your investment in the notes.
Risks Relating To An Investment In Our Debt Securities, Including The Securities
The Securities Are Subject To Our Credit Risk.
The securities are our obligations and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any other third party. Any amounts payable under the securities are subject to our creditworthiness and you will have no ability to pursue the Fund or any securities included in the Fund for payment. As a result, our actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the value of the securities and, in the event we were to default on our obligations under the securities, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the securities.
Risks Relating To The Estimated Value Of The Securities And Any Secondary Market
The Estimated Value Of The Securities On The Pricing Date, Based On Jefferies LLC Proprietary Pricing Models At That Time And Our Internal Funding Rate, Will Be Less Than The Original Offering Price.
The difference is attributable to certain costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the securities that are included in the original offering price. These costs include (i) the selling concessions paid in connection with the offering of the securities, (ii) hedging and other costs incurred by us and our subsidiaries in connection with the offering of the securities and (iii) the expected profit (which may be more or less than actual profit) to Jefferies LLC or other of our subsidiaries in connection with hedging our obligations under the securities. These costs adversely affect the economic terms of the securities because, if they were lower, the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you. The economic terms of the securities are also likely to be adversely affected by the use of our internal funding rate, rather than our secondary market rate, to price the securities. See “The estimated value of the securities would be lower if it were calculated based on our secondary market rate” below.
The Estimated Value Of The Securities Was Determined For Us By Our Subsidiary Using Proprietary Pricing Models.
Jefferies LLC derived the estimated value disclosed on the cover page of this pricing supplement from its proprietary pricing models at that time. In doing so, it may have made discretionary judgments about the inputs to its models, such as the volatility of the Market Measure. Jefferies LLC’s views on these inputs and assumptions may differ from your or others’ views, and as an agent in this offering, Jefferies LLC’s interests may conflict with yours. Both the models and the inputs to the models may prove to be wrong and therefore not an accurate reflection of the value of the securities. Moreover, the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement may differ from the value that we or our subsidiaries may determine for the securities for other purposes,
including for accounting purposes. You should not invest in the securities because of the estimated value of the securities. Instead, you should be willing to hold the securities to maturity irrespective of the initial estimated value.
Since the estimated value of the securities is a function of the underlying assumptions and construction of Jefferies LLC’s proprietary derivative-pricing model, modifications to this model will impact the estimated value calculation. Jefferies LLC’s proprietary models are subject to ongoing review and modification, and Jefferies LLC may change them at any time and for a variety of reasons. In the event of a model change, prior descriptions of the model and computations based on the older model will be superseded, and calculations of estimated value under the new model may differ significantly from those under the older model. Further, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of a note with a particular return formula than on a similar note with a different return formula. For example, to the extent a return formula contains leverage, model changes may cause a larger impact on the estimated value of that note than on a similar note without such leverage.
The Estimated Value Of The Securities Would Be Lower If It Were Calculated Based On Our Secondary Market Rate.
The estimated value of the securities included in this pricing supplement is calculated based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate at which we are willing to borrow funds through the issuance of the securities. Our internal funding rate is generally lower than our secondary market rate, which is the rate that Jefferies LLC will use in determining the value of the securities for purposes of any purchases of the securities from you in the secondary market. If the estimated value included in this pricing supplement were based on our secondary market rate, rather than our internal funding rate, it would likely be lower. We determine our internal funding rate based on factors such as the costs associated with the securities, which are generally higher than the costs associated with conventional debt securities, and our liquidity needs and preferences. Our internal funding rate is not the same as the interest that is payable on the securities.
Because there is not an active market for traded instruments referencing our outstanding debt obligations, Jefferies LLC determines our secondary market rate based on the market price of traded instruments referencing our debt obligations, but subject to adjustments that Jefferies LLC makes in its sole discretion. As a result, our secondary market rate is not a market-determined measure of our creditworthiness, but rather reflects the market’s perception of our creditworthiness as adjusted for discretionary factors such as Jefferies LLC’s preferences with respect to purchasing the securities prior to maturity.
The Estimated Value Of The Securities Is Not An Indication Of The Price, If Any, At Which WFS, Jefferies LLC Or Any Other Person May Be Willing To Buy The Securities From You In The Secondary Market.
Any such secondary market price will fluctuate over the term of the securities based on the market and other factors described in the next risk factor. In addition, any secondary market price for the securities will be reduced by a bid-ask spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate stated principal amount of the securities to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding related hedging transactions. As a result, it is likely that any secondary market price for the securities will be less than the original offering price.
WFS has advised us that if it, WFA or any of their affiliates makes a secondary market in the securities at any time, the secondary market price offered by it, WFA or any of their affiliates will be affected by changes in market conditions and other factors described in the next risk factor. WFS has advised us that if it, WFA or any of their affiliates makes a secondary market in the securities at any time up to the issue date or during the 3-month period following the issue date, the secondary market price offered by it, WFA or any of their affiliates will be increased by an amount reflecting a portion of the costs associated with selling, structuring and hedging the securities that are included in their original offering price. Because this portion of the costs is not fully deducted upon issuance, WFS has advised us that any secondary market price it, WFA or any of their affiliates offers during this period will be higher than it otherwise would be after this period, as any secondary market price offered after this period will reflect the full deduction of the costs as described above. WFS has advised us that the amount of this increase in the secondary market price will decline steadily to zero over this 3-month period. WFS has advised us that, if you hold the securities through an account with WFS, WFA or any of their affiliates, WFS expects that this increase will also be reflected in the value indicated for the securities on your brokerage account statement. If you hold your securities through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS, WFA or any of their affiliates, the value of the securities on your brokerage account statement may be different than if you held your securities at WFS, WFA or any of their affiliates.
The Value Of The Securities Prior To Stated Maturity Will Be Affected By Numerous Factors, Some Of Which Are Related In Complex Ways.
The value of the securities prior to stated maturity will be affected by the then-current price of the Fund, interest rates at that time and a number of other factors, some of which are interrelated in complex ways. The effect of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The following factors, which we refer to as the “derivative component factors,” and which are described in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, are expected to affect the value of the securities: Fund performance; interest rates; volatility of the Fund; time remaining to maturity; and dividend yields on the Fund and securities included in the Fund. When we refer to the “value” of your security, we mean the value you could receive for your security if you are able to sell it in the open market before the stated maturity date.
In addition to the derivative component factors, the value of the securities will be affected by actual or anticipated changes in our creditworthiness. The value of the securities will also be limited by the automatic call feature because if the securities are automatically called, the return will not be greater than the applicable call premium. You should understand that the impact of one of the factors specified above, such as a change in interest rates, may offset some or all of any change in the value of the securities attributable to another factor, such as a change in the price of the Fund. Because numerous factors are expected to affect the value of the securities, changes in the price of the Fund may not result in a comparable change in the value of the securities.
The Securities Will Not Be Listed On Any Securities Exchange And We Do Not Expect A Trading Market For The Securities To Develop.
The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Although the agents and/or their respective affiliates may purchase the securities from holders, they are not obligated to do so and are not required to make a market for the securities. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop. Because we do not expect that any market makers will participate in a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to sell your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which the agents are willing to buy your securities. If a secondary market does exist, it may be limited. Accordingly, there may be a limited number of buyers if you decide to sell your securities prior to stated maturity. This may affect the price you receive upon such sale. Consequently, you should be willing to hold the securities to stated maturity.
Risks Relating To The Fund
The Stocks Held By The Fund Are Concentrated In One Sector.
The Fund holds securities issued by companies in the energy sector. As a result, the stocks that will determine the performance of the securities are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the securities will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the Fund, the return on an investment in the securities will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in this sector. Accordingly, by investing in the securities, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.
Adverse Conditions In The Energy Sector May Reduce Your Return On The Securities.
All of the stocks held by the Fund are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the energy sector. Issuers in energy-related industries can be significantly affected by fluctuations in energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels. Markets for various energy-related commodities can have significant volatility, and are subject to control or manipulation by large producers or purchasers. Companies in the energy sector may need to make substantial expenditures, and to incur significant amounts of debt, in order to maintain or expand their reserves. Oil and gas exploration and production can be significantly affected by natural disasters as well as changes in exchange rates, interest rates, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. These companies may be at risk for environmental damage claims. As a result of these factors, the value of the securities may be subject to greater volatility and be more adversely affected by economic, political, or regulatory events relating to the energy sector.
The Stocks Of Companies In The Energy Sector Are Subject To Swift Price Fluctuations.
The issuers of the stocks held by the Fund develop and produce, among other things, crude oil and natural gas, and provide, among other things, drilling services and other services related to energy resources production and distribution. Stock prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for energy products in general. The price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Correspondingly, the stocks of companies in the energy sector are subject to swift price fluctuations caused by events relating to international politics, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Weak demand for the companies’ products or services or for energy products and services in general, as well as negative developments in these other areas, would adversely impact the value of the stocks held by the Fund and, therefore, the price of the Fund and the value of the securities.
Any Payments On The Securities And Whether The Securities Are Automatically Called Will Depend Upon The Performance Of The Fund And Therefore The Securities Are Subject To The Following Risks, Each As Discussed In More Detail In The Accompanying Product Supplement.
| • | Investing In The Securities Is Not The Same As Investing In The Fund. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the Fund. As an investor in the securities, your return will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned and held shares of the Fund or the securities included in the Fund for a period similar to the term of the securities because you will not receive any dividend payments, distributions or any other payments paid on those securities. As a holder of the securities, you will not have any voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Fund or the securities included in the Fund would have. |
| • | Historical Prices Of The Fund Should Not Be Taken As An Indication Of The Future Performance Of The Fund During The Term Of The Securities. |
| • | Changes That Affect The Fund Or Its Fund Underlying Index May Adversely Affect The Value Of The Securities And Any Payments On The Securities. |
| • | We Cannot Control Actions By Any Of The Unaffiliated Companies Whose Securities Are Included In The Fund Or Its Fund Underlying Index. |
| • | We And Our Subsidiaries Have No Affiliation With The Fund Sponsor Or Fund Underlying Index Sponsor And Have Not Independently Verified Their Public Disclosure Of Information. |
| • | An Investment Linked To The Shares Of The Fund Is Different From An Investment Linked To Its Fund Underlying Index. |
| • | There Are Risks Associated With A Fund. |
| • | Anti-dilution Adjustments Relating To The Shares Of A Fund Do Not Address Every Event That Could Affect Such Shares. |
Risks Relating To Conflicts Of Interest
Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests.
You should be aware of the following ways in which our economic interests and those of any dealer participating in the distribution of the securities, which we refer to as a “participating dealer,” are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. In engaging in certain of the activities described below and as discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, our subsidiaries or any participating dealer or its affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities. Our subsidiaries or any participating dealer or its affiliates may realize a profit from these activities even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return on the securities.
| • | The calculation agent is our subsidiary and may be required to make discretionary judgments that affect the return you receive on the securities. JFSI, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group Inc., will be the calculation agent for the securities. As calculation agent, JFSI will determine any values of the Fund and make any other determinations necessary to calculate any payments on the securities. In making these determinations, JFSI may be required to make discretionary judgments that may adversely affect any payments on the securities. See the sections entitled “General Terms of the Securities— Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Fund—Market Disruption Events,”—Adjustments to an Fund” and “—Discontinuance of an Fund” in the accompanying product supplement. In making these discretionary judgments, the fact that JFSI is our subsidiary may cause it to have economic interests that are adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities, and JFSI’s determinations as calculation agent may adversely affect your return on the securities. |
| • | Research reports by our subsidiaries or any participating dealer or its affiliates may be inconsistent with an investment in the securities and may adversely affect the price of the Fund. |
| • | Business activities of our subsidiaries or any participating dealer or its affiliates with the companies whose securities are included in the Fund may adversely affect the price of the Fund. |
| • | Hedging activities by our subsidiaries or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the price of the Fund. |
| • | Trading activities by our subsidiaries or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the price of the Fund. |
| • | A participating dealer or its affiliates may realize hedging profits projected by its proprietary pricing models in addition to any selling concession and/or distribution expense fee, creating a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the securities to you. |
| Hypothetical Examples and Returns |
The payout profile, return table and examples below illustrate hypothetical payments upon an automatic call or at maturity for a $1,000 face amount security on a hypothetical offering of securities under various scenarios, with the assumptions set forth in the table below. The terms used for purposes of these hypothetical examples do not represent the actual starting price or threshold price. The hypothetical starting price of $100.00 has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting price. The actual starting price and threshold price will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth under “Terms of the Securities” above. For historical data regarding the actual closing prices of the Fund, see the historical information set forth herein. The payout profile, return table and examples below assume that an investor purchases the securities for $1,000 per security. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The actual amount you receive at stated maturity or upon automatic call and resulting pre-tax total rate of return will depend on the actual terms of the securities.
| | Hypothetical Call Premium: | | 14.00% (assuming that the call premium is equal to the lowest possible call premium that will be determined on the pricing date) |
| | Upside Participation Rate | | 125% |
| | Hypothetical Starting Price: | | $100.00 |
| | Hypothetical Threshold Price: | | $90.00 (90% of the hypothetical starting price) |
| | Buffer Amount: | | 10% |
Hypothetical Payout Profile
Hypothetical Returns
If the securities are automatically called:
If the securities are automatically called prior to stated maturity, you will receive the face amount of your securities plus the call premium, resulting in a hypothetical pre-tax total rate of return of 14.00%.
If the securities are not automatically called:
Hypothetical ending price | Hypothetical fund return(1) | Hypothetical maturity payment amount per security | Hypothetical pre-tax total rate of return(2) |
| $200.00 | 100.00% | $2,250.00 | 125.00% |
| $175.00 | 75.00% | $1,937.50 | 93.75% |
| $150.00 | 50.00% | $1,625.00 | 62.50% |
| $140.00 | 40.00% | $1,500.00 | 50.00% |
| $130.00 | 30.00% | $1,375.00 | 37.50% |
| $120.00 | 20.00% | $1,250.00 | 25.00% |
| $110.00 | 10.00% | $1,125.00 | 12.50% |
| $105.00 | 5.00% | $1,062.50 | 6.25% |
| $100.00 | 0.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
| $95.00 | -5.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
| $90.00 | -10.00% | $1,000.00 | 0.00% |
| $89.00 | -11.00% | $990.00 | -1.00% |
| $75.00 | -25.00% | $850.00 | -15.00% |
| $50.00 | -50.00% | $600.00 | -40.00% |
| $25.00 | -75.00% | $350.00 | -65.00% |
| $0.00 | -100.00% | $100.00 | -90.00% |
| (1) | The fund return is equal to the percentage change from the starting price to the ending price (i.e., the ending price minus starting price, divided by starting price). |
| (2) | The hypothetical pre-tax total rate of return is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the payment per security upon automatic call or at stated maturity to the face amount of $1,000. |
Hypothetical Examples Of Payment Upon An Automatic Call Or At Maturity
Example 1. The fund closing price of the Fund on the call date is greater than the starting price, and the securities are automatically called on the call date:
| | | Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund |
| | Hypothetical starting price: | $100.00 |
| | Hypothetical fund closing price on the call date: | $125.00 |
Because the hypothetical fund closing price of the Fund on the call date is greater than the hypothetical starting price, the securities are automatically called on the call date and you will receive on the related call settlement date the face amount of your securities plus a call premium of 14.00% of the face amount. Even though the Fund appreciated by 25.00% from the starting price to its fund closing price on the call date in this example, your return is limited to the call premium of 14.00%.
On the call settlement date, you would receive $1,140.00 per security.
Example 2. The securities are not automatically called. The ending price is greater than the starting price and the maturity payment amount is greater than the face amount:
| | | Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund |
| | Hypothetical starting price: | $100.00 |
| | Hypothetical fund closing price on the call date: | $75.00 |
| | Hypothetical ending price: | $110.00 |
| | Hypothetical threshold price: | $90.00, which is 90.00% of the hypothetical starting price |
| | Hypothetical fund return (ending price – starting price)/starting price: | 10.00% |
Because the hypothetical fund closing price of the Fund on the call date is less than the hypothetical starting price, the securities are not automatically called. Because the hypothetical ending price is greater than the hypothetical starting price, the maturity payment amount per security would be equal to the face amount of $1,000 plus a positive return equal to:
$1,000 × fund return × upside participation rate
$1,000 × 10.00% × 125%
= $125.00
On the stated maturity date, you would receive $1,125.00 per security
Example 3. The securities are not automatically called. The ending price is less than the starting price but greater than the threshold price and the maturity payment amount is equal to the face amount:
| | | Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund |
| | Hypothetical starting price: | $100.00 |
| | Hypothetical fund closing price on the call date: | $75.00 |
| | Hypothetical ending price: | $95.00 |
| | Hypothetical threshold price: | $90.00, which is 90.00% of the hypothetical starting price |
| | Hypothetical fund return (ending price – starting price)/starting price: | -5.00% |
Because the hypothetical fund closing price of the Fund on the call date is less than the hypothetical starting price, the securities are not automatically called. Because the hypothetical ending price is less than the hypothetical starting price, but not by more than the buffer amount, you would receive the face amount of your securities at maturity.
On the stated maturity date, you would receive $1,000.00 per security.
Example 4. The securities are not automatically called. The ending price is less than the threshold price and the maturity payment amount is less than the face amount:
| | | Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund |
| | Hypothetical starting price: | $100.00 |
| | Hypothetical fund closing price on the call date: | $75.00 |
| | Hypothetical ending price: | $50.00 |
| | Hypothetical threshold price: | $90.00, which is 90.00% of the hypothetical starting price |
| | Hypothetical fund return (ending price – starting price)/starting price: | -50.00% |
Because the hypothetical fund closing price of the Fund on the call date is less than the hypothetical starting price, the securities are not automatically called. Because the hypothetical ending price is less than the hypothetical starting price by more than the buffer amount, you would lose a portion of the face amount of your securities and receive the maturity payment amount equal to:
$1,000 + [$1,000 × (fund return + buffer amount)]
$1,000 + [ $1,000 × (-50.00% + 10%)]
= $600.00
On the stated maturity date you would receive $600.00 per security.
All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Market Measure, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA”), the investment advisor of the Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund (the “fund sponsor”). The fund sponsor, which licenses the copyright and all other rights to the Market Measure, has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Market Measure. The consequences of the fund sponsor discontinuing publication of the Market Measure are discussed in “General Terms of the Securities—Discontinuance of an Fund” in the accompanying product supplement. None of us, the calculation agent, or Jefferies LLC accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Market Measure or any successor fund. None of us, the calculation agent, Jefferies LLC or any of our other affiliates makes any representation to you as to the future performance of the Market Measure. You should make your own investigation into the Market Measure.
The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund |
The shares of the XLE are issued by Select Sector SPDR® Trust, a registered investment company. The XLE seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Energy Select Sector Index, its Underlying Index. The Energy Select Sector Index measures the performance of the energy sector of the U.S. equity market. The XLE is composed of equity securities of companies in the oil, gas and consumable fuel, energy equipment and services industries. The XLE trades on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XLE.”
Investment Approach
The XLE utilizes a “passive” or “indexing” investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the Energy Select Sector Index. The XLE will invest in substantially all of the securities which comprise the Energy Select Sector Index. The XLE will normally invest at least 95% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Energy Select Sector Index.
Investment Objective and Strategy
The XLE seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Energy Select Sector Index. The investment manager of the XLE uses a replication strategy to try to achieve the XLE’s investment objective, which means that the XLE generally invests in substantially all of the securities represented in the Energy Select Sector Index in approximately the same proportions as the Energy Select Sector Index. Under normal market conditions, the XLE generally invests at least 95% of its total assets in the securities comprising the Energy Select Sector Index. In certain situations or market conditions, the XLE may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies provided that the alternative is consistent with the XLE’s investment objective and is in the best interest of the XLE. For example, if the XLE is unable to invest directly in a component security or if a derivative investment may provide higher liquidity than other types of investments, it may make larger than normal investments in derivatives to maintain exposure to the Energy Select Sector Index that it tracks. Consequently, under such circumstances, the XLE may invest in a different mix of investments than it would under normal circumstances. The XLE will provide shareholders with at least 60 days notice prior to any material change in its investment policies. The XLE is managed with a passive investment strategy, attempting to track the performance of an unmanaged index of securities. This differs from an actively managed underlying, which typically seeks to outperform a Benchmark Index.
Notwithstanding the XLE’s investment objective, the return on your Notes will not reflect any dividends paid on shares of the XLE, on the securities purchased by the XLE or on the securities that comprise the Energy Select Sector Index.
The Select Sector Indices
The Underlying Index of the XLE is part of the Select Sector Indices. The Select Sector Indices are sub-indices of the S&P 500® Index (“SPX”). Each stock in the SPX is allocated to at least one Select Sector Index, and the combined companies of the eleven Select Sector Indices represent all of the companies in the SPX. The industry indices are sub-categories within each Select Sector Index and represent a specific industry segment of the overall Select Sector Index. The eleven Select Sector Indices seek to represent the eleven SPX sectors. The index compilation agent for these indices (the “Index Compilation Agent”) determines the composition of the Select Sector Indices based on S&P’s sector classification methodology. (Sector designations are determined by the index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed. Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.
Each Select Sector Index was developed and is maintained in accordance with the following criteria:
| • | Each of the component stocks in a Select Sector Index (the “Component Stocks”) is a constituent company of the SPX. |
| • | The eleven Select Sector Indices together will include all of the companies represented in the SPX and each of the stocks in the SPX will be allocated to at least one of the Select Sector Indices. |
| • | The Index Compilation Agent assigns each constituent stock of the SPX to a Select Sector Index. The Index Compilation Agent assigns a company’s stock to a particular Select Sector Index based on S&P Dow Jones Indices’s sector classification methodology as set forth in its Global Industry Classification Standard. |
| • | Each Select Sector Index is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices using a modified “market capitalization” methodology. This design ensures that each of the component stocks within a Select Sector Index is represented in a proportion consistent with its percentage with respect to the total market capitalization of that Select Sector Index. |
For reweighting purposes, each Select Sector Index is rebalanced quarterly after the close of business on the second to last calculation day of March, June, September and December using the following procedures: (1) The rebalancing reference date is two business days prior to the last calculation day of each quarter; and (2) With prices reflected on the rebalancing reference date, and membership, shares outstanding, additional weight factor (capping factor) and investable weight factors (as described in the section “Computation of the S&P 500 Index®” below) as of the rebalancing effective date, each company is weighted using the modified market capitalization methodology. Modifications are made as defined below.
| (i) | The indices are first evaluated to ensure none of the indices breach the maximum allowable limits defined in rules (ii) and (v) below. If any of the allowable limits are breached, the component stocks are reweighted based on their float-adjusted market capitalization weights. |
| (ii) | If any component stock has a weight greater than 24%, that component stock has its float-adjusted market capitalization weight capped at 23%. The 23% weight cap creates a 2% buffer to ensure that no component stock exceeds 25% as of the quarter-end diversification requirement date. |
| (iii) | All excess weight is equally redistributed to all uncapped component stocks within the relevant Select Sector Index. |
| (iv) | After this redistribution, if the float-adjusted market capitalization weight of any other component stock(s) then breaches 23%, the process is repeated iteratively until no component stock breaches the 23% weight cap. |
| (v) | The sum of the component stocks with weight greater than 4.8% cannot exceed 50% of the total index weight. These caps are set to allow for a buffer below the 5% limit. |
| (vi) | If the rule in step (v) is breached, all the component stocks are ranked in descending order of their float-adjusted market capitalization weights and the first component stock that causes the 50% limit to be breached has its weight reduced to 4.6%. |
| (vii) | This excess weight is equally redistributed to all component stocks with weights below 4.6%. This process is repeated iteratively until step (v) is satisfied. |
| (viii) | Index share amounts are assigned to each component stock to arrive at the weights calculated above. Since index shares are assigned based on prices one business day prior to rebalancing, the actual weight of each component stock at the rebalancing differs somewhat from these weights due to market movements. |
| (ix) | If necessary, the reweighting process may take place more than once prior to the close on the last business day of March, June, September or December to ensure conformity with all diversification requirements. |
| • | Each Select Sector Index is calculated using the same methodology utilized by S&P Dow Jones Indices in calculating the SPX, using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The daily calculation of each Select Sector Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the companies in the Select Sector Index by a number called the index divisor. |
| • | The Index Compilation Agent at any time may determine that a Component Stock which has been assigned to one Select Sector Index has undergone such a transformation in the composition of its business, and should be removed from that Select Sector Index and assigned to a different Select Sector Index. In the event that the Index Compilation Agent notifies S&P Dow Jones Indices that a Component Stock’s Select Sector Index assignment should be changed, S&P Dow Jones Indices will disseminate notice of the change following its standard procedure for announcing index changes and will implement the change in the affected Select Sector Indices on a date no less than one week after the initial dissemination of information on the sector change to the maximum extent practicable. It is not anticipated that Component Stocks will change sectors frequently. |
| • | Component Stocks removed from and added to the SPX will be deleted from and added to the appropriate Select Sector Index on the same schedule used by S&P Dow Jones Indices for additions and deletions from the SPX insofar as practicable. |
The S&P 500® Index
The S&P 500® Index (the “SPX) includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The SPX is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement. The calculation of the level of the SPX is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.
The SPX includes companies from eleven main groups: Communication Services; Consumer Discretionary; Consumer Staples; Energy; Financials; Health Care; Industrials; Information Technology; Real Estate; Materials; and Utilities. SPDJI may from time to time, in its sole discretion, add companies to, or delete companies from, the SPX to achieve the objectives stated above.
Company additions to the SPX must have an unadjusted company market capitalization of $18.0 billion or more (an increase from the previous requirement of an unadjusted company market capitalization of $15.8 billion or more).
SPDJI calculates the SPX by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the SPX constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.
Computation of the SPX
While SPDJI currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX, no assurance can be given that SPDJI will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect payment on the notes.
Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, SPDJI began shifting the SPX halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. SPDJI’s criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company’s weight in the SPX.
Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company’s outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.
In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock’s outstanding shares, other than holdings by “block owners,” were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX. Generally, these “control holders” will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.
Treasury stock, stock options, restricted shares, equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block. If a company has multiple classes of stock outstanding, shares in an unlisted or non-traded class are treated as a control block.
For each stock, an investable weight factor (“IWF”) is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company’s officers and directors hold 3% of the company’s shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company’s shares, SPDJI would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company’s officers and directors hold 3% of the company’s shares and another control group holds 20% of the company’s shares, SPDJI would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company’s outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX. Constituents of the SPX prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines will be grandfathered in and continue to be included in the SPX. If a constituent company of the SPX reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.
The SPX is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX reflects the total market value of all component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this
calculation in order to make the level easier to work with and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941- 43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the SPX is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the “index divisor.” By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the SPX, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the SPX. The index divisor keeps the SPX comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX, which is index maintenance.
Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructuring or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the SPX, and do not require index divisor adjustments.
To prevent the level of the SPX from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the SPX require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the SPX. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX closing level.
Changes in a company’s shares outstanding of 5.00% or more due to mergers, acquisitions, public offerings, tender offers, Dutch auctions, or exchange offers are made as soon as reasonably possible. Share changes due to mergers or acquisitions of publicly held companies that trade on a major exchange are implemented when the transaction occurs, even if both of the companies are not in the same headline index, and regardless of the size of the change. All other changes of 5.00% or more (due to, for example, company stock repurchases, private placements, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, Notes, debt, equity participation units, at-the-market offerings, or other recapitalizations) are made weekly and are announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading on the following Friday.
Changes of less than 5.00% are accumulated and made quarterly on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December, and are usually announced two to five days prior.
If a change in a company’s shares outstanding of 5.00% or more causes a company’s IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case by case basis.
Historical Information
We obtained the closing prices of the Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund in the graph below from Bloomberg L.P., without independent verification.
The following graph sets forth daily closing prices of the Fund for the period from January 1, 2017 to September 26, 2024. The closing price on September 26, 2024 was $85.45. The historical performance of the Fund should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Fund during the term of the securities.
| SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES |
The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying product supplement.
The following section is the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP, our counsel. In addition, it is the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP that the characterization of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes that will be required under the terms of the securities, as discussed below, is a reasonable interpretation of current law.
This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules, such as:
| ■ | a dealer in securities or currencies; |
| ■ | a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for your securities holdings; |
| ■ | a life insurance company; |
| ■ | a tax exempt organization; |
| ■ | a regulated investment company; |
| ■ | an accrual method taxpayer subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of its use of financial statements; |
| ■ | a person that owns a security as a hedge or that is hedged against interest rate risks; |
| ■ | a person that owns a security as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes; or |
| ■ | a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar. |
Although this section is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, no statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly addresses how your securities should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and as a result, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in your securities are uncertain. Moreover, these laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
| | You should consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and any other applicable tax consequences of your investments in the securities, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws. | |
U.S. Holders
This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder that holds your securities as a capital asset for tax purposes. You are a “U.S. Holder” if you are a beneficial owner of each of your securities and you are:
| ■ | a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| ■ | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or |
| ■ | a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust. |
Tax Treatment
You will be obligated pursuant to the terms of the securities — in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary — to characterize your securities for all tax purposes as pre-paid derivative contracts in respect of the Fund. Except as otherwise stated below, the discussion herein assumes that the securities will be so treated.
Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of your securities, you should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash you receive at such time and your tax basis in your securities. Your tax basis in the securities will generally be equal to the amount that you paid for the securities. If you hold your securities for more than one year, the gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss. If you hold your securities for one year or less, the gain or loss generally will be short-term capital gain or loss. Short-term capital gains are generally subject to tax at the marginal tax rates applicable to ordinary income.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of the Fund would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code. If the issuer of the Fund was so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a U.S. Holder of the securities. You should refer to information filed with the SEC by the issuer of the Fund and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if the issuer of the Fund is or becomes a PFIC.
In addition, the constructive ownership rules of Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code could possibly apply to your notes. If your notes were subject to the constructive ownership rules, then any long-term capital gain that you realize upon the sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of your notes would be re-characterized as ordinary income (and you would be subject to an interest charge on
deferred tax liability with respect to such re-characterized capital gain) to the extent that such capital gain exceeds the amount of “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Internal Revenue Code). Because the application of the constructive ownership rules is unclear you are strongly urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the possible application of the constructive ownership rules to your investment in the notes.
No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how your securities should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the securities are uncertain and alternative characterizations are possible. Accordingly, we urge you to consult your tax advisor in determining the tax consequences of an investment in your securities in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
Alternative Treatments
There is no judicial or administrative authority discussing how your securities should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the IRS might assert that a treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, the IRS could treat your securities as a single debt instrument subject to special rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. Under those rules, the amount of interest you are required to take into account for each accrual period would be determined by constructing a projected payment schedule for the securities and applying rules similar to those for accruing original issue discount on a hypothetical noncontingent debt instrument with that projected payment schedule. This method is applied by first determining the comparable yield – i.e., the yield at which we would issue a noncontingent fixed rate debt instrument with terms and conditions similar to your securities – and then determining a payment schedule as of the issue date that would produce the comparable yield. These rules may have the effect of requiring you to include interest in income in respect of your securities prior to your receipt of cash attributable to that income.
If the rules governing contingent payment debt instruments apply, any gain you recognize upon the sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of your securities would be treated as ordinary interest income. Any loss you recognize at that time would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of interest you included as income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of your securities, and, thereafter, as capital loss.
If the rules governing contingent payment debt instruments apply, special rules would apply to a person who purchases securities at a price other than the adjusted issue price as determined for tax purposes.
It is possible that your securities could be treated in the manner described above, except that any gain or loss that you recognize at maturity or upon redemption would be treated as ordinary income or loss. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of your securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
It is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize your securities in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described above. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of any possible alternative characterizations of your securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Possible Change in Law
On December 7, 2007, the IRS released a notice stating that the IRS and the Treasury Department are actively considering issuing guidance regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of an instrument such as the securities, including whether holders should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis and whether gain or loss should be ordinary or capital. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the securities will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury Department are also considering other relevant issues, including whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code might be applied to such instruments. Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, we intend to continue treating the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described above under “Tax Treatment” unless and until such time as Congress, the Treasury Department or the IRS determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.
Furthermore, in 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if enacted, would have required holders that acquired instruments such as your securities after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of such instruments even though there will be no interest payments over the term of such instruments. It is not possible to predict whether a similar or identical bill will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your securities.
It is impossible to predict what any such legislation or administrative or regulatory guidance might provide, and whether the effective date of any legislation or guidance will affect securities that were issued before the date that such legislation or guidance is issued. You are urged to consult your tax advisor as to the possibility that any legislative or administrative action may adversely affect the tax treatment of your securities.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
You will be subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements as discussed in the accompanying prospectus supplement under “United States Federal Taxation — U.S. Holders — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” with respect to payments on your securities and, notwithstanding that we do not intend to treat the securities as debt for tax purposes, we intend to backup withhold on such payments with respect to your securities unless you comply with the requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding on debt instruments (in which case you will not be subject to such backup withholding) as set forth under “United States Federal Taxation — U.S. Holders — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus. Please see the discussion under “United States Federal Taxation — U.S. Holders — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus supplement for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on your securities.
Non-U.S. Holders
This section applies to you only if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. You are a “Non-U.S. Holder” if you are the beneficial owner of securities and are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ■ | a nonresident alien individual; |
| ■ | a foreign corporation; or |
| ■ | an estate or trust that in either case is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis on income or gain from the securities. |
The term “Non-U.S. Holder” does not include any of the following holders:
| ■ | a holder who is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and who is not otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| ■ | certain former citizens or residents of the United States; or |
| ■ | a holder for whom income or gain in respect of the securities is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States. |
Such holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of the Fund would be treated as a “United States real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”), within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code. If the issuer of the Fund was so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a Non-U.S. Holder of the securities. You should refer to information filed with the SEC by the issuer of the Fund and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if the issuer of the Fund is or becomes a USRPHC.
You will be subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements as discussed in the accompanying prospectus supplement under “United States Federal Taxation — Non-U.S. Holders — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” with respect to payments on your securities and, notwithstanding that we do not intend to treat the securities as debt for tax purposes, we intend to backup withhold on such payments with respect to your securities unless you comply with the requirements necessary to avoid backup withholding on debt instruments (in which case you will not be subject to such backup withholding) as set forth under “United States Federal Taxation — Non-U.S. Holders — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization of the securities, by reason of a change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments with respect to the securities to become subject to withholding tax, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate and we will not make payments of any additional amounts. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders of the securities should consult their tax advisors in this regard.
Furthermore, on December 7, 2007, the IRS released Notice 2008-2 soliciting comments from the public on various issues, including whether instruments such as your securities should be subject to withholding. It is therefore possible that rules will be issued in the future, possibly with retroactive effect, that would cause payments on your securities to be subject to withholding, even if you comply with certification requirements as to your foreign status.
In addition, the Treasury Department has issued regulations under which amounts paid or deemed paid on certain financial instruments (“871(m) financial instruments”) that are treated as attributable to U.S.-source dividends could be treated, in whole or in part depending on the circumstances, as a “dividend equivalent” payment that is subject to tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable treaty), which in the case of amounts you receive upon sale, exchange, redemption or maturity of your securities, could be collected via withholding. If these regulations were to apply to the securities, we may be required to withhold such taxes if any U.S.-source dividends are paid on the Fund during the term of the securities. We could also require you to make certifications (e.g., an applicable IRS Form W-8) prior to the maturity of the securities in order to avoid or minimize withholding obligations, and we could
withhold accordingly (subject to your potential right to claim a refund from the IRS) if such certifications were not received or were not satisfactory. If withholding was required, we would not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld. These regulations generally will apply to 871(m) financial instruments (or a combination of financial instruments treated as having been entered into in connection with each other) issued (or significantly modified and treated as retired and reissued) on or after January 1, 2027, but will also apply to certain 871(m) financial instruments (or a combination of financial instruments treated as having been entered into in connection with each other) that have a delta (as defined in the applicable Treasury regulations) of one and are issued (or significantly modified and treated as retired and reissued) on or after January 1, 2017. In addition, these regulations will not apply to financial instruments that reference a “qualified index” (as defined in the regulations). We have determined that, as of the issue date of your securities, your securities will not be subject to withholding under these rules. In certain limited circumstances, however, you should be aware that it is possible for Non-U.S. Holders to be liable for tax under these rules with respect to a combination of transactions treated as having been entered into in connection with each other even when no withholding is required. You should consult your tax advisor concerning these regulations, subsequent official guidance and regarding any other possible alternative characterizations of your securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual Non-U.S. Holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, a security is likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in a security.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a gross-basis withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify or supplement these requirements. This legislation generally applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” (“FDAP”) income. Current provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations that govern FATCA treat gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of obligations that can produce U.S.-source interest or FDAP income as subject to FATCA withholding. However, under recently proposed Treasury regulations, such gross proceeds would not be subject to FATCA withholding. In its preamble to such proposed regulations, the Treasury Department and the IRS have stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed Treasury regulations until final Treasury regulations are issued. We will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Both U.S. and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of FATCA to the securities.
The validity of the securities is being passed on for us by Sidley Austin LLP, New York, New York.
On September 25, 2024, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. announced its financial results for its fiscal third quarter of 2024:
Highlights for the three months ended August 31, 2024:
| • | Investment Banking Net Revenues of $949 million |
| • | Capital Markets Net Revenues of $671 million |
| • | Asset Management Net Revenues of $59 million |
| • | Income Before Income Taxes of $253 million |
| • | Net Income of $167 million (reflects a 30.9% effective tax rate) |
Highlights for the nine months ended August 31, 2024:
| • | Investment Banking Net Revenues of $2.49 billion |
| • | Capital Markets Net Revenues of $2.07 billion |
| • | Asset Management Net Revenues of $489 million |
| • | Income Before Income Taxes of $701 million |
| • | Net Income of $463 million (reflects a 29.6% effective tax rate) |
Amounts herein pertaining to August 31, 2024 represent a preliminary estimate as of the date of the earnings release and may be revised in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2024.
The above preliminary financial data included in this pricing supplement has been prepared by and is the responsibility of Jefferies’ management. Deloitte & Touche LLP, Jefferies’ independent public accountant, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying preliminary financial data. Accordingly, Deloitte & Touche LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.
PRS-26
