CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities Offered |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Amount of Registration Fee(1) | ||
Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A |
$1,100,000 | $126.06 |
(1) | Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933. |
Pricing Supplement dated January 27, 2012 (To the Prospectus dated August 31, 2010, the Prospectus Supplement dated May 27, 2011 and Index Supplement dated May 31, 2011) |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) Registration No. 333-169119 |
$1,100,000
Annual Reset Coupon Buffered Notes due January 30, 2015 Linked to the S&P 500® Index
Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A, No. E-7082 |
Terms used in this pricing supplement, but not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the prospectus supplement.
Issuer: | Barclays Bank PLC | |
Initial Valuation Date: | January 27, 2012 | |
Issue Date: | January 31, 2012 | |
Final Valuation Date: | January 27, 2015 * | |
Maturity Date: | January 30, 2015** | |
Denominations: | Minimum denomination of $1,000, and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof | |
Reference Asset: | S&P 500® Index (the Index) (Bloomberg ticker symbol SPX <Index>) | |
Annual Coupon: | On each Coupon Payment Date, you will receive (subject to our credit risk) an Annual Coupon in cash calculated per $1,000 principal amount Note as follows:
If the Annual Return of the Index for the relevant Observation Period is greater than or equal to 0%, $1,000 multiplied by the Maximum Digital Percentage:
$1,000 × Maximum Digital Percentage
If the Annual Return of the Index for the relevant Observation Period is less than 0%, $1,000 multiplied by the Minimum Digital Percentage:
$1,000 × Minimum Digital Percentage | |
Annual Return of the Index: | With respect to an Observation Period, the Annual Return of the Index is the performance of the Index from the applicable Starting Annual Value to the applicable Ending Annual Level, calculated as follows:
Ending Annual Level Starting Annual Value Starting Annual Value | |
Starting Annual Value: | With respect to first Observation Period, the Starting Annual Value of the Index will be the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date.
With respect to each subsequent Observation Period, the Starting Annual Value of the Index will be the Ending Annual Value of the Index for the immediately preceding Observation Period. | |
Ending Annual Value: | With respect to an Observation Period, the Closing Level of the Index on the Observation Date on which such Observation Period ends. | |
Observation Periods: | The first Observation Period will begin on, and include, the Initial Valuation Date and end on, and include, the first Observation Date.
Each subsequent Observation Period will begin on, and include, the Observation Date on which the immediately preceding Observation Period ends, and end on, and include, the next following Observation Date. The final Observation Period will end on, and include, the Final Valuation Date. | |
Coupon Payment Dates: | With respect to an Observation Period, the third Business Day following the Observation Date on which such Observation Period ends (provided that the final Coupon Payment Date will be the Maturity Date). | |
Maximum Digital Percentage: | 6.25%. | |
Minimum Digital Percentage: | 3.00% | |
Buffer Percentage: | 20.00% | |
Observation Dates: | January 28, 2013 (the first Observation Date), January 27, 2014 (the second Observation Date) and the Final Valuation Date (the final Observation Date). If a scheduled Observation Date is not a Scheduled Trading Day, the Observation Date will be the next following Scheduled Trading Day. If a Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing on a scheduled Observation Date, the Observation Date will be postponed as described under Reference AssetsIndicesMarket Disruption Events for Securities with the Reference Asset Comprised of an Index or Indices of Equity Securities in the accompanying prospectus supplement. | |
Payment at Maturity: | If you hold your Notes to maturity, in addition to the final Annual Coupon payment, you will receive (subject to our credit risk) a cash payment determined as follows:
If the Index Return is greater than or equal to -20.00%, you will receive (subject to our credit risk) the principal amount of your Notes.
If the Index Return is less than -20.00%, you will receive (subject to our credit risk) a cash payment equal to (a) the principal amount of your Notes plus (b) the principal amount of your Notes multiplied by the sum of (i) the Index Return and (ii) the Buffer Percentage, calculated per $1,000 principal amount Note as follows:
$1,000 + [($1,000 × (Index Return + 20.00%)]
If the Index declines by more than 20% from the Initial Level on the Initial Valuation Date to the Final Level on the Final Valuation Date, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your Notes for every 1% that the Index Return falls below -20%. You may lose up to 80% of your principal amount at maturity. Any payment on the Notes, including any payments due at or prior to maturity, is subject to the creditworthiness of the Issuer and is not guaranteed by any third party. For a description of risks with respect to the ability of Barclays Bank PLC to satisfy its obligations as they come due, see Credit of Issuer in this pricing supplement. | |
Index Return: | The performance of the Index from the Initial Level on the Initial Valuation Date to the Final Level on the Final Valuation Date, calculated as follows:
Final Level Initial Level Initial Level | |
Initial Level: | 1,316.33, the Closing Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date. | |
Final Level: | The Closing Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date. | |
Closing Level: | For any Scheduled Trading Day, the closing value of the Index published at the regular weekday close of trading on that Scheduled Trading Day as displayed on Bloomberg Professional® service page SPX <Index> or any successor page on Bloomberg Professional® service or any successor service, as applicable. In certain circumstances, the closing value of the Index will be based on the alternate calculation of the Index as described in Reference AssetsAdjustments Relating to Securities with the Reference Asset Comprised of an Index or Indices of the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. | |
Scheduled Trading Day: | A day on which (a) the value of the Index is published, and (b) trading is generally conducted on the markets on which the securities comprising the Index are traded, in each case as determined by the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion. | |
Calculation Agent: | Barclays Bank PLC | |
CUSIP/ISIN: | 06738KG39 and US06738KG393 |
* | Subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event and as described under Reference AssetsIndicesMarket Disruption Events for Securities with the Reference Asset Comprised of an Index or Indices of Equity Securities in the prospectus supplement. |
** | Subject to postponement in the event of a market disruption event and as described under Terms of the NotesMaturity Date and Reference AssetsIndicesMarket Disruption Events for Securities with the Reference Asset Comprised of an Index or Indices of Equity Securities in the prospectus supplement. |
Investing in the Notes involves a number of risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page S-6 of the prospectus supplement, Risk Factors beginning on page IS-2 of the index supplement and Selected Risk Considerations beginning on page PS-7 of this pricing supplement.
The Notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this pricing supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
We may use this pricing supplement in the initial sale of Notes. In addition, Barclays Capital Inc. or another of our affiliates may use this pricing supplement in market resale transactions in any Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market resale transaction.
The Notes constitute our direct, unconditional, unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and are not deposit liabilities of Barclays Bank PLC and are not insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other jurisdiction.
Price to Public |
Agents Commission |
Proceeds to Barclays Bank PLC | ||||
Per Note |
100% | 2.70% | 97.30% | |||
Total |
$1,100,000 | $29,700 | $1,070,300 |
| Barclays Capital Inc. will receive commissions from the Issuer equal to 2.70% of the principal amount of the Notes, or $27.00 per $1,000principal amount, and may retain all or a portion of these commissions or use all or a portion of these commissions to pay selling concessions or fees to other dealers. Accordingly, the percentage and total proceeds to Issuer listed herein is the minimum amount of proceeds that Issuer receives. |
ADDITIONAL TERMS SPECIFIC TO THE NOTES
You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated August 31, 2010, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated May 27, 2011 and the index supplement dated May 31, 2011 relating to our Global Medium-Term Notes, Series A, of which these Notes are a part. This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the Notes and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth under Risk Factors in the prospectus supplement and the index supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes.
You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):
| Prospectus dated August 31, 2010: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312510201448/df3asr.htm
| Prospectus Supplement dated May 27, 2011: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312511152766/d424b3.htm
| Index Supplement dated May 31, 2011: |
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/312070/000119312511154632/d424b3.htm
Our SEC file number is 1-10257. As used in this pricing supplement, the Company, we, us, or our refers to Barclays Bank PLC.
Hypothetical Examples of Step-by-Step Calculations of Annual Coupons and the Amount Payable at Maturity
The following examples set forth hypothetical step-by-step calculations of Annual Coupon payments and the amount, if any, payable at maturity given a hypothetical range of performance for the Index. The levels of the Index shown in the examples below have been arbitrarily chosen for illustrative purposes only and are purely hypothetical. The numbers appearing in the following examples have been rounded for ease of reference and do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the Notes. These examples make the following assumptions:
| Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date: 1,316.33 |
| Closing Level of the Index on the first Observation Date: 1,447.96 |
| Closing Level of the Index on the second Observation Date: 1,303.17 |
| Closing Level of the Index on the final Observation Date: 1,368.33 |
| Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date: 1,368.33 |
| The Maximum Digital Percentage: 6.25% |
| The Minimum Digital Percentage: 3.00% |
| Buffer Percentage: 20.00% |
Calculation of the Annual Coupon Payment in Respect of the First Observation Period
The Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date and the Closing Level of the Index on the first Observation Date are the Starting Annual Value and the Ending Annual Value for the first Observation Period. Because the Annual Return of 10.00%, calculated based on such Starting Annual Value and Ending Annual Value, is not less than 0%, investors will receive on the first Coupon Payment Date an Annual Coupon amount of $62.50 per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:
$1,000 × Maximum Digital Percentage, or $1,000 × 6.25% = $62.50
PS2
Calculation of the Annual Coupon Payment in Respect of the Second Observation Period
The Ending Annual Value of the Index for the first Observation Period will be the Starting Annual Value of the Index for the second Observation Period and the Closing Level of the Index on the second Observation Date will be the Ending Annual Value for the second Observation Period. Because the Annual Return of -10.00%, calculated based on such Starting Annual Value and Ending Annual Value, is less than 0%, investors will receive on the second Coupon Payment Date an Annual Coupon amount of $30.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes calculated as follows:
$1,000 × Minimum Digital Percentage, or $1,000 × 3.00% = $30.00
Calculation of the Annual Coupon Payment in Respect of the final Observation Period
The Ending Annual Value of the Index for the second Observation Period will be the Starting Annual Value of the Index for the final Observation Period and the Closing Level of the Index on the final Observation Date will be the Ending Annual Value for the final Observation Period. Because the Annual Return of 5.00%, calculated based on such Starting Annual Value and Ending Annual Value, is not less than 0%, investors will receive on the final Coupon Payment Date (in addition to the payment at maturity calculated as set forth under Payment at Maturity in this pricing supplement) an Annual Coupon amount of $62.50 per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes calculated as follows:
$1,000 × Maximum Digital Percentage, or $1,000 × 6.25% = $62.50
Calculation of the Total Payments under the Notes
Because the Index Return of 3.95%, calculated based on the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date and the Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date, is not less than -20%, the payment at maturity per $1,000 principal amount Note will be equal to $1,000 (in addition to the final Annual Coupon payment). Because the aggregate Annual Coupon payments shown in the examples above equal $155.00 ($62.50 + $30.00 + $62.50), the total payments that will be received by investors (subject to our credit risk) over the term of the Notes are equal to $1,155.00 per $1,000 principal amount Note.
Examples of Hypothetical Total Return on the Notes Assuming a Range of Performance for the Index
The following table illustrates the hypothetical total return at maturity on the Notes (assuming a range of performance for the Index and further assuming a range of hypothetical Annual Coupons). The total return as used in this pricing supplement is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing (a) the sum, per $1,000 principal amount Note, of the aggregate Annual Coupons during the term of the Notes and any payment at maturity, to (b) $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the Notes. The hypothetical total Annual Coupons set forth in the table below are chosen arbitrarily and may not reflect the actual Annual Return of the Index with respect to any actual Observation Period. The numbers appearing in the following table and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis. The following examples are based on the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation date of 1,316.33, the Buffer Percentage of 20.00% and the hypothetical aggregate Annual Coupons described below. These examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the Notes.
Final Level |
Index Return |
Payment at
Maturity |
Hypothetical Total |
Hypothetical Total Payments on the Notes |
Total Return on
Notes | |||||
2,632.66 |
100.00% | $1,000.00 | $187.50* | $1,187.50 | 18.75% | |||||
2,501.03 |
90.00% | $1,000.00 | $187.50* | $1,187.50 | 18.75% | |||||
2,369.39 |
80.00% | $1,000.00 | $187.50* | $1,187.50 | 18.75% | |||||
2,237.76 |
70.00% | $1,000.00 | $187.50* | $1,187.50 | 18.75% | |||||
2,106.13 |
60.00% | $1,000.00 | $187.50* | $1,187.50 | 18.75% | |||||
1,974.50 |
50.00% | $1,000.00 | $187.50* | $1,187.50 | 18.75% | |||||
1,842.86 |
40.00% | $1,000.00 | $155.00** | $1,155.00 | 15.50% | |||||
1,711.23 |
30.00% | $1,000.00 | $155.00** | $1,155.00 | 15.50% | |||||
1,579.60 |
20.00% | $1,000.00 | $155.00** | $1,155.00 | 15.50% | |||||
1,447.96 |
10.00% | $1,000.00 | $155.00** | $1,155.00 | 15.50% | |||||
1,382.15 |
5.00% | $1,000.00 | $122.50*** | $1,122.50 | 12.25% | |||||
1,316.33 |
0.00% | $1,000.00 | $122.50*** | $1,122.50 | 12.25% | |||||
1,250.51 |
-5.00% | $1,000.00 | $122.50*** | $1,122.50 | 12.25% | |||||
1,184.70 |
-10.00% | $1,000.00 | $122.50*** | $1,122.50 | 12.25% | |||||
1,118.88 |
-15.00% | $1,000.00 | $122.50*** | $1,122.50 | 12.25% | |||||
1,053.06 |
-20.00% | $1,000.00 | $90.00**** | $1,090.00 | 9.00% | |||||
921.43 |
-30.00% | $900.00 | $90.00**** | $990.00 | -1.00% | |||||
789.80 |
-40.00% | $800.00 | $90.00**** | $890.00 | -11.00% | |||||
658.17 |
-50.00% | $700.00 | $90.00**** | $790.00 | -21.00% | |||||
526.53 |
-60.00% | $600.00 | $90.00**** | $690.00 | -31.00% | |||||
394.90 |
-70.00% | $500.00 | $90.00**** | $590.00 | -41.00% | |||||
263.27 |
-80.00% | $400.00 | $90.00**** | $490.00 | -51.00% | |||||
131.63 |
-90.00% | $300.00 | $90.00**** | $390.00 | -61.00% | |||||
0.00 |
-100.00% | $200.00 | $90.00**** | $290.00 | -71.00% |
* | Assumes that the Annual Return was greater than or equal to 0% for all three Observation Periods, resulting in an Annual Coupon payment per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes in respect of each Observation Period equal to $1,000 multiplied by the Maximum Digital Percentage, or $62.50 per Observation Period and $187.50 in the aggregate. |
PS3
** | Assumes that (i) the Annual Return was greater than or equal to 0% for two Observation Periods, resulting in Annual Coupons per $1,000 principal amount Note in respect of such Observation Periods equal to $1,000 multiplied by the Maximum Digital Percentage, or $62.50 for each such Observation Period and (ii) the Annual Return was less than 0% for one Observation Period, resulting in an Annual Coupon in respect of such Observation Period per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes equal to $1,000 multiplied by the Minimum Digital Percentage, or $30.00. The total hypothetical Annual Coupons given these assumptions would be equal to $62.50 + $62.50 + $30.00, or $155.00 in the aggregate. |
*** | Assumes that (i) the Annual Return was less than 0% for two Observation Periods, resulting in Annual Coupons per $1,000 principal amount Note in respect of such Observation Periods equal to $1,000 multiplied by the Minimum Digital Percentage, or $30.00 for each such Observation Period and (ii) the Annual Return was greater than or equal to 0% for one Observation Period, resulting in an Annual Coupon in respect of such Observation Period per $1,000 principal amount Note equal to $1,000 multiplied by the Maximum Digital Percentage, or $62.50. The total hypothetical Annual Coupons given these assumptions would be equal to $30.00 + $30.00 + $62.50, or $122.50 in the aggregate. |
**** | Assumes that the Annual Return was less than 0% for all three Observation Periods, resulting in Annual Coupons per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes in respect of all Observation Periods equal to $1,000 multiplied by the Minimum Digital Percentage, or $30.00 per Observation Period and $90.00 in the aggregate. |
Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity
The following examples illustrate how the total returns set forth in the table above are calculated.
Example 1: The level of the Index increases from an Initial Level on the Initial Valuation Date of 1,316.33 to a Final Level on the Final Valuation Date of 1,974.50 and the aggregate Annual Coupons over the term of the Notes are equal to $187.50.
Because the Index Return of 50.00% is not less than -20.00%, the investor receives, in addition to final Annual Coupon, a payment at maturity of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount Note.
The total return on the Notes (including the aggregate Annual Coupons) is 18.75%.
Example 2: The level of the Index decreases from an Initial Level on the Initial Valuation Date of 1,316.33 to a Final Level on the Final Valuation Date of 1,118.88 and the aggregate Annual Coupons over the term of the Notes are equal to $122.50.
Because the Index Return of -15.00% is not less than -20.00%, the investor will receive, in addition to the final Annual Coupon, a payment at maturity of $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount Note.
The total return on the Notes (including the aggregate Annual Coupons) is 12.25%.
Example 3: The level of the Index decreases from Initial Level on the Initial Valuation Date of 1,316.33 to a Final Level on the Final Valuation Date of 789.80 and the aggregate annual coupon payments are equal to $90.00.
Because the Index Return of -40.00% is less than -20.00%, the investor will receive, in addition to the final Annual Coupon, a payment at maturity of $800.00 per $1,000 principal amount Note calculated as follows:
$1,000 + [($1,000 × (Index Return + Buffer Percentage)]
$1,000 + [($1,000 × (-40.00% + 20.00%)] = $800.00
The total return on the Notes (including the aggregate Annual Coupons) is -11.00%.
Selected Purchase Considerations
| Market Disruption Events and AdjustmentsThe Observation Dates, the Final Valuation Date, the Maturity Date, the Annual Coupons and the payment at maturity are subject to adjustment as described in the following sections of the prospectus supplement: |
| For a description of what constitutes a market disruption event with respect to the Index as well as the consequences of that market disruption event, see Reference AssetsIndicesMarket Disruption Events for Securities with the Reference Asset Comprised of an Index or Indices of Equity Securities; and |
PS4
| For a description of further adjustments that may affect the Index, see Reference AssetsIndicesAdjustments Relating to Securities with the Reference Asset Comprised of an Index or Indices. |
| Exposure to U.S. Equities of the S&P 500® IndexThe return on the Notes is linked to the S&P 500® Index. The S&P 500® Index consists of 500 component stocks selected to provide a performance benchmark for the U.S. equity markets. For additional information about the Index, see the information set forth under Non-Proprietary IndicesEquity IndicesS&P 500® Index in the Index Supplement. |
| Material U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsThe material tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are summarized below. The discussion below supplements the discussion under Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations in the accompanying prospectus supplement. Except as noted under Non-U.S. Holders below, this section applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder (as defined in the accompanying prospectus supplement) and you hold your Notes as capital assets for tax purposes and does not apply to you if you are a member of a class of holders subject to special rules or are otherwise excluded from the discussion in the prospectus supplement (for example, if you did not purchase your Notes in the initial issuance of the Notes). |
The United States federal income tax consequences of your investment in the Notes are uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different than described below. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, Barclays Bank PLC and you agree, in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your Notes as a pre-paid cash-settled income-bearing executory contract with respect to the Index.
If your Notes are so treated, it would be reasonable (i) to treat the Annual Coupons you receive on the Notes as items of ordinary income taxable in accordance with your regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) to recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or maturity of your Notes in an amount equal to the difference (if any) between the amount you receive at such time (other than amounts attributable to the Annual Coupon) and your basis in the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such capital gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Notes for more than one year.
Any character mismatch arising from your inclusion of ordinary income and capital loss (if any) upon the sale or maturity of your Notes may result in adverse tax consequences to you because an investor's ability to deduct capital losses is subject to significant limitations.
In the opinion of our special tax counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, it would be reasonable to treat your Notes in the manner described above. This opinion assumes that the description of the terms of the Notes in this pricing supplement is materially correct.
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. ACCORDINGLY, WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR AS TO THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING IN THE NOTES.
As discussed further in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are actively considering various alternative treatments that may apply to instruments such as the Notes, possibly with retroactive effect. Other alternative treatments for your Notes may also be possible under current law. For example, it is possible that your Notes could be treated as an investment unit consisting of (i) a debt instrument that is issued to you by us and (ii) a put option in respect of the Index that is issued by you to us. For a discussion of the tax considerations applicable to this alternative treatment, please see the discussion under the heading Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsCertain Notes Treated as Deposits and Put Options in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
It might also be reasonable to assert that (i) you should not include the Annual Coupons in income as you receive them and instead you should reduce your basis in your Notes by the amount of the Annual Coupons that you receive; (ii) you should not include the Annual Coupons in income as you receive them and instead, upon the sale or maturity of your Notes, you should recognize short-term capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (a) the amount of the Annual Coupons paid to you over the term of the Notes (including the Annual Coupon received at maturity or the amount of cash that you receive upon a sale that is attributable to the Annual Coupons to be paid on the Notes) and (b) the excess (if any) of (1) the amount you paid for your Notes over (2) the amount of cash you receive upon the sale or at maturity; or (iii) the Annual Coupon paid at maturity should not separately be taken into account as ordinary income but instead should increase the amount of capital gain or decrease the amount of capital loss that you recognize at maturity.
PS5
It is also possible that the Notes could be treated as a debt instrument that is subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. For a discussion of these rules, please see the discussion under the heading Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsU.S. Federal Income Tax Treatment of the Notes as Indebtedness for U.S. Federal Income Tax PurposesContingent Payment Debt Instruments in the accompanying prospectus supplement. It is also possible that your Notes could be treated as a notional principal contract.
For a further discussion of the tax treatment of your Notes as well as other possible alternative characterizations, please see the discussion under the heading Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsCertain Notes Treated as Forward Contracts or Executory Contracts in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor as to the possible alternative treatments in respect of the Notes. For additional, important considerations related to tax risks associated with investing in the Notes, you should also examine the discussion in Selected Risk ConsiderationsTaxes, in this pricing supplement.
Specified Foreign Financial Asset Reporting. Under legislation enacted in 2010, owners of specified foreign financial assets with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 (and in some circumstances, a higher threshold), may be required to file an information report with respect to such assets with their tax returns. Specified foreign financial assets include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions as well as any of the following (which may include your Notes), but only if they are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued by non-U.S. persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts held for investment that have non-U.S. issuers or counterparties and (iii) interests in foreign entities. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of this legislation to their ownership of the Notes.
Non-U.S. Holders. Barclays currently does not withhold on coupon payments to non-U.S. holders in respect of instruments such as the Notes. However, if Barclays determines that there is a material risk that it will be required to withhold on any such payments, Barclays may withhold on any Annual Coupon at a 30% rate, unless you have provided to Barclays (i) a valid Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI or (ii) a valid Internal Revenue Service W-8BEN claiming tax treaty benefits that reduce or eliminate withholding. If Barclays elects to withhold and you have provided Barclays with a valid Internal Revenue Service W-8BEN claiming tax treaty benefits that reduce or eliminate withholding, Barclays may nevertheless withhold up to 30% on payments it makes to you if there is any possible characterization of the payments that would not be exempt from withholding under the treaty. In addition, non-U.S. holders will be subject to the general rules regarding information reporting and backup withholding as described under the heading Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsiderationsInformation Reporting and Backup Withholding in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Index or in the components of the Index. These risks are explained in more detail in the Risk Factors section of the prospectus supplement and the index supplement, including the risk factors discussed under the following headings:
| Risk FactorsRisks Relating to All Securities; |
| Risk FactorsAdditional Risks Relating to Securities with Reference Assets That Are Equity Securities or Shares or Other Interests in Exchange-Traded Funds, That Contain Equity Securities or Shares or Other Interests in Exchange-Traded Funds or That Are Based in Part on Equity Securities or Shares or Other Interests in Exchange-Traded Funds; |
| Risk FactorsAdditional Risks Relating to Notes Which Are Not Characterized as Being Fully Principal Protected or Are Characterized as Being Partially Protected or Contingently Protected; and |
| Risk FactorsAdditional Risks Relating to Digital Notes. |
PS6
In addition to the risks described above, you should consider the following:
| Your Investment in the Notes May Result in Significant LossThe total return on the Notes is linked to the performance of the Index during the term of the Notes and will depend on whether the Annual Return of the Index with respect to each Observation Period is positive or negative and whether, and the extent to which, the Index Return as of the Final Valuation Date is positive or negative. If the Index Return, measured by comparing the Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date to the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date, is less than -20%, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your Notes for every 1% that the Index Return falls below -20%. You may lose up to 80% of the principal amount of your Notes. Although you will receive Annual Coupons during the term of your Notes based on the Annual Return of the Index for each Observation Period, because you will not participate in any positive Annual Return of the Index beyond the Maximum Digital Percentage, if the Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date drops substantially as compared to the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date, the amount of principal you may lose as a result of such negative Index Return may exceed the aggregate Annual Coupons you receive over the term of the Notes. As a result, you may incur loss, and possibly significant loss, on your investment in the Notes. |
| Credit of IssuerThe Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the issuer, Barclays Bank PLC and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any payment to be made on the Notes, including the payment of any annual coupons and any payment due at maturity, depends on the ability of Barclays Bank PLC to satisfy its obligations as they come due and is not guaranteed by any third party. In the event Barclays Bank PLC were to default on its obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes. |
| Limited Protection (Subject to Our Credit Risk) Only at Maturity and Only to the Extent Afforded by the Buffer PercentageIf the Index Return is negative, any payment at maturity of the Notes, in addition to the final Annual Coupon, will depend on whether, and the extent to which, the Index Return falls below -20%. If the Index Return is less than -20%, you will lose 1% of the principal amount of your Notes for every 1% that the Index Return falls below -20%. You may lose up to 80% of the principal amount of your Notes. Any payment on the Notes, including any Annual Coupon and any payment at maturity, is subject to the creditworthiness of the Issuer and is not guaranteed by any third party. For a description of risks with respect to the ability of Barclays Bank PLC to satisfy its obligations as they come due, see Credit of Issuer in this pricing supplement. |
| Your Gain, if Any, on the Notes Is Limited to the Maximum Digital PercentageYour return on the Notes is limited to the Annual Coupons, each of which will not exceed the Maximum Digital Percentage multiply by the principal amount of your Notes. You will not participate in any positive Annual Return of the Index with respect to any Observation Period during the term of the Notes beyond the Maximum Digital Percentage, which may be significant. |
| You Will Not Receive More Than the Principal Amount of Your Notes at Maturity (in Addition to the Final Annual Coupon)At maturity, in addition to the final Annual Coupon, you will not receive more than the principal amount of your Notes, even if the Index Return or any Annual Return of the Index with respect to any Observation Period is greater than 0%. The total payment you receive over the term of the Notes will never exceed the principal amount of your Notes plus the Annual Coupons paid during the term of the Notes. |
| No Dividend Payments or Voting RightsAs a holder of the Notes, you will not have any voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of securities comprising the Index would have. |
| The Annual Coupon in Respect of any Observation Period is Not Based on the Level of the Index at any Time Other than the Starting Annual Value and Ending Annual Value of the Index for such Observation PeriodThe Annual Coupon for an Observation Period will depend on whether the Annual Return of the Index for such Observation Period is positive or negative. The Annual Return of the Index for an Observation Period will be measured by comparing the Ending Annual Value of the Index for such Observation Period to the Starting Annual Value of the Index for such Observation Period. The Starting Annual Value and Ending Annual Value of the Index for any Observation Period will be based solely on the Closing Level of the Index on the Observation Dates that represent the beginning and the end of such Observation Period, respectively (or, in the case of the first Observation Period, the Initial Valuation Date and the first Observation Date). Therefore, if the Closing Level of the Index drops precipitously on the Observation Date on which an Observation Period ends compared to the Closing Level of the Index on the Observation Date on which such Observation Period begins, the Annual Coupon that you will receive in respect of such Observation Period may be less than it would otherwise have been had such Annual Coupon been linked to the level of the Index prior to such drop. |
| The Payment at Maturity of Your Notes (in Addition to the Final Annual Coupon) is Not Based on the Level of the Index at Any Time Other than the Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date as Compared to the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation DateThe payment at maturity, in addition to the final Annual Coupon, and the Index Return will be based solely on the Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date as compared to the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date and the Final Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date will be the Closing Level of the Index on the Final Valuation Date (subject to adjustments as described in the prospectus supplement). Therefore, if the Closing Level of the Index drops precipitously on the Final Valuation Date as compared to the Initial Level of the Index on the Initial Valuation Date, the payment at maturity that you will receive for your Notes may be less, and may be significantly less, than it would otherwise have been had the payment at maturity been linked to the level of the Index prior to such drop. |
PS7
| We Are Not Providing Investment Advice or Other Advice in Connection with the Issuance of the NotesNone of Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays PLC, Barclays Capital or their respective affiliates is acting as investment advisor or other advisor in connection with the issuance of the Notes. The issuance of the Notes is not a recommendation by us of the Index or the components of the Index. You should reach a decision to invest in the Notes after carefully considering, with your advisors, the information set out in this pricing supplement, the prospectus supplement and the prospectus. |
| Certain Built-In Costs Are Likely to Adversely Affect the Value of the Notes Prior to MaturityWhile the payment at maturity described in this pricing supplement is based on the full principal amount of your Notes, the original issue price of the Notes includes the agents commission and the cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes through one or more of our affiliates. As a result, the price, if any, at which Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC will be willing to purchase Notes from you in secondary market transactions will likely be lower than the original issue price, and any sale prior to the maturity date could result in a substantial loss to you. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity. |
| Lack of LiquidityThe Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC intend to offer to purchase the Notes in the secondary market but are not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the Notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which Barclays Capital Inc. and other affiliates of Barclays Bank PLC are willing to buy the Notes. |
| Potential ConflictsWe and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. |
| TaxesThe U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes is uncertain and the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Notes should be taxed in a manner that is different than described above. As discussed further in the accompanying prospectus supplement, the Internal Revenue Service issued a notice in 2007 indicating that it and the Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, you should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as the Notes at a rate that may exceed the payments you receive on the Notes and whether all or part of the gain you may recognize upon the sale or maturity of an instrument such as the Notes could be treated as ordinary income. Similarly, the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department have current projects open with regard to the tax treatment of pre-paid forward contracts, contingent notional principal contracts and other derivative contracts. While it is impossible to anticipate how any ultimate guidance would affect the tax treatment of instruments such as the Notes (and while any such guidance may be issued on a prospective basis only), such guidance could be applied retroactively and could in any case increase the likelihood that you will be required to accrue income at a rate that may exceed the payments you receive on the Notes. The outcome of this process is uncertain. In addition, any character mismatch arising from your inclusion of ordinary income and capital loss (if any) upon the sale or maturity of your Notes may result in adverse tax consequences to you because an investors ability to deduct capital losses is subject to significant limitations. You should consult your tax advisor as to the possible tax consequences of investing in the Notes. |
| Many Economic and Market Factors Will Impact the Value of the NotesIn addition to the level of the Index on any day, the value of the Notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including: |
| the expected volatility of the Index; |
| the time to maturity of the Notes; |
| the dividend rate on the common stocks underlying the Index; |
| interest and yield rates in the market generally; |
| supply and demand for the Notes; |
| a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events; and |
| our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings. |
Historical Information
The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the Index based on the daily Closing Levels of the Index from January 7, 2002 through January 27, 2012. The Closing Level of the Index on January 27, 2012 was 1,316.33.
We obtained the Index closing levels below from Bloomberg, L.P. We make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg, L.P. The historical levels of the Index should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Index closing level on the final valuation date. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Index will result in the return of any of your initial investment.
PS8
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We have agreed to sell to Barclays Capital Inc. (the Agent), and the Agent has agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of the Notes, and at the price, specified on the cover of this pricing supplement. The Agent is committed to take and pay for all of the Notes, if any are taken.
PS9
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