Bank of Nova Scotia FWP: High-Yield Tesla-Linked Structured Note Details
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) is marketing a new structured note: Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities linked to the common stock of Tesla, Inc. (TSLA). The notes are senior unsecured debt of BNS, issued under its Series A Senior Note Program and priced at US$1,000 per security with a minimum investment of one security.
Key economic terms include:
- Tenor: 3-year maturity on 30 Jun 2028, with quarterly observation and coupon dates.
- Coupon: 4.50% per quarter (18.00% p.a.) paid only when TSLA’s closing price on the relevant determination date is ≥ the 50% downside threshold; unpaid coupons accrue under a “memory” feature.
- Auto-call: If TSLA closes ≥ 100% of the initial share price on any quarterly determination date (other than final), the notes are redeemed early at par plus the due coupon(s).
- Downside protection: Only conditional. At maturity, if TSLA is ≥ 50% of the initial price, investors receive par plus any due coupons; otherwise repayment is par × (final/initial), exposing investors to 1-for-1 losses below the 50% barrier and as low as zero.
- Estimated value: US$936.42-966.42, reflecting an issuer spread of roughly 3-6% versus issue price, plus a US$22.50 selling concession.
- Liquidity: Not exchange-listed; any secondary market would be solely at Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.’s discretion.
Principal risks highlighted include possible total loss of principal, non-payment of coupons, exposure to TSLA’s high share-price volatility, credit risk of BNS, limited liquidity, and uncertain U.S./Canadian tax treatment.
The product suits income-seeking investors who are willing to forgo TSLA upside and accept significant downside risk and issuer credit risk. Investors should review the accompanying preliminary pricing supplement, product supplement, prospectus supplement and base prospectus before investing.
Positive
- High contingent coupon of 18% per annum with a memory feature enhances potential cash flow.
- Quarterly auto-call at par allows early exit with full principal if TSLA closes at or above initial price.
- Barrier at 50% provides conditional protection against moderate declines in TSLA during the 3-year term.
Negative
- Principal at risk; a TSLA decline of more than 50% at final observation leads to 1-for-1 losses, potentially to zero.
- No participation in TSLA upside; maximum return is limited to coupon income.
- Estimated value (US$936-966) is below the US$1,000 issue price plus US$22.50 commission, creating negative carry from inception.
- Unsecured credit exposure to BNS; payments depend on issuer solvency.
- Limited liquidity with no exchange listing; secondary sales depend on dealer discretion and may occur at significant discounts.
Insights
TL;DR High 18% coupon and auto-call entice, but principal is at risk below 50% TSLA level and estimated value trails issue price.
The note provides an attractive headline coupon supported by a memory feature and quarterly auto-call, yet investors surrender all upside in TSLA and accept 1-for-1 downside below the 50% barrier. BNS estimates fair value at up to 3-6% below issue price, implying negative carry from day one. Given TSLA’s historical volatility, probability of barrier breach is meaningful, making this income stream risky. Lack of listing further limits exit options. Overall, this is a niche yield enhancement tool rather than a core holding.
TL;DR Credit risk of BNS plus TSLA volatility combine; investors face liquidity and tax uncertainties for limited upside.
Because payments depend on BNS’s solvency, the note embeds unsecured creditor risk. Concurrently, TSLA’s single-stock exposure drives payoff variability; a 50% drawdown would cut principal proportionally. The absence of listing, wide bid-offer spreads and the embedded sales concession raise execution risk. Tax treatment is flagged as uncertain in both U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions, potentially diminishing after-tax returns. Although coupons could be sizeable, the asymmetric risk profile leans negative once volatility and credit considerations are priced in.