FWP 1 b104231fwp.htm CLN 18

Registration Statement No.333-264388
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Subject to Completion, dated October 5, 2023
Pricing Supplement to the Prospectus dated May 26, 2022,
the Prospectus Supplement dated May 26, 2022 and the Product Supplement dated October 5, 2023

US$ [ ]
Senior Medium-Term Notes, Series I
Buffer Enhanced Return Notes due November 08, 2024
Linked to the relevant nearby West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude oil futures contract

The notes are designed for investors who are seeking 200.00% leveraged positive return based on any appreciation in the level of the relevant nearby West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude oil futures contract (the “Reference Asset”), subject to the Maximum Redemption Amount (as defined below). Investors must be willing to accept that the payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount.

The Maximum Redemption Amount is $1,350.00 for each $1,000 in principal amount (a 35.00% return on the notes).

If the Reference Asset decreases by more than 20.00% from its Initial Level, investors will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% decrease in the level of the Reference Asset from its Initial Level to its Final Level in excess of 20.00%. In such a case, you will receive a cash amount at maturity that is less than the principal amount, and may lose up to 80.00% of your principal amount at maturity.

Investing in the notes is not equivalent to a direct investment in the Reference Asset.

The notes do not bear interest. The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.

All payments on the notes are subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal.

The notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

The CUSIP number of the notes is 06375MEJ0.

Our subsidiary, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (“BMOCM”), is the agent for this offering. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” below.

The notes will not be subject to conversion into our common shares or the common shares of any of our affiliates under subsection 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (the “CDIC Act”).

Terms of the Notes:¹

Pricing Date:	October 26, 2023		Valuation Date:	November 05, 2024
Settlement Date:	October 31, 2023		Maturity Date:	November 08, 2024

¹Expected. See “Key Terms of the Notes” below for additional details.

Price to Public¹

Agent’s Commission¹

Proceeds to Bank of Montreal¹

Per Note

Total

100%

[ ]

0.50%

[ ]

99.50%

[ ]

¹ The total “Agent’s Commission” and “Proceeds to Bank of Montreal” to be specified above will reflect the aggregate amounts at the time Bank of Montreal establishes its hedge positions on or prior to the Pricing Date, which may be variable and fluctuate depending on market conditions at such times. Certain dealers who purchased the notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the notes in these accounts may be between $995.00 and $1,000 per $1,000 in principal amount. We or one of our affiliates may also pay a referral fee to certain dealers in connection with the distribution of the notes.

Investing in the notes involves risks, including those described in the “Selected Risk Considerations” section beginning on page P-5 hereof, the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section beginning on page PS-5 of the product supplement, and the “Risk Factors” section beginning on page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and on page 8 of the prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these notes or passed upon the accuracy of this document, the product supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The notes will be our unsecured obligations and will not be savings accounts or deposits that are insured by the United States Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or instrumentality or other entity.

On the date hereof, based on the terms set forth above, the estimated initial value of the notes is $958.50 per $1,000 in principal amount. The estimated initial value of the notes on the Pricing Date may differ from this value but will not be less than $910.00 per $1,000 in principal amount. However, as discussed in more detail below, the actual value of the notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS

Key Terms of the Notes:

Reference Asset:	The first nearby West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude oil futures contract as traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) (Bloomberg symbol “CL1 <Cmdty>”) or on any day that falls on or after the last trading day of such contract (all pursuant to the rules of the NYMEX), the second nearby West Texas Intermediate (WTI) light sweet crude oil futures contract as traded on the NYMEX (Bloomberg symbol “CL2 <Cmdty>”). See "The Reference Asset" below for additional information.

Payment at Maturity:	If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than its Initial Level and the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor is greater than or equal to the Maximum Return, the payment at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal the Maximum Redemption Amount. If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than or equal to its Initial Level and the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor is less than the Maximum Return, then the amount that investors will receive at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal: $1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change of the Reference Asset x Upside Leverage Factor)] If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is less than its Initial Level, but is not less than its Buffer Level, then investors will, for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, receive the principal amount of $1,000 and no additional return. If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level, then the amount that investors will receive at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal: $1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change of the Reference Asset + Buffer Percentage)] In this case, investors will lose 1% of their principal for each 1% that the Final Level of the Reference Asset declines from its Initial Level in excess of 20.00%. You may lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your notes.

Upside Leverage Factor:	200.00%

Maximum Return:	35.00%

Maximum Redemption Amount:	The payment at maturity will not exceed the Maximum Redemption Amount of $1,350.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes.

Percentage Change:	The quotient, expressed as a percentage, of the following formula: (Final Level - Initial Level ) Initial Level

Initial Level:²	The closing level of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date.

Buffer Level:²	80.00% of the Initial Level.

Buffer Percentage:²	20.00% Accordingly, you will receive the principal amount of your notes at maturity only if the level of the Reference Asset does not decrease by more than 20.00% over the term of the notes. If the Final Level of the Reference Asset is less than its Buffer Level, you will receive less than the principal amount of your notes at maturity and you could lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your notes.

Final Level:	The closing level of the Reference Asset on the Valuation Date.

Closing Level:	The closing level of the Reference Asset on any trading day, including the Pricing Date and the Valuation Date, shall be the official settlement price per barrel, stated in U.S. dollars, of the first nearby futures contract for Light Sweet Crude Oil (WTI) as traded on the NYMEX (Bloomberg Ticker: CL1 <Comdty>) on such day as determined by the calculation agent unless such day falls on or after the last trading day during which trading may take place for the first nearby WTI crude oil futures contract, as determined by the calculation agent, in which case the closing level of the Reference Asset will be the official settlement price per barrel, stated in U.S. dollars, of the second nearby futures contract for Light Sweet Crude Oil (WTI) as traded on the NYMEX (Bloomberg Ticker: CL2 <Comdty>) on such day as determined by the calculation agent.

Pricing Date:¹	October 26, 2023

Settlement Date:¹	October 31, 2023

Valuation Date:¹	November 05, 2024

Maturity Date:¹	November 08, 2024

Physical Delivery Amount:	We will only pay cash on the Maturity Date, and you will have no right to receive the Reference Asset.

Calculation Agent:	BMOCM

Selling Agent:	BMOCM

¹ Expected and subject to the occurrence of a market disruption event, as described in the accompanying product supplement. If we make any change to the expected Pricing Date and Settlement Date, the Valuation Date and Maturity Date will be changed so that the stated term of the notes remains approximately the same.

²As determined by the calculation agent and subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. See "General Terms of the Notes — Adjustments to a Reference Asset" in the product supplement for additional information.

Payoff Example

The following table shows the hypothetical payout profile of an investment in the notes based on various hypothetical Final Levels (and the corresponding Percentage Change) of the Reference Asset, reflecting the 200.00% Upside Leverage Factor, Maximum Return of 35.00% and Buffer Level of 80.00% of the Initial Level. Please see “Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the Notes” below for more detailed examples.

Hypothetical Percentage Change
of the Reference Asset

Participation in Percentage
Change

Hypothetical Return of the
Notes

20.00%

17.50%

200% Upside Exposure, subject to the Maximum Return

35.00%

12.00%

6.00%

200% Upside Exposure

24.00%

12.00%

-10%

-20%

Buffer Level of 80.00% of Initial Level

-30%

-40%

1x Loss Beyond Buffer Level

-10%

-20%

Additional Terms of the Notes

You should read this document together with the product supplement dated October 5, 2023, the prospectus supplement dated May 26, 2022 and the prospectus dated May 26, 2022. This document, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all other 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, fact sheets, brochures or other educational materials of ours or the agent. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes in the product supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers 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):

Product supplement dated October 5, 2023:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000121465923013158/e103230424b2.htm

Prospectus supplement dated May 26, 2022 and prospectus dated May 26, 2022:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000927971/000119312522160519/d269549d424b5.htm

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this document, "we", "us" or "our" refers to Bank of Montreal.

We have filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC for more complete information about us and this offering. You may obtain these documents free of charge by visiting the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we will arrange to send to you the prospectus (as supplemented by the prospectus supplement and product supplement) if you request it by calling our agent toll-free at 1-877-369-5412.

Selected Risk Considerations

An investment in the notes involves significant risks. Investing in the notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Asset. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Additional Risk Factors Relating to the Notes” section of the product supplement.

Risks Related to the Structure or Features of the Notes

Your investment in the notes may result in a loss. — The notes do not guarantee any return of principal. If the Final Level is less than its Buffer Level, you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Level is less than the Initial Level in excess of the Buffer Percentage. In such a case, you will receive at maturity a cash payment that is less than the principal amount of the notes and may be significantly less than the principal amount of your notes. Accordingly, you could lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your notes.

Your return on the notes is limited to the Maximum Redemption Amount, regardless of any appreciation in the levels of the Reference Asset. — The return on your notes will not be greater than the Maximum Redemption Amount. This will be the case even if the Percentage Change multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor exceeds the Maximum Return.

Your return on the notes may be lower than the return on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. — The return that you will receive on your notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. The notes do not provide for interest payments and the payment you receive at maturity, if any, may be less than the principal amount of the notes. Even if your return on the notes is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of ours with the same maturity or if you invested directly in WTI crude oil futures contracts. Your investment may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you take into account factors that affect the time value of money.

Risks Related to the Reference Asset

Owning the notes is not the same as owning the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts or a security directly linked to the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts. — The return on your notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts or a security directly linked to the performance of the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts and held that investment for a similar period. Your notes may trade quite differently from the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts. Changes in the levels of the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts may not result in comparable changes in the market value of your notes. Even if the levels of the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts increase during the term of the notes, the market value of the notes prior to maturity may not increase to the same extent. It is also possible for the market value of the notes to decrease while the levels of the WTI crude oil futures contracts increase.

You will have no right to receive any futures contracts or commodities at maturity. — Investing in your notes will not make you a holder of any futures contracts or commodities.

No delivery of WTI crude oil futures contracts. — The notes will be payable only in cash. You should not invest in the notes if you seek to have the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts or the underlying crude oil delivered to you at maturity.

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to the Reference Asset. — In the ordinary course of their businesses, our affiliates from time to time may express views on expected movements in the level of the Reference Asset. One or more of our affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports that express views on the Reference Asset. However, these views are subject to change from time to time. Moreover, other professionals who deal in the markets relating to the Reference Asset at any time may have significantly different views from those of our affiliates. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the Reference Asset from multiple sources, and you should not rely on the views expressed by our affiliates.
Neither the offering of the notes nor any views which our affiliates from time to time may express in the ordinary course of their businesses constitutes a recommendation as to the merits of an investment in the notes.

The notes will not be regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). — Unlike a direct investment in futures contracts related to the underlying commodity, your investment in the notes does not afford you the benefits of the regulatory protections of the CFTC. You will not benefit from the CFTC’s or any other non-U.S. regulators’ regulatory protections that are afforded to persons who trade in futures contracts through a registered futures merchant or operator.

Unlike an investment in the notes, an investment in a collective investment vehicle that invests in futures contracts on behalf of its participants may be regulated as a commodity pool and its operator may be required to be registered with and regulated by the CFTC as a “commodity pool operator” (a “CPO”). Because the notes will not be interests in a commodity pool, they will not be regulated by the CFTC as a commodity pool and you will not benefit from the CFTC’s or any non-U.S. regulatory authority’s regulatory protections afforded to persons who trade in futures contracts or who invest in regulated commodity pools.

Prices of futures contracts are characterized by high and unpredictable volatility, which could lead to high and unpredictable volatility in the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts. —Market prices of WTI crude oil futures contracts could be highly volatile and may fluctuate rapidly based on numerous factors. The prices of futures contracts are subject to variables that may be less significant to the values of traditional securities such as stocks and bonds. These variables may create additional risks that cause the value of the notes to be more volatile than the values of traditional securities.

As a general matter, the risk of low liquidity or volatile pricing around the maturity date of a commodity futures contract is greater than in the case of other futures contracts because (among other factors) a number of market participants take physical delivery of the underlying commodities. Many commodities, like those in the energy and industrial metals sectors, have liquid futures contracts that expire every month. Therefore, these contracts are rolled forward every month. Contracts based on certain other commodities, most notably agricultural and livestock products, tend to have only a few contract months each year that trade with substantial liquidity. Thus, these commodities, with related futures contracts that expire infrequently, roll forward less frequently than every month and can have further pronounced pricing volatility during extended periods of low liquidity. The risk of irregular liquidity or pricing around the maturity date of a commodity futures contract is greater than in the case of other futures contracts because (among other factors) a number of market participants take delivery of the underlying commodities. Because WTI crude oil futures contracts are energy futures contracts, it should be noted that due to the significant level of continuous consumption, limited reserves and oil cartel controls, energy commodities are subject to rapid price increases in the event of perceived or actual shortages. These factors (when combined or in isolation) may affect the levels of the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts and any payment on the notes.

Single commodity prices tend to be more volatile than, and may not correlate with, the prices of commodities generally. The payment at maturity is linked exclusively to the price of WTI crude oil futures contracts and not to a diverse basket of commodities or a broad-based commodity index. The price of WTI crude oil futures contracts may not correlate to, and may diverge significantly from, the prices of commodities generally. Because the notes are linked to the price of a single commodity, they carry greater risk and may be more volatile than a security linked to the prices of multiple commodities or a broad-based commodity index. The price of WTI crude oil futures contracts may be, and has recently been, highly volatile, and we can give you no assurance that the volatility will lessen.

The prices of energy commodities are volatile and are affected by numerous factors, certain of which are specific to the energy sector. — A change in the prices of energy commodities have a material adverse effect on the value of the notes and your return on an investment in the notes. Global prices of energy commodities, including WTI crude oil, Brent crude oil, RBOB gasoline, heating oil, gas oil and natural gas, are primarily affected by the global demand for and supply of these commodities, but they are also significantly influenced by speculative actions and by currency exchange rates. In addition, prices for energy commodities are affected by governmental programs and policies, national and international political and economic events, changes in interest and exchange rates, trading activities in commodities and related contracts, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control policies, and with respect to oil, drought, floods, weather, government intervention, environmental policies, embargoes and tariffs. Demand for refined petroleum products by consumers, as well as by the agricultural, manufacturing and transportation industries, affects the price of energy commodities. Sudden disruptions in the supplies of energy commodities, such as those caused by war, natural events, accidents or acts of terrorism, may cause prices of energy commodity futures contracts to become extremely volatile and unpredictable. Also, sudden and dramatic changes in the futures market may occur, for example, upon a cessation of hostilities that may exist in countries producing energy commodities, the introduction of new or previously withheld supplies into the market or the introduction of substitute products or commodities. In particular, supplies of crude oil may increase or decrease depending on, among other factors, production decisions by the Organization of the Oil and Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and other crude oil producers. Crude oil prices are determined with significant influence by OPEC, which has the capacity to influence oil prices worldwide because its members possess a significant portion of the world’s oil supply. Crude oil prices are generally more volatile and more subject to dislocation than are prices of other commodities. Demand for energy commodities such as oil and gasoline is generally linked to economic activity and will tend to reflect general economic conditions.

WTI crude oil is also subject to the risk that it has demonstrated a lack of correlation with world crude oil prices due to structural differences between the U.S. market for crude oil and the international market for crude oil. As a result, the price of WTI crude oil may be more volatile than world crude oil prices generally. In addition, the prices of WTI crude oil futures contracts may be near zero, zero or negative, which can occur rapidly and unexpectedly. For example, in April 2020, a collapse of demand for fuel contributed to an oversupply of crude oil that rapidly filled most available oil storage facilities. Storage shortages meant that market participants that had contracted to buy and take delivery of crude oil were at risk of default under the terms of the May 2020 NYMEX WTI crude oil futures contract. The scarcity of storage resulted in some market participants selling their futures contracts at a negative price (effectively paying another market participant to accept delivery of the crude oil referenced by the relevant contracts). As a result, for the first time in history, crude oil futures contracts traded below zero. On April 20, 2020, the last trading day before expiration of the May 2020 WTI crude oil futures contract, prices of that contract fell to negative $37.63.

Additionally, recently, prior to and since Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, the prices of oil, including the prices of WTI crude oil futures contracts, have been volatile and increased significantly. This conflict has led to disruptions in the supply of oil and caused fluctuations in the prices of oil, and changing geopolitical conditions and political events in Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere are likely to cause continued volatility in the prices of the underlier. In addition, on March 8, 2022, the U.S. government issued an executive order banning the import of Russian oil to the United States. The U.S. Congress has also passed legislation to ban imports of Russian oil. These actions, and similar governmental, regulatory or legislative actions in the United States or in other jurisdictions, including, without limitation, sanctions-related actions by the U.S. or foreign governments, could cause prices of oil futures contracts to become even more volatile and unpredictable. Any of these developments could adversely affect the price of WTI crude oil futures, and, therefore, the value of the notes and the cash settlement amount.

The notes do not offer direct exposure to commodity spot prices. — The notes are linked to futures contracts, not physical commodities (or their spot prices). The price of a futures contract reflects the expected value of a commodity upon delivery in the future, whereas the spot price of a commodity reflects the immediate delivery value of the commodity. A variety of factors can lead to a disparity between the expected future price of a commodity and the spot price at a given point in time, such as the cost of storing the commodity for the term of the futures contract, interest charges incurred to finance the purchase of the commodity and expectations concerning supply and demand for the commodity. The price movements of a futures contract are typically correlated with the movements of the spot price of the referenced commodity, but the correlation is generally imperfect and price movements in the spot market may not be reflected in the futures market (and vice versa). Accordingly, if the notes may underperform a similar investment that is linked to commodity spot prices.

Differences between futures prices and the spot price of WTI crude oil may decrease the amount payable at maturity. — The Initial Level and Final Level that are used to determine the payment at maturity, if any, on the notes are determined by reference to the official settlement price of the first nearby WTI crude oil futures contract on the Pricing Date and Valuation Date, respectively, and will not therefore reflect the spot price of WTI crude oil on such dates. The market for WTI crude oil futures contracts has experienced periods of backwardation, in which futures prices are lower than the spot price, and periods of contango, in which futures prices are higher than the spot price. If the contract is in contango on the Pricing Date or in backwardation on the Valuation Date, the amount payable at maturity on the notes will be less than if the Initial Level or the Final Level, respectively, was determined with reference to the spot price.

Your notes will not benefit from a positive roll yield. — Securities and indices linked to commodity futures contracts are often subject to “rolling”, meaning that as the contracts that underlie the security or index come to expiration, they are replaced by contracts that have a later expiration. Thus, for example, a contract purchased and held in May may specify a July expiration. As time passes, the contract expiring in July is replaced by a contract for delivery in September. This is accomplished by selling the July contract and purchasing the September contract. If the market for these contracts (putting aside other considerations) is in “backwardation”, where the prices are lower in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, the sale of the July contract would take place at a price that is higher than the price of the September contract, thereby creating a positive “roll yield”. Similarly, if the market for these contracts is in “contango”, where the prices are higher in the distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, it could result in a negative roll yield. However, your notes are linked to a specified contract on the Pricing Date and on the Valuation Date, respectively, and will not be subject to rolling. Accordingly, you will not benefit from any positive roll yield.

Legal and regulatory changes could adversely affect the return on and value of the notes. — Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are subject to extensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. The CFTC and the exchanges on which such futures contracts trade are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily limits and the suspension of trading. Furthermore, futures exchanges may have regulations designed to limit the amount of fluctuations in futures contract prices. These limits could adversely affect the market prices of futures contracts, which could adversely affect the return on and value of the notes.

In addition, the regulation of commodity transactions in the U.S. is subject to ongoing modification by government and judicial action. The effect on the value of the notes of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse to the interests of holders of the notes. For example, the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which was enacted on July 21, 2010, requires the CFTC to establish limits on the size of the positions any person may hold in futures contracts on a commodity, options on such futures contracts and swaps that are economically equivalent to such contracts. In particular, the CFTC has adopted rules to establish position limits that apply to specified agricultural, metals and energy futures contracts and futures, options and swaps that are economically equivalent to those futures contracts, including futures contracts that may be a Reference Asset. The limits apply to a person’s combined position in futures, options and swaps on the relevant commodities. These rules may reduce liquidity in the exchange-traded market for the relevant commodity futures, which may, in turn, have an adverse effect on your cash settlement amount. Market participants may decide, or be required to, sell their positions in the relevant commodity futures as a result of these rules.

In October 2020, the CFTC adopted rules to establish revised or new position limits on 25 agricultural, metals and energy commodity derivatives contracts. The limits apply to a number of commodity futures contracts, such as CBOT Soybeans, Soybean Meal and Wheat futures; ICE Futures US Cotton No. 2, Sugar No. 11 and Sugar No. 16 futures; NYMEX Light Sweet Crude Oil, NYMEX NY Harbor USLD Heating Oil, NY Harbor Gasoline Blendstock and Henry Hub Natural Gas futures; and COMEX Gold, Silver and Copper futures and NYMEX Palladium futures. The limits apply to a person’s combined position in the specified 25 futures contracts and options on futures (“core referenced futures contracts”), futures and options on futures directly or indirectly linked to the core referenced futures contracts, and economically equivalent swaps. These rules came into effect on January 1, 2022 for covered futures and options on futures contracts and on January 1, 2023 for covered swaps. The rules may reduce liquidity in the exchange-traded market for those commodity-based futures contracts, which may, in turn, have an adverse effect on any payments on the notes.

While the effects of these or other regulatory developments are difficult to predict, if broad market selling were to occur, it would likely lead to declines, possibly significant declines, in the price of the relevant commodity futures contracts and therefore, the return on and value of the notes.

General Risk Factors

Your investment is subject to the credit risk of Bank of Montreal. — Our credit ratings and credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the notes. Investors are dependent on our ability to pay any 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. Any decline in our credit ratings or increase in the credit spreads charged by the market for taking our credit risk is likely to adversely affect the value of the notes.

Potential conflicts. — We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the notes, including acting as calculation agent. 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. We or one or more of our affiliates may also engage in trading of WTI crude oil futures contracts on a regular basis as part of our general broker-dealer and other businesses, for proprietary accounts, for other accounts under management or to facilitate transactions for our customers. Any of these activities could adversely affect the levels of the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts and, therefore, the market value of, and the payments on, the notes. We or one or more of our affiliates may also issue or underwrite other securities or financial or derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the performance of WTI crude oil futures contracts. By introducing competing products into the marketplace in this manner, we or one or more of our affiliates could adversely affect the market value of the notes.

Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the price to public. — Our initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate, and is based on a number of factors. The price to public of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value, because costs associated with offering, structuring and hedging the notes are included in the price to public, but are not included in the estimated value. These costs include any underwriting discount and selling concessions, the profits that we and our affiliates expect to realize for assuming the risks in hedging our obligations under the notes and the estimated cost of hedging these obligations. The initial estimated value of the notes may be as low as the amount indicated on the cover page hereof.

Our initial estimated value does not represent any future value of the notes, and may also differ from the estimated value of any other party. — Our initial estimated value of the notes as of the date hereof is, and our estimated value as determined on the Pricing Date will be, derived using our internal pricing models. This value is based on market conditions and other relevant factors, which include volatility of the relevant WTI crude oil futures contracts, dividend rates and interest rates. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide values for the notes that are greater than or less than our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors after the Pricing Date are expected to change, possibly rapidly, and our assumptions may prove to be incorrect. After the Pricing Date, the value of the notes could change dramatically due to changes in market conditions, our creditworthiness, and the other factors set forth herein and in the product supplement. These changes are likely to impact the price, if any, at which we or BMOCM would be willing to purchase the notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our initial estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market at any time.

The terms of the notes are not determined by reference to the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. — To determine the terms of the notes, we will use an internal funding rate that represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. As a result, the terms of the notes are less favorable to you than if we had used a higher funding rate.

Certain costs are likely to adversely affect the value of the notes. — Absent any changes in market conditions, any secondary market prices of the notes will likely be lower than the price to public. This is because any secondary market prices will likely take into account our then-current market credit spreads, and because any secondary market prices are likely to exclude all or a portion of any underwriting discount and selling concessions, and the hedging profits and estimated hedging costs that are included in the price to public of the notes and that may be reflected on your account statements. In addition, any such price is also likely to reflect a discount to account for costs associated with establishing or unwinding any related hedge transaction, such as dealer discounts, mark-ups and other transaction costs. As a result, the price, if any, at which BMOCM or any other party may be willing to purchase the notes from you in secondary market transactions, if at all, will likely be lower than the price to public. Any sale that you make prior to the Maturity Date could result in a substantial loss to you.

Lack of liquidity. — The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. BMOCM may offer to purchase the notes in the secondary market, but is 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 the notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which BMOCM is willing to buy the notes.

Hedging and trading activities. — We or any of our affiliates have carried out or may carry out hedging activities related to the notes, including purchasing or selling WTI crude oil futures contracts, other futures or options relating to crude oil or WTI crude oil futures contracts or other derivative instruments with return linked or related to changes in the performance on WTI crude oil futures contracts. We or our affiliates may also trade in WTI crude oil futures contracts or instruments related to WTI crude oil futures contracts from time to time. Any of these hedging or trading activities on or prior to the Pricing Date and during the term of the notes could adversely affect the payments on the notes.

Many economic and market factors will influence the value of the notes. — In addition to the levels of WTI crude oil futures contracts and interest rates on any trading 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, and which are described in more detail in the product supplement.

Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain. — The tax treatment of the notes is uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or from any Canadian authorities regarding the tax treatment of the notes, and the Internal Revenue Service or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described herein.
The Internal Revenue Service has released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. According to the notice, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Treasury are actively considering whether the holder of such instruments should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis. While it is not clear whether the notes would be viewed as similar to such instruments, it is possible that any future guidance could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
Please read carefully the section entitled "U.S. Federal Tax Information" herein, the section entitled "Supplemental Tax Considerations–Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in the accompanying product supplement, the section entitled "United States Federal Income Taxation" in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled "Certain Income Tax Consequences" in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.

Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the Notes

The following table illustrates the hypothetical payments on a note at maturity. The hypothetical payments are based on a $1,000 investment in the note, a hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00, a hypothetical Buffer Level of $80.00 (80.00% of the hypothetical Initial Level), the Maximum Return of 35.00%, the Maximum Redemption Amount of $1,350.00, and a range of hypothetical Final Levels and the effect on the payment at maturity.

The hypothetical examples shown below are intended to help you understand the terms of the notes. The actual cash amount that you will receive at maturity will depend upon the Final Level of the Reference Asset. You may lose some or all of the principal amount at maturity.

Hypothetical Final Level	Hypothetical Final Level Expressed as a Percentage of the Initial Level	Hypothetical Payment at Maturity	Hypothetical Return on the Notes
$200.00	200.00%	$1,350.00	35.00%
$180.00	180.00%	$1,350.00	35.00%
$160.00	160.00%	$1,350.00	35.00%
$140.00	140.00%	$1,350.00	35.00%
$120.00	120.00%	$1,350.00	35.00%
$117.50	117.50%	$1,350.00	35.00%
$110.00	110.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
$105.00	105.00%	$1,100.00	10.00%
$100.00	100.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
$90.00	90.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
$80.00	80.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
$79.99	79.99%	$999.90	-0.01%
$40.00	40.00%	$600.00	-40.00%
$20.00	20.00%	$400.00	-60.00%
$0.00	0.00%	$200.00	-80.00%

The following examples illustrate how the returns set forth in the table above are calculated.

Example 1: The level of the Reference Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $40.00, representing a Percentage Change of –60.00%. Because the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset is negative and its hypothetical Final Level is less than its Buffer Level, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $600.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + [$1,000 x (–60.00% + 20.00%)] = $600.00

Example 2: The level of the Reference Asset decreases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $90.00 representing a Percentage Change of -10.00%. Although the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset is negative, because its hypothetical Final Level is greater than its Buffer Level, the investor receives a payment at maturity equal to the principal amount of the notes.

Example 3: The level of the Reference Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $110.00, representing a Percentage Change of 10.00%. Because the hypothetical Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than its hypothetical Initial Level and the Percentage Change multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor does not exceed the Maximum Return, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,200.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + $1,000 x (10.00% x 200.00%) = $1,200.00

Example 4: The level of the Reference Asset increases from the hypothetical Initial Level of $100.00 to a hypothetical Final Level of $120.00, representing a Percentage Change of 20.00%. Because the hypothetical Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than its hypothetical Initial Level, and the Percentage Change multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor exceeds the Maximum Return, the investor receives a payment at maturity of $1,350.00 per $1,000 in principal amount of the notes (the Maximum Redemption Amount). The return on the notes in this example is less than the Percentage Change of the Reference Asset.

U.S. Federal Tax Information

By purchasing the notes, each holder agrees (in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat each note as a pre-paid derivative contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of our counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat the notes as pre-paid derivative contracts in respect of the Reference Asset for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, the U.S. 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 from that described in the preceding sentence. Please see the discussion in the product supplement dated October 5, 2023 under “Supplemental Tax Considerations—Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations—Notes Treated as Pre-Paid Derivative Contracts,” which applies to the notes.

Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)

BMOCM will purchase the notes from us at a purchase price reflecting the commission set forth on the cover hereof. BMOCM has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the notes, it will reoffer the notes to other dealers who will sell them. Each such dealer, or each additional dealer engaged by a dealer to whom BMOCM reoffers the notes, will receive a commission from BMOCM, which will not exceed the commission set forth on the cover page. We or one of our affiliates may also pay a referral fee to certain dealers in connection with the distribution of the notes.

Certain dealers who purchase the notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forego some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the notes in these accounts may be less than 100% of the principal amount, as set forth on the cover page of this document. Investors that hold their notes in these accounts may be charged fees by the investment advisor or manager of that account based on the amount of assets held in those accounts, including the notes.

We will deliver the notes on a date that is greater than two business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), 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 the notes more than two business days prior to the issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

We own, directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding equity securities of BMOCM, the agent for this offering. In accordance with FINRA Rule 5121, BMOCM may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the customer.

We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify the offering of the notes and to reject orders in whole or in part. You may cancel any order for the notes prior to its acceptance.

You should not construe the offering of the notes as a recommendation of the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset or as to the suitability of an investment in the notes.

BMOCM may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the notes. BMOCM will determine any secondary market prices that it is prepared to offer in its sole discretion.

We may use the final pricing supplement relating to the notes in the initial sale of the notes. In addition, BMOCM or another of our affiliates may use the final pricing supplement in market-making transactions in any notes after their initial sale. Unless BMOCM or we inform you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the final pricing supplement is being used by BMOCM in a market-making transaction.

For a period of approximately three months following issuance of the notes, the price, if any, at which we or our affiliates would be willing to buy the notes from investors, and the value that BMOCM may also publish for the notes through one or more financial information vendors and which could be indicated for the notes on any brokerage account statements, will reflect a temporary upward adjustment from our estimated value of the notes that would otherwise be determined and applicable at that time. This temporary upward adjustment represents a portion of (a) the hedging profit that we or our affiliates expect to realize over the term of the notes and (b) any underwriting discount and the selling concessions paid in connection with this offering. The amount of this temporary upward adjustment will decline to zero on a straight-line basis over the three-month period.

The notes and the related offer to purchase notes and sale of notes under the terms and conditions provided herein do not constitute a public offering in any non-U.S. jurisdiction, and are being made available only to individually identified investors pursuant to a private offering as permitted in the relevant jurisdiction. The notes are not, and will not be, registered with any securities exchange or registry located outside of the United States and have not been registered with any non-U.S. securities or banking regulatory authority. The contents of this document have not been reviewed or approved by any non-U.S. securities or banking regulatory authority. Any person who wishes to acquire the notes from outside the United States should seek the advice or legal counsel as to the relevant requirements to acquire these notes.

British Virgin Islands. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the laws and regulations of the British Virgin Islands, nor has any regulatory authority in the British Virgin Islands passed comment upon or approved the accuracy or adequacy of this document. This pricing supplement and the related documents shall not constitute an offer, invitation or solicitation to any member of the public in the British Virgin Islands for the purposes of the Securities and Investment Business Act, 2010, of the British Virgin Islands.

Cayman Islands. Pursuant to the Companies Law (as amended) of the Cayman Islands, no invitation may be made to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for the notes by or on behalf of the issuer unless at the time of such invitation the issuer is listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange. The issuer is not presently listed on the Cayman Islands Stock Exchange and, accordingly, no invitation to the public in the Cayman Islands is to be made by the issuer (or by any dealer on its behalf). No such invitation is made to the public in the Cayman Islands hereby.

Dominican Republic. Nothing in this pricing supplement constitutes an offer of securities for sale in the Dominican Republic. The notes have not been, and will not be, registered with the Superintendence of Securities Market of the Dominican Republic (Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores), under Dominican Securities Market Law No. 249-17 (“Securities Law 249-17”), and the notes may not be offered or sold within the Dominican Republic or to, or for the account or benefit of, Dominican persons (as defined under Securities Law 249-17 and its regulations). Failure to comply with these directives may result in a violation of Securities Law 249-17 and its regulations.

Israel. This pricing supplement is intended solely for investors listed in the First Supplement of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968, as amended. A prospectus has not been prepared or filed, and will not be prepared or filed, in Israel relating to the notes offered hereunder. The notes cannot be resold in Israel other than to investors listed in the First Supplement of the Israeli Securities Law of 1968, as amended.

No action will be taken in Israel that would permit an offering of the notes or the distribution of any offering document or any other material to the public in Israel. In particular, no offering document or other material has been reviewed or approved by the Israel Securities Authority. Any material provided to an offeree in Israel may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose, nor be furnished to any other person other than those to whom copies have been provided directly by us or the selling agents.

Nothing in this pricing supplement or any other offering material relating to the notes, should be considered as the rendering of a recommendation or advice, including investment advice or investment marketing under the Law For Regulation of Investment Advice, Investment Marketing and Investment Portfolio Management, 1995, to purchase any note. The purchase of any note will be based on an investor’s own understanding, for the investor’s own benefit and for the investor’s own account and not with the aim or intention of distributing or offering to other parties. In purchasing the notes, each investor declares that it has the knowledge, expertise and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the risks and merits of an investment in the notes, without relying on any of the materials provided.

Mexico. The notes have not been registered with the National Registry of Securities maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. This pricing supplement and the related documents may not be publicly distributed in Mexico. The notes may only be offered in a private offering pursuant to Article 8 of the Securities Market Law.

Switzerland. The notes may not be distributed to retail investors in Switzerland. This pricing supplement shall not be dispatched, copied to or otherwise made available to any person in Switzerland, and the notes may not be offered for sale to any person in Switzerland, except in accordance with Swiss law.

The notes are not offered, sold or advertised, directly or indirectly, in, into or from Switzerland on the basis of a public offering and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other offering or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Accordingly, neither this pricing supplement or any other marketing material constitute a prospectus as defined in article 652a or article 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or a listing prospectus as defined in article 32 of the Listing Rules of the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Any sales or resales of the notes may only be undertaken on a private basis to selected individual investors in compliance with Swiss law. By accepting this pricing supplement or by purchasing the notes, investors are deemed to have acknowledged and agreed to abide by these restrictions.

The notes may also be sold in the following jurisdictions, provided, in each case, any sales are made in accordance with all applicable laws in such jurisdiction:

Barbados

Bermuda

Additional Information Relating to the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes

Our estimated initial value of the notes on the date hereof , and that will be set forth on the cover page of the final pricing supplement relating to the notes, equals the sum of the values of the following hypothetical components:

a fixed-income debt component with the same tenor as the notes, valued using our internal funding rate for structured notes; and

one or more derivative transactions relating to the economic terms of the notes.

The internal funding rate used in the determination of the initial estimated value generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The value of these derivative transactions is derived from our internal pricing models. These models are based on factors such as the traded market prices of comparable derivative instruments and on other inputs, which include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. As a result, the estimated initial value of the notes on the Pricing Date will be determined based on the market conditions on the Pricing Date.

The Reference Asset

We have derived the following information from publicly available documents. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the following information. This document relates only to the notes and does not relate to the Reference Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates participates in the preparation of the publicly available documents described below. Neither we nor any of our affiliates has made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Reference Asset in connection with the offering of the notes. There can be no assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof, including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described below and that would affect the official settlement price of the Reference Asset, have been or will be publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Reference Asset could affect the settlement price of the Reference Asset on the Valuation Date, and therefore could affect the payments on the notes.

The selection of the Reference Asset is not a recommendation to buy or sell the Reference Asset. Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the Reference Asset.

The WTI Light Sweet Crude Oil Futures Contract

WTI light sweet crude oil is a blend of different streams of light crude oil. Light, sweet crudes are preferred by refiners because of their low sulfur content and relatively high yields of high-value products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, and jet fuel. The futures contract is used as a principal international pricing benchmark. The contract trades in units of 1,000 barrels, and the delivery point is Cushing, Oklahoma, which is also accessible to the international spot markets via pipelines. The contract provides for delivery of several grades of domestic and internationally traded foreign crudes.

The WTI light sweet crude oil futures contract is traded on the NYMEX. Additional information about the Light Sweet Crude Oil (WTI) Futures Contract is available at the following website: cmegroup.com/trading/energy/light-sweet-crude-oil.html.