424B2 1 gs-424b2.htm 424B2 gs-424b2.htm

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement No. 333-253421

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

 

Subject to Completion. Dated September 17, 2021.

GS Finance Corp.

$

Index-Linked Notes due      

guaranteed by

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

The notes do not bear interest. The amount that you will be paid on your notes on the stated maturity date (expected to be September 20, 2024) is based on the lesser performing of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®, the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index and the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM as measured from the trade date (expected to be September 17, 2021) to and including the determination date (expected to be September 17, 2024).

If the final level of each index on the determination date is greater than or equal to its initial level (set on the trade date and may be higher or lower than the actual closing level of such index on that date), the return on your notes will be positive or zero and will equal the participation rate of at least 1.21 (set on the trade date) times the index return of the lesser performing index.

If the final level of any index is less than its initial level, but the final level of each index is greater than or equal to 80% of its initial level, you will receive the face amount of your notes.

If the final level of any index is less than 80% of its initial level, the return on your notes will be negative.

The amount that you will be paid on your notes at maturity is based on the performance of the index with the lowest index return. The index return for each index is the percentage increase or decrease in the final level of such index from its initial level. On the stated maturity date, for each $1,000 face amount of your notes, you will receive an amount in cash equal to:

if the index return of each index is greater than or equal to 0% (the final level of each index is greater than or equal to its initial level), the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the participation rate times (c) the lesser performing index return;

if the index return of any index is less than 0% but the index return of each index is greater than or equal to -20% (the final level of any index is less than its initial level but the final level of each index is greater than or equal to 80% of its initial level), $1,000; or

if the index return of any index is less than -20% (the final level of any index is less than 80% of its initial level), the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) the lesser performing index return times (b) $1,000. You will receive less than 80% of the face amount of your notes.

You should read the disclosure herein to better understand the terms and risks of your investment, including the credit risk of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. See page PS-11.

The estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date is expected to be between $925 and $955 per $1,000 face amount. For a discussion of the estimated value and the price at which Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC would initially buy or sell your notes, if it makes a market in the notes, see the following page.

Original issue date:

expected to be September 22, 2021

Original issue price:

100% of the face amount

Underwriting discount:

   % of the face amount

Net proceeds to the issuer:

    % of the face amount

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The notes are not bank deposits and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank.

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Pricing Supplement No.      dated         , 2021.

 

 


 

 

The issue price, underwriting discount and net proceeds listed above relate to the notes we sell initially. We may decide to sell additional notes after the date of this pricing supplement, at issue prices and with underwriting discounts and net proceeds that differ from the amounts set forth above. The return (whether positive or negative) on your investment in notes will depend in part on the issue price you pay for such notes.

GS Finance Corp. may use this prospectus in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or any other affiliate of GS Finance Corp. may use this prospectus in a market-making transaction in a note after its initial sale. Unless GS Finance Corp. or its agent informs the purchaser otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this prospectus is being used in a market-making transaction.

Estimated Value of Your Notes

The estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (GS&Co.) and taking into account our credit spreads) is expected to be between $925 and $955 per $1,000 face amount, which is less than the original issue price. The value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted; however, the price (not including GS&Co.s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would initially buy or sell notes (if it makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) and the value that GS&Co. will initially use for account statements and otherwise is equal to approximately the estimated value of your notes at the time of pricing, plus an additional amount (initially equal to $     per $1,000 face amount).

Prior to        , the price (not including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if it makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) will equal approximately the sum of (a) the then-current estimated value of your notes (as determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models) plus (b) any remaining additional amount (the additional amount will decline to zero on a straight-line basis from the time of pricing through         ). On and after        , the price (not including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if it makes a market) will equal approximately the then-current estimated value of your notes determined by reference to such pricing models.

 

About Your Prospectus

The notes are part of the Medium-Term Notes, Series F program of GS Finance Corp. and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. This prospectus includes this pricing supplement and the accompanying documents listed below. This pricing supplement constitutes a supplement to the documents listed below, does not set forth all of the terms of your notes and therefore should be read in conjunction with such documents:

General terms supplement no. 2,913 dated June 17, 2021

Prospectus supplement dated March 22, 2021

Prospectus dated March 22, 2021

The information in this pricing supplement supersedes any conflicting information in the documents listed above. In addition, some of the terms or features described in the listed documents may not apply to your notes.

We refer to the notes we are offering by this pricing supplement as the “offered notes” or the “notes”. Each of the offered notes has the terms described below. Please note that in this pricing supplement, references to “GS Finance Corp.”, “we”, “our” and “us” mean only GS Finance Corp. and do not include its subsidiaries or affiliates, references to “The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.”, our parent company, mean only The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and do not include its subsidiaries or affiliates and references to “Goldman Sachs” mean The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, including us. The notes will be issued under the senior debt indenture, dated as of October 10, 2008, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 20, 2015, each among us, as issuer, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., as guarantor, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. This indenture, as so supplemented and as further supplemented thereafter, is referred to as the “GSFC 2008 indenture” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

The notes will be issued in book-entry form and represented by master note no. 3, dated March 22, 2021.

 

 

PS-2


 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

CUSIP / ISIN: 40057JL53 / US40057JL539

Company (Issuer): GS Finance Corp.

Guarantor: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Underliers (each individually, an underlier): the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® (current Bloomberg symbol: NGX Index), or any successor underlier, the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index (current Bloomberg symbol: "MXACISEP Index"), or any successor underlier, and the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM (current Bloomberg symbol: SOX Index), or any successor underlier, as each may be modified, replaced or adjusted from time to time as provided herein

Face amount: $            in the aggregate on the original issue date; the aggregate face amount may be increased if the company, at its sole option, decides to sell an additional amount on a date subsequent to the trade date

Authorized denominations: $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof

Principal amount:  On the stated maturity date, the company will pay, for each $1,000 of the outstanding face amount, an amount, if any, in cash equal to the cash settlement amount.

Cash settlement amount:

if the final underlier level of each underlier is greater than or equal to its initial underlier level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the upside participation rate times (c) the lesser performing underlier return;

if the final underlier level of any underlier is less than its initial underlier level but the final underlier level of each underlier is greater than or equal to its trigger buffer level, $1,000; or

if the final underlier level of any underlier is less than its trigger buffer level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the lesser performing underlier return

Initial underlier level (with respect to an underlier, set on the trade date and may be higher or lower than the actual closing level of such underlier on that date):

Final underlier level: with respect to an underlier, the closing level of such underlier on the determination date, subject to adjustment as provided in “—Consequences of a market disruption event or non-trading day” and “— Discontinuance or modification of an underlier” below

Underlier return: with respect to an underlier, the quotient of (i) its final underlier level minus its initial underlier level divided by (ii) its initial underlier level, expressed as a percentage

Upside participation rate (set on the trade date): at least 121%

Lesser performing underlier return: the underlier return of the lesser performing underlier

Lesser performing underlier: the underlier with the lowest underlier return

Trigger buffer level: for each underlier, 80% of its initial underlier level

Trade date: expected to be September 17, 2021

Original issue date (set on the trade date): expected to be September 22, 2021

Determination date (set on the trade date): expected to be September 17, 2024, unless the calculation agent determines that, with respect to any underlier, a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on that day or that day is not otherwise a trading day. In the event the originally scheduled determination date is a non-trading day with respect to any underlier, the determination date will be the first day thereafter that is a trading day for all underliers (the “first qualified trading day”) provided that no market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to an underlier on that day. If a market disruption event with respect to an underlier occurs or is continuing on the originally scheduled determination date or the first qualified trading day, the determination date will be the first following trading day on which the calculation agent determines that each underlier has had at least one trading day (from and including the originally scheduled determination date or the first qualified trading day, as applicable) on which no market disruption event has occurred or is continuing and the closing level of each underlier will be determined on or prior to the postponed determination date as set forth under “— Consequences of a market disruption event or a non-trading day” below. (In such case, the determination date may differ from the date on which the level of an underlier is determined for the purpose of the calculations to be performed on the determination date.) In no event, however, will the determination date be postponed to a date later than the originally scheduled stated maturity date or, if the originally scheduled stated

PS-3


 

maturity date is not a business day, later than the first business day after the originally scheduled stated maturity date, either due to the occurrence of serial non-trading days or due to the occurrence of one or more market disruption events. On such last possible determination date, if a market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to an underlier that has not yet had such a trading day on which no market disruption event has occurred or is continuing or if such last possible day is not a trading day with respect to such underlier, that day will nevertheless be the determination date

Stated maturity date (set on the trade date): expected to be September 20, 2024, unless that day is not a business day, in which case the stated maturity date will be postponed to the next following business day.  The stated maturity date will also be postponed if the determination date is postponed as described under “— Determination date” above. In such a case, the stated maturity date will be postponed by the same number of business day(s) from but excluding the originally scheduled determination date to and including the actual determination date.

Closing level: on any trading day, (i) with respect to the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® or the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, the official closing level of such underlier or any successor underlier published by the underlier sponsor on such trading day for such underlier and (ii) with respect to the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index, the closing level of such underlier or any successor underlier reported by Bloomberg Financial Services, or any successor reporting service the company may select, on such trading day for that underlier (as of the trade date, whereas the underlier sponsor of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index publishes the official closing level of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index to six decimal places, Bloomberg Financial Services reports the closing level of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index to fewer decimal places)

Constituent index: with respect to the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index, any of the component country indices comprising the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

Trading day: (i) with respect to the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® or the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, a day on which the respective principal securities markets for all of its underlier stocks are open for trading, the underlier sponsor is open for business and such underlier is calculated and published by the underlier sponsor and (ii) with respect to the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index, a day on which the underlier is calculated and published by the underlier sponsor.

Successor underlier: with respect to an underlier, any substitute underlier approved by the calculation agent as a successor as provided under “— Discontinuance or modification of an underlier” below

Underlier sponsor: with respect to an underlier, at any time, the person or entity, including any successor sponsor, that determines and publishes such underlier as then in effect. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by any underlier sponsor or any affiliate thereof and no underlier sponsor or affiliate thereof makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

Underlier stocks: with respect to an underlier, at any time, the stocks that comprise such underlier as then in effect, after giving effect to any additions, deletions or substitutions

Market disruption event: With respect to any given trading day, any of the following will be a market disruption event with respect to an underlier:

a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier on their respective primary markets, in each case for more than two consecutive hours of trading or during the one-half hour before the close of trading in that market, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion,

a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in option or futures contracts relating to such underlier, to any constituent index of such underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier in the respective primary markets for those contracts, in each case for more than two consecutive hours of trading or during the one-half hour before the close of trading in that market, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion, or

underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier, or option or futures contracts, if available, relating to such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier do not trade on what were the respective primary markets for those underlier stocks or contracts, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion,

and, in the case of any of these events, the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that such event could materially interfere with the ability of the company or any of its affiliates or a similarly situated person to unwind all or a material portion of a hedge that could be effected with respect to this note.

PS-4


 

The following events will not be market disruption events:

a limitation on the hours or numbers of days of trading, but only if the limitation results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant market, and

a decision to permanently discontinue trading in option or futures contracts relating to such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier or to any underlier stock.

For this purpose, an “absence of trading” in the primary securities market on which an underlier stock is traded, or on which option or futures contracts relating to such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier or an underlier stock are traded, will not include any time when that market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. In contrast, a suspension or limitation of trading in an underlier stock or in option or futures contracts, if available, relating to such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier or an underlier stock in the primary market for that stock or those contracts, by reason of:

a price change exceeding limits set by that market,

an imbalance of orders relating to that underlier stock or those contracts, or

a disparity in bid and ask quotes relating to that underlier stock or those contracts,

will constitute a suspension or material limitation of trading in that stock or those contracts in that market.

A market disruption event with respect to one underlier will not, by itself, constitute a market disruption event for any unaffected underlier.

Consequences of a market disruption event or a non-trading day: With respect to any underlier, if a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on a day that would otherwise be the determination date, or such day is not a trading day, then the determination date will be postponed as described under “— Determination date” above. If the determination date is postponed to the last possible date due to the occurrence of serial non-trading days, the level of each underlier will be the calculation agent’s assessment of such level, in its sole discretion, on such last possible postponed determination date. If the determination date is postponed due to a market disruption event with respect to any underlier, the final underlier level with respect to the determination date will be calculated based on (i) for any underlier that is not affected by a market disruption event on the originally scheduled determination date or the first qualified trading day thereafter (if applicable), the closing level of the underlier on that date, (ii) for any underlier that is affected by a market disruption event on the originally scheduled determination date or the first qualified trading day thereafter (if applicable), the closing level of the underlier on the first following trading day on which no market disruption event exists for such underlier and (iii) the calculation agent’s assessment, in its sole discretion, of the level of any underlier on the last possible postponed determination date with respect to such underlier as to which a market disruption event continues through the last possible postponed determination date. As a result, this could result in the final underlier level on the determination date of each underlier being determined on different calendar dates. For the avoidance of doubt, once the closing level for an underlier is determined for the determination date, the occurrence of a later market disruption event or non-trading day will not alter such calculation.

Discontinuance or modification of an underlier: If an underlier sponsor discontinues publication of an underlier and such underlier sponsor or anyone else publishes a substitute underlier that the calculation agent determines is comparable to such underlier and approves as a successor underlier, or if the calculation agent designates a substitute underlier, then the calculation agent will determine the cash settlement amount on the stated maturity date by reference to such successor underlier.

If the calculation agent determines that the publication of an underlier is discontinued and there is no successor underlier, the calculation agent will determine the cash settlement amount on the stated maturity date by a computation methodology that the calculation agent determines will as closely as reasonably possible replicate such underlier.

If the calculation agent determines that (i) an underlier, the underlier stocks comprising such underlier or any constituent index of such underlier or the method of calculating such underlier is changed at any time in any respect — including any addition, deletion or substitution and any reweighting or rebalancing of such underlier, the constituent indices of such underlier or the underlier stocks and whether the change is made by the underlier sponsor under its existing policies or following a modification of those policies, is due to the publication of a successor underlier, is due to events affecting one or more of the underlier stocks or their issuers or is due to any other reason — and is not otherwise reflected in the level of the underlier by the underlier sponsor pursuant to the then-current underlier methodology of the underlier or (ii) there has been a split or reverse split of the underlier, then the calculation agent will be permitted (but not required) to make such adjustments in such underlier or the method of its calculation as it believes are appropriate to ensure that the levels of such underlier used to determine the cash settlement amount on the stated maturity date is equitable.

PS-5


 

All determinations and adjustments to be made by the calculation agent with respect to an underlier may be made by the calculation agent in its sole discretion. The calculation agent is not obligated to make any such adjustments.

Calculation agent: Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“GS&Co.”)

Tax characterization: The holder, on behalf of itself and any other person having a beneficial interest in this note, hereby agrees with the company (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to characterize this note for all U.S. federal income tax purposes as a pre-paid derivative contract in respect of the underliers.

Overdue principal rate: the effective Federal Funds rate

PS-6


 

 

 

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided for purposes of illustration only. They should not be taken as an indication or prediction of future investment results and are intended merely to illustrate the impact that various hypothetical closing levels of the underliers on the determination date could have on the cash settlement amount at maturity assuming all other variables remain constant.

The examples below are based on a range of underlier levels that are entirely hypothetical; no one can predict what the closing level of any underlier will be on any day throughout the life of your notes or what the final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier will be on the determination date. The underliers have been highly volatile in the past — meaning that the underlier levels have changed substantially in relatively short periods — and their performance cannot be predicted for any future period.

The information in the following examples reflects hypothetical rates of return on the offered notes assuming that they are purchased on the original issue date at the face amount and held to the stated maturity date. If you sell your notes in a secondary market prior to the stated maturity date, your return will depend upon the market value of your notes at the time of sale, which may be affected by a number of factors that are not reflected in the examples below, such as interest rates, the volatility of the underliers, the creditworthiness of GS Finance Corp., as issuer, and the creditworthiness of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., as guarantor. In addition, the estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by GS&Co.) is less than the original issue price of your notes. For more information on the estimated value of your notes, see “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes — The Estimated Value of Your Notes At the Time the Terms of Your Notes Are Set On the Trade Date (as Determined By Reference to Pricing Models Used By GS&Co.) Is Less Than the Original Issue Price Of Your Notes” on page PS- 11 of this pricing supplement. The information in the examples also reflects the key terms and assumptions in the box below.

Key Terms and Assumptions

Face amount

$1,000

Upside participation rate

121%

Trigger buffer level

with respect to each underlier, 80% of its initial underlier level

 

Neither a market disruption event nor a non-trading day occurs on the originally scheduled determination date

 

No change in or affecting any of the underlier stocks or the method by which the applicable underlier sponsor calculates any underlier

 

Notes purchased on original issue date at the face amount and held to the stated maturity date

Moreover, we have not yet set the initial underlier levels that will serve as the baseline for determining the amount that we will pay on your notes, if any, at maturity. We will not do so until the trade date. As a result, the actual initial underlier levels may differ substantially from the underlier levels prior to the trade date. They may also differ substantially from the underlier levels at the time you purchase your notes.

For these reasons, the actual performance of the underliers over the life of your notes, as well as the amount payable at maturity, if any, may bear little relation to the hypothetical examples shown below or to the historical underlier levels shown elsewhere in this pricing supplement. For information about the underlier levels during recent periods, see “The Underliers — Historical Closing Levels of the Underliers” on page PS-17. Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the underlier levels between the date of this pricing supplement and the date of your purchase of the notes.

Also, the hypothetical examples shown below do not take into account the effects of applicable taxes. Because of the U.S. tax treatment applicable to your notes, tax liabilities could affect the after-tax rate of return on your notes to a comparatively greater extent than the after-tax return on the underlier stocks.

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels of the lesser performing underlier and are expressed as percentages of the initial underlier level of the lesser performing underlier. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier, and are expressed as percentages of the face amount of a note (rounded to the nearest one-thousandth of a percent). Thus, a hypothetical cash settlement amount of 100.000% means that the value of the cash payment that we would deliver for each $1,000 of the outstanding face amount of the offered notes on the stated maturity date would equal 100.000% of the face amount

PS-7

 


 

of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier and the assumptions noted above.

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier Level of the Lesser Performing Underlier

(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level)

Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount at Maturity

(as Percentage of Face Amount)

 

200.000%

221.000%

 

175.000%

190.750%

 

150.000%

160.500%

 

125.000%

130.250%

 

100.000%

100.000%

 

95.000%

100.000%

 

90.000%

100.000%

 

80.000%

100.000%

 

79.999%

79.999%

 

75.000%

75.000%

 

50.000%

50.000%

 

25.000%

25.000%

 

0.000%

0.000%

If, for example, the final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier were determined to be 25.000% of its initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be 25.000% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the original issue date at the face amount and held them to the stated maturity date, you would lose 75.000% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to face amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment).

The following chart shows a graphical illustration of the hypothetical cash settlement amounts that we would pay on your notes on the stated maturity date, if the final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier were any of the hypothetical levels shown on the horizontal axis. The hypothetical cash settlement amounts in the chart are expressed as percentages of the face amount of your notes and the hypothetical final underlier levels of the lesser performing underlier are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier of less than 80.000% (the section left of the 80.000% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a hypothetical cash settlement amount of less than 100.000% of the face amount of your notes (the section below the 100.000% marker on the vertical axis) and, accordingly, in a loss of principal to the holder of the notes.


PS-8

 


 

 

The cash settlement amounts shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on market prices for the underlier stocks that may not be achieved on the determination date and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your notes on the stated maturity date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical cash settlement amounts shown above, and these amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the offered notes. The hypothetical cash settlement amounts on notes held to the stated maturity date in the examples above assume you purchased your notes at their face amount and have not been adjusted to reflect the actual issue price you pay for your notes. The return on your investment (whether positive or negative) in your notes will be affected by the amount you pay for your notes. If you purchase your notes for a price other than the face amount, the return on your investment will differ from, and may be significantly lower than, the hypothetical returns suggested by the above examples. Please read “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes — The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors” on page PS-13.

Payments on the notes are economically equivalent to the amounts that would be paid on a combination of other instruments. For example, payments on the notes are economically equivalent to a combination of an interest-bearing bond bought by the holder and one or more options entered into between the holder and us (with one or more implicit option premiums paid over time). The discussion in this paragraph does not modify or affect the terms of the notes or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes, as described elsewhere in this pricing supplement.


PS-9

 


 

 

 

We cannot predict the actual final underlier levels or what the market value of your notes will be on any particular trading day, nor can we predict the relationship between the closing levels of the underliers and the market value of your notes at any time prior to the stated maturity date. The actual amount that you will receive, if any, at maturity and the rate of return on the offered notes will depend on the actual initial underlier levels and the upside participation rate, which we will set on the trade date, and the actual final underlier levels determined by the calculation agent as described above.  Moreover, the assumptions on which the hypothetical returns are based may turn out to be inaccurate.  Consequently, the amount of cash to be paid in respect of your notes, if any, on the stated maturity date may be very different from the information reflected in the examples above.


PS-10

 


 

 

ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS SPECIFIC TO YOUR NOTES

An investment in your notes is subject to the risks described below, as well as the risks and considerations described in the accompanying prospectus, in the accompanying prospectus supplement and under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913. You should carefully review these risks and considerations as well as the terms of the notes described herein and in the accompanying prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913. Your notes are a riskier investment than ordinary debt securities. Also, your notes are not equivalent to investing directly in the underlier stocks, i.e., with respect to an underlier to which your notes are linked, the stocks comprising such underlier. You should carefully consider whether the offered notes are appropriate given your particular circumstances.

Risks Related to Structure, Valuation and Secondary Market Sales

The Estimated Value of Your Notes At the Time the Terms of Your Notes Are Set On the Trade Date (as Determined By Reference to Pricing Models Used By GS&Co.) Is Less Than the Original Issue Price Of Your Notes

The original issue price for your notes exceeds the estimated value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date, as determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models and taking into account our credit spreads. Such estimated value on the trade date is set forth above under “Estimated Value of Your Notes; after the trade date, the estimated value as determined by reference to these models will be affected by changes in market conditions, the creditworthiness of GS Finance Corp., as issuer, the creditworthiness of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., as guarantor, and other relevant factors. The price at which GS&Co. would initially buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do), and the value that GS&Co. will initially use for account statements and otherwise, also exceeds the estimated value of your notes as determined by reference to these models. As agreed by GS&Co. and the distribution participants, this excess (i.e., the additional amount described under “Estimated Value of Your Notes”) will decline to zero on a straight line basis over the period from the date hereof through the applicable date set forth above under “Estimated Value of Your Notes”. Thereafter, if GS&Co. buys or sells your notes it will do so at prices that reflect the estimated value determined by reference to such pricing models at that time. The price at which GS&Co. will buy or sell your notes at any time also will reflect its then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes.

In estimating the value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date, as disclosed above under “Estimated Value of Your Notes, GS&Co.’s pricing models consider certain variables, including principally our credit spreads, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), volatility, price-sensitivity analysis and the time to maturity of the notes. These pricing models are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold your notes in the secondary market, if any, to others may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated value of your notes determined by reference to our models due to, among other things, any differences in pricing models or assumptions used by others. See “— The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors” below.

The difference between the estimated value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date and the original issue price is a result of certain factors, including principally the underwriting discount and commissions, the expenses incurred in creating, documenting and marketing the notes, and an estimate of the difference between the amounts we pay to GS&Co. and the amounts GS&Co. pays to us in connection with your notes. We pay to GS&Co. amounts based on what we would pay to holders of a non-structured note with a similar maturity. In return for such payment, GS&Co. pays to us the amounts we owe under your notes.

In addition to the factors discussed above, the value and quoted price of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted. If GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the price quoted by GS&Co. would reflect any changes in market conditions and other relevant factors, including any deterioration in our creditworthiness or perceived creditworthiness or the creditworthiness or perceived creditworthiness of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. These changes may adversely affect the value of your notes, including the price you may receive for your notes in any market making transaction. To the extent that GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the quoted price will reflect the estimated value determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models at that time, plus or minus its then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes (and subject to the declining excess amount described above).

Furthermore, if you sell your notes, you will likely be charged a commission for secondary market transactions, or the price will likely reflect a dealer discount. This commission or discount will further reduce the proceeds you would receive for your notes in a secondary market sale.

There is no assurance that GS&Co. or any other party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price and, in this regard, GS&Co. is not obligated to make a market in the notes. See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes

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— Your Notes May Not Have an Active Trading Market” on page S-7 of the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913.

The Notes Are Subject to the Credit Risk of the Issuer and the Guarantor

Although the return on the notes will be based on the performance of each underlier, the payment of any amount due on the notes is subject to the credit risk of GS Finance Corp., as issuer of the notes, and the credit risk of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. as guarantor of the notes. The notes are our unsecured obligations.  Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the notes, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness.  Similarly, investors are dependent on the ability of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., as guarantor of the notes, to pay all amounts due on the notes, and therefore are also subject to its credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of its creditworthiness.  See “Description of the Notes We May Offer — Information About Our Medium-Term Notes, Series F Program — How the Notes Rank Against Other Debt” on page S-5 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer — Guarantee by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.” on page 67 of the accompanying prospectus.

You May Lose Your Entire Investment in the Notes

You can lose your entire investment in the notes. The cash settlement amount on your notes, if any, on the stated maturity date will be based on the performance of the lesser performing of the underliers as measured from their initial underlier levels set on the trade date to their closing levels on the determination date. If the final underlier level of any underlier is less than its trigger buffer level, you will have a loss for each $1,000 of the face amount of your notes equal to the product of (i) $1,000 times (ii) the lesser performing underlier return. Thus, you may lose your entire investment in the notes, which would include any premium to face amount you paid when you purchased the notes.

Also, the market price of your notes prior to the stated maturity date may be significantly lower than the purchase price you pay for your notes. Consequently, if you sell your notes before the stated maturity date, you may receive far less than the amount of your investment in the notes.

The Amount Payable on Your Notes Is Not Linked to the Levels of the Underliers at Any Time Other than the Determination Date

The final underlier level of each underlier will be based on the closing level of such underlier on the determination date (subject to adjustment as described elsewhere in this pricing supplement). Therefore, if the closing level of one underlier dropped precipitously on the determination date, the cash settlement amount for your notes may be significantly less than it would have been had the cash settlement amount been linked to the closing level of the underlier prior to such drop.  Although the actual closing levels of the underliers on the stated maturity date or at other times during the life of your notes may be higher than the closing levels of the underliers on the determination date, you will not benefit from the closing levels of the underliers at any time other than on the determination date.

The Cash Settlement Amount Will Be Based Solely on the Lesser Performing Underlier

The cash settlement amount will be based on the lesser performing underlier without regard to the performance of the other underliers. As a result, you could lose all or some of your initial investment if the lesser performing underlier return is negative, even if there is an increase in the level of the other underliers. This could be the case even if the other underliers increased by an amount greater than the decrease in the lesser performing underlier.

The Return on Your Notes May Change Significantly Despite Only a Small Change in the Level of the Lesser Performing Underlier

If the final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier is less than its trigger buffer level, you will receive less than the face amount of your notes and you could lose all or a substantial portion of your investment in the notes. This means that while a decrease in the final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier to its trigger buffer level will not result in a loss of principal on the notes, a decrease in the final underlier level of the lesser performing underlier to less than its trigger buffer level will result in a loss of a significant portion of the face amount of the notes despite only a small change in the level of the lesser performing underlier.

Your Notes Do Not Bear Interest

You will not receive any interest payments on your notes. As a result, even if the cash settlement amount payable for your notes on the stated maturity date exceeds the face amount of your notes, the overall return you earn on your notes may  be less than you would have earned by investing in a non-indexed debt security of comparable maturity that bears interest at a prevailing market rate.

The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors

When we refer to the market value of your notes, we mean the value that you could receive for your notes if you chose to sell them in the open market before the stated maturity date. A number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, will influence the market value of your notes, including:

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the levels of the underliers;

the volatility - i.e., the frequency and magnitude of changes - in the closing levels of the underliers;

the dividend rates of the underlier stocks;

economic, financial, regulatory, political, military, public health and other events that affect stock markets generally and the underlier stocks, and which may affect the closing level of the underlier or underliers;

interest rates and yield rates in the market;

the time remaining until your notes mature; and

our creditworthiness and the creditworthiness of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., whether actual or perceived, and including actual or anticipated upgrades or downgrades in our credit ratings or the credit ratings of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. or changes in other credit measures.

Without limiting the foregoing, the market value of your notes may be negatively impacted by increasing interest rates. Such adverse impact of increasing interest rates could be significantly enhanced in notes with longer-dated maturities, the market values of which are generally more sensitive to increasing interest rates.

These factors may influence the market value of your notes if you sell your notes before maturity, including the price you may receive for your notes in any market making transaction. If you sell your notes prior to maturity, you may receive less than the face amount of your notes. You cannot predict the future performance of the underliers based on their historical performance.

 

If You Purchase Your Notes at a Premium to Face Amount, the Return on Your Investment Will Be Lower Than the Return on Notes Purchased at Face Amount and the Impact of Certain Key Terms of the Notes Will Be Negatively Affected

The cash settlement amount will not be adjusted based on the issue price you pay for the notes. If you purchase notes at a price that differs from the face amount of the notes, then the return on your investment in such notes held to the stated maturity date will differ from, and may be substantially less than, the return on notes purchased at face amount. If you purchase your notes at a premium to face amount and hold them to the stated maturity date, the return on your investment in the notes will be lower than it would have been had you purchased the notes at face amount or a discount to face amount.

You Have No Shareholder Rights or Rights to Receive Any Underlier Stock

Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any of the underlier stocks. Neither you nor any other holder or owner of your notes will have any rights with respect to the underlier stocks, including any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions, any rights to make a claim against the underlier stocks or any other rights of a holder of the underlier stocks. Your notes will be paid in cash and you will have no right to receive delivery of any underlier stocks.

We May Sell an Additional Aggregate Face Amount of the Notes at a Different Issue Price

At our sole option, we may decide to sell an additional aggregate face amount of the notes subsequent to the date of this pricing supplement. The issue price of the notes in the subsequent sale may differ substantially (higher or lower) from the original issue price you paid as provided on the cover of this pricing supplement.

Additional Risks Related to the Underliers

The Policies of an Underlier Sponsor and Changes That Affect an Underlier or the Underlier Stocks Could Affect the Payment Amount on Your Notes and Their Market Value

The policies of an underlier sponsor concerning the calculation of the level of an underlier, additions, deletions or substitutions of underlier stocks and the manner in which changes affecting such underlier stocks or their issuers, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, are reflected in the level of such underlier could affect the level of such underlier and, therefore, the cash settlement amount on your notes on the stated maturity date and the market value of your notes before that date. The amount payable on your notes and their market value could also be affected if an underlier sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the level of such underlier or if the underlier sponsor discontinues or suspends calculation or publication of the level of such underlier, in which case it may become difficult to determine the market value of your notes. If events such as these occur, or if the closing level of such underlier is not available on the determination date because of a market disruption event or for any other reason, the calculation agent - which initially will be GS&Co., our affiliate - may determine the closing level of the underlier - and thus the amount payable on your notes - in a manner it considers appropriate, in its sole discretion. We describe the discretion that the calculation agent will have in determining the closing levels of the underliers on the determination date and the amount payable on your notes more fully under “Terms and Conditions - Discontinuance or modification of the underlier” above.

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An Investment in the Offered Notes Is Subject to Risks Associated with Foreign Securities

The value of your notes is linked to underliers that are comprised, in whole or in part, of stocks from one or more foreign securities markets, including stocks of companies from emerging market countries. Investments linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. Any foreign securities market may be less liquid, more volatile and affected by global or domestic market developments in a different way than are the U.S. securities market or other foreign securities markets. Both government intervention in a foreign securities market, either directly or indirectly, and cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in that market. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies. 

The prices of securities in a foreign country are subject to political, economic, financial and social factors that are unique to such foreign country's geographical region. These factors include: recent changes, or the possibility of future changes, in the applicable foreign government's economic and fiscal policies; the possible implementation of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities; fluctuations, or the possibility of fluctuations, in currency exchange rates; and the possibility of outbreaks of hostility, political instability, natural disaster or adverse public health developments. The United Kingdom ceased to be a member of the European Union on January 31, 2020 (an event commonly referred to as “Brexit”). The effects of Brexit are uncertain, and, among other things, Brexit has contributed, and may continue to contribute, to volatility in the prices of securities of companies located in Europe (or elsewhere) and currency exchange rates, including the valuation of the euro and British pound in particular. Any one of these factors, or the combination of more than one of these factors, could negatively affect such foreign securities market and the price of securities therein. Further, geographical regions may react to global factors in different ways, which may cause the prices of securities in a foreign securities market to fluctuate in a way that differs from those of securities in the U.S. securities market or other foreign securities markets. Foreign economies may also differ from the U.S. economy in important respects, including growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency, which may have a positive or negative effect on foreign securities prices.

In addition, the value of your notes is linked, in part, to the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index, which is comprised, in part, of stocks traded in the equity markets of emerging market countries. Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times. It will also likely be more costly and difficult for the underlier sponsor to enforce the laws or regulations of a foreign country or trading facility, and it is possible that the foreign country or trading facility may not have laws or regulations which adequately protect the rights and interests of investors in the stocks included in the underliers.

Government Regulatory Action, Including Legislative Acts and Executive Orders, Could Result in Material Changes to the Composition of an Underlier with Underlier Stocks from One or More Foreign Securities Markets and Could Negatively Affect Your Investment in the Notes

 

Government regulatory action, including legislative acts and executive orders, could cause material changes to the composition of an underlier with underlier stocks from one or more foreign securities markets and could negatively affect your investment in the notes in a variety of ways, depending on the nature of such government regulatory action and the underlier stocks that are affected. For example, recent executive orders issued by the United States Government prohibit United States persons from purchasing or selling publicly traded securities of certain companies that are determined to operate or have operated in the defense and related materiel sector or the surveillance technology sector of the economy of the People’s Republic of China, or publicly traded securities that are derivative of, or that are designed to provide investment exposure to, those securities (including indexed notes). If the prohibitions in those executive orders (or prohibitions under other government regulatory action) become applicable to underlier stocks that are currently included in an underlier or that in the future are included in an underlier, such underlier stocks may be removed from an underlier. If government regulatory action results in the removal of underlier stocks that have (or historically have had) significant weight in an underlier, such removal could have a material and negative effect on the level of such underlier and, therefore, your investment in the notes. Similarly, if underlier stocks that are subject to those executive orders or subject to other government regulatory action are not removed from an underlier, the value of the notes could be materially and negatively affected, and

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transactions in, or holdings of, the notes may become prohibited under United States law. Any failure to remove such underlier stocks from an underlier could result in the loss of a significant portion or all of your investment in the notes, including if you attempt to divest the notes at a time when the value of the notes has declined.

Additional Risks Related to the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®

As Compared to Other Index Sponsors, Nasdaq, Inc. Retains Significant Control and Discretionary Decision-Making Over the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® Which May Have an Adverse Effect on the Levels of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® and on Your Notes

Pursuant to the methodologies of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®, Nasdaq, Inc. retains the right, from time to time, to exercise reasonable discretion as it deems appropriate in order to ensure each underlier’s integrity, including, but not limited to, changes to quantitative inclusion criteria. Nasdaq, Inc. may also, due to special circumstances, apply discretionary adjustments to ensure and maintain quality of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®. Although it is unclear how and to what extent this discretion could or would be exercised, it is possible that it could be exercised by Nasdaq, Inc. in a manner that materially and adversely affects the level of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® and therefore your notes. Nasdaq, Inc. is not obligated to, and will not, take account of your interests in exercising the discretion described above.

The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® Has a Limited Operating History

The notes are linked, in part, to the performance of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®, which was launched on August 24, 2020. Because the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® has no underlier level history prior to that date, limited historical underlier level information will be available for you to consider in making an independent investigation of the index performance, which may make it difficult for you to make an informed decision with respect to the notes.

Additional Risks Related to the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

Your Investment in the Notes Will Be Subject to Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Because the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is a U.S. dollar denominated index whose underlying stock prices are converted by such underlier sponsor into U.S. dollars for purposes of calculating the value of such underlier, investors in the notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies represented in such underlier which are converted in such manner. An investor’s net exposure in an underlier will depend on the extent to which the currencies represented in such underlier strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar and the relative weight of each relevant currency represented in the overall underlier. If, taking into account such weighting, the U.S. dollar strengthens against the component currencies represented in an underlier, the value of such underlier will be adversely affected and the amount payable at maturity of the notes may be reduced.

Regulators Are Investigating Potential Manipulation of Published Currency Exchange Rates

It has been reported that the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority and regulators from other countries are in the process of investigating the potential manipulation of published currency exchange rates.  If such manipulation has occurred or is continuing, certain published exchange rates may have been, or may be in the future, artificially lower (or higher) than they would otherwise have been.  Any such manipulation could have an adverse impact on any payments on, and the value of, your notes and the trading market for your notes.  In addition, we cannot predict whether any changes or reforms affecting the determination or publication of exchange rates or the supervision of currency trading will be implemented in connection with these investigations.  Any such changes or reforms could also adversely impact your notes.

There Is No Guarantee That the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index Methodology Will Be Successful

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is designed to select companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased investment in systems, products and services which provide protection against cyber-attacks, including companies that have high exposure to the following business activities: providing cybersecurity hardware and software products; providing cybersecurity services; implementing and managing network security protocols; and ensuring data integrity. There is no guarantee that the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index will successfully select companies that will benefit from this theme or that the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index will outperform any other underlier or strategy that attempts to achieve a similar goal using other criteria. Accordingly, the investment strategy represented by the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index may not be successful, and your investment in the notes may result in a loss. An investment in the notes may also underperform an investment linked to the MSCI ACWI IMI Index as a whole.  

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index Is Concentrated in the Information Technology Sector and Does Not Provide Diversified Exposure

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The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is not diversified. The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index’s assets are concentrated in the information technology sector, which means the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is more likely to be more adversely affected by any negative performance of the information technology sector than an underlier that has more diversified holdings across a number of sectors. Companies in the information technology sector may be adversely affected by the failure to obtain, or delays in obtaining, financing or regulatory approval, intense competition, both domestically and internationally, product compatibility, consumer preferences, corporate capital expenditure, rapid obsolescence and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the information technology sector also face competition or potential competition with numerous alternative technologies. In addition, the highly competitive information technology sector may cause the prices for these products and services to decline in the future. Information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights. The loss or impairment of these rights may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. The information technology sector is subject to rapid and significant changes in technology that are evidenced by the increasing pace of technological upgrades, evolving industry standards, ongoing improvements in the capacity and quality of digital technology, shorter development cycles for new products and enhancements, developments in emerging wireless transmission technologies and changes in customer requirements and preferences. The success of sector participants depends substantially on the timely and successful introduction of new products.

The Use of the Global Industry Classification Standard To Exclude Companies from the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index May Be Inconsistent with the Theme

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is a “thematic index”, meaning an index that is designed to track companies that could benefit from certain themes. Because themes are subject to evolution and change and do not neatly fit into rigid categories, MSCI’s use of Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sub-industries to exclude companies from the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index may be inconsistent with the theme or may be contrary to an investor’s expectations for how a thematic indexing strategy should work.

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index Has a Limited Operating History

The notes are linked, in part, to the performance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index, which was launched on October 31, 2018. Because the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index has no underlier level history prior to that date, limited historical underlier level information will be available for you to consider in making an independent investigation of the underlier performance, which may make it difficult for you to make an informed decision with respect to the notes.

The hypothetical performance data prior to the launch of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index on October 31, 2018 refers to simulated performance data created by applying the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index’s calculation methodology to historical prices of the underlier stocks that comprise the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index. Such simulated hypothetical performance data has been produced by the retroactive application of a back-tested methodology. No future performance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index can be predicted based on the simulated hypothetical performance data or the historical underlier performance information described herein.

Additional Risks Related to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM Is Concentrated in the Semiconductor Sector and Does Not Provide Diversified Exposure

The underlier stocks comprising the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM are not diversified and are concentrated in the semiconductor sector, which means the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is more likely to be more adversely affected by any negative performance of the semiconductor sector than an index that includes more diversified stocks across a number of sectors. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of companies in the semiconductor sector. The underlier is subject to the risk that companies that are in the semiconductor sector may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability.

Semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. They also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components. Moreover, they may be

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heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. Some of the companies involved in the semiconductor sector are also engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the semiconductor business, and they may experience problems with these lines of business, which could adversely affect their operating results.

The international operations of many semiconductor companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. Companies in the semiconductor sector also may be subject to competition from new market entrants. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile compared to the overall market.

Further, the information technology sector (an industry category that is broader than, and includes, the semiconductor sector) represents a significant portion of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM and, to the extent that continues, the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is more likely to be more adversely affected by any negative performance of the information technology sector than an index that includes more diversified stocks across a number of sectors. Market or economic factors impacting information technology companies could have a major effect on the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM stocks. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent protection and the expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

Risks Related to Tax

The Tax Consequences of an Investment in Your Notes Are Uncertain

The tax consequences of an investment in your notes are uncertain, both as to the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of your notes.

The Internal Revenue Service announced on December 7, 2007 that it is considering issuing guidance regarding the tax treatment of an instrument such as your notes, and any such guidance could adversely affect the value and the tax treatment of your notes. Among other things, the Internal Revenue Service 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 notes 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 notes. We describe these developments in more detail under “Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences – United States Holders – Possible Change in Law” below. You should consult your tax advisor about this matter. Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, GS Finance Corp. intends to continue treating the notes 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 Internal Revenue Service 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 notes in your particular circumstances.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Withholding May Apply to Payments on Your Notes, Including as a Result of the Failure of the Bank or Broker Through Which You Hold the Notes to Provide Information to Tax Authorities

Please see the discussion under “United States Taxation — Taxation of Debt Securities — Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Withholding” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of FATCA to payments made on your notes.

 

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THE UNDERLIERS

Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®

The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®, which we also refer to in this description as the “index”:

is an equity index, and therefore cannot be invested in directly;

does not file reports with the SEC because it is not an issuer;

has a base date of August 24, 2020, with a base value of 1,000.00, as adjusted; and

is calculated, maintained and published by Nasdaq, Inc.

The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® is designed to measure the performance of the 100 largest Nasdaq listed non-financial stocks that are not included in the Nasdaq-100 Index®. The Nasdaq 100 Index® is designed to measure the performance of 100 of the largest Nasdaq listed non-financial stocks. Each of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® and the Nasdaq-100 Index® is a “price return” index and is calculated using a modified market capitalization-weighted methodology. We have derived all information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® from publicly available information. Additional information about the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® (including the top ten constituent stocks and weights and sector weights) is available on the following website: indexes.nasdaqomx.com/Index/Overview/NGX. We are not incorporating by reference the website or any material it includes in this pricing supplement.

Security Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for inclusion in the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® , a security must meet the existing Nasdaq-100 Index® eligibility criteria. For more information about the Nasdaq-100 Index® eligibility criteria, please see “Nasdaq-100 Index®” below.

Index Calendar

The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® follows the same reconstitution and rebalancing schedule as the Nasdaq-100 Index®. For more information about the reconstitution and rebalancing schedule of the Nasdaq-100 Index®, please see “Nasdaq-100 Index®” below.

 

Constituent Selection

 

At each index reconstitution, all issuers that meet the applicable security eligibility criteria are ranked by market capitalization, with the issuer having the highest market capitalization getting a rank of 1, the issuer having the second highest market capitalization getting a rank of 2, and so on. The largest 100 ranked issuers by market capitalization that are not in the Nasdaq-100 Index® are included in the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®.

Constituent Weighting

The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® is a modified market capitalization-weighted index. Index securities’ initial weights are determined by dividing each index security’s market capitalization by the aggregate market capitalization of all index securities.

 

The initial index weights are adjusted to meet the following constraint:

 

No index security weight may exceed 4%.

 

Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® Calculation

The discussion below describes the “price return” calculation of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®. As compared to the gross total return or net total return versions of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®, the price return version is ordinarily calculated without regard to ordinary cash dividends on the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® stocks. However, all Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® calculations reflect special cash dividends.

The Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® is a modified market capitalization-weighted index. The value of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® equals the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® market value divided by the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® divisor. The overall Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® market value is the aggregate of each Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® stock’s market value, as may be adjusted for any corporate actions. A Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® stock’s market value is determined by multiplying the last sale price by the number of shares of the index security included in the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®. In other words, the value of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® is equal to (i) the sum of the products of, for each of the

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Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® stocks (a) the number of shares of the index security included in the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® multiplied by (b) such stock’s last sale price (adjusted for corporate actions, if any), divided by (ii) the divisor of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®.

The price return Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® divisor is calculated as the ratio of (i) the start of day market value of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® divided by (ii) the previous day Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® value.

If an index security does not trade on the relevant Nasdaq exchange on a given day or the relevant Nasdaq exchange has not opened for trading, the previous index calculation day’s closing price for index security (adjusted for corporate actions occurring prior to market open on the current day, if any) is used. If an index security is halted during the trading day, the most recent last sale price is used until trading resumes. For securities where the Nasdaq Stock Market is the relevant Nasdaq exchange, the last sale price may be the Nasdaq Official Closing Price when it is closed.

Index Maintenance

Deletion Policy

If, at any time other than an index reconstitution, Nasdaq determines that an index security has or will undergo a fundamental alteration that would make it ineligible for index inclusion, the index security is removed and not replaced.

Such alterations may include:

 

A listings switch to an ineligible index exchange.

 

Merger, acquisition, or other major corporate event that would adversely impact the integrity of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®.

 

If a company is reorganized as a Real Estate Investment Trust (“REITS”).

 

If an index security is reclassified as a financial company (those companies that are classified under the Financials Industry) according to the Industry Classification Benchmark (ICB), a product of FTSE International Limited that is used under license.

 

If an index security is added into the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

In the case of mergers and acquisitions, the effective date for the removal of an index issuer or security will be largely event-based, with the goal to remove the issuer or security as soon as completion of the acquisition or merger has been deemed highly probable. Notable events include, but are not limited to, completion of various regulatory reviews, the conclusion of material lawsuits and/or shareholder and board approvals.

Replacement Policy

 

Index securities are not replaced in the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® outside of the index reconstitution.

Addition Policy

Index securities are not added to the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® outside of the index reconstitution.

Corporate Actions

Corporation actions and events affecting an index security are treated the same way as they are treated in the Nasdaq-100 Index®. For more information about how corporate actions and events are treated in the Nasdaq-100 Index®, please see “Nasdaq-100 Index® below.

Nasdaq-100 Index®

The Nasdaq-100 Index®, which we also refer to in this description as the “index”:

is an equity index, and therefore cannot be invested in directly;

does not file reports with the SEC because it is not an issuer;

has a base date of January 31, 1985, with a base value of 125.00, as adjusted; and

is calculated, maintained and published by Nasdaq, Inc.

The Nasdaq-100 Index® is designed to measure the performance of 100 of the largest Nasdaq listed non-financial stocks. The Nasdaq-100 Index® is a “price return” index and is calculated using a modified market capitalization-weighted methodology. We have derived all information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Nasdaq-

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100 Index® from publicly available information. Additional information about the Nasdaq-100 Index® (including the top ten constituent stocks and weights and sector weights) is available on the following website: indexes.nasdaqomx.com/Index/Overview/NDX. We are not incorporating by reference the website or any material it includes in this pricing supplement.

Security Eligibility Criteria

Eligible security types generally include American depositary receipts, common stocks, ordinary shares, and tracking stocks. Companies organized as real estate investment trusts are not eligible for index inclusion. If the security is a depositary receipt representing a security of a non-U.S. issuer, then references to the "issuer" are references to the underlying security and the total shares outstanding (“TSO”) is the actual depositary shares outstanding as reported by the depositary banks.

If an issuer has listed multiple security classes, all security classes are eligible, subject to meeting all other security eligibility criteria.

The issuer of the security's primary U.S. listing must exclusively be listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Global Market. If the issuer of the security is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the U.S., then such security must have listed options on a registered options market in the U.S. or be eligible for listed options trading on a registered options market in the U.S.

The security must be classified as a non-financial company (any industry other than Financials) according to the Industry Classification Benchmark, a product of FTSE International Limited that is used under license.

There is no market capitalization eligibility criterion. Each security must have a minimum average daily trading volume of 200,000 shares (measured over the three calendar months ending with the month that includes the reconstitution reference date).

The security must have traded for at least three full calendar months, not including the month of initial listing, on an eligible exchange, which includes Nasdaq (Nasdaq Global Select Market, Nasdaq Global Market, or Nasdaq Capital Market), NYSE, NYSE American or CBOE BZX. Eligibility is determined as of the constituent selection reference date, and includes that month. A security that was added to the Nasdaq-100 Index® as a result of a spin-off event will be exempt from the seasoning requirement. There is no float eligibility criterion.

The issuer of the security generally may not currently be in bankruptcy proceedings.

The issuer of the security generally may not have entered into a definitive agreement or other arrangement that would make it ineligible for index inclusion and where the transaction is imminent as determined by the Nasdaq Index Management Committee.

Index Calendar

Nasdaq selects constituents once annually in December. The security eligibility criteria are applied using market data as of the end of October and TSO as of the end of November. Index reconstitutions are announced in early December and become effective after the close of trading on the third Friday in December.

The Nasdaq-100 Index® is rebalanced on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December. The Nasdaq-100 Index® rebalance uses the TSO and last sale price of all index securities as of the prior month-end (February, May, August and November respectively). Index rebalance changes are announced in early March, June, September and December and become effective after the close of trading on the third Friday in March, June, September and December. A special rebalance may be conducted at any time based on the weighting restrictions described in the index rebalance procedure if it is determined to be necessary to maintain the integrity of the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

 

Constituent Selection

 

A reconstitution is conducted on an annual basis, at which time all eligible issuers, ranked by market capitalization, are considered for index inclusion based on the following order of criteria.

 

The top 75 ranked issuers will be selected for inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

 

Any other issuers that were already members of the Nasdaq-100 Index® as of the reconstitution reference date and are ranked within the top 100 are also selected for inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

 

In the event that fewer than 100 issuers pass the first two criteria, the remaining positions will first be filled, in rank order, by issuers currently in the Nasdaq-100 Index®  ranked in positions 101-125 that were ranked in the top 100 at the previous reconstitution or replacement- or spin-off-issuers added since the previous reconstitution.

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In the event that fewer than 100 issuers pass the first three criteria, the remaining positions will be filled, in rank order, by any issuers ranked in the top 100 that were not already members of the Nasdaq-100 Index® as of the reference date.

 

Constituent Weighting

Constituent Weighting Scheme

The Nasdaq-100 Index® is a modified market capitalization-weighted index.

Constituent Weighting Process

The Nasdaq-100 Index®’s quarterly weight adjustment employs a two-stage weight adjustment scheme according to issuer- level constraints.

Index securities’ initial weights are determined using up to two calculations of market capitalization: TSO-derived market capitalization and index share-derived market capitalization. TSO-derived market capitalization is defined as a security’s last sale price times its total shares outstanding. Index share-derived market capitalization is defined as a security’s last sale price times its updated index shares as of the prior month end. Both TSO-derived and index share-derived market capitalizations can be used to calculate TSO-derived and index share-derived initial index weights by dividing each index security’s (TSO- or index share-derived) market capitalization by the aggregate (TSO- or index share-derived) market capitalization of all index securities.

When the rebalance coincides with the reconstitution, only TSO-derived initial weights are used. When the rebalance does not coincide with the reconstitution, index share-derived initial weights are used when doing so results in no weight adjustment; otherwise, TSO-derived weights are used in both stages of the weight adjustment procedure. Issuer weights are the aggregated weights of the issuers’ respective index securities.

Stage 1. If no initial issuer weight exceeds 24%, initial weights are used as Stage 1 weights; otherwise, initial weights are adjusted to meet the following Stage 1 constraint, producing the Stage 1 weights:

 

No issuer weight may exceed 20% of the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

 

Stage 2. If the aggregate weight of the subset of issuers whose Stage 1 weights exceed 4.5% does not exceed 48%, Stage 1 weights are used as final weights; otherwise, Stage 1 weights are adjusted to meet the following Stage 2 constraint, producing the final weights:

 

 

The aggregate weight of the subset of issuers whose Stage 1 weights exceed 4.5% is set to 40%.

 

Annual Weight Adjustment

The Nasdaq-100 Index®’s annual weight adjustment employs a two-stage weight adjustment scheme according to security-level constraints. Index securities’ initial weights are determined via the quarterly weight adjustment procedure.

Stage 1. If no initial security weight exceeds 15%, initial weights are used as Stage 1 weights; otherwise, initial weights are adjusted to meet the following Stage 1 constraint, producing the Stage 1 weights:

 

No security weight may exceed 14% of the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

 

Stage 2. If the aggregate weight of the subset of index securities with the five largest market capitalizations is less than 40%, Stage 1 weights are used as final weights; otherwise, Stage 1 weights are adjusted to meet the following constraints, producing the final weights:

 

The aggregate weight of the subset of index securities with the five largest market capitalizations is set to 38.5%.

 

No security with a market capitalization outside the largest five may have a final index weight exceeding the lesser of 4.4% or the final index weight of the index security ranked fifth by market capitalization.

Nasdaq-100 Index® Calculation

The discussion below describes the “price return” calculation of the Nasdaq-100 Index®. As compared to the gross total return or net total return versions of the Nasdaq-100 Index®, the price return version is ordinarily calculated without regard to ordinary cash dividends on the Nasdaq-100 Index® stocks. However, all Nasdaq-100 Index® calculations reflect special cash dividends.

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The Nasdaq-100 Index® is a modified market capitalization-weighted index. The value of the Nasdaq- 100 Index® equals the Nasdaq-100 Index® market value divided by the Nasdaq-100 Index® divisor. The overall Nasdaq-100 Index® market value is the aggregate of each Nasdaq-100 Index® stock’s market value, as may be adjusted for any corporate actions. A Nasdaq-100 Index® stock’s market value is determined by multiplying the last sale price by the number of shares of the index security included in the Nasdaq-100 Index®. In other words, the value of the Nasdaq-100 Index® is equal to (i) the sum of the products of (a) the index shares of each of the Nasdaq-100 Index® stocks multiplied by (b) each such stock’s last sale price (adjusted for corporate actions, if any), divided by (ii) the divisor of the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

The price return Nasdaq-100 Index® divisor is calculated as the ratio of (i) the start of day market value of the Nasdaq-100 Index® divided by (ii) the previous day Nasdaq-100 Index® value.

If an index security does not trade on the relevant Nasdaq exchange on a given day or the relevant Nasdaq exchange has not opened for trading, the previous index calculation day’s closing price for index security (adjusted for corporate actions occurring prior to market open on the current day, if any) is used. If an index security is halted during the trading day, the most recent last sale price is used until trading resumes. For securities where the Nasdaq Stock Market is the relevant Nasdaq exchange, the last sale price may be the Nasdaq Official Closing Price when it is closed.

Index Maintenance

Deletion Policy

If, at any time other than an index reconstitution, Nasdaq determines that an index security is ineligible for index inclusion, the index security is removed as soon as practicable.

This may include:

 

Listing on an ineligible index exchange.

 

Merger, acquisition, or other major corporate event that would adversely impact the integrity of the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

 

If a company is organized as a real estate investment trust.

  

If an index security is classified as a financial company (Financial industry) according to the Industry Classification Benchmark.

 

If the issuer has an adjusted market capitalization below 0.10% of the aggregate adjusted market capitalization of the Nasdaq-100 Index® for two consecutive month ends.

 

If a security that was added to the Nasdaq-100 Index® as a result of a spin-off event has an adjusted market capitalization below 0.10% of the aggregate adjusted market capitalization of the Nasdaq-100 Index® at the end of its second day of regular way trading as an index member.

In the case of mergers and acquisitions, the effective date for the removal of an index issuer or security will be largely event-based, with the goal to remove the issuer or security as soon as completion of the acquisition or merger has been deemed highly probable. Notable events include, but are not limited to, completion of various regulatory reviews, the conclusion of material lawsuits and/or shareholder and board approvals.

If at the time of the removal of the index issuer or security there is not sufficient time to provide advance notification of the replacement issuer or security so that both the removal and replacement can be effective on the same day, the index issuer or security being removed will be retained and persisted in the index calculations at its last sale price until the effective date of the replacement issuer or security’s entry to the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

Securities that are added as a result of a spin-off may be deleted as soon as practicable after being added to the Nasdaq-100 Index®. This may occur when Nasdaq determines that a security is ineligible for inclusion because of reasons such as ineligible exchange, security type, industry, or adjusted market capitalization. Securities that are added as a result of a spin-off may be maintained in the Nasdaq-100 Index® until a later date and then removed, for example if a spin-off security has liquidity characteristics that diverge materially from the security eligibility criteria and could affect the integrity of the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

Replacement Policy

 

Securities may be added to the Nasdaq-100 Index® outside of the index reconstitution when there is a deletion. The index security (or all index securities under the same issuer, if appropriate) is replaced as soon as practicable if the issuer in its entirety is being deleted from the Nasdaq-100 Index®. The issuer with the largest market capitalization and that meets all eligibility criteria as of the prior month end which is not in the Nasdaq-100 Index® will replace the

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deleted issuer. Issuers that are added as a result of a spin-off are not replaced until after they have been included in a reconstitution.

For pending deletions set to occur soon after an index reconstitution and/or index rebalance effective date, Nasdaq may decide to remove the index security from the Nasdaq-100 Index® in conjunction with the index reconstitution and/or index rebalance effective date.

Corporate Actions

In the periods between scheduled index reconstitution and rebalancing events, individual index securities may be subject to a variety of corporate actions and events that require maintenance and adjustments to the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

At the quarterly rebalancing, no changes are made to the Nasdaq-100 Index® from the previous month end until the quarterly share change effective date, with the exception of corporate actions with an ex-date.

Special Cash Dividends

A special cash dividend is a cash payment by the issuer of the index security to shareholders that the issuer does not consider to be part of its regular dividend paying cycle. A dividend is considered special in the Nasdaq-100 Index® if the information provided by the vendor or the index exchange indicates that the dividend is special. Other nomenclature for a special dividend may include but not be limited to extra, extraordinary, non-recurring, one-time, unusual, etc.

The start of day price of the index security is adjusted downward for the amount of the special cash dividend with no adjustment to the index shares resulting in a change to the divisor.

Return of Capital

A return of capital is a cash distribution paid from the company’s capital surplus rather than its net income or retained earnings. For the purposes of index calculation, Nasdaq will determine the treatment (regular vs. special) of each return of capital event based on whether the payment fits with the company’s regular pattern of dividend payments, or if the payment appears to be extraordinary in nature.

Liquidation Distributions

A liquidation distribution, sometimes referred to as a “liquidating dividend” is a cash distribution made by an issuer in conjunction with the dissolution of its business. Bankruptcy liquidations rarely result in liquidation payments to equity shareholders. Voluntary liquidations, on the other hand, will generally produce one or more liquidation payment events. For the purposes of index calculation, Nasdaq treats liquidation distributions in the same manner as special dividends.

Stock Split / Stock Dividend / Bonus Issue

A stock split, stock dividend and bonus issue are similar transactions which generally result in no change to the market capitalization of the security. They essentially imply the same event and the only difference is in the way the terms are quoted. A stock split or bonus issue is quoted in terms of shares received to shares held and stock dividends are quoted in percentages. This event increases the index shares of the index security based on an adjustment factor, while simultaneously reducing its per share price by applying a corresponding inverse adjustment factor, such that the weight of the index security remains similar before and after the event resulting in no change or a minimal change to the divisor.

Cash and Stock Dividend

An issuer of a security may pay a cash and stock dividend on the same security on the same date. In this case, the cash dividend is processed in the Nasdaq-100 Index® before the stock dividend unless otherwise indicated.

Optional Dividend

An issuer of a security may permit the shareholder to choose between receiving a dividend in cash or stock. In this case, the adjustment is made to the index security in the manner the dividend is announced.

Reverse Stock Split / Consolidation

A reverse split generally results in no change to the market capitalization of the security. Reverse splits are quoted in terms of shares received to shares held. This event decreases the number of index shares of the index security based on an adjustment factor while simultaneously increasing its per share price by applying a corresponding inverse adjustment factor, such that the weight of the index security remains similar before and after the event resulting in no change or a minimal change to the divisor.

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Rights Offering / Issue

An issuer may offer to existing shareholders the right to participate in a new issuance of shares in proportion to each shareholder’s existing holdings of the security at a set price (the subscription price) during a subscription period. Shareholders are allotted rights in accordance with the ratio set by the company. The rights may trade for a certain period of time during the subscription period, allowing shareholders the opportunity to sell their rights in the market. Failure to subscribe to the rights prior to the end of the subscription period will result in their expiration and the shareholders forfeiture of the opportunity to purchase new shares under the rights issuance.

Renounceable rights offering: The rights issued to an existing shareholder are transferable in the open market and are able to be sold separately from the shares to other investors during the life of the right. Renounceable rights are referred to as “transferable” or “tradable”.

Non-renounceable rights offering: The rights issued to an existing shareholder cannot be traded. Shareholders must either subscribe to the rights or they lapse upon expiration of the subscription period.

Whether the rights offering is renounceable or non-renounceable, if the distribution is of the same index security, the price and index shares are adjusted if the rights have a subscription price on an equivalent per share basis that is less than its last sale price (in-the money) of the index security. The price is adjusted downward for the value of the right.

The index shares are increased to reflect the full exercise of the rights offering. The number of additional index shares is determined by multiplying the number of rights issued per index security by the current number of index shares, then dividing that product by the number of rights required to purchase one new index security. This results in a divisor adjustment.

If the rights have a subscription price on an equivalent per share basis that is greater than the last sale price (out of the money) of the index security on the day before the ex-distribution date, no adjustment will be made to the price or index shares of the index security, even if the offering is underwritten or otherwise guaranteed in some way. If the distribution is not available to all shareholders, then no adjustment is made to either the price or index shares of the index security.

Stock Distribution of Another Security

An issuer may distribute shares of a different class or class of shares of another existing company to shareholders of the index security.

The price of the index security will be adjusted downward to reflect the value of the distribution. The value of the distribution is calculated as the last sale price of the distributed security multiplied by the distribution ratio and no adjustment will be made to the index shares. This will result in a divisor adjustment.

Spin-offs

A spin-off or de-merger occurs when an issuer (the parent) “spins off” a business it owns into a separate new issuer (the spinco). The spinco takes assets, intellectual property, technology, and/or existing products from the parent and forms its own company. Shares of the spinco are distributed to the shareholders of the parent at a ratio established by the parent. It is expressed as the ratio of new shares in the spinco to the existing shares in the parent.

If the parent is an index security and there is a when-issued market for the spinco, the price of the parent is adjusted downward for the value of the spinco. The value of the spinco is calculated as the spin-off ratio multiplied by the when-issued last sale price of the spinco. There is no adjustment to the index shares of the parent. This will result in a divisor adjustment. The spinco is not added to the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

If there is no when-issued market for the spinco and it will be publicly listed then it is added to the Nasdaq-100 Index® at a value of 0.00000001 and no adjustment will be made to the price of the parent. The index shares of the spinco will be calculated as the spin-off ratio multiplied by the number of index shares of the parent. The addition of the spinco will not result in a divisor adjustment. The spinco will be removed from the Nasdaq-100 Index® to which it was added after the close on the day subsequent to the 1st trading day (“the 2nd listing day”). This will result in a divisor adjustment. When an index evaluation occurs and the spinco has not yet traded, it will continue to be included in the Nasdaq-100 Index® until such time as it trades and the spinco will be removed as identified above.

If there is no when-issued market for the spinco and it will not be publicly listed, then no price or index share adjustment is made to the index security.

Tracking Stocks

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A separate line of stock which is issued for the purpose of “tracking” the financial performance of a particular business line, division or subsidiary of a company is often referred to as a “tracking stock.” The pro-rata distribution of a newly issued tracking stock to existing shareholders of the “parent” company is handled in accordance with the guidelines for spin-offs. A similar distribution of a pre-existing tracking stock is handled as a stock distribution of another security.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

A merger/acquisition is the combination of two (or more) companies into one larger company, involving an exchange of stock and/or cash payment to the shareholders of the acquired company.

If the issuer of the index security is the company being acquired, the index security is removed the day following the shareholder vote or the expected expiration of the tender offer, provided the acquisition is not contested. In the event the acquisition is contested, the deletion occurs once results have been received that indicate the acquisition will likely be successful. If the approval is by written consent, then the removal occurs as soon as reasonably practical thereafter.

When the acquiring company is an index security, it may incur an increase in its index shares if the acquisition involves an exchange of stock as payment.

Additions / Deletions

The addition or deletion of a security will generally result in a divisor change. Index securities are added or removed from the Nasdaq-100 Index® at their last sale price on the day prior to the effective date of the change.

Halted Securities

If an index security, at the time of its removal from the Nasdaq-100 Index®, is halted from trading on its index exchange and its current last sale price cannot readily be determined, the index security may, at Nasdaq’s discretion, be removed at a price of 0.00000001 (“zero price”). This price is applied to the index security after the close of all the trading markets in the Nasdaq-100 Index® but prior to the time the official closing value of the Nasdaq-100 Index® is disseminated.

Index Share and TSO Changes

A security’s index shares may change as a result of events other than those corporate actions/events noted above. If a change in TSO arising from other corporate events is greater than or equal to 10%, an adjustment to index shares is made as soon as practicable after being sufficiently verified. If the change in TSO is less than 10%, then all such changes are accumulated and made effective at one time on a quarterly basis after the close of trading on the third Friday in each of March, June, September and December. The index shares are adjusted by the same percentage amount by which the TSO has changed.

Bankruptcy

In the event that an existing index constituent files for bankruptcy or equivalent protection from creditors, affected securities will be removed from their respective indexes, on a best-efforts basis, as soon as practicable after Nasdaq becomes aware of the filing.

If the index constituent is still available for trading on its primary exchange, it is removed from the Nasdaq-100 Index® at the security’s last trading price. If the security is no longer trading per its primary exchange, the constituent may be removed at an OTC price, if judged reliable. When no sufficiently reliable price exists, the security is removed at a price of zero.

Sanctions

Generally, Nasdaq Indices will approach the treatment of sanctions through the lens of United States, United Kingdom, and/or European Union based investors. Most sanctions can be thought of as being either comprehensive or selective:

Comprehensive sanctions programs are geographically oriented, and often apply broad-based financial restrictions on entire countries. Examples include Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Companies in countries targeted by comprehensive sanctions are not eligible for inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 Index®.

Other sanctions programs are more selective, and target specific companies and individuals regardless of their locations. Nasdaq consults multiple sources in order to identify and interpret relevant sanctions on a best-efforts basis.

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Because different sanctions programs include a variety of evolving restrictions and requirements, sanctions generally require a case-by-case review. Any resulting index adjustments, if necessary, will be made at the sole discretion of the Nasdaq Index Management Committee.

Other Adjustments

Nasdaq may make adjustments in circumstances other than those detailed in the index methodology, but not limited to adjustments necessary to ensure Nasdaq-100 Index® and/or market integrity. Nasdaq may exercise discretion or expert judgement (other than that which is purely mechanical and, where relevant, implemented in accordance with the index methodology) when the situation calls for the interpretation of data in calculating and maintaining the Nasdaq-100 Index®, including application of corporate actions. The use of expert judgement is overseen by the index governance process and mandates that the discretion or expert judgement would be exercised (i) in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and (ii) in such a manner as to ensure, as far as commercially reasonable, consistency in the approach it adopts with regard to the exercise of such discretion or expert judgement.

Index Governance

The Nasdaq Index Management Committee approves all new index methodologies. This committee is comprised of full-time professional members of Nasdaq. The committee meets regularly, and reviews items including, but not limited to, pending corporate actions that may affect index constituents, statistics comparing the composition of the indexes to the market, companies that are being considered as candidates for addition to an index, and any significant market events.

Discretionary Adjustment

The index methodology was created by Nasdaq to achieve the aforementioned objective of measuring the underlying purpose of the Nasdaq-100 Index®. Any deviations from the index methodology are made in the sole judgment and discretion of Nasdaq so that the Nasdaq-100 Index® continues to achieve its objective.

License Agreement between Nasdaq, Inc. and GS Finance Corp.

The Product(s) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Nasdaq, Inc. or its affiliates (Nasdaq, with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”). The Corporations have not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, the Product(s).  The Corporations make no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the Product(s) or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Product(s) particularly, or the ability of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® to track general stock market performance.  The Corporations' only relationship to GS Finance Corp. (“Licensee”) is in the licensing of the Nasdaq®, Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®, and certain trade names of the Corporations and the use of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® which is determined, composed and calculated by Nasdaq without regard to Licensee or the Product(s).  Nasdaq has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Product(s) into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®.  The Corporations are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Product(s) to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product(s) is to be converted into cash.  The Corporations have no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Product(s).

The Corporations do not guarantee the accuracy and/or uninterrupted calculation of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® or any data included therein.  The Corporations make no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by Licensee, owners of the product(s), or any other person or entity from the use of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® or any data included therein.  The Corporations make no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaim all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® or any data included therein.  Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Corporations have any liability for any lost profits or special, incidental, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.


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MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index:

is an equity index, and therefore cannot be invested in directly;

does not file reports with the SEC because it is not an issuer;

was launched on October 31, 2018, based on an initial index value of 1,000 as of November 30, 2016; and

is sponsored, calculated, published and disseminated daily by MSCI Inc., which we refer to as “MSCI”, through numerous data vendors, on the MSCI website and in real time on Bloomberg Financial Markets and Reuters Limited.

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is designed to measure the price performance of companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased investment in systems, products and services which provide protection against cyber-attacks. The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index selects stocks from the MSCI ACWI IMI Index, its parent index. The MSCI ACWI IMI Index includes stocks issued by large-, mid- and small-cap companies across 23 developed market countries and 27 emerging market countries. The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is calculated in U.S. dollars on a price return basis. Additional information about the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index and the MSCI ACWI IMI Index (including the top ten constituent stocks and weights, sector weights and country weights) is available on the following website: msci.com/index-methodology. Daily closing level information for the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is available on the following website: msci.com. We are not incorporating by reference the websites, the sources listed above or any material they include in this pricing supplement.

 

Constructing the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

Framework overview

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is constructed by selecting stocks from the parent index based on the following six steps, each of which is described in more detail below. First, the index objective or theme (“theme”) of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is used to build a set of relevant words that may describe companies that fit within the theme. Second, each company’s business segment name(s) and publicly-sourced summary business description are scanned to find matches with these relevant words to arrive at an eligible universe of stocks. Third, companies assigned to certain Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sub-industries are excluded from the eligible universe of stocks to reduce the risk of including companies that operate businesses unrelated to the theme. Fourth, a relevance score is calculated for each stock in the eligible universe to quantify its economic linkage to the theme. Fifth, stocks that meet a minimum relevance score are included as index constituents. Sixth, a weighting mechanism is applied to the index constituent.

Building a set of relevant words

The theme of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is to select companies that potentially stand to benefit from increased investment in systems, products and services which provide protection against cyber-attacks, including companies that have high exposure to the following business activities: providing cybersecurity hardware and software products; providing cybersecurity services; implementing and managing network security protocols; and ensuring data integrity. In order to build a dictionary of relevant words to identify companies that may fit within the theme, the text of the theme is analyzed or broken down into “seedwords”, which consist of (i) words or phrases included in the theme or (ii) words or phrases that are derivative of words or phrase included in the theme.

Using these seedwords, MSCI searches English language documents via publicly available search engines and databases in order to assemble a collection or “corpus” of documents. The corpus is compiled from the top search results.

Next, using the corpus, MSCI uses natural language processing techniques (also known as “topic modelling”) to translate and expand the seedwords into a set of “keywords” that are representative of the theme. It does so by comparing a word or phrase’s popularity in a document versus the inverse proportion of that word or phrase over the entire corpus. This method is designed to identify the words in a document that contain the most important information by assigning a weight to every word or phrase, with higher weights allocated to potential keywords.

MSCI then calculates the contextual similarity score between the potential keywords and the seedwords. This step is designed to ensure the selected keywords have a “linguistic closeness” or linkage to the seedwords and therefore the theme. The seedwords and keywords are first converted into their “word embeddings” (which is a representative

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vector of the “linguistic closeness”) using MSCI and third-party word embedding models. Once the words or phrases are represented by such representative vectors, MSCI measures how aligned they are in meaning by measuring whether the two representative vectors are pointing in a similar direction. MSCI does this by calculating a “cosine similarity” score between the seedword and the keywords. Potential keywords with high similarity scores are selected for review as the final set of keywords for matching. The seedwords together with the keywords are the set of “relevant words” that is used to define the eligible universe.

Defining the eligible universe

Constituents are identified for inclusion in the eligible universe by two routes: “direct” and “indirect” or a combination of both.

Direct method: Companies from the parent index which include at least one of the relevant words in their business segment name are included in the eligible universe.

Indirect method: Companies from the parent index which include at least two of the relevant words in their summary business description are included in the eligible universe. The summary business description is derived by accessing English language summary descriptions of the company’s business activities from public sources.

Excluding stocks from the eligible universe based on sub-industry

Stocks assigned to the following GICS sub-industries are excluded from consideration.

No.

GICS Sector

GICS Sub-industry

1

Industrials

Building Products

Construction & Engineering

Industrial Conglomerates

Construction Machinery & Heavy Trucks

Industrial Machinery

Commercial Printing

Environmental & Facilities Services

Security & Alarm Services

2

Information Technology

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

Semiconductors

 

Selecting stocks from the eligible universe based on relevance score

Stocks are selected from the eligible universe based on their relevance score, which is a measurement of a company’s revenue that is relevant to the theme as compared to the company’s total revenue. The relevance score is calculated as follows: the quotient of (a) the sum of (i) revenue from the business segments with an assigned business segment name that includes at least one relevant word plus (ii) (A) the “relevance score discount factor” times (B) revenue from the selected Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes divided by (b) total company revenue.

Business segments with an assigned business segment name that includes at least one relevant word (i.e., companies included in the eligible universe via the direct method) are considered to be relevant to the theme, and revenue attributable to such business segments is not discounted (as described below).

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Business segments with an assigned business segment name that does not include at least one relevant word (i.e., companies included in the eligible universe via the indirect method) may be considered relevant to the theme if they are assigned to an SIC code that satisfies the following criteria:

The SIC code includes at least one business segment with an assigned business segment name that includes at least one relevant word; and

The SIC code is assigned to the business segments of at least two different stocks from the eligible universe. SIC code 9999 is not selected.

However, to account for the greater uncertainty about whether such business segments are relevant to the theme, MSCI discounts the revenue attributable to such business segments by calculating the relevance score discount factor. A relevance score discount factor is calculated by normalizing the cumulative frequency of relevant words in the company’s summary description relative to all companies indirectly included in the eligible universe. This scaling, which ranges from zero to one, reflects the relative density of keyword hits within the business description information. For example, a company for which the hits are sparse in a very long text would see the linked revenue scaled down more strongly.

All stocks from the eligible universe with a relevance score of 25% or more are included in the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index.

Applying weighting scheme

Stocks included in the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index are weighted by the product of relevance score and their free-float adjusted market capitalization. The weights of the index constituents are then adjusted proportionately so that the adjusted aggregate free-float market capitalization of the index constituents equals the unadjusted aggregate free-float market capitalization of the index constituents, so that the application of the relevance scores only changes the weights of the targeted index constituents but not the aggregate free-float market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index. Additionally, constituent weights are capped at the issuer level to mitigate concentration risk in the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index. The issuer weight in the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is capped at 5%.

Calculation of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

 

The performance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is a free float weighted average, as modified by the weighting scheme, of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.

 

Prices used to calculate the component securities are the official exchange closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries the latest available closing price. In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation. If MSCI determines that another price is more appropriate based on the circumstances, an announcement would be sent to clients with the related information. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing spot exchange rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00 P.M. London Time.

 

Maintaining the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index is reviewed on a semi-annual basis in May and November to coincide with the May and November semi-annual index reviews of the parent index, and the changes are implemented at the end of May and November. In general, the new index constituents and their corresponding weights on the effective date are announced nine business days before the effective date.

During the semi-annual index review, the eligible universe and selected universe are updated. In general, MSCI uses the company business segment names, business description and revenue data as of the end of the month preceding the semi-annual index review.

The set of relevant words are reviewed by MSCI during the May semi-annual index review.

Ongoing event-related maintenance

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The general treatment of corporate events in the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index aims to minimize turnover outside of index reviews. The index methodology aims to appropriately represent an investor’s participation in an event based on relevant deal terms and pre-event weighting of the index constituents that are involved. Further, changes in index market capitalization that occur as a result of corporate event implementation will be offset by a corresponding change in the variable weighting factor of the constituent.

The following chart briefly describes the treatment of common corporate events within the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index.

No new securities will be added (except where noted below) to the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index between index reviews. Any parent index deletions will be reflected simultaneously.

Event Type

Event Details

New additions to the parent index

A new security added to the parent index (such as IPO and other early inclusions) will not be added to the index.

Spin-offs

All securities created as a result of the spin-off of an existing index constituent will be added to the index at the time of event implementation. Reevaluation for continued inclusion in the index will occur at the subsequent index review.

Merger/acquisition

For mergers and acquisitions, the acquirer’s post event weight will account for the proportionate amount of shares involved in deal consideration, while cash proceeds will be invested across the index.

If an existing index constituent is acquired by a non-index constituent, the existing constituent will be deleted from the index and the acquiring nonconstituent will not be added to the index.

Changes in security characteristics

A security will continue to be an index constituent if there are changes in characteristics (country, sector, size segment, etc.) Reevaluation for continued inclusion in the index will occur at the subsequent index review.

 

MSCI ACWI IMI Index

The MSCI ACWI IMI Index:

is an equity index, and therefore cannot be invested in directly;

does not file reports with the SEC because it is not an issuer; and

was launched on June 5, 2007, based on an initial index value of 320.45 as of May 31, 1994; and

is sponsored, calculated, published and disseminated daily by MSCI Inc., which we refer to as “MSCI”, through numerous data vendors, on the MSCI website and in real time on Bloomberg Financial Markets and Reuters Limited.

The MSCI ACWI IMI Index is a free float adjusted market capitalization index and is one of the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices. The MSCI ACWI IMI Index is considered an “investable” index, which means it consists of all eligible large capitalization and mid-capitalization stocks, as determined by MSCI, in the relevant developed and emerging markets. Additional information about the MSCI ACWI IMI Index is available on the following website: msci.com/index-methodology. We are not incorporating by reference the website, the sources listed above or any material they include in this pricing supplement.

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The MSCI ACWI IMI Index is intended to provide performance benchmarks for 23 developed equity markets and 27 emerging equity markets. The constituent stocks of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index are derived from the constituent stocks of the 50 MSCI standard single country indices. The 23 developed market countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The 27 emerging market countries are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Construction of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index

 

MSCI undertakes an index construction process at an individual market level, which involves: (i) defining the equity universe for each market; (ii) determining the market investable equity universe for each market; (iii) determining market capitalization size segments for each market; and (iv) classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard. The index construction methodology differs in some cases depending on whether the relevant market is considered a developed market or an emerging market. The MSCI ACWI IMI Index is an investable market index, meaning that only securities that would qualify for inclusion in a large-cap index, a mid-cap index or a small-cap index will be included as described below.

 

Defining the Equity Universe

 

(i)

Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: The equity universe for the MSCI ACWI IMI Index initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI global index series, which will be classified as either “developed markets” or “emerging markets”. All listed equity securities, including real estate investment trusts and certain income trusts in Canada are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Limited partnerships, limited liability companies and business trusts, which are listed in the U.S. and are not structured to be taxed as limited partnerships, are likewise eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Conversely, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, equity derivatives and most investment trusts are not eligible for inclusion in the equity universe.  Preferred shares that exhibit characteristics of equity securities are eligible. Securities for which the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission has issued high shareholding concentration notices are not eligible.

 

(ii)

Country Classification of Eligible Securities: Each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in one and only one country, which allows for a distinctive sorting of each company by its respective country.

 

Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes

 

A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by (i) identifying eligible listings for each security in the equity universe; and (ii) applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is generally equivalent to a single country. The global investable equity universe is the aggregation of all market investable equity universes.

(i)

Identifying Eligible Listings: A security may have a listing in the country where it is classified (a “local listing”) and/or in a different country (a “foreign listing”). A security may be represented by either a local listing or a foreign listing (including a depositary receipt) in the global investable equity universe.  A security may be represented by a foreign listing only if the security is classified in a country that meets the foreign listing materiality requirement (as described below), and the security’s foreign listing is traded on an eligible stock exchange of a developed market country if the security is classified in a developed market country or, if the security is classified in an emerging market country, an eligible stock exchange of a developed market country or an emerging market country.

 

In order for a country to meet the foreign listing materiality requirement, MSCI determines: all securities represented by a foreign listing that would be included in the country’s MSCI Country Investable Market Index if foreign listings were eligible from that country. The aggregate free-float adjusted market capitalization for all such securities should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant MSCI Country Investable Market Index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index. If a country does not meet the foreign listing materiality requirement, then securities in that country may not be represented by a foreign listing in the global investable equity universe.

 

(ii)

Applying Investability Screens: The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are:

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(a)

Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the company level. In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization. The equity universe minimum size requirement applies to companies in all markets and is derived as follows:

 

 

First, the companies in the developed market equity universe are sorted in descending order of full market capitalization and the cumulative coverage of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the developed market equity universe is calculated for each company. Each company’s free float-adjusted market capitalization is represented by the aggregation of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the securities of that company in the equity universe.

 

Second, when the cumulative free float-adjusted market capitalization coverage of 99% of the sorted equity universe is achieved, by adding each company’s free float-adjusted market capitalization in descending order, the full market capitalization of the company that reaches the 99% threshold defines the equity universe minimum size requirement.

 

                  The rank of this company by descending order of full market capitalization within the developed market equity universe is noted, and will be used in determining the equity universe minimum size requirement at the next rebalance.

 

As of May 2021, the equity universe minimum size requirement was set at US$352,000,000. Companies with a full market capitalization below this level are not included in any market investable equity universe. The equity universe minimum size requirement is reviewed and, if necessary, revised at each semi-annual index review, as described below.

 

(b)

Equity Universe Minimum Free Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float-adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity universe minimum size requirement.

(c)

Minimum Liquidity Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have at least one eligible listing that has adequate liquidity as measured by its 12-month and 3-month annualized traded value ratio (“ATVR”) and 3-month frequency of trading. The ATVR attempts to mitigate the impact of extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float-adjusted market capitalization of securities. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of the 3-month ATVR and 90% of 3-month frequency of trading over the last 4 consecutive quarters, as well as 20% of the 12-month ATVR, are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a developed market. A minimum liquidity level of 15% of the 3-month ATVR and 80% of 3-month frequency of trading over the last 4 consecutive quarters, as well as 15% of the 12-month ATVR, are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an emerging market. Securities in the MSCI China equity universe will not be eligible for inclusion in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index if the security is suspended or has been suspended for 50 consecutive days or more in the past 12 months.

Only one listing per security may be included in the market investable equity universe. In instances where a security has two or more eligible listings that meet the above liquidity requirements, then the following priority rules are used to determine which listing will be used for potential inclusion of the security in the market investable equity universe:

 

 

(1)

Local listing (if the security has two or more local listings, then the listing with the highest 3-month ATVR will be used).

 

 

(2)

Foreign listing in the same geographical region (MSCI classifies markets into three main geographical regions: EMEA, Asia Pacific and Americas.  If the security has two or more foreign listings in the same geographical region, then the listing with the highest 3-month ATVR will be used).

 

 

(3)

Foreign listing in a different geographical region (if the security has two or more foreign listings in a different geographical region, then the listing with the highest 3-month ATVR will be used).

 

Due to liquidity concerns relating to securities trading at very high stock prices, a security that is currently not a constituent of a MSCI Global Investable Markets Index that is trading at a stock price above US$10,000 will fail the liquidity screening and will not be included in any market investable equity universe.

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(d)  Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To determine the free float of a security, MSCI considers the proportion of shares of such security available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. In practice, limitations on the investment opportunities for international investors include: strategic stakes in a company held by private or public shareholders whose investment objective indicates that the shares held are not likely to be available in the market; limits on the proportion of a security’s share capital authorized for purchase by non-domestic investors; or other foreign investment restrictions which materially limit the ability of foreign investors to freely invest in a particular equity market, sector or security.

 

MSCI will then derive a “foreign inclusion factor” for the company that reflects the proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. MSCI will then “float-adjust” the weight of each constituent company in an index by the company’s foreign inclusion factor.

 

Once the free float factor has been determined for a security, the security’s total market capitalization is then adjusted by such free float factor, resulting in the free float-adjusted market capitalization figure for the security.

 

(e)  Minimum Length of Trading Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial public offering to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at least three months before the implementation of a semi-annual index review. This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large initial public offerings are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market investable equity universe and an investable index, such as the MSCI ACWI IMI Index, outside of a quarterly or semi-annual index review.

 

(f)   Minimum Foreign Room Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For a security that is subject to a foreign ownership limit to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the proportion of shares still available to foreign investors relative to the maximum allowed (referred to as “foreign room”) must be at least 15%.

 

Determining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market

 

Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size-based indices:

 

                  Investable Market Index (Large Cap + Mid Cap + Small Cap)

                  Standard Index (Large Cap + Mid Cap)

                  Large Cap Index

                  Mid Cap Index

                  Small Cap Index

 

Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps: (i) defining the market coverage target range for each size segment; (ii) determining the global minimum size range for each size segment; (iii) determining the market size segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies; (iv) assigning companies to the size segments; and (v) applying final size-segment investability requirements. For developed market indices and emerging market indices, the market coverage for an investable index is 99% and 49.5% respectively. As of April 2021, the global minimum size range for a developed market investable index is a full market capitalization of USD 979.8 million to USD 426 million, and the global minimum size range for an emerging market investable index is a full market capitalization of USD 489.9 million to USD 213 million.

 

Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard

 

All securities in the MSCI ACWI IMI Index are assigned to the industry that best describes their business activities.

 

Calculation of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index

 

The performance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index is a free float weighted average of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.

 

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Prices used to calculate the component securities are the official exchange closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries the latest available closing price. In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation. If MSCI determines that another price is more appropriate based on the circumstances, an announcement would be sent to clients with the related information. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing spot exchange rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00 P.M. London Time.

 

Maintenance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index

 

In order to maintain the representativeness of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index, structural changes to the MSCI ACWI IMI Index as a whole may be made by adding or deleting component securities. Currently, such changes in the MSCI ACWI IMI Index may generally only be made on four dates throughout the year: after the close of the last business day of each February, May, August and November.

 

Each country index is maintained with the objective of reflecting, on a timely basis, the evolution of the underlying equity markets. In maintaining each component country index, emphasis is also placed on its continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the index and on index stability and minimizing turnover.

 

MSCI classifies index maintenance in three broad categories. The first consists of ongoing event related changes, such as mergers and acquisitions, which are generally implemented in the country indices in which they occur. The second category consists of quarterly index reviews, aimed at promptly reflecting other significant market events. The third category consists of semi-annual index reviews that systematically re-assess the various dimensions of the equity universe.

 

Ongoing event-related changes to the country indices are the result of mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, reorganizations and other similar corporate events. They can also result from capital reorganizations in the form of rights issues, stock bonus issues, public placements and other similar corporate actions that take place on a continuing basis. MSCI will remove from the index as soon as practicable securities of companies that file for bankruptcy or other protection from their creditors, that are suspended and for which a return to normal business activity and trading is unlikely in the near future, or that fail stock exchange listing requirements with a delisting announcement. Securities may also be considered for early deletion in other significant cases, such as decreases in free float and foreign ownership limits, or when a constituent company acquires or merges with a non-constituent company or spins-off another company. In practice, when a constituent company is involved in a corporate event which results in a significant decrease in the company’s free float-adjusted market capitalization or the company decreases its foreign inclusion factor to below 0.15, the securities of that constituent company are considered for early deletion from the indices simultaneously with the event. Share conversions may also give rise to an early deletion. Changes in number of shares and foreign inclusion factors resulting from primary equity offerings representing at least 5% of the security’s pre-event number of shares are implemented as of the close of the first trading day of the new shares, if all necessary information is available at that time. Otherwise, the event is implemented as soon as practicable after the relevant information is made available. MSCI implements pending number of shares and/or free float updates simultaneously with the event, unless the change in number of shares is less than 1% on a post-event number of shares basis, in which case it will be implemented at a subsequent index review. Changes in the number of shares smaller than 5% are implemented at a subsequent index review. Secondary offerings/block sales with sizes representing at least 5% of the security’s pre-event number of shares are implemented at the time of the event. All changes resulting from corporate events are announced prior to their implementation, provided all necessary information on the event is available.

 

MSCI’s quarterly index review process is designed to ensure that the country indices continue to be an accurate reflection of evolving equity markets. This goal is achieved by timely reflecting significant market driven changes that were not captured in each index at the time of their actual occurrence and that should not wait until the semi-annual index review due to their importance. These quarterly index reviews may result in additions and deletions of component securities from a country index (or a security being removed from one country listing and represented by a different country listing) and changes in “foreign inclusion factors” and in number of shares. Additions and deletions to component securities may result from: the addition of large companies that did not meet the minimum size criterion for inclusion at the time of their initial public offering or secondary offering; the replacement of companies which are no longer suitable industry representatives; the deletion of securities whose overall free float has fallen to less than 15% and that do not meet specified criteria; the deletion of securities that have become very small or illiquid; and the addition or deletion of securities as a result of other market events. Significant changes in free float estimates and corresponding changes in the foreign inclusion factor for component securities may result

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from: corporate events that should have been implemented at the time of such event but could not be reflected immediately due to lack of publicly available details at the time of the event; exercise of IPO over-allotment options which result in an increase in free float; increases in foreign ownership limits; decreases in foreign ownership limits which did not require foreign investors to immediately sell shares in the market; re-estimates of free float figures resulting from the reclassification of shareholders from strategic to non-strategic, and vice versa; the end of lock-up periods or expiration of loyalty incentives for non-strategic shareholders; and conversion of a non-index constituent share class or an unlisted line of shares which has an impact on index constituents. However, no changes in foreign inclusion factors are implemented for any of the above events if the change in free float estimate is less than 1%, except in cases of correction. As discussed above, small changes in the number of shares resulting from, for example, exercise of options or warrants and employee stock option plans, conversion of convertible bonds or other instruments (including periodic conversion of preferred stocks), conversion of a non-index constituent share class or an unlisted line of shares which has an impact on index constituents, periodical conversion of a share class into another share class, exercise of over-allotment options, periodic share buybacks, the cancellation of shares, acquisition for shares of non-listed companies or assets, or other events that could not be implemented on or near the effective dates where no price adjustment factor is necessary, are generally updated at the quarterly index review rather than at the time of the event. The results of the quarterly index reviews are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation dates as of the close of the last business day of February and August. MSCI has noted that consistency is a factor in maintaining each component country index.

 

MSCI’s semi-annual index review is designed to systematically reassess the component securities of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index. During each semi-annual index review, the universe of component securities is updated and the global minimum size range for the MSCI ACWI IMI Index is recalculated, which is based on the full market capitalization and the cumulative free float-adjusted market capitalization coverage of each security that is eligible to be included in the MSCI ACWI IMI Index. The following index maintenance activities, among others, are undertaken during each semi-annual index review: the list of countries in which securities may be represented by foreign listings is reviewed; the component securities are updated by identifying new equity securities that were not part of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index at the time of the previous quarterly index review; the minimum size requirement for the MSCI ACWI IMI Index is updated and new companies are evaluated relative to the new minimum size requirement; existing component securities that do not meet the minimum liquidity requirements of the MSCI ACWI IMI Index may be removed (or, with respect to any such security that has other listings, a determination is made as to whether any such listing can be used to represent the security in the market investable universe); and changes in “foreign inclusion factors” are implemented (provided the change in free float is greater than 1%, except in cases of correction). During a semi-annual index review, component securities may be added or deleted from a country index for a range of reasons, including the reasons discussed with respect to component securities changes during quarterly index reviews as discussed above. Foreign listings may become eligible to represent securities only from the countries that met the foreign listing materiality requirement during the previous semi-annual index review (this requirement is applied only to countries that do not yet include foreign listed securities). Once a country meets the foreign listing materiality requirement at a given semi-annual index review, foreign listings will remain eligible for such country even if the foreign listing materiality requirements are not met in the future.

 

The results of the semi-annual index reviews are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation date as of the close of the last business day of May and November.

 

Index maintenance also includes monitoring and completing adjustments for share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructurings or spin-offs as well as deleting constituents that enter ineligible alert boards.

 

These guidelines and the policies implementing the guidelines are the responsibility of, and, ultimately, subject to adjustment by, MSCI.

 

License Agreement between MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”) and GS Finance Corp.

 

The MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index and the MSCI ACWI IMI Index are the exclusive property of MSCI. MSCI and the MSCI index names are service mark(s) of MSCI or its affiliates and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by GS Finance Corp. Securities referred to herein are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability with respect to any such securities. No purchaser, seller or holder of securities, or any other person or entity, should use or refer to any MSCI trade name, trademark or service mark to sponsor, endorse, market or promote securities without first contacting MSCI to determine whether MSCI’s permission is required. Under no circumstances may any person or entity claim any affiliation with MSCI without the prior written permission of MSCI.

 

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THE SECURITIES ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI, ANY AFFILIATE OF MSCI INC. OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX. THE MSCI INDEXES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY GS FINANCE CORP. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF SECURITIES OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FINANCIAL SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN SECURITIES PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO SECURITIES OR THE ISSUER OR OWNER OF SECURITIES. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUERS OR OWNERS OF SECURITIES INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDEXES. NEITHER MSCI, ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF SECURITIES TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH SECURITIES ARE REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, THE MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE OWNERS OF SECURITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF SECURITIES.

 

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDEXES FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY GS FINANCE CORP., ITS CUSTOMERS OR COUNTERPARTIES, ISSUERS OF UNDERLIER LINKED-SECURITIES, OWNERS OF SECURITIES OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FURTHER, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO ANY MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

 



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PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM

PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, which we also refer to in this description as the “index”:

is an equity index, and therefore cannot be invested in directly;

does not file reports with the SEC because it is not an issuer;

has a base date of December 1, 1993, with a base value of 200.00; and

is calculated, maintained and published by Nasdaq, Inc.

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is designed to measure the performance of 30 of the largest U.S.-listed semiconductor companies. The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is a “price return” index and is calculated using a modified market capitalization-weighted methodology. We have derived all information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM from publicly available information. Additional information about the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is available on the following website: indexes.nasdaqomx.com/Index/Overview/SOX. We are not incorporating by reference the website or any material it includes in this pricing supplement.

Security Eligibility Criteria

In order to be included in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, a security must pass the following eligibility criteria:

Security types generally eligible for the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM include common stocks, ordinary shares, American depositary receipts, shares of beneficial interest, and limited partnership interests. Only one security per issuer is permitted. If an issuer has multiple securities, the security with the largest market capitalization will be considered for possible inclusion into the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.

A security must be listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE American, or the CBOE Exchange.

The security must be classified under the Semiconductors Subsector or Production Technology Equipment Subsector according to the Industry Classification Benchmark, a product of FTSE International Limited that is licensed for this use.

Each security must have a minimum market capitalization of $100 million.

Each security must have traded at least 1.5 million shares in each of the six calendar months up to and including the month containing the reference date.

The security must have been traded for at least three full months, not including the month of initial listing, on a recognized market.

The security must have listed options on a registered options market in the U.S. or be eligible for listed options trading on a registered options market in the U.S.

The security may not be issued by an issuer currently in bankruptcy proceedings.

If, at reconstitution, Nasdaq becomes aware that an issuer or security will soon undergo a fundamental change that makes it ineligible, Nasdaq will remove the security from consideration. This includes entering into a definitive merger or acquisition agreement or other pending arrangement that would make it ineligible for Index inclusion, or a filing of bankruptcy or similar protection from creditors.

Index Calendar

Nasdaq selects constituents once annually in September. The security eligibility criteria are applied using market data as of the end of July. Index reconstitutions are announced in early September and are effective at the market open of the following trading day after the close of the trading on the third Friday in September.

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is rebalanced quarterly in March, June, September and December. The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM rebalance uses the total shares outstanding (“TSO”) and last sale price of all index securities as of the prior month-end (February, May, August and November respectively). Index rebalance changes are announced in early March, June, September and December and are effective at market open of the following trading day after the close of trading on the third Friday in March, June, September and December.

 

Constituent Selection

 

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM selects the 30 largest eligible semiconductor companies listed on the above – referenced U.S. exchanges, ranked by market capitalization.

 

Constituent Weighting

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Constituent Weighting Scheme

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is a modified market capitalization-weighted index.

Constituent Weighting Process

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM employs a two-stage weight adjustment scheme.

Index securities’ initial weights are determined by dividing each index security’s market capitalization by the aggregate market capitalization of all index securities.

Stage 1. Initial index weights are adjusted to meet the following Stage 1 constraint, producing the Stage 1 weights:

No index security may exceed 8%.

 

Stage 2. Stage 1 weights are adjusted to meet the following Stage 2 constraints, producing the final weights:

 

For index securities with the five largest market capitalizations, Stage 1 weights are maintained

For all other index securities, no weight may exceed 4%.

 

The final weights meet the following constraints:

No index security weight may exceed 8% of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM; five may exceed 4%.

 

PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  Calculation

The discussion below describes the “price return” calculation of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM. As compared to the gross total return or net total return versions of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, the price return version is ordinarily calculated without regard to ordinary cash dividends on the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM stocks. However, all PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM calculations reflect special cash dividends.

The PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is a modified market capitalization-weighted index. The value of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM equals the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM market value divided by the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM divisor. The overall PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM market value is the aggregate of each PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  stock’s market value, as may be adjusted for any corporate actions. A PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM stock’s market value is determined by multiplying the last sale price by the number of shares of the index security included in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM. In other words, the value of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM is equal to (i) the sum of the products of, for each of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM stocks (a) the number of shares of the index security included in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM multiplied by (b) such stock’s last sale price (adjusted for corporate actions, if any), divided by (ii) the divisor of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.

The price return PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  divisor is calculated as the ratio of (i) the start of day market value of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM divided by (ii) the previous day PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM value.

If an index security does not trade on the relevant Nasdaq exchange on a given day or the relevant Nasdaq exchange has not opened for trading, the previous index calculation day’s closing price for index security (adjusted for corporate actions occurring prior to market open on the current day, if any) is used. If an index security is halted during the trading day, the most recent last sale price is used until trading resumes. For securities where the Nasdaq Stock Market is the relevant Nasdaq exchange, the last sale price may be the Nasdaq Official Closing Price when it is closed.

Index Maintenance

Deletion Policy

If, at any time other than an index reconstitution, Nasdaq determines that an index security has or will undergo a fundamental alteration that would make it ineligible for index inclusion, the index security is removed as soon as practicable. Such alterations may include merger, acquisition, or other major corporate event that would adversely impact the integrity of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.

Replacement Policy

 

Securities may be added to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM outside of the index reconstitution when there is a deletion. The issuer with the largest market capitalization which is not in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  and meets all security eligibility criteria will replace the deleted security.

Corporate Actions

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In the periods between scheduled index reconstitution and rebalancing events, individual index securities may be subject to a variety of corporate actions and events that require maintenance and adjustments to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.

Special Cash Dividends

A special cash dividend is a cash payment by the issuer of the index security to shareholders that the issuer does not consider to be part of its regular dividend paying cycle. A dividend is considered special in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM if the information provided by the vendor or the index exchange indicates that the dividend is special. Other nomenclature for a special dividend may include but not be limited to extra, extraordinary, non-recurring, one-time, unusual, etc.

The start of day price of the index security is adjusted downward for the amount of the special cash dividend with no adjustment to the index shares resulting in a change to the divisor.

Return of Capital

A return of capital is a cash distribution paid from the company’s capital surplus rather than its net income or retained earnings. For the purposes of index calculation, Nasdaq will determine the treatment (regular vs. special) of each return of capital event based on whether the payment fits with the company’s regular pattern of dividend payments, or if the payment appears to be extraordinary in nature.

Liquidation Distributions

A liquidation distribution, sometimes referred to as a “liquidating dividend” is a cash distribution made by an issuer in conjunction with the dissolution of its business. Bankruptcy liquidations rarely result in liquidation payments to equity shareholders. Voluntary liquidations, on the other hand, will generally produce one or more liquidation payment events. For the purposes of index calculation, Nasdaq treats liquidation distributions in the same manner as special dividends.

Stock Split / Stock Dividend / Bonus Issue

A stock split, stock dividend and bonus issue are similar transactions which generally result in no change to the market capitalization of the security. They essentially imply the same event and the only difference is in the way the terms are quoted. A stock split or bonus issue is quoted in terms of shares received to shares held and stock dividends are quoted in percentages. This event increases the index shares of the index security based on an adjustment factor, while simultaneously reducing its per share price by applying a corresponding inverse adjustment factor, such that the weight of the index security remains similar before and after the event resulting in no change or a minimal change to the divisor.

Cash and Stock Dividend

An issuer of a security may pay a cash and stock dividend on the same security on the same date. In this case, the cash dividend is processed in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM before the stock dividend unless otherwise indicated.

Optional Dividend

An issuer of a security may permit the shareholder to choose between receiving a dividend in cash or stock. In this case, the adjustment is made to the index security in the manner the dividend is announced.

Reverse Stock Split / Consolidation

A reverse split generally results in no change to the market capitalization of the security. Reverse splits are quoted in terms of shares received to shares held. This event decreases the number of index shares of the index security based on an adjustment factor while simultaneously increasing its per share price by applying a corresponding inverse adjustment factor, such that the weight of the index security remains similar before and after the event resulting in no change or a minimal change to the divisor.

Rights Offering / Issue

An issuer may offer to existing shareholders the right to participate in a new issuance of shares in proportion to each shareholder’s existing holdings of the security at a set price (the subscription price) during a subscription period. Shareholders are allotted rights in accordance with the ratio set by the company. The rights may trade for a certain period of time during the subscription period, allowing shareholders the opportunity to sell their rights in the market. Failure to subscribe to the rights prior to the end of the subscription period will result in their expiration and the shareholders forfeiture of the opportunity to purchase new shares under the rights issuance.

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Renounceable rights offering: The rights issued to an existing shareholder are transferable in the open market and are able to be sold separately from the shares to other investors during the life of the right. Renounceable rights are referred to as “transferable” or “tradable”.

Non-renounceable rights offering: The rights issued to an existing shareholder cannot be traded. Shareholders must either subscribe to the rights or they lapse upon expiration of the subscription period.

Whether the rights offering is renounceable or non-renounceable, if the distribution is of the same index security, the price and index shares are adjusted if the rights have a subscription price on an equivalent per share basis that is less than its last sale price (in-the money) of the index security. The price is adjusted downward for the value of the right.

The index shares are increased to reflect the full exercise of the rights offering. The number of additional index shares is determined by multiplying the number of rights issued per index security by the current number of index shares, then dividing that product by the number of rights required to purchase one new index security. This results in a divisor adjustment.

If the rights have a subscription price on an equivalent per share basis that is greater than the last sale price (out of the money) of the index security on the day before the ex-distribution date, no adjustment will be made to the price or index shares of the index security, even if the offering is underwritten or otherwise guaranteed in some way. If the distribution is not available to all shareholders, then no adjustment is made to either the price or index shares of the index security.

Stock Distribution of Another Security

An issuer may distribute shares of a different class or class of shares of another existing company to shareholders of the index security.

The price of the index security will be adjusted downward to reflect the value of the distribution. The value of the distribution is calculated as the last sale price of the distributed security multiplied by the distribution ratio and no adjustment will be made to the index shares. This will result in a divisor adjustment.

Spin-offs

A spin-off or de-merger occurs when an issuer (the parent) “spins off” a business it owns into a separate new issuer (the spinco). The spinco takes assets, intellectual property, technology, and/or existing products from the parent and forms its own company. Shares of the spinco are distributed to the shareholders of the parent at a ratio established by the parent. It is expressed as the ratio of new shares in the spinco to the existing shares in the parent.

If the parent is an index security and there is a when-issued market for the spinco, the price of the parent is adjusted downward for the value of the spinco. The value of the spinco is calculated as the spin-off ratio multiplied by the when-issued last sale price of the spinco. There is no adjustment to the index shares of the parent. This will result in a divisor adjustment. The spinco is not added to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.

If there is no when-issued market for the spinco, then no price or index share adjustment is made to the index security. The spinco is not and it will be publicly listed then it is added to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM. At a value of 0.00000001 and no adjustment will be made to the price of the parent. The index shares of the spinco will be calculated as the spin-off ratio multiplied by the number of index shares of the parent. The addition of the spinco will not result in a divisor adjustment. The spinco will be removed from the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM to which it was added after the close on the day subsequent to the 1st trading day (“the 2nd listing day”). This will result in a divisor adjustment. When an index evaluation occurs and the spinco has not yet traded, it will continue to be included in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM until such time as it trades and the spinco will be removed as identified above.

If there is no when-issued market for the spinco and it will not be publicly listed, then no price or index share adjustment is made to the index security.

Tracking Stocks

A separate line of stock which is issued for the purpose of “tracking” the financial performance of a particular business line, division or subsidiary of a company is often referred to as a “tracking stock.” The pro-rata distribution of a newly issued tracking stock to existing shareholders of the “parent” company is handled in accordance with the guidelines for spin-offs. A similar distribution of a pre-existing tracking stock is handled as a stock distribution of another security.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

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A merger/acquisition is the combination of two (or more) companies into one larger company, involving an exchange of stock and/or cash payment to the shareholders of the acquired company.

If the issuer of the index security is the company being acquired, the index security is removed the day following the shareholder vote or the expected expiration of the tender offer, provided the acquisition is not contested. In the event the acquisition is contested, the deletion occurs once results have been received that indicate the acquisition will likely be successful. If the approval is by written consent, then the removal occurs as soon as reasonably practical thereafter.

When the acquiring company is an index security, it may incur an increase in its index shares if the acquisition involves an exchange of stock as payment.

Additions / Deletions

The addition or deletion of a security will generally result in a divisor change. Index securities are added or removed from the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  at their last sale price on the day prior to the effective date of the change.

Halted Securities

If an index security, at the time of its removal from the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, is halted from trading on its index exchange and its current last sale price cannot readily be determined, the index security may, at Nasdaq’s discretion, be removed at a price of 0.00000001 (“zero price”). This price is applied to the index security after the close of all the trading markets in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  but prior to the time the official closing value of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM  is disseminated.

Index Share and TSO Changes

A security’s index shares may change as a result of events other than those corporate actions/events noted above. If a change in TSO arising from other corporate events is greater than or equal to 10%, an adjustment to index shares is made as soon as practicable. If the change in TSO is less than 10%, then all such changes are accumulated and made effective at one time on a quarterly basis after the close of trading on the third Friday in each of March, June, September and December. The index shares are adjusted by the same percentage amount by which the TSO has changed.

Bankruptcy

In the event that an existing index constituent files for bankruptcy or equivalent protection from creditors, affected securities will be removed from their respective indexes, on a best-efforts basis, as soon as practicable after Nasdaq becomes aware of the filing.

If the index constituent is still available for trading on its primary exchange, it is removed from the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM at the security’s last trading price. If the security is no longer trading per its primary exchange, the constituent may be removed at an OTC price, if judged reliable. When no sufficiently reliable price exists, the security is removed at a price of zero.

Sanctions

Generally, Nasdaq Indices will approach the treatment of sanctions through the lens of United States, United Kingdom, and/or European Union based investors. Most sanctions can be thought of as being either comprehensive or selective:

Comprehensive sanctions programs are geographically oriented, and often apply broad-based financial restrictions on entire countries. Examples include Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria. Companies in countries targeted by comprehensive sanctions are not eligible for inclusion in the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.

Other sanctions programs are more selective, and target specific companies and individuals regardless of their locations. Nasdaq consults multiple sources in order to identify and interpret relevant sanctions on a best-efforts basis.

Because different sanctions programs include a variety of evolving restrictions and requirements, sanctions generally require a case-by-case review. Any resulting index adjustments, if necessary, will be made at the sole discretion of the Nasdaq Index Management Committee.

Other Adjustments

Nasdaq may make adjustments in circumstances other than those detailed in the index methodology, but not limited to adjustments necessary to ensure PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM and/or market integrity. Nasdaq may exercise discretion or expert judgement (other than that which is purely mechanical and, where relevant,

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implemented in accordance with the index methodology) when the situation calls for the interpretation of data in calculating and maintaining the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, including application of corporate actions. The use of expert judgement is overseen by the index governance process and mandates that the discretion or expert judgement would be exercised (i) in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and (ii) in such a manner as to ensure, as far as commercially reasonable, consistency in the approach it adopts with regard to the exercise of such discretion or expert judgement.

Index Governance

The Nasdaq Index Management Committee approves all new index methodologies. This committee is comprised of full-time professional members of Nasdaq. The committee meets regularly, and reviews items including, but not limited to, pending corporate actions that may affect index constituents, statistics comparing the composition of the indexes to the market, companies that are being considered as candidates for addition to an index, and any significant market events.

Discretionary Adjustment

The index methodology was created by Nasdaq to achieve the aforementioned objective of measuring the underlying purpose of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM. Any deviations from the index methodology are made in the sole judgment and discretion of Nasdaq so that the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM continues to achieve its objective.

License Agreement between Nasdaq, Inc. and GS Finance Corp.

The Product(s) is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Nasdaq, Inc. or its affiliates (Nasdaq, with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”). The Corporations have not passed on the legality or suitability of, or the accuracy or adequacy of descriptions and disclosures relating to, the Product(s).  The Corporations make no representation or warranty, express or implied to the owners of the Product(s) or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Product(s) particularly, or the ability of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM to track general stock market performance.  The Corporations' only relationship to GS Finance Corp. (“Licensee”) is in the licensing of the Nasdaq®, PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM, and certain trade names of the Corporations and the use of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM which is determined, composed and calculated by Nasdaq without regard to Licensee or the Product(s).  Nasdaq has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the owners of the Product(s) into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM.  The Corporations are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Product(s) to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product(s) is to be converted into cash.  The Corporations have no liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Product(s).

The Corporations do not guarantee the accuracy and/or uninterrupted calculation of PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM or any data included therein.  The Corporations make no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by Licensee, owners of the product(s), or any other person or entity from the use of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM or any data included therein.  The Corporations make no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaim all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM or any data included therein.  Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Corporations have any liability for any lost profits or special, incidental, punitive, indirect, or consequential damages, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.



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Historical Closing Levels of the Underliers

The closing levels of the underliers have fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. In particular, the underliers have recently experienced extreme and unusual volatility. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of any underlier during the period shown below is not an indication that such underlier is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the life of your notes.

You should not take the historical closing levels of an underlier as an indication of the future performance of an underlier, including because of the recent volatility described above. We cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of any underlier or the underlier stocks will result in you receiving the outstanding face amount of your notes on the stated maturity date.

Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the underliers. Before investing in the offered notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the relevant underlier levels between the date of this pricing supplement and the date of your purchase of the offered notes and, given the recent volatility described above, you should pay particular attention to recent levels of the underliers. The actual performance of an underlier over the life of the offered notes, as well as the cash settlement amount at maturity may bear little relation to the historical levels shown below.

The graph below shows the daily historical closing levels of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index® from August 24, 2020 through September 15, 2021. As a result, the following graph does not reflect the global financial crisis which began in 2008, which had a materially negative impact on the price of most equity securities and, as a result, the level of most equity indices. We obtained the levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.

Historical Performance of the Nasdaq Next Generation 100 Index®

 


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The graph below shows the daily closing levels of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index from January 1, 2016 through September 15, 2021 (using hypothetical performance data and historical closing levels). As a result, the following graph does not reflect the global financial crisis which began in 2008, which had a materially negative impact on the price of most equity securities and, as a result, the level of most equity indices. Since the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index was launched on October 31, 2018 and has a limited operating history, the graph includes hypothetical performance data for the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index prior to its launch of October 31, 2018. The hypothetical performance data prior to October 31, 2018 was obtained from the underlier sponsor’s website, without independent verification. The historical closing levels from October 31, 2018 to September 15, 2021 were obtained from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification. (In the graph, historical closing levels can be found to the right of the vertical solid line marker.) You should not take the hypothetical performance data or historical levels of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index as an indication of the future performance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index. Although the official closing levels of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index are published to six decimal places by its underlier sponsor, Bloomberg Financial Services reports the levels of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index to fewer decimal places.

Historical Performance of the MSCI ACWI IMI Cybersecurity Index

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The graph below show the daily historical closing levels of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM from January 1, 2016 through September 15, 2021. As a result, the following graph does not reflect the global financial crisis which began in 2008, which had a materially negative impact on the price of most equity securities and, as a result, the level of most equity indices. We obtained the levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.

 

Historical Performance of the PHLX Semiconductor Sector IndexTM

 

 

 

 


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SUPPLEMENTAL DISCUSSION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following section supplements the discussion of U.S. federal income taxation in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

The following section is the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP, counsel to GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. In addition, it is the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP that the characterization of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes that will be required under the terms of the notes, 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 bank;

a life insurance company;

a tax exempt organization;

a partnership;

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 note as a hedge or that is hedged against interest rate risks;

a person that owns a note as part of a straddle or conversion transaction for tax purposes; or

a United States 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, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Internal Revenue Code, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, no statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly addresses how your notes 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 notes 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 notes, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.

United States Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a United States holder that holds your notes as a capital asset for tax purposes. You are a United States holder if you are a beneficial owner of each of your notes and you are:

a citizen or resident of the United States;

a domestic corporation;

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 notes — in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary — to characterize your notes for all tax purposes as pre-paid derivative contracts in respect of the underliers. Except as otherwise stated below, the discussion herein assumes that the notes will be so treated.

Upon the sale, exchange or maturity of your notes, 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 notes. Your tax basis in the notes will generally be equal to the amount that you paid for the notes. If you hold your notes for more than one year, the gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss. If you hold your notes 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.

No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how your notes 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 notes 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 notes in your

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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 notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the Internal Revenue Service might assert that a treatment other than that described above is more appropriate. For example, the Internal Revenue Service could treat your notes 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 notes 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 notes – 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 notes 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 or maturity of your notes would be treated as ordinary interest income. Any loss you recognize at that time would be ordinary loss to the extent of interest you included as income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of your notes, and, thereafter, capital loss.

If the rules governing contingent payment debt instruments apply, special rules would apply to a person who purchases notes at a price other than the adjusted issue price as determined for tax purposes.

It is also possible that your notes could be treated in the manner described above, except that any gain or loss that you recognize at maturity would be treated as ordinary gain or loss. You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of your notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

It is possible that the Internal Revenue Service could seek to characterize your notes 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 notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Possible Change in Law

On December 7, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service released a notice stating that the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department are actively considering issuing guidance regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of an instrument such as the offered notes, 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 notes will ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The Internal Revenue Service 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 Internal Revenue Code might be applied to such instruments. Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, we intend to continue treating the notes 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 Internal Revenue Service 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 notes 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 notes.

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 notes 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 notes.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

You will be subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements as discussed in the accompanying prospectus under “United States Taxation — Taxation of Debt Securities — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting — United States Holders” with respect to payments on your notes and, notwithstanding that we do not intend to treat the notes as debt for tax purposes, we intend to backup withhold on such payments with respect to your notes unless you comply with the requirements necessary to avoid backup

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withholding on debt instruments (in which case you will not be subject to such backup withholding) as set forth under “United States Taxation — Taxation of Debt Securities — United States Holders” in the accompanying prospectus. Please see the discussion under “United States Taxation — Taxation of Debt Securities — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting—United States Holders” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on your notes.

Non-United States Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a non-United States holder. You are a non-United States holder if you are the beneficial owner of notes 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 notes.

You will be subject to generally applicable information reporting and backup withholding requirements as discussed in the accompanying prospectus under “United States Taxation — Taxation of Debt Securities — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting — Non-United States Holders” with respect to payments on your notes at maturity and, notwithstanding that we do not intend to treat the notes as debt for tax purposes, we intend to backup withhold on such payments with respect to your notes 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 Taxation — Taxation of Debt Securities — Non-United States Holders” in the accompanying prospectus.

As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization of the notes, by reason of a change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments at maturity with respect to the notes 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-United States holders of the notes should consult their tax advisors in this regard.

Furthermore, on December 7, 2007, the Internal Revenue Service released Notice 2008-2 soliciting comments from the public on various issues, including whether instruments such as your notes 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 notes 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 any amounts you receive upon the sale, exchange or maturity of your notes, could be collected via withholding. If these regulations were to apply to the notes, we may be required to withhold such taxes if any U.S.-source dividends are paid on the stocks included in the underliers during the term of the notes. We could also require you to make certifications (e.g., an applicable Internal Revenue Service Form W-8) prior to the maturity of the notes in order to avoid or minimize withholding obligations, and we could withhold accordingly (subject to your potential right to claim a refund from the Internal Revenue Service) 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, 2023, 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 notes, your notes will not be subject to withholding under these rules.  In certain limited circumstances, however, you should be aware that it is possible for non-United States 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 notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Withholding

Pursuant to Treasury regulations, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) withholding (as described in “United States Taxation—Taxation of Debt Securities—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Withholding” in the accompanying prospectus) will generally apply to obligations that are issued on or after July 1, 2014; therefore, the notes will generally be subject to the FATCA withholding rules.


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SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION; CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” on page S-49 of the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913 and “Plan of Distribution — Conflicts of Interest” on page 129 of the accompanying prospectus. GS Finance Corp. estimates that its share of the total offering expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $           .

GS Finance Corp. will sell to GS&Co., and GS&Co. will purchase from GS Finance Corp., the aggregate face amount of the offered notes specified on the front cover of this pricing supplement. GS&Co. proposes initially to offer the notes to the public at the original issue price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, and to certain securities dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of      % of the face amount. GS&Co. is an affiliate of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and, as such, will have a “conflict of interest” in this offering of notes within the meaning of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) Rule 5121. Consequently, this offering of notes will be conducted in compliance with the provisions of FINRA Rule 5121. GS&Co. will not be permitted to sell notes in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior specific written approval of the account holder. We have been advised that GS&Co. will also pay a fee in connection with the distribution of the notes to SIMON Markets LLC, a broker-dealer affiliated with GS Finance Corp.

We expect to deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on September 22, 2021. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade notes on any date prior to two business days before delivery will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

We have been advised by GS&Co. that it intends to make a market in the notes. However, neither GS&Co. nor any of our other affiliates that makes a market is obligated to do so and any of them may stop doing so at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity or trading market for the notes.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system.

 

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We have not authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement, the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This pricing supplement, the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is an offer to sell only the notes offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this pricing supplement, the accompanying general terms supplement no. 2,913, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is current only as of the respective dates of such documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

GS Finance Corp.

 

 

Index-Linked Notes due      

 

guaranteed by


The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

 


Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC