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Form 424B2 GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INC

November 3, 2020 12:29 PM EST

  

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

Registration Statement No. 333-239610

 

 

 

GS Finance Corp.

$2,227,000

Leveraged Buffered Index-Linked Notes

guaranteed by

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

This document relates to four separate offerings. Each note is linked to the performance of one index (either the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, the S&P 500® Index, the Russell 2000® Index, or the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index). Each note has its own terms (set forth in the table below), which were set on the trade date (October 30, 2020).

The notes do not bear interest. The amount that you will be paid on your notes on the stated maturity date (May 5, 2022) is based on the performance of the applicable index as measured from the trade date to and including the determination date (May 2, 2022).    

If the final level of the applicable index on the determination date is greater than its initial level, the return on your notes will be positive and will equal the applicable participation rate times the index return of the applicable index (the percentage increase or decrease in the final level of the applicable index from its initial level), subject to the applicable maximum settlement amount.    

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

If the final level of the applicable index is less than its applicable buffer level, the return on your notes will be negative and will equal the index return of the applicable index plus the applicable buffer amount. You could lose a significant portion of the face amount of your notes.

At maturity, for each $1,000 face amount of your notes, you will receive an amount in cash equal to:

if the final level of the applicable index is greater than its initial level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the applicable participation rate times (c) the index return of the applicable index, subject to the applicable maximum settlement amount;

if the final level of the applicable index is equal to or less than its initial level, but greater than or equal to its applicable buffer level, $1,000; or

if the final level of the applicable index is less than its applicable buffer level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) the sum of the index return of the applicable index plus the applicable buffer amount times (b) $1,000. You will receive less than the face amount of your notes.

Face Amount

Index

Initial Level

Participation Rate

Buffer Level (% of Initial Level)

Buffer Amount

Maximum Settlement Amount (Per $1,000 Face Amount)

Estimated Value (Per $1,000 Face Amount)

$32,000

MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

1,246.98

150%

90%

10%

$1,130

$966

$1,148,000

S&P 500® Index

3,269.96

150%

90%

10%

$1,130

$967

$446,000

Russell 2000® Index

1,538.479

150%

90%

10%

$1,140

$961

$601,000

NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

6,320.768

150%

90%

10%

$1,180

$965

 

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-26.

The approximate estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date is equal to the dollar amount set forth above. 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.

  Notes Linked To

CUSIP

Original Issue Date

Original Issue Price (% of Face Amount)

Underwriting Discount (% of Face Amount)

Net Proceeds to the Issuer (% of Face Amount)

MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

40057CZD6

November 4, 2020

100%

Up to 1%*

At least 99%

S&P 500® Index

40057CZE4

November 4, 2020

100%

Up to 1%*

At least 99%

Russell 2000® Index

40057CZF1

November 4, 2020

100%

Up to 1%*

At least 99%

NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

40057CZG9

November 4, 2020

100%

Up to 1%*

At least 99%

*See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest” on page PS-62 for additional information regarding the fees comprising the underwriting discount specific to each offering of notes.

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 Nos. 374, 375, 376 and 377 dated October 30, 2020.

 

 


 

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.

 

Four Separate Offerings of Notes

This pricing supplement relates to four separate offerings of notes. Each note is linked to one, and only one, index. You may participate in any of the four offerings or, at your election, in two or more of the offerings. This pricing supplement does not, however, allow you to purchase a note linked to a basket of some or all of the indices.

 

Estimated Value of Your Notes

The approximate 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 equal to the dollar amount specified in the table above (in each case, 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 $34 per $1,000 face amount with respect to the notes linked to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, $33 per $1,000 face amount with respect to the notes linked to the S&P 500® Index, $39 per $1,000 face amount with respect to the notes linked to the Russell 2000® Index and $35 per $1,000 face amount with respect to the notes linked to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index).

Prior to April 30, 2021, 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 April 29, 2021). On and after April 30, 2021, 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.

 


PS-2


 

 

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. 8,671 dated July 1, 2020

Underlier supplement no. 13 dated October 23, 2020

Prospectus supplement dated July 1, 2020

Prospectus dated July 1, 2020

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.

This pricing supplement relates to four separate offerings of notes, each of which is a separate tranche of our debt securities under the Medium-Term Notes, Series F program. 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 a master global note.

 


 

PS-3


 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE NOTES LINKED TO THE MSCI KLD 400 INDEX

(Terms From Pricing Supplement No. 374 Incorporated Into Master Note No. 2)

 

These terms and conditions relate to pricing supplement no. 374 dated October 30, 2020 of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. with respect to the issuance by GS Finance Corp. of its Leveraged Buffered Index-Linked Notes and the guarantee thereof by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

The provisions below are hereby incorporated into master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. References herein to “this note” shall be deemed to refer to “this security” in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Certain defined terms may not be capitalized in these terms and conditions even if they are capitalized in master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Defined terms that are not defined in these terms and conditions shall have the meanings indicated in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020, unless the context otherwise requires.

CUSIP / ISIN: 40057CZD6 / US40057CZD63

Company (Issuer): GS Finance Corp.

Guarantor: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Underlier: the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index (current Bloomberg symbol: “KLD400 Index”), or any successor underlier, as it may be modified, replaced or adjusted from time to time as provided herein

Face amount: $32,000 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 is greater than the 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 underlier return, subject to the maximum settlement amount;

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

if the final underlier level is less than the buffer level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the buffer rate times (c) the sum of the underlier return plus the buffer amount

Initial underlier level: 1,246.98

Final underlier level: the closing level of the 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 the underlier” below

Cap level: approximately 108.667% of the initial underlier level

Maximum settlement amount: $1,130

Upside participation rate: 150%

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

Buffer level: 90% of the initial underlier level

Buffer rate: 100%

Buffer amount: 10%

Trade date: October 30, 2020

Original issue date: November 4, 2020

Determination date: May 2, 2022, unless the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on such day or such day is not a trading day. In that event, the determination date will be the first following trading day on which the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event does not occur and is not continuing. However, the determination date will not be postponed to a date later than the originally

PS-4


 

scheduled stated maturity date or, if the originally scheduled stated maturity date is not a business day, later than the first business day after the originally scheduled stated maturity date. If a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on the day that is the last possible determination date or such last possible day is not a trading day, that day will nevertheless be the determination date.

Stated maturity date: May 5, 2022, 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: for any given trading day, the closing level of the underlier or any successor underlier reported by Bloomberg Financial Services, or any successor reporting service the company may select, on such trading day for the underlier. As of the trade date, whereas the underlier sponsor publishes the official closing level of the underlier to six decimal places, Bloomberg Financial Services reports the closing level of the underlier to fewer decimal places.

Trading day: a day on which the respective principal securities markets for all of the underlier stocks are open for trading, the underlier sponsor is open for business and the underlier is calculated and published by the underlier sponsor

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

Underlier sponsor: at any time, the person or entity, including any successor sponsor, that determines and publishes the underlier as then in effect. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the underlier sponsor or any of its affiliates and the underlier sponsor and its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

Underlier stocks: at any time, the stocks that comprise the 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 the underlier:

a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier, or option or futures contracts, if available, relating to the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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.

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 the 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 the 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 the 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,

PS-5


 

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.

Consequences of a market disruption event or a non-trading day: 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 calculation agent determines that the closing level of the underlier that must be used to determine the cash settlement amount is not available on the last possible determination date because of a market disruption event, a non-trading day or for any other reason (other than as described under “— Discontinuance or modification of the underlier” below), the calculation agent will nevertheless determine the closing level of the underlier based on its assessment, made in its sole discretion, of the level of the underlier on that day.

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

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

If the calculation agent determines that (i) the underlier, the underlier stocks or the method of calculating the underlier is changed at any time in any respect — including any addition, deletion or substitution and any reweighting or rebalancing of the 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 the underlier or the method of its calculation as it believes are appropriate to ensure that the final underlier level, used to determine the amount payable on the stated maturity date, is equitable.

All determinations and adjustments to be made by the calculation agent with respect to the 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 underlier.

Overdue principal rate: the effective Federal Funds rate


PS-6


 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE NOTES LINKED TO THE S&P 500® INDEX

(Terms From Pricing Supplement No. 375 Incorporated Into Master Note No. 2)

 

These terms and conditions relate to pricing supplement no. 375 dated October 30, 2020 of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. with respect to the issuance by GS Finance Corp. of its Leveraged Buffered Index-Linked Notes and the guarantee thereof by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

The provisions below are hereby incorporated into master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. References herein to “this note” shall be deemed to refer to “this security” in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Certain defined terms may not be capitalized in these terms and conditions even if they are capitalized in master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Defined terms that are not defined in these terms and conditions shall have the meanings indicated in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020, unless the context otherwise requires.

CUSIP / ISIN: 40057CZE4 / US40057CZE47

Company (Issuer): GS Finance Corp.

Guarantor: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Underlier: the S&P 500® Index (current Bloomberg symbol: “SPX Index”), or any successor underlier, as it may be modified, replaced or adjusted from time to time as provided herein

Face amount: $1,148,000 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 is greater than the 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 underlier return, subject to the maximum settlement amount;

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

if the final underlier level is less than the buffer level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the buffer rate times (c) the sum of the underlier return plus the buffer amount

Initial underlier level: 3,269.96

Final underlier level: the closing level of the 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 the underlier” below

Cap level: approximately 108.667% of the initial underlier level

Maximum settlement amount: $1,130

Upside participation rate: 150%

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

Buffer level: 90% of the initial underlier level

Buffer rate: 100%

Buffer amount: 10%

Trade date: October 30, 2020

Original issue date: November 4, 2020

Determination date: May 2, 2022, unless the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on such day or such day is not a trading day. In that event, the determination date will be the first following trading day on which the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event does not occur and

PS-7


 

is not continuing. However, the determination date will not be postponed to a date later than the originally scheduled stated maturity date or, if the originally scheduled stated maturity date is not a business day, later than the first business day after the originally scheduled stated maturity date. If a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on the day that is the last possible determination date or such last possible day is not a trading day, that day will nevertheless be the determination date.

Stated maturity date: May 5, 2022, 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: for any given trading day, the official closing level of the underlier or any successor underlier published by the underlier sponsor on such trading day

Trading day: a day on which the respective principal securities markets for all of the underlier stocks are open for trading, the underlier sponsor is open for business and the underlier is calculated and published by the underlier sponsor

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

Underlier sponsor: at any time, the person or entity, including any successor sponsor, that determines and publishes the underlier as then in effect. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the underlier sponsor or any of its affiliates and the underlier sponsor and its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

Underlier stocks: at any time, the stocks that comprise the 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 the underlier:

a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier, or option or futures contracts, if available, relating to the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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.

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 the 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 the 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 the 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,

PS-8


 

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

Consequences of a market disruption event or a non-trading day: 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 calculation agent determines that the closing level of the underlier that must be used to determine the cash settlement amount is not available on the last possible determination date because of a market disruption event, a non-trading day or for any other reason (other than as described under “— Discontinuance or modification of the underlier” below), the calculation agent will nevertheless determine the closing level of the underlier based on its assessment, made in its sole discretion, of the level of the underlier on that day.

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

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

If the calculation agent determines that (i) the underlier, the underlier stocks or the method of calculating the underlier is changed at any time in any respect — including any addition, deletion or substitution and any reweighting or rebalancing of the 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 the underlier or the method of its calculation as it believes are appropriate to ensure that the final underlier level, used to determine the amount payable on the stated maturity date, is equitable.

All determinations and adjustments to be made by the calculation agent with respect to the 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 underlier.

Overdue principal rate: the effective Federal Funds rate


PS-9


 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE NOTES LINKED TO THE RUSSELL 2000® INDEX

(Terms From Pricing Supplement No. 376 Incorporated Into Master Note No. 2)

 

These terms and conditions relate to pricing supplement no. 376 dated October 30, 2020 of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. with respect to the issuance by GS Finance Corp. of its Leveraged Buffered Index-Linked Notes and the guarantee thereof by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

The provisions below are hereby incorporated into master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. References herein to “this note” shall be deemed to refer to “this security” in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Certain defined terms may not be capitalized in these terms and conditions even if they are capitalized in master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Defined terms that are not defined in these terms and conditions shall have the meanings indicated in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020, unless the context otherwise requires.

CUSIP / ISIN: 40057CZF1 / US40057CZF12

Company (Issuer): GS Finance Corp.

Guarantor: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Underlier: the Russell 2000® Index (current Bloomberg symbol: “RTY Index”), or any successor underlier, as it may be modified, replaced or adjusted from time to time as provided herein

Face amount: $446,000 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 is greater than the 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 underlier return, subject to the maximum settlement amount;

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

if the final underlier level is less than the buffer level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the buffer rate times (c) the sum of the underlier return plus the buffer amount

Initial underlier level: 1,538.479

Final underlier level: the closing level of the 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 the underlier” below

Cap level: approximately 109.333% of the initial underlier level

Maximum settlement amount: $1,140

Upside participation rate: 150%

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

Buffer level: 90% of the initial underlier level

Buffer rate: 100%

Buffer amount: 10%

Trade date: October 30, 2020

Original issue date: November 4, 2020

Determination date: May 2, 2022, unless the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on such day or such day is not a trading day. In that event, the determination date will be the first following trading day on which the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event does not occur and is not continuing. However, the determination date will not be postponed to a date later than the originally

PS-10


 

scheduled stated maturity date or, if the originally scheduled stated maturity date is not a business day, later than the first business day after the originally scheduled stated maturity date. If a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on the day that is the last possible determination date or such last possible day is not a trading day, that day will nevertheless be the determination date.

Stated maturity date: May 5, 2022, 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: for any given trading day, the closing level of the underlier or any successor underlier reported by Bloomberg Financial Services, or any successor reporting service the company may select, on such trading day for such underlier. As of the trade date, whereas the underlier sponsor publishes the official closing level of the underlier to six decimal places, Bloomberg Financial Services reports the closing level to fewer decimal places.

Trading day: a day on which the respective principal securities markets for all of the underlier stocks are open for trading, the underlier sponsor is open for business and the underlier is calculated and published by the underlier sponsor

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

Underlier sponsor: at any time, the person or entity, including any successor sponsor, that determines and publishes the underlier as then in effect. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the underlier sponsor or any of its affiliates and the underlier sponsor and its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

Underlier stocks: at any time, the stocks that comprise the 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 the underlier:

a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier, or option or futures contracts, if available, relating to the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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.

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 the 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 the 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 the 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,

PS-11


 

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.

Consequences of a market disruption event or a non-trading day: 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 calculation agent determines that the closing level of the underlier that must be used to determine the cash settlement amount is not available on the last possible determination date because of a market disruption event, a non-trading day or for any other reason (other than as described under “— Discontinuance or modification of the underlier” below), the calculation agent will nevertheless determine the closing level of the underlier based on its assessment, made in its sole discretion, of the level of the underlier on that day.

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

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

If the calculation agent determines that (i) the underlier, the underlier stocks or the method of calculating the underlier is changed at any time in any respect — including any addition, deletion or substitution and any reweighting or rebalancing of the 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 the underlier or the method of its calculation as it believes are appropriate to ensure that the final underlier level, used to determine the amount payable on the stated maturity date, is equitable.

All determinations and adjustments to be made by the calculation agent with respect to the 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 underlier.

Overdue principal rate: the effective Federal Funds rate

 

 


PS-12


 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE NOTES LINKED TO THE NASDAQ-100 TECHNOLOGY SECTOR INDEX

(Terms From Pricing Supplement No. 377 Incorporated Into Master Note No. 2)

 

These terms and conditions relate to pricing supplement no. 377 dated October 30, 2020 of GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. with respect to the issuance by GS Finance Corp. of its Leveraged Buffered Index-Linked Notes and the guarantee thereof by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

The provisions below are hereby incorporated into master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. References herein to “this note” shall be deemed to refer to “this security” in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Certain defined terms may not be capitalized in these terms and conditions even if they are capitalized in master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020. Defined terms that are not defined in these terms and conditions shall have the meanings indicated in such master note no. 2, dated July 1, 2020, unless the context otherwise requires.

CUSIP / ISIN: 40057CZG9 / US40057CZG94

Company (Issuer): GS Finance Corp.

Guarantor: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Underlier: the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index (current Bloomberg symbol: “NDXT Index”), or any successor underlier, as it may be modified, replaced or adjusted from time to time as provided herein

Face amount: $601,000 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 is greater than or equal to the cap level, the maximum settlement amount;

if the final underlier level is greater than the initial underlier level but less than the cap level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the upside participation rate times (c) the underlier return;

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

if the final underlier level is less than the buffer level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the buffer rate times (c) the sum of the underlier return plus the buffer amount

Initial underlier level: 6,320.768

Final underlier level: the closing level of the 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 the underlier” below

Cap level: 112% of the initial underlier level

Maximum settlement amount: $1,180

Upside participation rate: 150%

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

Buffer level: 90% of the initial underlier level

Buffer rate: 100%

Buffer amount: 10%

Trade date: October 30, 2020

Original issue date: November 4, 2020

Determination date: May 2, 2022, unless the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on such day or such day is not a trading day. In that event, the determination date will be the first following trading day on which the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event does not occur and is not continuing. However, the determination date will not be postponed to a date later than the originally

PS-13


 

scheduled stated maturity date or, if the originally scheduled stated maturity date is not a business day, later than the first business day after the originally scheduled stated maturity date. If a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on the day that is the last possible determination date or such last possible day is not a trading day, that day will nevertheless be the determination date.

Stated maturity date: May 5, 2022, 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: for any given trading day, the official closing level of the underlier or any successor underlier published by the underlier sponsor on such trading day

Trading day: a day on which the respective principal securities markets for all of the underlier stocks are open for trading, the underlier sponsor is open for business and the underlier is calculated and published by the underlier sponsor

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

Underlier sponsor: at any time, the person or entity, including any successor sponsor, that determines and publishes the underlier as then in effect. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the underlier sponsor or any of its affiliates and the underlier sponsor and its affiliates make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

Underlier stocks: at any time, the stocks that comprise the 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 the underlier:

a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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 the underlier, or option or futures contracts, if available, relating to the underlier or to underlier stocks constituting 20% or more, by weight, of the 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.

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 the 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 the 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 the 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,

PS-14


 

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

Consequences of a market disruption event or a non-trading day: 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 calculation agent determines that the closing level of the underlier that must be used to determine the cash settlement amount is not available on the last possible determination date because of a market disruption event, a non-trading day or for any other reason (other than as described under “— Discontinuance or modification of the underlier” below), the calculation agent will nevertheless determine the closing level of the underlier based on its assessment, made in its sole discretion, of the level of the underlier on that day.

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

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

If the calculation agent determines that (i) the underlier, the underlier stocks or the method of calculating the underlier is changed at any time in any respect — including any addition, deletion or substitution and any reweighting or rebalancing of the 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 the underlier or the method of its calculation as it believes are appropriate to ensure that the final underlier level, used to determine the amount payable on the stated maturity date, is equitable.

All determinations and adjustments to be made by the calculation agent with respect to the 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 underlier.

Overdue principal rate: the effective Federal Funds rate

PS-15


 

LIMITED EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

The only events of default for the notes are (i) payment defaults that continue for a 30 day-grace period and (ii) certain insolvency events. No other breach or default under our senior debt indenture or the notes will result in an event of default for the notes or permit the trustee or holders to accelerate the maturity of the notes - that is, they will not be entitled to declare the face or principal amount of any notes to be immediately due and payable. See “Risks Relating to Regulatory Resolution Strategies and Long-Term Debt Requirements” and “Description of Debt Securities We May Offer — Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default — Securities Issued Under the 2008 GSFC Indenture” in the accompanying prospectus for further details.

 

 

 


PS-16


 

 

HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES

This pricing supplement relates to four separate offerings of notes, each of which is a separate tranche of our debt securities under the Medium-Term Notes, Series F program. Each note is linked to one, and only one, underlier. The following examples are divided into subsections. Each subsection applies only to the particular specified note identified in the subsection. Please carefully review the subsection(s) relating to the particular tranche(s) of notes that you are purchasing. Each tranche of notes has its own underlier, determination date, stated maturity date, upside participation rate, buffer level, buffer amount, cap level and maximum settlement amount.

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 merely are intended to illustrate the impact that the various hypothetical underlier levels for the applicable underlier 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 final underlier levels that are entirely hypothetical; the underlier level of the applicable underlier on any day throughout the life of the notes, including the final underlier level of such underlier on the determination date, cannot be predicted. In each case, the underlier has been highly volatile in the past — meaning that such underlier level of the underlier has changed considerably in relatively short periods — and its performance cannot be predicted for any future period.

In each case, the information in the following examples assumes that (i) neither a market disruption event nor a non-trading day occurs on the originally scheduled determination date, (ii) there is no change in or affecting any of the underlier stocks or method by which the underlier sponsor calculates the underlier, (iii) the notes 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 underlier, 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-26 of this pricing supplement.

For these reasons, in each case the actual performance of the underlier over the life of your notes, as well as the amount payable at maturity, may bear little relation to the hypothetical examples shown below or to the historical underlier levels shown elsewhere in this pricing supplement. Before investing in any offered notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the applicable underlier between the date of this pricing supplement and the date of your purchase of the offered 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 cash settlement amounts shown below are entirely hypothetical; they are based on market prices for the applicable underlier stocks that may not be achieved on the applicable 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 below, and these amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in any offered notes. The hypothetical cash settlement amounts on notes held to the stated maturity date in the examples below 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 below 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-28.

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-17


 

Notes Linked to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index (KLD400)

The following examples reflect an upside participation rate of 150%, a cap level of approximately 108.667% of the initial underlier level, a maximum settlement amount of $1,130, a buffer level of 90% of the initial underlier level, a buffer rate of 100% and a buffer amount of 10%. You should carefully review these examples. In reviewing these examples, you should also review the assumptions on page PS-17.

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels of the KLD400 underlier and are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the KLD400 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 of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the KLD400 underlier and the assumptions noted above.

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier Level of the KLD400 Underlier

(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level)

Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount

(as Percentage of Face Amount)

 

200.000%

113.000%

 

185.000%

113.000%

 

160.000%

113.000%

 

135.000%

113.000%

 

108.667%

113.000%

 

106.000%

109.000%

 

104.000%

106.000%

 

102.000%

103.000%

 

100.000%

100.000%

 

97.000%

100.000%

 

95.000%

100.000%

 

92.000%

100.000%

 

90.000%

100.000%

 

75.000%

85.000%

 

50.000%

60.000%

 

25.000%

35.000%

 

0.000%

10.000%

If, for example, the final underlier level of the KLD400 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 35.000% 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 65.000% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to face amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). In addition, if the final underlier level of the KLD400 underlier were determined to be 200.000% of its initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be capped at the maximum settlement amount, or 113.000% of each $1,000 face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you held your notes to the stated maturity date, you would not benefit from any increase in the final underlier level of the KLD400 underlier over approximately 108.667% of its initial underlier level.  

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 KLD400 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 KLD400 underlier are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the KLD400 underlier of less than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% 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. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the KLD400 underlier of greater than or equal to approximately 108.667% (the section right of the 108.667% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.

 


PS-18


 


PS-19


 

Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index (SPX)

The following examples reflect an upside participation rate of 150%, a cap level of approximately 108.667% of the initial underlier level, a maximum settlement amount of $1,130, a buffer level of 90% of the initial underlier level, a buffer rate of 100% and a buffer amount of 10%. You should carefully review these examples. In reviewing these examples, you should also review the assumptions on page PS-17.

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels of the SPX underlier and are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the SPX 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 of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the SPX underlier and the assumptions noted above.

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier Level of the SPX Underlier

(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level)

Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount

(as Percentage of Face Amount)

 

200.000%

113.000%

 

185.000%

113.000%

 

160.000%

113.000%

 

135.000%

113.000%

 

108.667%

113.000%

 

106.000%

109.000%

 

104.000%

106.000%

 

102.000%

103.000%

 

100.000%

100.000%

 

97.000%

100.000%

 

95.000%

100.000%

 

92.000%

100.000%

 

90.000%

100.000%

 

75.000%

85.000%

 

50.000%

60.000%

 

25.000%

35.000%

 

0.000%

10.000%

If, for example, the final underlier level of the SPX 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 35.000% 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 65.000% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to face amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). In addition, if the final underlier level of the SPX underlier were determined to be 200.000% of its initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be capped at the maximum settlement amount, or 113.000% of each $1,000 face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you held your notes to the stated maturity date, you would not benefit from any increase in the final underlier level of the SPX underlier over approximately 108.667% of its initial underlier level.  

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 SPX 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 SPX underlier are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the SPX underlier of less than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% 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. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the SPX underlier of greater than or equal to approximately 108.667% (the section right of the 108.667% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.

 


PS-20


 

 


PS-21


 

Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index (RTY)

The following examples reflect an upside participation rate of 150%, a cap level of approximately 109.333% of the initial underlier level, a maximum settlement amount of $1,140, a buffer level of 90% of the initial underlier level, a buffer rate of 100% and a buffer amount of 10%. You should carefully review these examples.  In reviewing these examples, you should also review the assumptions on page PS-17.

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels of the RTY underlier and are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the RTY 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 of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the RTY underlier and the assumptions noted above.

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier Level of the RTY Underlier

(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level)

Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount

(as Percentage of Face Amount)

 

200.000%

114.000%

 

195.000%

114.000%

 

170.000%

114.000%

 

145.000%

114.000%

 

109.333%

114.000%

 

105.000%

107.500%

 

102.000%

103.000%

 

100.000%

100.000%

 

97.000%

100.000%

 

95.000%

100.000%

 

92.000%

100.000%

 

90.000%

100.000%

 

75.000%

85.000%

 

50.000%

60.000%

 

25.000%

35.000%

 

0.000%

10.000%

If, for example, the final underlier level of the RTY 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 35.000% 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 65.000% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to face amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). In addition, if the final underlier level of the RTY underlier were determined to be 200.000% of its initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be capped at the maximum settlement amount, or 114.000% of each $1,000 face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you held your notes to the stated maturity date, you would not benefit from any increase in the final underlier level of the RTY underlier over approximately 109.333% of its initial underlier level.  

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 RTY 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 RTY underlier are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the RTY underlier of less than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% 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. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the RTY underlier of greater than or equal to approximately 109.333% (the section right of the 109.333% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.

 

 

PS-22


 


PS-23


 

 

Notes Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index (NDXT)

The following examples reflect an upside participation rate of 150%, a cap level of 112% of the initial underlier level, a maximum settlement amount of $1,180, a buffer level of 90% of the initial underlier level, a buffer rate of 100% and a buffer amount of 10%. You should carefully review these examples. In reviewing these examples, you should also review the assumptions on page PS-17.

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels of the NDXT underlier and are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the NDXT 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 of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level of the NDXT underlier and the assumptions noted above.

 

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier Level of the NDXT Underlier

(as Percentage of Initial Underlier Level)

Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount

(as Percentage of Face Amount)

 

200.000%

118.000%

 

195.000%

118.000%

 

170.000%

118.000%

 

145.000%

118.000%

 

112.000%

118.000%

 

105.000%

107.500%

 

102.000%

103.000%

 

100.000%

100.000%

 

97.000%

100.000%

 

95.000%

100.000%

 

92.000%

100.000%

 

90.000%

100.000%

 

75.000%

85.000%

 

50.000%

60.000%

 

25.000%

35.000%

 

0.000%

10.000%

If, for example, the final underlier level of the NDXT 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 35.000% 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 65.000% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to face amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). In addition, if the final underlier level of the NDXT underlier were determined to be 200.000% of its initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be capped at the maximum settlement amount, or 118.000% of each $1,000 face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you held your notes to the stated maturity date, you would not benefit from any increase in the final underlier level of the NDXT underlier over 112.000% of its initial underlier level.  

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 NDXT 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 NDXT underlier are expressed as percentages of its initial underlier level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the NDXT underlier of less than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% 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. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final underlier level of the NDXT underlier of greater than or equal to 112.000% (the section right of the 112.000% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.

PS-24


 

 

We cannot predict the actual final underlier level of the applicable underlier or what the market value of the applicable notes will be on any particular trading day, nor can we predict the relationship between the applicable underlier level and the market value of the applicable notes at any time prior to the stated maturity date. In each case, the actual amount that you will receive at maturity and the rate of return on the offered notes will depend on the actual final underlier level determined by the calculation agent as described above. Moreover, in each case 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 the applicable notes on the stated maturity date may be very different from the information reflected in the examples above.

 


PS-25


 

 

 

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, under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13 and under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the accompanying general terms supplement no. 8,671. 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, the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13 and the accompanying general terms supplement no. 8,671. 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., the stocks comprising the underlier to which your notes are linked. You should carefully consider whether the offered notes are appropriate given your particular circumstances.

 

General Risks

 

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

PS-26


 

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 — Your Notes May Not Have an Active Trading Market” on page S-10 of the accompanying general terms supplement no. 8,671.

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 the 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 68 of the accompanying prospectus.

The Amount Payable on Your Notes Is Not Linked to the Level of the Underlier at Any Time Other Than the Determination Date

The final underlier level of the underlier will be based on the closing level of the underlier on the determination date (subject to adjustment as described elsewhere in this pricing supplement). Therefore, if the closing level of the 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 in the level of the underlier. Although the actual level of the underlier on the stated maturity date or at other times during the life of your notes may be higher than the final underlier level of the underlier, you will not benefit from the closing level of the underlier at any time other than on the determination date.

You May Lose a Substantial Portion of Your Investment in the Notes

You can lose a substantial portion of your investment in the notes. The cash payment on your notes on the stated maturity date will be based on the performance of the underlier as measured from the initial underlier level of the underlier to its closing level on the determination date. If the final underlier level of the underlier is less than its buffer level, you will have a loss for each $1,000 of the face amount of your notes equal to the product of (i) the sum of the underlier return plus the buffer amount times (ii) $1,000. Thus, you may lose a substantial portion of your 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.

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:

the levels of the underlier;

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

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;

PS-27


 

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.

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 underlier based on its historical performance.

The Potential for the Value of Your Notes to Increase Will Be Limited

Your ability to participate in any change in the value of the underlier over the life of your notes will be limited because of the maximum settlement amount. The maximum settlement amount will limit the cash settlement amount you may receive for each of your notes at maturity, no matter how much the level of the underlier may rise beyond the cap level over the life of your notes. Accordingly, the amount payable for each of your notes may be significantly less than it would have been had you invested directly in the underlier.

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.

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. In addition, the impact of the buffer level and the cap level on the return on your investment will depend upon the price you pay for your notes relative to face amount. For example, if you purchase your notes at a premium to face amount, the cap level will only permit a lower positive return on your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at face amount or a discount to face amount. Similarly, the buffer level, while still providing some protection for the return on the notes, will allow a greater percentage decrease in your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at face amount or a discount to face amount.

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 proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of an instrument such as your notes, and any such guidance could adversely affect the tax treatment and the value 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.

PS-28


 

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.

Additional Risks Relating to Notes Linked to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

There Is No Guarantee that the Underlier Methodology Will Successfully Target Companies that Exhibit Positive or Favorable ESG Characteristics

The underlier methodology attempts to target U.S. companies that have positive environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings and to exclude companies whose products or services have negative social or environmental impacts. However, there is no guarantee that the composition of the underlier will satisfy any present or future investor expectations or requirements regarding the ESG characteristics of the companies included in the underlier. We are not endorsing or validating the ESG methodology used by the underlier sponsor. If the ESG characteristics of the companies included in the underlier is a factor in an investor’s decision to invest in notes, investors should consult with their legal or other advisers before making an investment in the notes.

The Underlier May Not Be Successful And May Underperform Alternative Strategies

 

There can be no assurance that the underlier will achieve positive returns over any period. At each quarterly index review, the underlier sponsor, MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”), selects the underlier constituents from the constituents of the MSCI USA Investable Market Index (“MSCI USA IMI Index”) based on a multi-step eligibility assessment and underlier construction process, as described below. Therefore, the determination as to which constituents of the MSCI USA IMI Index will be included in the underlier for each quarterly period will be made solely by MSCI. In general, if the underlier constituents appreciate over a period, the level of the underlier will increase, and if they depreciate over that period, the level of the underlier will decrease, perhaps significantly. However, there is no guarantee that the underlier will outperform the MSCI USA IMI Index or equity markets generally, and the performance of the underlier may be less favorable than alternative strategies that could have been implemented, including strategies adopting different, rules-based criteria or without determinations made by MSCI.

 

The Underlier Follows a Particular Methodology, Which May Differ Significantly From Alternative Approaches And Investor Expectations

 

The underlier follows a specific methodology, with determinations made by MSCI as to which constituents of the MSCI USA IMI Index will be selected as constituents of the underlier for a given quarterly period.  The underlier methodology was developed by MSCI and may differ substantially from alternative strategies with similar objectives.  Decisions to include or exclude constituents of the underlier will be made solely by MSCI, and such decisions will affect the performance of the underlier on an ongoing basis.  Additionally, MSCI will make decisions regarding the underlier constituents at its own discretion, without regard to investor expectations.  For example, pursuant to the “MSCI ESG Business Involvement Screening Research”, MSCI determines which companies to exclude from eligibility based on MSCI’s assessment of their levels of involvement in certain industries. Pursuant to the “MSCI ESG Ratings”, MSCI can exercise discretion in determining that a company does not have a sufficiently positive ESG rating to be considered for inclusion in the underlier. Additionally, pursuant to the “MSCI ESG Controversies Scores”, MSCI can exercise discretion in determining that a company has experienced a controversy and in evaluating the severity of a controversy, which could lead to exclusion of that company from the underlier. Neither we nor you will have any ability to impact decisions made by MSCI regarding the underlier constituents, and the underlier may include constituents that differ significantly from those of alternative strategies with similar objectives.  The underlier may underperform such alternative strategies, perhaps significantly.

 

PS-29


 

Additional Risks Relating to Notes Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

The NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index is Concentrated in the Technology Industry and Does Not Provide Diversified Exposure

The underlier is not diversified. The underlier’s assets are concentrated in the technology industry, which means the underlier is more likely to be more adversely affected by any negative performance of the technology industry than an index that has more diversified holdings across a number of sectors. Market or economic factors impacting technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technological advances could have a major effect on the value of the underlier’s constituents. The value of stocks of technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. Stocks of technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, tend to be more volatile than the overall market. Technology companies are heavily dependent on patent and intellectual property rights, the loss or impairment of which may adversely affect profitability. Additionally, companies in the technology industry may face dramatic and often unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel.

As Compared to Other Index Sponsors, Nasdaq, Inc. Retains Significant Control and Discretionary Decision-Making Over the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, Which May Have an Adverse Effect on the Level of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index and on Your Notes

Pursuant to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index methodology, Nasdaq, Inc. retains the right, from time to time, to exercise reasonable discretion as it deems appropriate in order to ensure NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index 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-100 Technology Sector 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-100 Technology Sector 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.

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

The value of your notes is linked to an underlier that is comprised, in part, of stocks from one or more foreign securities markets. 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. For example, 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.

 

 


PS-30


 

THE UNDERLIER

 

Each note is linked to one, and only one, underlier.

 

MSCI KLD 400 Social Index (For Notes Linked to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index)

The MSCI KLD 400 Social 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;

was launched in May 1990 at an initial value of 100 as the Domini 400 Social Index; and

is maintained by MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”).

The MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index of 400 securities selected from the MSCI USA Investable Market Index (“MSCI USA IMI Index”) that provides exposure to companies that have positive environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) ratings and excludes companies whose products have negative social or environmental impacts. The MSCI USA IMI Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index of large-, mid- and small-cap U.S. companies. The MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is calculated in U.S. dollars on a price return basis. Additional information about the index is available on the following website: msci.com/index-methodology. We are not incorporating by reference the website listed above or any material it includes in this pricing supplement.

MSCI KLD 400 Social Index Top Ten Constituent Stocks by Weight as of October 23, 2020

 

Stock

Percentage (%)*

MICROSOFT CORP

9.58%

FACEBOOK A

4.21%

ALPHABET C

3.05%

ALPHABET A

3.01%

PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

2.17%

NVIDIA

2.06%

VISA A

2.05%

TESLA INC

1.92%

HOME DEPOT

1.87%

MASTERCARD A

1.81%

* Information on constituent stocks is available at msci.com/documents/.

Constituents with Weights Equal to or in Excess of 5% of the Index as of October 23, 2020

Microsoft Corporation and Alphabet Inc. are registered under the Exchange Act. Companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to file financial and other information specified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) periodically. Information filed by these underlier stock issuers with the SEC electronically can be reviewed through a web site maintained by the SEC. The address of the SEC’s web site is sec.gov. Information filed with the SEC by each of the above-referenced underlier stock issuers under the Exchange Act can be located by referencing its SEC file number specified below.

The graphs below show the daily historical closing prices of the common stock of Microsoft Corporation, the Class A common stock of Alphabet Inc. and the Class C capital stock of Alphabet Inc. from January 1, 2015 through October 30, 2020.   We obtained the prices in the graphs below using data from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.  We have taken the descriptions of the underlier stock issuers set forth below from publicly available information without independent verification.

According to publicly available information, Microsoft Corporation develops, licenses and supports software products, services and devices and designs and sells hardware devices. Information filed with the SEC by the underlier stock issuer under the Exchange Act can be located by referencing SEC file number 001-37845 for filings on or after July 26, 2016 and SEC file number 000-14278 for filings prior to July 26, 2016.

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Historical Performance of the Common Stock of Microsoft Corporation

According to publicly available information, Alphabet Inc. is a holding company for a collection of businesses, the largest of which is Google Inc. On October 2, 2015, Alphabet Inc. became the successor SEC registration to, and parent holding company of, Google, Inc. in connection with a holding company reorganization. Information filed with the SEC by the underlier stock issuer under the Exchange Act can be located by referencing its SEC file number 001-37580.

In the graph, the vertical solid line marker reflects the date Alphabet Inc. became the successor SEC registrant to Google Inc. The historical closing prices to the left of the vertical solid line marker reflect the Class A common stock of Google Inc. and the historical closing prices to the right of the vertical solid line marker reflect the Class A common stock of Alphabet Inc.

 

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Historical Performance of the Class A Common Stock of Alphabet Inc.

Historical Performance of the Class C Capital Stock of Alphabet Inc.

In the graph, the vertical solid line marker reflects the date Alphabet Inc. became the successor SEC registrant to Google Inc. The historical closing prices to the left of the vertical solid line marker reflect the Class C capital stock of Google Inc. and the historical closing prices to the right of the vertical solid line marker reflect the Class C capital stock of Alphabet Inc. 

MSCI divides the companies included in the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index into eleven Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) sectors: Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Energy, Financials, Health Care, Industrials, Information Technology, Materials, Real Estate and Utilities.

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MSCI KLD 400 Social Index Stock Weighting by Sector as of October 23, 2020

Sector**

Percentage (%)*

Communication Services

13.70%

Consumer Discretionary

10.29%

Consumer Staples

7.87%

Energy

1.27%

Financials

7.57%

Health Care

10.16%

Industrials

8.85%

Information Technology

32.09%

Materials

3.09%

Real Estate

3.16%

Utilities

1.94%

*Information provided by MSCI.  Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

** Sector designations are determined by the index sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed.  Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations.  In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ.  As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.

Constructing the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

The applicable universe for the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is the MSCI USA IMI Index. For more information about the MSCI USA IMI Index, see “Construction of the MSCI USA IMI Index” below.

The MSCI KLD 400 Social Index uses the following research frameworks provided by MSCI ESG Research to construct the index, each of which is described in more detail below:

 

MSCI ESG Business Involvement Screening Research;

 

MSCI ESG Ratings; and

 

MSCI ESG Controversies.

MSCI ESG Research is a subsidiary of MSCI and is an independent provider of ESG data, reports and ratings based on published methodologies and available to clients on a subscription basis.

MSCI ESG Business Involvement Screening Research

Using a combination of inputs including industry classifications, business descriptions, and keyword searches in company annual reports and regulatory filings, MSCI ESG Research identifies issuers that could have potential involvement in the following industries:

 

Alcohol. All companies classified as a “producer” that earn either 5% or more in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from alcohol-related products.

 

Gambling. All companies classified as involved in “operations” and “support” that earn 5% or more in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from gambling-related products.

 

Tobacco. All companies classified as “producer”; and all companies classified as “distributor”, “retailer” and “supplier” that earn 15% or more in revenue from tobacco-related products.

 

Nuclear Weapons. All companies classified as involved in manufacturing of “nuclear weapons” or “nuclear weapon components”.

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Controversial Weapons. All companies with any tie to “controversial weapons” (including cluster munitions, landmines, depleted uranium weapons, biological/chemical weapons, blinding lasers, non-detectable fragments and incendiary weapons).

 

Conventional Weapons. All companies that earn 5% or more in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from manufacturing of “conventional weapons”, “conventional weapons components” and “weapons support systems and services”.

 

Civilian Firearms. All companies classified as “producer”; and all companies classified as a “retailer” that earn 5% or more in revenue, or more than $20 million in revenue, from civilian firearms-related products.

 

Nuclear Power. All companies: (a) classified as a nuclear “utility”; (b) involved in “uranium mining”; (c) involved in designing nuclear reactors; (d) involved in enrichment of fuel for nuclear reactors; (e) classified as a “supplier” to the nuclear power industry that earn 15% or more in revenue from nuclear-power related products; or (f) with 6000 megawatts or more of installed capacity attributed to nuclear sources or with 50% or more of installed capacity attributed to nuclear sources.

 

Adult Entertainment. All companies classified as a “producer” that earn more than 5% in revenue, or more than $500 million in revenue, from adult entertainment materials.

 

Genetically Modified Organisms (“GMO”). All companies that derive any revenue from activities like genetically modifying plants, such as seeds and crops, and other organisms intended for agricultural use or human consumption. Companies that are only involved in GMO “research & development” activities are not excluded.

If this initial review process identifies the potential for involvement in such industries, an analyst will review the company’s regulatory filings, annual reports and website and third-party sources, including news, media and non-governmental organizations, to determine if the company is in fact involved in one of the covered activities. Companies that meet any of the business involvement criteria set forth above are excluded from the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index.

Corporate Actions

MSCI ESG Research analysts review and incorporate corporate actions into business involvement screens following the event’s completion. Corporate events include: acquisitions, consolidations, mergers, name changes, public offerings and spinoffs.

Additions and Deletions

Companies are removed from the MSCI ESG Research Business Involvement Screens if MSCI ESG Research determines conclusively that the company is no longer involved with the relevant activity described above. Additionally, in the event that there is no conclusive evidence of either continued involvement or a discontinuation of involvement in a subject activity, MSCI ESG Research retains a company’s involvement flags for up to three years. After this period, if there is no evidence of continued involvement, MSCI ESG Research considers the company no longer involved.

Revenue

MSCI ESG Research provides company revenue percentages for companies with certain types of business activity in order to determine if the amount of revenue a company generates from that business activity exceeds the thresholds set forth above. Where the revenue for a covered business activity is not disclosed by a company and is not available through other publicly available sources, MSCI ESG Research provides an estimate of the extent of companies’ involvement in the subject activity using the following approach. First, MSCI ESG Research identifies the reported business segment of the business involvement activity. Then, the other activities in that segment are determined and considered in order to calculate the estimated revenue for the business involvement activity.  All

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available disclosures are considered in making this calculation. In the absence of information indicating otherwise, MSCI ESG Research assumes that product lines are of equal weight in terms of revenue contribution.

Sources

In making its determinations, MSCI ESG Research uses a variety of sources, including company websites, company annual reports and regulatory filings, media search services, business directories, non-governmental organization reports and websites, government agencies and disclosures, financial data providers, and direct communication with companies.

MSCI ESG Ratings

MSCI ESG Ratings are intended to measure how well companies manage their environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities. MSCI ESG Ratings provides an overall company ESG rating based on a seven-point scale from ‘AAA’ (best) to ‘CCC’ (worst). Existing constituents of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index are required to have an MSCI ESG Rating above B to remain in the index, while companies that are currently not constituents of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index are required to have an ESG rating above BB to be considered eligible for inclusion.

Summary Methodology for ESG Ratings

In order to determine a company’s MSCI ESG Rating, MSCI ESG Ratings completes the following steps, each of which is described in more detail below:

Step 1: Identify the material ESG risks and opportunities within the relevant GICS sub-industry, which are referred to as “key issues”;

Step 2: Determine the weight assigned to each key issue;

Step 3: For each key issue applicable to a company, determine the key issue scores;

Step 4: Calculate the company’s MSCI ESG Rating.

Determining material industry ESG risks and opportunities

The first step in determining a company’s MSCI ESG Rating is identifying the ESG risks and opportunities within a particular GICS sub-industry. The MSCI ESG Ratings model focuses on risks and opportunities that are determined to be material for a GICS sub-industry. A risk is material to a GICS sub-industry when it is likely that companies in a given GICS sub-industry will incur substantial costs in connection with it. An opportunity is material to a GICS sub-industry when it is likely that companies in a given GICS sub-industry could capitalize on it for profit. MSCI identifies material risks and opportunities for each GICS sub-industry through a quantitative model that looks at ranges and average values for each GICS sub-industry for externalized impacts such as carbon intensity, water intensity, and injury rates. Once identified, these key issues are assigned to each GICS sub-industry and company. The table below displays the MSCI ESG key issue hierarchy.

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3 Pillars

10 Themes

37 ESG Key Issues

Environment

Climate Change

Carbon Emissions

Product Carbon Footprint

Financing Environmental Impact

Climate Change Vulnerability

Natural Resources

Water Stress

Biodiversity & Land Use

Raw Material Sourcing

Pollution & Waste

Toxic Emissions & Waste

Packaging Material & Waste

 

Electronic Waste

Environmental Opportunities

Opportunities in Clean Tech

Opportunities in Green Building

Opportunities in Renewable Energy

Social

Human Capital

Labor Management

Health & Safety

Human Capital Development

Supply Chain Labor Standards

Product Liability

Product Safety & Quality

Chemical Safety

Financial Product Safety

Privacy & Data Security

Responsible Investment

Health & Demographic Risk

Stakeholder Opposition

Controversial Sourcing

 

Social Opportunities

Access to Communications

Access to Finance

Access to Health Care

Opportunities in Nutrition & Health

Governance

Corporate Governance

Board

Pay

Ownership

Accounting

Corporate Behavior

Business Ethics

Anti-Competitive Practices

Tax Transparency

Corruption & Instability

Financial System Instability

 

Setting Key Issue Weights

Once the key issues have been selected for a GICS sub-industry, MSCI ESG Research sets the weights that determine each key issue’s contribution to the overall MSCI ESG Rating for a company. Each key issue typically

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comprises 5-30% of the total MSCI ESG Rating. The weightings take into account both the contribution of the GICS sub-industry, relative to all other GICS sub-industries, to the negative or positive impact on the environment or society, as well as the time frame within which it is expected that the risk or opportunity for companies in the GICS sub-industry will materialize, as illustrated conceptually below. Key issues defined as “high impact” and “short-term” (less than 2 years) are weighted three times higher than a key issue defined as “low impact” and “long-term” (5+ years).

Key Issue Assessment

In order to determine a key issue score for a key issue that is a risk, the ESG Ratings model first measures companies’ risk exposure and risk management. The risk exposure and risk management scores are then combined into a single key issue score, such that a higher level of risk exposure requires a higher level of demonstrated risk management capability in order to achieve the same overall key issue score. The criteria utilized to measure risk exposure and risk management are outlined below.

With respect to risk exposure, MSCI ESG Ratings calculates each company’s exposure to key ESG risks related to a particular key issue based on a granular breakdown of its business: its core product or business segments, the locations of its operations and other relevant measures such as outsourced production or reliance on government contracts. Risk exposure is then scored on a 0-10 scale, where 0 represents no exposure and 10 represents very high exposure.

In order to measure risk management, the analysis then takes into account the extent to which a company has developed strategies and demonstrated a strong track record of performance in managing its specific level of risks related to a particular key issue. Risk management is scored on a 0-10 scale, where 0 represents no evidence of management and 10 represents indications of very strong management. Risk management scores for each key issue may also be reduced by controversies, which are described in more detail below, occurring within the last three years.

Key issue scores are also on a 0-10 scale, where 0 is very poor and 10 is very good. The following chart shows hypothetical combinations of risk management and risk exposure scores and the resulting key issue score, with the vertical axis representing a hypothetical risk management score and the horizontal axis representing a hypothetical risk exposure score. For example, the chart shows that a hypothetical risk exposure score of 7 and a hypothetical risk management score of 0 would combine for a hypothetical key issue score of 0, whereas a hypothetical risk exposure score of 2 and a hypothetical risk management score of 5 would combine for a hypothetical key issue score of 10.  

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In order to determine a key issue score for a key issue that is an opportunity, MSCI ESG Ratings evaluates a company’s opportunity exposure and opportunity management. Opportunity exposure indicates the relevance of the opportunity to a given company based on its current business and geographic segments. Opportunity management indicates the company’s capacity to take advantage of the opportunity. Similar to the evaluation of risk exposure and risk management, opportunity management and opportunity exposure are scored on a scale from 0-10. However, the model for combining opportunity exposure and management differs from the model for combining risk exposure and management. In particular, where opportunity exposure is limited, the key issue score is constrained toward the middle of the 0-10 range, while high opportunity exposure allows for both higher and lower scores. The following chart shows hypothetical combinations of opportunity management and exposure scores and the resulting key issue score, with the horizontal axis representing a hypothetical opportunity exposure score and the vertical axis representing a hypothetical key issue score based on the opportunity management scores shown in the chart.

MSCI ESG Ratings also reviews controversies, which may indicate structural problems with a company’s risk management capabilities. For more details on how controversies are identified and assessed see “— MSCI ESG Controversies Scores” below. If a controversy is identified, a company’s risk management score is reduced based on the severity of the controversy. In the ESG rating model, a controversies case that is deemed to indicate structural problems that could pose future material risks for the company triggers a larger deduction from the key issue score than a controversies case that is deemed to be an important indicator of recent performance but not a clear signal of future material risk. A controversy case is defined as an instance or ongoing situation in which company operations and/or products allegedly have a negative environmental, social and/or governance impact. Each controversy case is assessed for the severity of its impact on society or the environment and consequently rated very severe (reserved for “worst of the worst” cases), severe, moderate or minor.

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Nature of Impact

Scale of Impact

Egregious

Serious

Medium

Minimal

Extremely Widespread

Very Severe

Very Severe

Severe

Moderate

Extensive

Very Severe

Severe

Moderate

Moderate

Limited

Severe

Moderate

Minor

Minor

Low

Moderate

Moderate

Minor

Minor

 

Each company, regardless of its GICS sub-industry, also receives a corporate governance score that is factored into its MSCI ESG Rating. The corporate governance score is an absolute assessment of a company’s governance that utilizes a universally applied 0-10 scale. Each company starts with a score of 10 and scoring deductions are applied based on the assessment of key metrics, including key metrics related to the board percentile rank, pay percentile rank, ownership and control percentile rank and accounting percentile rank. The corporate governance score is derived from the raw score which is calculated as the sum of points associated with the key metrics.

Constructing the Rating

To arrive at a final MSCI ESG Rating, a weighted average key issue score is calculated for each company based on the underlying key issue scores and weights. Next, the weighted averages of the key issue scores are normalized by GICS sub-industry. The range of scores for each GICS sub-industry is established annually by taking a rolling three-year average of the top and bottom scores among the MSCI ACWI Index (which is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index of large- and mid-cap companies from 23 developed equity markets and 26 emerging equity markets) constituents; the values are set at the 97.5th and 2.5th percentile. Using these ranges, the weighted average key issue score is converted to a GICS sub-industry adjusted score from 0-10, where “0” is worst and “10” is best. The company’s industry adjusted score corresponds to a letter rating between best (AAA) and worst (CCC). These assessments of company performance are not absolute but are explicitly intended to be relative to the standards and performance of a company’s GICS sub-industry peers.

Data Sources

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To assess companies’ exposure to and management of ESG risks and opportunities, MSCI employs analysts who access data from the following sources: publicly available company disclosure, academic, governmental and non-governmental organizations and media sources.

Annual Consultation

In November of each year, MSCI ESG Research reviews the key issues assigned to each GICS sub-industry as well as their weights. This process also identifies emerging issues and those that have become less significant.

MSCI ESG Controversies Scores

MSCI ESG controversies scores are intended to identify companies that are involved in a “controversy case”, which is an instance or ongoing situation in which a company’s operations, products and/or services allegedly have a negative environmental, social, and/or governance impact. Cases include alleged company violations of existing laws and/or regulations; or an alleged company action or event that violates accepted international norms, including, but not limited to, norms represented by global conventions such as the UN Global Compact. MSCI ESG controversies scores fall on a 0-10 scale, with “0” being the most severe controversy and “10” meaning no controversy. An existing constituent of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index must have an MSCI ESG controversies score greater than 0 to remain in the index and a company not currently included in the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index must have an MSCI ESG controversies score greater than 2 to be eligible for inclusion in the index.

Categorization of controversies

Each controversy case is classified by an ESG pillar (environment, social or governance) and an ESG sub-pillar (environment, customers, human rights & community, labor rights & supply chain and governance) depending on the primary stakeholder affected. Within each sub-pillar there are multiple key performance indicators (KPIs) (a total of 28) allowing for more detailed classification of the case depending on the type of allegations or controversial event.

Assessment of controversies

MSCI defines each controversy as “very severe”, “severe”, “moderate” or “minor”, depending on MSCI’s assessments of the nature and scale of the controversy’s impact on society or the environment (see the nature and scale of impact table above under “—Key Issues Assessment”).

While the initial severity assessment is determined by a controversy case’s placement on the nature and scale of impact table above, certain circumstances may warrant a final assessment that is more or less severe. For example, if the company’s responsibility for the impact is indirect or difficult to determine or the controversy took place more than 5 years ago even if negative impacts are ongoing, the final assessment may be less severe. Conversely, if the potentially impacted stakeholder is especially vulnerable, if there is evidence that the company knowingly broke the law, if the company knowingly disregarded human or environmental wellbeing or if the activity is extremely controversial despite the nature or scale of impact, the final assessment may be more severe.

Additionally, whether a controversy is “structural” (i.e., reflecting an underlying problem at the company, such as poor culture or a lack of governance or oversight) or “non-structural” (i.e. coming about because of isolated bad actors or random misfortune) may also affect the final assessment.

Each controversy case is also categorized based on whether it is “ongoing” (i.e., the case is active, with the last known development occurring within the last two years), “concluded” (i.e., the case has been resolved, closed or withdrawn) or a “historical concern” (i.e., the case concluded more than three years ago but is still high profile and forms an important part of the company’s ESG history but does not affect scoring).

Determination of Controversy Case Score

Individual controversy cases are scored based on a combination of severity, type and status, as outlined in the chart below. For cases within a given severity, those that are ongoing score lower than those that are concluded, and those that are structural score lower than those that are non-structural. The sole exception to this rule is very severe cases, all of which score 0.

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A “concluded” controversy retains its final severity assessment for one year from the date of conclusion, at which point it is reduced by one severity level. The following year the case will be reduced by one severity level again or be archived, depending on the severity level. All minor controversies are archived after one year, regardless of status, unless developments warrant a downgrade to a more severe assessment. Very severe controversies that have concluded will only be reduced if certain criteria are first met. These conditions include factors such as a company’s response to the controversy and the lack of new allegations or developments related to it. Upgrades, downgrades and reaffirmation of a very severe assessment all require committee approval, as described below.

Scores are assigned at the case, KPI, sub-pillar, pillar, and overall company levels.  Scores range from 0-10, where 0 represents the most severe controversies and 10 means no controversy.  At each level, the score is driven by the lowest-scoring component below it.  A company’s overall score is based on an assessment of its performance across the three pillars (environmental, social and governance).

Quality Review

Quality review for ESG controversies is governed by the ESG Controversies Methodology Committee (“CMC”) and the ESG Ratings Review Committee (“RRC”). The CMC has direct oversight of the content of the ESG controversies. The RRC has oversight over all of MSCI ESG Research.

Monitoring and Updates

Companies within the ESG controversies coverage universe are reviewed, updated and published on an ongoing basis. On a daily basis, the MSCI ESG Research analyst team checks global, regional and national news sources as well as government and non-governmental organization reports for significant new controversies or material developments in existing controversies for all companies in the coverage universe. Additionally, individual controversy cases for which a recent update has not been found via the daily updates process are periodically reviewed.

Throughout the year, updates are made to reflect any corporate actions and changes to index constituents.

Sector representation

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The MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is designed to maintain sector weights approximately similar to the MSCI USA Index (which is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index of large- and mid-cap U.S. companies), by targeting relative sector weights of +/- 25% with respect to the MSCI USA Index. For additional information about how the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index targets relative sector weights, please see “Maintaining the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index — Standard segment (Large- and mid-cap companies)” below. Sectors having relative sector weights greater than the upper threshold (+25%) with respect to the MSCI USA Index are considered to be overweight and sectors having relative sector weights less than the lower threshold (-25%) with respect to the MSCI USA Index are considered to be underweight.

Size-segment representation

The MSCI KLD 400 Social Index targets a minimum count of 200 standard size-segment (large-cap and mid-cap) companies.

Calculation Methodology for the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

The MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index of 400 securities selected from the MSCI USA IMI Index and is calculated in the same manner as the MSCI USA IMI Index. For more information about how the MSCI USA IMI Index is calculated, see “Calculation Methodology for the MSCI USA IMI Index” below.

 

Maintaining the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

Quarterly index reviews

The composition of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is reviewed on a quarterly basis to coincide with the regular index reviews of the MSCI Global Investable Market Indexes (semi-annual index reviews in May and November and quarterly index reviews in February and August). Changes are implemented at the end of February, May, August and November. At every quarterly index review, deletions and additions are made to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index as described below.

Generally, MSCI uses MSCI Business Involvement Screening Research, MSCI ESG Ratings and MSCI ESG Controversies Scores as of the end of the month preceding the index reviews. For some securities, such data may not be available by the end of the month preceding the index review. For such securities, MSCI will use data published after the end of month, when available.

At quarterly index reviews, companies are deleted from the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index for one or more of the following reasons:

If a company is deleted from the MSCI USA IMI Index as a result of the index review, it is simultaneously removed from the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index.

Any company that fails the eligibility criteria for the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is deleted from the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index.

Eligibility for addition

At every quarterly index review, after reflecting all the deletions, additions are made to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index in order to restore the number of index constituents to 400 companies. All eligible securities of each issuer are included in the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, so the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index may have more than 400 securities.

All companies included in the MSCI USA IMI Index that pass the eligibility criteria for the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index are eligible for inclusion in the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index.

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Additions are made to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index from the list of eligible additions based on considerations of ESG performance, sector alignment and size representation. Additions will be made to the standard size segment (large- and mid-cap companies) pursuant to the below criteria until the number of companies in the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index is restored to 400. If the count of 400 cannot be reached, additions will be made from the small-cap segment (small-cap companies).

Standard segment (Large- and mid-cap companies)

All companies having an MSCI ESG Rating of AAA are added.

Companies are added (in order of their industry-adjusted ESG scores) to sectors where the relative sector weights are below the lower threshold (-25%).

Once the relative weights of all sectors are above the lower threshold or no further companies are available for addition in these sectors, companies are added sequentially based on their ESG scores.

Companies are not added to sectors where the relative sector weight reaches the upper threshold of +25%.

A minimum of 200 standard segment companies are maintained to ensure appropriate size representation.

While adding companies to the same sector, preference is given to companies having the higher ESG score. In case there are multiple companies with the same ESG score, the security with the highest free float-adjusted market capitalization will be added first.

Small-cap segment

Companies are added purely based on their ESG scores. In case of a tie, companies are added to the most underweight sector first.

Ongoing event-related maintenance

Generally, adjustments for corporate events are made to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index between index reviews. New additions to the MSCI USA IMI Index due to corporate events will not be added simultaneously to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, but will be considered for inclusion at the following index review. However, companies deleted from the MSCI USA IMI Index between index reviews are deleted at the same time from the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index.

If the number of companies in the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index falls below 400 due to corporate events, no additions will be made to restore the number of companies to 400 until the next quarterly index review.

MSCI USA IMI Index

The MSCI USA IMI Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index of large-, mid- and small-cap U.S. companies.

Construction of the MSCI USA IMI Index

MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves: (i) defining the equity universe; (ii) determining the market investable equity universe for each market; and (iii) determining market capitalization size segments for each market. The MSCI USA 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

Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: The equity universe for the MSCI USA IMI Index initially looks at securities classified as belonging to the United States, which is classified as “developed markets”. All listed equity securities, including real estate investment trusts 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.

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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 Investable Market 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:

(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 2020, the equity universe minimum size requirement was set at U.S.$238,000,000. 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.

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(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.

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 U.S. $10,000 will fail the liquidity screening and will not be included in any market investable equity universe.

(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 market index, such as the MSCI USA 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%.

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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, the market coverage for an investable market index is 99%. As of April 2020, the global minimum size range for a developed market investable market index is a full market capitalization of USD 237.5 million to USD 546.25 million.

Calculation Methodology for the MSCI USA IMI Index

The MSCI USA IMI Index is a free float weighted average 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.

Maintenance of the MSCI USA IMI Index

In order to maintain the representativeness of the MSCI USA IMI Index, structural changes may be made by adding or deleting component securities. Currently, such changes 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.

The MSCI USA IMI Index is maintained with the objective of reflecting, on a timely basis, the evolution of the underlying equity markets. In maintaining the MSCI USA IMI 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. 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 MSCI USA IMI Index 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

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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 MSCI USA IMI Index continues 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 the MSCI USA IMI Index 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 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. 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 the MSCI USA IMI Index.

MSCI’s semi-annual index review is designed to systematically reassess the component securities of the MSCI USA IMI Index. During each semi-annual index review, the universe of component securities is updated and the global minimum size range for the MSCI USA 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 USA IMI Index. The following MSCI USA IMI 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 USA IMI Index at the time of the previous quarterly index review; the minimum size requirement for the MSCI USA 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

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of the MSCI USA 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 the MSCI USA IMI 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.

MSCI USA IMI 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 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 KLD 400 Social Index, the MSCI USA IMI Index and the MSCI USA Index are the exclusive property of MSCI. MSCI and the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, the MSCI USA IMI Index and the MSCI USA Index are service mark(s) of MSCI or its affiliates and have been licensed for use for certain purposes by GS Finance Corp. Notes referred to herein are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability with respect to any such notes. No purchaser, seller or holder of notes, 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 notes 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.

THE NOTES 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 THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX. THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX AND THE MSCI USA INDEX ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX AND THE MSCI USA INDEX 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 THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF NOTES OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FINANCIAL SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN NOTES PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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 KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX AND THE MSCI USA INDEX WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD TO NOTES OR THE ISSUER OR OWNER OF NOTES. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUERS OR OWNERS OF NOTES INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX AND THE MSCI USA INDEX. NEITHER MSCI, ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR

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THE MSCI USA INDEX IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF NOTES TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH NOTES ARE REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, THE MAKING OR COMPILING OF THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE OWNERS OF NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF NOTES.

ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX AND THE MSCI USA INDEX FROM SOURCES WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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-NOTES, OWNERS OF NOTES OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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 THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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 THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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 THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA INDEX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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 THE MSCI KLD 400 SOCIAL INDEX, THE MSCI USA IMI INDEX OR THE MSCI USA 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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Historical Closing Levels of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

The closing level of the underlier has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. In particular, the underlier has recently experienced extreme and unusual volatility. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the underlier during the period shown below is not an indication that the 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 levels of the underlier as an indication of the future performance of the underlier, including because of the recent volatility described above. We cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the underlier or the underlier stocks will result in your receiving an amount greater than 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 underlier. Before investing in the offered notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the underlier 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 underlier. The actual performance of the underlier over the life of the offered notes, as well as the cash settlement amount, may bear little relation to the historical closing levels shown below.

The graph below shows the daily historical closing levels of the underlier from January 1, 2015 through October 30, 2020. 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 closing levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.

Historical Performance of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

 

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S&P 500® Index (For Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index)

The S&P 500® Index includes a representative sample of 500 companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy and is intended to provide a performance benchmark for the large-cap U.S. equity markets. For more details about the S&P 500® Index, the underlier sponsor and license agreement between the underlier sponsor and the issuer, see “The Underliers — S&P 500® Index” on page S-113 of the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13.

The S&P 500® Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by GS Finance Corp. (“Goldman”). Standard & Poor’s® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”) and these trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and sublicensed for certain purposes by Goldman. Goldman’s notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC or any of their respective affiliates and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC or any of their respective affiliates make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such notes.

Historical Closing Levels of the S&P 500® Index

The closing level of the underlier has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. In particular, the underlier has recently experienced extreme and unusual volatility. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the underlier during the period shown below is not an indication that the 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 levels of the underlier as an indication of the future performance of the underlier, including because of the recent volatility described above. We cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the underlier or the underlier stocks will result in your receiving an amount greater than 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 underlier. Before investing in the offered notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the underlier 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 underlier. The actual performance of the underlier over the life of the offered notes, as well as the cash settlement amount, may bear little relation to the historical closing levels shown below.

The graph below shows the daily historical closing levels of the underlier from January 1, 2015 through October 30, 2020. 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 closing levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.

 

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Historical Performance of the S&P 500® Index


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Russell 2000® (For Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index)

The Russell 2000® Index measures the composite price performance of stocks of 2,000 companies incorporated in the U.S., its territories and certain “benefit-driven incorporation countries.” The Russell 2000® Index is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. For more details about Russell 2000® Index, the underlier sponsor and license agreement between the underlier sponsor and the issuer, see “The Underliers - Russell 2000® Index” on page S-90 of the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13.

The Russell 2000® Index is a trademark of FTSE Russell (“Russell”) and has been licensed for use by GS Finance Corp. The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell, and Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the notes.

Historical Closing Levels of the Russell 2000® Index

The closing level of the underlier has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. In particular, the underlier has recently experienced extreme and unusual volatility. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the underlier during the period shown below is not an indication that the 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 levels of the underlier as an indication of the future performance of the underlier, including because of the recent volatility described above. We cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the underlier or the underlier stocks will result in your receiving an amount greater than 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 underlier. Before investing in the offered notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the underlier 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 underlier. The actual performance of the underlier over the life of the offered notes, as well as the cash settlement amount, may bear little relation to the historical closing levels shown below.

The graph below shows the daily historical closing levels of the underlier from January 1, 2015 through October 30, 2020. 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 closing levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification. Although the official closing levels of the Russell 2000® Index are published to six decimal places by the underlier sponsor, Bloomberg Financial Services reports the levels of the Russell 2000® Index to fewer decimal places.


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Historical Performance of the Russell 2000® Index

 

 


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NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index (For Notes Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index)

 

The NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index is an equal weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the technology companies in the NASDAQ-100 Index®. Each issuer of a stock in the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index is classified as a Technology company according to the Industry Classification Benchmark. The NASDAQ-100 Index® is designed to measure the performance of 100 of the largest Nasdaq listed non-financial stocks. For more details about the underlier, the underlier sponsor and license agreement between the underlier sponsor and the issuer, see “The Underliers NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index® on page S-78 of the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13.

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-100 Technology Sector Index to track general stock market performance. The Corporations' only relationship to GS Finance Corp. (“Licensee”) is in the licensing of the Nasdaq®, the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, NASDAQ-100 Index®, and certain trade names of the Corporations and the use of the NASDAQ-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-100 Technology Sector Index or the NASDAQ-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 Nasdaq-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-100 Technology Sector Index or the Nasdaq-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-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.

Historical Closing Levels of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

The closing level of the underlier has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. In particular, the underlier has recently experienced extreme and unusual volatility. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the underlier during the period shown below is not an indication that the 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 levels of the underlier as an indication of the future performance of the underlier, including because of the recent volatility described above. We cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the underlier or the underlier stocks will result in your receiving an amount greater than 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 underlier. Before investing in the offered notes, you should consult publicly available information to determine the levels of the underlier 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 underlier. The actual performance of the underlier over the life of the offered notes, as well as the cash settlement amount, may bear little relation to the historical closing levels shown below.

The graph below shows the daily historical closing levels of the underlier from January 1, 2015 through October 30, 2020. 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 closing levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.


PS-56


 

 

Historical Performance of the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

 


PS-57


 

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.

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 regulated investment company;

an accrual method taxpayer subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of its use of financial statements;

a tax exempt organization;

a partnership;

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 each note for all tax purposes as a pre-paid derivative contract in respect of the underlier. 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.

PS-58


 

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 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 treated as 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, as 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 different from those described above and you should consult your tax advisor with respect to the tax treatment of the notes.

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 your notes, including whether the holder of an instrument such as your notes 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, GS Finance Corp. intends 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.

PS-59


 

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 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.

United States Alien Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a United States alien holder. You are a United States alien 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 — United States Alien 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 — United States Alien 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 United States alien holders of the notes should consult their tax advisor 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 at maturity 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 underlier 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

PS-60


 

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 United States alien 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.

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.


PS-61


 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION; CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” on page S-35 of the accompanying general terms supplement no. 8,671 and “Plan of Distribution — Conflicts of Interest” on page 125 of the accompanying prospectus. GS Finance Corp. estimates that its share of the total offering expenses of any tranche, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $10,000.

With respect to each tranche of notes offered hereby, 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.

With respect to notes linked to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index, 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. With respect to certain notes, GS&Co. may pay a fee of up to 0.6% of the face amount of the notes to an affiliate of the dealer in connection with certain services provided directly by such affiliate to the dealer. In all cases, GS&Co. will pay a fee of up to 0.25% of the face amount of the notes to Axio Financial LLC in connection with its marketing efforts from time to time related to the notes. The net proceeds we receive from the notes will depend on the aggregate amount of such fees.

With respect to notes linked to the S&P 500® Index, 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 of up to 0.75% of the face amount of the notes (with respect to certain notes, in lieu of a concession, GS&Co. may pay a fee of up to 0.6% of the face amount of the notes to an affiliate of the dealer in connection with certain services provided directly by such affiliate to the dealer). In all cases, GS&Co. will pay a fee of up to 0.25% of the face amount of the notes, which, in the case of notes with respect to which there is a concession, will be paid from such concession, to Axio Financial LLC in connection with its marketing efforts from time to time related to the notes. The net proceeds we receive from the notes will depend on the aggregate amount of such fees.

With respect to notes linked to the Russell 2000® Index, 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. With respect to certain notes, GS&Co. may pay a fee of up to 0.6% of the face amount of the notes to an affiliate of the dealer in connection with certain services provided directly by such affiliate to the dealer. In all cases, GS&Co. will pay a fee of up to 0.25% of the face amount of the notes to Axio Financial LLC in connection with its marketing efforts from time to time related to the notes. The net proceeds we receive from the notes will depend on the aggregate amount of such fees.

With respect to notes linked to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index, 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 of up to 0.75% of the face amount of the notes (with respect to certain notes, in lieu of a concession, GS&Co. may pay a fee of up to 0.6% of the face amount of the notes to an affiliate of the dealer in connection with certain services provided directly by such affiliate to the dealer). In all cases, GS&Co. will pay a fee of up to 0.25% of the face amount of the notes, which, in the case of notes with respect to which there is a concession, will be paid from such concession, to Axio Financial LLC in connection with its marketing efforts from time to time related to the notes. The net proceeds we receive from the notes will depend on the aggregate amount of such fees.

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 will deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on November 4, 2020. 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

PS-62


 

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.

PS-63


 

VALIDITY OF THE NOTES AND GUARANTEE

In the opinion of Sidley Austin llp, as counsel to GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., when the notes offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by GS Finance Corp., such notes have been authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture, and such notes have been delivered against payment as contemplated herein, (a) such notes will be valid and binding obligations of GS Finance Corp., enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above and (b) the guarantee with respect to such notes will be a valid and binding obligation of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as in effect on the date hereof. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated July 1, 2020, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.6 to the registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by GS Finance Corp. and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. on July 1, 2020.

 

PS-64


 

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. 8,671, the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13, 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. 8,671, the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13, 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. 8,671, the accompanying underlier supplement no. 13, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is current only as of the respective dates of such documents.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pricing Supplement

 

Page

Terms and Conditions For the Notes Linked to the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index

PS-4

Terms and Conditions For the Notes Linked to the S&P 500® Index

PS-7

Terms and Conditions For the Notes Linked to the Russell 2000® Index

PS-10

Terms and Conditions For the Notes Linked to the NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

PS-13

Limited Events of Default

PS-16

Hypothetical Examples

PS-17

Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes

PS-26

The Underlier

PS-31

Supplemental Discussion of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

PS-58

Supplemental Plan of Distribution; Conflicts of Interest

PS-62

Validity of the Notes and Gurantee

PS-64

General Terms Supplement No. 8,671 dated July 1, 2020

Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes

S-4

Supplemental Terms of the Notes

S-13

Use of Proceeds

S-33

Hedging

S-33

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

S-34

Supplemental Plan of Distribution

S-35

     Conflicts of Interest

S-37

Underlier Supplement No. 13 dated October 23, 2020

Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes

S-2

The Underliers

S-17

Descriptions of the Indices

 

Dow Jones Industrial Average®

S-20

Dow Jones U.S. Select Dividend Index

S-25

EURO STOXX 50® Index

S-36

FTSE® 100 Index

S-44

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index

S-51

MSCI Indices

S-57

NASDAQ-100 Index®

S-70

NASDAQ-100 Technology Sector Index

S-78

Nikkei 225

S-85

Russell 2000® Index

S-90

S&P/ASX 200 Index

S-99

S&P 500® Daily Risk Control 10% USD Excess Return Index

S-108

S&P 500® Index

S-113

S&P MidCap 400® Index

S-121

Swiss Market Index

S-130

TOPIX

S-135

Descriptions of the Exchange-Traded Funds

 

Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund

S-141

iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF

S-148

iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

S-152

iShares® Russell 1000 Value ETF

S-158

SPDR® S&P® Biotech ETF

S-171

SPDR® S&P® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

S-178

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated July 1, 2020

Use of Proceeds

S-2

Description of Notes We May Offer

S-3

Considerations Relating to Indexed Notes

S-11

United States Taxation

S-14

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

S-15

Supplemental Plan of Distribution

S-16

Validity of the Notes and Guarantees

S-18

Prospectus dated July 1, 2020

Available Information

2

Prospectus Summary

4

Risks Relating to Regulatory Resolution Strategies and Long-Term Debt Requirements

9

Use of Proceeds

14

Description of Debt Securities We May Offer 

15

Description of Warrants We May Offer

71

Description of Units We May Offer

87

GS Finance Corp

92

Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance

94

Considerations Relating to Indexed Securities

103

Considerations Relating to Securities Denominated or Payable in or Linked to a Non-U.S. Dollar Currency

104

United States Taxation

107

Plan of Distribution

122

     Conflicts of Interest

125

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

126

Validity of the Securities and Guarantees

127

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

127

Cautionary Statement Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

128

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2,227,000

 

 

GS Finance Corp.

 

 

Leveraged Buffered Index-Linked Notes

 

guaranteed by


The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

 


Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

 

 



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