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Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-198735

 

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

$608,000

S&P 500® Index-Linked Trigger Notes due 2017

 

 

 

The notes do not bear interest.  The amount that you will be paid on your notes on the stated maturity date (January 5, 2017) is based on the performance of the S&P 500® Index as measured from the trade date (June 26, 2015) to each of the averaging dates (December 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30, 2016).

 

If (1) the closing level of the index is equal to or greater than 77.25% of the initial index level of 2,101.49 on every trading day during the measurement period (each trading day from but excluding the trade date to but excluding the first averaging date) and (2) the final index level, which is the arithmetic average of the closing levels of the index on each of the averaging dates, is equal to or greater than 77.25% of the initial index level, then the return on your notes will equal the greater of (i) 0.00% and (ii) the index return (the percentage increase or decrease in the final index level from the initial index level).

 

If (1) the closing level of the index is less than 77.25% of the initial index level on any trading day during the measurement period or (2) the final index level is less than 77.25% of the initial index level, then the return on your notes will equal the index return.  Therefore, you could receive less than the face amount of your notes on the stated maturity date and you will lose your entire investment in the notes if the final index level is zero.

 

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

 

·                  if the closing level of the index is equal to or greater than 77.25% of the initial index level on every trading day during the measurement period and the final index level is equal to or greater than 77.25% of the initial index level, the sum of (a) $1,000 plus (b) the greater of:

·                  (i) the product of the index return times $1,000; and

·                  (ii) the product of 0.00% times $1,000; or

·                  if the closing level of the index is less than 77.25% of the initial index level on any trading day during the measurement period or the final index level is less than 77.25% of the initial index level, the sum of (a) $1,000 plus (b) the product of the index return times $1,000.

 

You should read the additional disclosure herein so that you may better understand the terms and risks of your investment, including, among other things, our credit risk. See page PS-13. The estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date is equal to approximately $979 per $1,000 face amount. For a discussion of the estimated value and the price at which Goldman, Sachs & Co. would initially buy or sell your notes, if it makes a market in the notes, see the following page.

 

Original issue date:

July 1, 2015

Original issue price:

100.00% of the face amount

Underwriting discount:

1.40% of the face amount

Net proceeds to the issuer:

98.60% of the face amount

 

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

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

JPMorgan

Placement Agent

 

Pricing Supplement No. 3887 dated June 26, 2015.

 



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

 

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

 

 

Estimated Value of Your Notes

 

 

 

 

 

The estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by Goldman, Sachs & Co. (GS&Co.) and taking into account our credit spreads) is equal to approximately $979 per $1,000 face amount, which is less than the original issue price.  The value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted; however, the price (not including GS&Co.s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would initially buy or sell notes (if it makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) and the value that GS&Co. will initially use for account statements and otherwise is equal to approximately $995 per $1,000 face amount, which exceeds the estimated value of your notes as determined by reference to these models.  The amount of the excess will decline on a straight line basis over the period from the trade date through December 28, 2015.

 

 

 

 

About Your Prospectus

 

The notes are part of the Medium-Term Notes, Series D program of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.  This prospectus includes this pricing supplement and the accompanying documents listed below.  This pricing supplement constitutes a supplement to the documents listed below and should be read in conjunction with such documents:

 

·                  Product supplement no. 3138 dated September 15, 2014

 

·                  General terms supplement dated September 26, 2014

 

·                  Prospectus supplement dated September 15, 2014

 

·                  Prospectus dated September 15, 2014

 

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

 

 

 



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SUMMARY INFORMATION

 

 

We refer to the notes we are offering by this pricing supplement as the “offered notes” or the “notes”. Each of the offered notes, including your notes, has the terms described below.  Please note that in this pricing supplement, references to “The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.”, “we”, “our” and “us” mean only The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and do not include its consolidated subsidiaries. Also, references to the “accompanying prospectus” mean the accompanying prospectus, dated September 15, 2014, as supplemented by the accompanying prospectus supplement, dated September 15, 2014, of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. relating to the Medium-Term Notes, Series D program of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., references to the “accompanying general terms supplement” mean the accompanying general terms supplement, dated September 26, 2014, of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and references to the “accompanying product supplement no. 3138” mean the accompanying product supplement no. 3138, dated September 15, 2014, of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

This section is meant as a summary and should be read in conjunction with the section entitled “General Terms of the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes” on page S-36 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138 and “Supplemental Terms of the Notes” on page S-13 of the accompanying general terms supplement. Please note that certain features, as noted below, described in the accompanying product supplement no. 3138 and general terms supplement are not applicable to the notes. This pricing supplement supersedes any conflicting provisions of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138 or the accompanying general terms supplement.

 

 

Key Terms

 

Issuer:

 

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

 

 

Underlier:

 

the S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg symbol, “SPX Index”), as published by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P”)

 

 

 

Specified currency:

 

U.S. dollars (“$”)

 

 

 

Terms to be specified in accordance with the accompanying product supplement no. 3138:

 

·                  type of notes: notes linked to a single underlier

 

·                  exchange rates: not applicable

 

·                  averaging dates: yes, as described below

 

·                  redemption right or price dependent redemption right: not applicable

 

·                  cap level: not applicable

 

 

 

 

 

·                  buffer level: not applicable

 

 

 

 

 

·                  supplemental amount: not applicable

 

 

 

Face amount:

 

each note will have a face amount of $1,000; $608,000 in the aggregate for all the offered notes; the aggregate face amount of the offered notes may be increased if the issuer, at its sole option, decides to sell an additional amount of the offered notes on a date subsequent to the date of this pricing supplement

 

 

 

Denominations:

 

$10,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof

 

 

 

Purchase at amount other than face amount:

 

the amount we will pay you at the stated maturity date for your notes will not be adjusted based on the issue price you pay for your notes, so if you acquire notes at a premium (or discount) to face amount and hold them to the stated maturity date, it could affect your investment in a number of ways. The return on your investment in such notes will be lower (or higher) than it would have been had you purchased the notes at face amount. See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes — If You Purchase Your Notes at a Premium to Face Amount, the Return on Your Investment Will Be Lower Than the Return on Notes Purchased at Face Amount and the Impact of Certain Key Terms of the Notes Will be

 

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Negatively Affected” on page PS-15 of this pricing supplement

 

 

 

Supplemental discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences:

 

you will be obligated pursuant to the terms of the notes — in the absence of a change in law, an administrative determination or a judicial ruling to the contrary — to characterize each note for all tax purposes as a pre-paid derivative contract in respect of the underlier, as described under “Supplemental Discussion of Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page S-43 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138. Pursuant to this approach, it is the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP that upon the sale, exchange or maturity of your notes, it would be reasonable for you to recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash you receive at such time and your tax basis in your notes.  Pursuant to Treasury regulations, Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) withholding (as described in “United States Taxation—Taxation of Debt Securities—Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Withholding” in the accompanying prospectus) will generally apply to obligations that are issued on or after July 1, 2014; therefore, the notes will generally be subject to FATCA withholding. However, according to final Treasury regulations, the withholding tax described above will not apply to payments of gross proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the notes made before January 1, 2017.

 

 

 

Cash settlement amount (on the stated maturity date):

 

for each $1,000 face amount of your notes, we will pay you on the stated maturity date an amount in cash equal to:

 

·                  if a trigger event does not occur, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the greater of:

 

·                  the product of the underlier return times the upside participation rate times $1,000; and

 

·                  the product of the contingent minimum return times $1,000

 

·                  if a trigger event occurs:

 

·                  if the final underlier level is greater than the initial underlier level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of the underlier return times the upside participation rate times $1,000;

 

·                  if the final underlier level is equal to or less than the initial underlier level, the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of the underlier return times $1,000

 

 

 

Initial underlier level:

 

2,101.49

 

 

 

Final underlier level:

 

the arithmetic average of the closing levels of the underlier on each of the averaging dates, except in the limited circumstances described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes —Consequences of a Market Disruption Event or a Non-Trading Day” on page S-19 of the accompanying general terms supplement and subject to adjustment as provided under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes — Discontinuance or Modification of an Underlier” on page S-23 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

Underlier return:

 

the quotient of (1) the final underlier level minus the initial underlier level divided by (2) the initial underlier level, expressed as a percentage

 

 

 

Upside participation rate:

 

100.00%

 

 

 

Measurement period:

 

every trading day from but excluding the trade date to but excluding the first averaging date

 

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Trigger event:

 

either (1) the closing level of the underlier has declined, as compared to the initial underlier level, by more than the trigger buffer amount during the measurement period or (2) the final underlier level has declined, as compared to the initial underlier level, by more than the trigger buffer amount

 

 

 

Trigger buffer amount:

 

22.75%

 

 

 

Contingent minimum return:

 

0.00%

 

 

 

Trade date:

 

June 26, 2015

 

 

 

Original issue date (settlement date):

 

July 1, 2015

 

 

 

Determination date:

 

the final averaging date, December 30, 2016 subject to adjustment as described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes —Averaging Dates” on page S-15 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

Stated maturity date:

 

January 5, 2017, subject to adjustment as described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes — Stated Maturity Date” on page S-13 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

Averaging dates:

 

December 23, 2016, December 27, 2016, December 28, 2016, December 29, 2016 and December 30, 2016, each subject to postponement as described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes — Averaging Dates” on page S-15 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

No interest:

 

the offered notes do not bear interest

 

 

 

No listing:

 

the offered notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or interdealer quotation system

 

 

 

No redemption:

 

the offered notes will not be subject to redemption right or price dependent redemption right

 

 

 

Closing level:

 

as described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes — Special Calculation Provisions — Closing Level” on page S-27 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

Business day:

 

as described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes — Special Calculation Provisions — Business Day” on page S-27 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

Trading day:

 

as described under “Supplemental Terms of the Notes — Special Calculation Provisions — Trading Day” on page S-27 of the accompanying general terms supplement

 

 

 

Use of proceeds and hedging:

 

as described under “Use of Proceeds” and “Hedging” on page S-41 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138

 

 

 

ERISA:

 

as described under “Employee Retirement Income Security Act” on page S-50 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138

 

 

 

Supplemental plan of distribution:

 

as described under “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” on page S-51 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138; The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. estimates that its share of the total offering expenses, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately

 

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$15,000.

 

 

 

 

 

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has agreed to sell to Goldman, Sachs & Co. (“GS&Co.”), and GS&Co. has agreed to purchase from The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., the aggregate face amount of the offered notes specified on the front cover of this pricing supplement. GS&Co. proposes initially to offer the notes to the public at the original issue price set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, and to certain securities dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of 1.25% of the face amount.

 

 

 

 

 

We will deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on July 1, 2015, which is the third scheduled business day following the date of this pricing supplement and of the pricing of the notes.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Calculation agent:

 

GS&Co.

 

 

 

CUSIP no.:

 

38148T6J3

 

 

 

ISIN no.:

 

US38148T6J31

 

 

 

FDIC:

 

the notes are not bank deposits and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank

 

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Additional Terms Specific to Your Notes

 

You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated September 15, 2014, the prospectus supplement dated September 15, 2014, the general terms supplement dated September 26, 2014 and the product supplement no. 3138 dated September 15, 2014. 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 September 15, 2014:

 

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886982/000119312514340703/d773025d424b2.htm

 

Prospectus supplement dated September 15, 2014:

 

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886982/000119312514340709/d776518d424b2.htm

 

General terms supplement dated September 26, 2014:

 

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886982/000119312514353491/d795346d424b2.htm

 

Product supplement no. 3138 dated September 15, 2014:

 

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/886982/000119312514340744/d787269d424b2.htm

 

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HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLES

 

The following table is provided for purposes of illustration only.  It should not be taken as an indication or prediction of future investment results and is intended merely to illustrate the impact that the various hypothetical underlier levels on the averaging dates could have on the cash settlement amount at maturity assuming all other variables remain constant.

 

The examples below are based on a range of final underlier levels that are entirely hypothetical; no one can predict what the underlier level will be on any day throughout the life of your notes, and no one can predict what the underlier level will be on any averaging date. The underlier has been highly volatile in the past — meaning that the underlier level has changed considerably in relatively short periods — and its performance cannot be predicted for any future period.

 

The information in the following examples reflects hypothetical rates of return on the offered notes assuming that they are purchased on the original issue date at the face amount and held to the stated maturity date.  If you sell your notes in a secondary market prior to the stated maturity date, your return will depend upon the market value of your notes at the time of sale, which may be affected by a number of factors that are not reflected in the table below such as interest rates, the volatility of the underlier and our creditworthiness.  In addition, the estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by GS&Co.) is less than the original issue price of your notes.  For more information on the estimated value of your notes, see “Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes — The Estimated Value of Your Notes At the Time the Terms of Your Notes Are Set On the Trade Date (as Determined By Reference to Pricing Models Used By GS&Co.) Is Less Than the Original Issue Price Of Your Notes” on page PS-13 of this pricing supplement.  The information in the table also reflects the key terms and assumptions in the box below.

 

Key Terms and Assumptions

Face amount

$1,000

Upside participation rate

100.00%

Contingent minimum return

0.00%

Trigger buffer amount

22.75%

Neither a market disruption event nor a non-trading day occurs on any of the originally scheduled averaging dates

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final underlier levels and are expressed as percentages of the initial underlier level.  The amounts in the middle column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level), assuming that a trigger event does not occur (i.e., the closing level of the underlier has not declined, as compared to the initial underlier level, by more

 

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than the trigger buffer amount during the measurement period and the final underlier level has not declined, as compared to the initial underlier level, by more than the trigger buffer amount), and are expressed as percentages of the face amount of a note (rounded to the nearest one-thousandth of a percent). The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical cash settlement amounts, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level), assuming that a trigger event occurs (i.e., the closing level of the underlier has declined, as compared to the initial underlier level, by more than the trigger buffer amount during the measurement period or the final underlier level has declined, as compared to the initial underlier level, by more than the trigger buffer amount), and are expressed as percentages of the face amount of a note (rounded to the nearest one-thousandth of a percent). Thus, a hypothetical cash settlement amount of 100.000% means that the value of the cash payment that we would deliver for each $1,000 of the outstanding face amount of the offered notes on the stated maturity date would equal 100.000% of the face amount of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final underlier level (expressed as a percentage of the initial underlier level) and the assumptions noted above.

 

Hypothetical Final Underlier
Level

Hypothetical Cash Settlement Amount

(as percentage of Face Amount)

(as percentage of

Initial Underlier Level)

Trigger Event has not
occurred

Trigger Event has
occurred

150.000%

150.000%

150.000%

140.000%

140.000%

140.000%

130.000%

130.000%

130.000%

120.000%

120.000%

120.000%

110.000%

110.000%

110.000%

100.000%

100.000%

100.000%

95.000%

100.000%

95.000%

90.000%

100.000%

90.000%

85.000%

100.000%

85.000%

77.250%

100.000%

77.250%

77.249%

N/A

77.249%

50.000%

N/A

50.000%

25.000%

N/A

25.000%

0.000%

N/A

0.000%

 

If, for example, a trigger event has occurred and the final underlier level were determined to be 50.000% of the initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be 50.000% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the original issue date at the face amount and held them to the stated maturity date, you would lose 50.000% of your investment (if your purchased your notes at a premium to face amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment).

 

If, for example, a trigger event has not occurred and the final underlier level were determined to be 95.000% of the initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be 100.000% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. Since a trigger event has not occurred and the hypothetical underlier return of -5.000% is less than the contingent minimum return of 0.000%, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be 100.000% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above.  If, however, the final underlier level were determined to be 110.000% of the initial underlier level, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be 110.000% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above.  Since a trigger event has not occurred and the hypothetical underlier return of 10.000% is greater than the contingent minimum return of 0.000%, the cash settlement amount that we would deliver on your notes at maturity would be 110.000% of the face amount of your notes, as shown in the table above.

 

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The cash settlement amounts shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on market prices for the underlier stocks that may not be achieved on the averaging dates and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous.  The actual market value of your notes on the stated maturity date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your notes, may bear little relation to the hypothetical cash settlement amounts shown above, and these amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the offered notes.  The hypothetical cash settlement amounts on notes held to the stated maturity date in the examples above assume you purchased your notes at their face amount and have not been adjusted to reflect the actual issue price you pay for your notes. The return on your investment (whether positive or negative) in your notes will be affected by the amount you pay for your notes. If you purchase your notes for a price other than the face amount, the return on your investment will differ from, and may be significantly lower than, the hypothetical returns suggested by the above examples. Please read “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes — The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors” on page S-33 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138.

 

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

 

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

 

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ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS SPECIFIC TO YOUR NOTES

 

An investment in your notes is subject to the risks described below, as well as the risks and considerations described in the accompanying prospectus dated September 15, 2014, in the accompanying prospectus supplement dated September 15, 2014, under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the accompanying general terms supplement, and under “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes” in the accompanying product supplement no. 3138.  You should carefully review these risks and considerations as well as the terms of the notes described herein and in the accompanying prospectus, dated September 15, 2014, as supplemented by the accompanying prospectus supplement, dated September 15, 2014, the accompanying general terms supplement, dated September 26, 2014, and the accompanying product supplement no. 3138, dated September 15, 2014, of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.  Your notes are a riskier investment than ordinary debt securities.  Also, your notes are not equivalent to investing directly in the underlier stocks, i.e., the stocks comprising the underlier to which your notes are linked.  You should carefully consider whether the offered notes are suited to your particular circumstances.

 

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

 

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

 

In estimating the value of your notes as of the time the terms of your notes are set on the trade date, as disclosed above under “Estimated Value of Your Notes”, GS&Co.’s pricing models consider certain variables, including principally our credit spreads, interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), volatility, price-sensitivity analysis and the time to maturity of the notes.  These pricing models are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold your notes in the secondary market, if any, to others may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated value of your notes determined by reference to our models due to, among other things, any differences in pricing models or assumptions used by others.  See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes — The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors” on page S-33 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138.

 

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

 

In addition to the factors discussed above, the value and quoted price of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted.  If GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the price quoted by GS&Co. would reflect any changes in market conditions and other relevant factors, including any

 

PS-13



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deterioration in our creditworthiness or perceived creditworthiness. These changes may adversely affect the value of your notes, including the price you may receive for your notes in any market making transaction. To the extent that GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the quoted price will reflect the estimated value determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models at that time, plus or minus its then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes (and subject to the declining excess amount described above).

 

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

 

There is no assurance that GS&Co. or any other party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price and, in this regard, GS&Co. is not obligated to make a market in the notes. See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes — Your Notes May Not Have an Active Trading Market” on page S-33 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138.

 

The Notes Are Subject to the Credit Risk of the Issuer

 

Although the return on the notes will be based on the performance of the underlier, the payment of any amount due on the notes is subject to our credit risk. The notes are our unsecured obligations.  Investors are dependent on our ability to pay all amounts due on the notes, and therefore investors are subject to our credit risk and to changes in the market’s view of our creditworthiness.  See “Description of the Notes We May Offer — Information About Our Medium-Term Notes, Series D Program — How the Notes Rank Against Other Debt” on page S-4 of the accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

The Cash Settlement Amount on Your Notes Is Linked to the Closing Level of the Underlier on Five Averaging Dates

 

The underlier return will be based on the arithmetic average of the underlier closing levels on each of the five averaging dates (each of which is subject to postponement in the case of market disruption events or non-trading days), and therefore not the simple performance of the underlier over the life of your notes.  For example, if the closing level of the underlier dramatically increased on the last averaging date (in other words, the determination date), the cash settlement amount for your notes may be significantly less than it would have been had the cash settlement amount been linked only to the closing level of the underlier on that last averaging date.

 

You May Lose Your Entire Investment in the Notes

 

You can lose your entire investment in the notes. The cash payment on your notes, if any, on the stated maturity date will be based on the performance of the S&P 500® Index as measured from the initial underlier level to the closing level on each of the averaging dates.  If a trigger event has occurred and the final underlier level is less than the initial underlier level, the amount in cash you will receive on your notes on the stated maturity date, if any, will be less than the face amount of your notes.  Thus, you may lose your entire investment in the notes, which would include any premium to face amount you paid when you purchased the notes.

 

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

 

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

 

If a trigger event occurs and the final underlier level is less than the initial underlier level, you will receive less than the face amount of your notes and you could lose all or a substantial portion of your investment in the notes. This means that while a 22.75% drop between the initial underlier level and the closing level of the underlier on any day during the measurement period or in the final underlier level will not result in a loss of principal on the notes (since a trigger event will not have occurred), a decrease in the closing level of the underlier to less than 77.25% of the initial underlier level on any day during the measurement period may, or a decrease in the final underlier level to less than 77.25% of the initial underlier level will, result in a loss of a significant portion of the principal amount of the notes despite only a small change in the underlier level.

 

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Your Notes Do Not Bear Interest

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Your Notes May Be Subject to an Adverse Change in Tax Treatment in the Future

 

The Internal Revenue Service announced on December 7, 2007 that it is considering issuing guidance regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of an instrument such as your notes that are currently characterized as pre-paid derivative contracts, and any such guidance could adversely affect the tax treatment and the value of your notes.  Among other things, the Internal Revenue Service may decide to require the holders to accrue ordinary income on a current basis and recognize ordinary income on payment at maturity, and could subject non-U.S. investors to withholding tax.  Furthermore, in 2007,  legislation was introduced in Congress that, if enacted, would have required holders that acquired instruments such as your notes after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of such notes even though there may be no interest payments over the term of such notes.  It is not possible to predict whether a similar or identical bill will be enacted in the future, or whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of such notes. We describe these developments in more detail under “Supplemental Discussion of Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page S-43 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138. You should consult your tax advisor about this matter.  Except to the extent otherwise provided by law, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. intends to continue treating the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes in accordance with the treatment described under “Supplemental Discussion of Federal Income Tax Consequences” on page S-43 of the accompanying product supplement no. 3138 unless and until such time as Congress, the Treasury Department or the Internal Revenue Service determine that some other treatment is more appropriate.

 

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

 

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

 

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THE UNDERLIER

 

The S&P 500® Index includes a representative sample of 500 leading companies in leading industries of the U.S. economy. The S&P 500® Index is calculated, maintained and published by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P”).

 

The underlier sponsor has announced that it expects that, effective with the September 2015 rebalance, consolidated share class lines will no longer be included in the S&P 500® Index.  Each share class line will be subject to public float and liquidity criteria individually, but the company’s total market capitalization will be used to evaluate each share class line. This may result in one listed share class line of a company being included in the S&P 500® Index while a second listed share class line of the same company is excluded.

 

As of June 25, 2015, the 500 companies included in the S&P 500® Index were divided into ten Global Industry Classification Sectors. The Global Industry Classification Sectors include (with the approximate percentage currently included in such sectors indicated in parentheses): Consumer Discretionary (12.72%), Consumer Staples (9.35%), Energy (7.79%), Financials (16.48%), Health Care (15.48%), Industrials (10.06%), Information Technology (19.91%), Materials (3.15%), Telecommunication Services (2.26%) and Utilities (2.80%).  (Sector designations are determined by the underlier sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed.  Index sponsors may use very different standards for determining sector designations.  In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ.  As a result, sector comparisons between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices.)

 

The above information supplements the description of the underlier found in the accompanying general terms supplement. This information was derived from information prepared by the underlier sponsor, however, the percentages we have listed above are approximate and may not match the information available on the underlier sponsor’s website due to subsequent corporation actions or other activity relating to a particular stock.  For more details about the underlier, the underlier sponsor and license agreement between the underlier sponsor and the issuer, see “The Underliers — S&P 500® Index” on page S-37 of the accompanying general terms supplement.

 

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

 

Historical Closing Levels of the Underlier

 

The closing level of the underlier has fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations.  Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the underlier during the period shown below is not an indication that the underlier is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the life of your notes.

 

The trigger buffer amount for your notes is 22.75%; therefore, a trigger event will occur if the closing level of the underlier declines by more than 22.75% from the initial underlier level during the measurement period or if the final underlier level declines by more than 22.75% from the initial underlier level.  If a trigger event occurs and the final underlier level is less than the initial underlier level you will lose some or all of your initial investment in the notes.

 

We have included some additional information regarding the historical levels of the underlier in the table below based on an analysis of the daily closing levels of the underlier during the period from June 26, 2010 through June 26, 2015. In this period there were 882 18-month periods, the first of which began on June 26, 2010 and the last of which ended on June 26, 2015.  For each such 18-month period we measured the percentage decrease (if any) of the underlier from the closing level of the underlier on the first day of the period to the lowest closing level of the underlier during such period (which we refer to as

 

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the maximum percentage decline).  The historical maximum percentage decline over each of such 882 18-month periods, as measured from the initial level on the first day of each period to the lowest closing level of the underlier during such period, is provided in the table below.  We calculated these figures using fixed 18-month periods and did not take into account holidays or non-business days.

 

The left-hand column shows the maximum percentage decline of the underlier, the center column illustrates the number of 18-month periods which experienced a maximum percentage decline of at least the amount indicated in the left-hand column and the right-hand column shows this number of periods as a percentage of the total 882 18-month periods.  If you had owned notes with terms similar to these notes, a trigger event would have occurred in any 18-month period with a maximum percentage decline of more than 22.75%.

 

S&P 500® Index (Bloomberg ticker “SPX Index”)

 

Maximum
Percentage
Decline

Number of 18-
Month Periods

Percentage of
Total Periods

 

 

 

-0.01% or more

806

91%

 

 

 

-5.00% or more

377

43%

 

 

 

-10.00% or more

171

19%

 

 

 

-15.00% or more

109

12%

 

 

 

-20.00% or more

0

0%

 

 

 

-25.00% or more

0

0%

 

 

 

-30.00% or more

0

0%

 

 

 

-35.00% or more

0

0%

 

 

 

-40.00% or more

0

0%

 

 

 

-45.00% or more

0

0%

 

 

 

-50.00% or more

0

0%

 

You should not take the historical levels of the underlier as an indication of the future performance of the underlier.  We cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the underlier or the underlier stocks will result in your receiving an amount greater than the outstanding face amount of your notes on the stated maturity date.

 

Neither we nor any of our affiliates make any representation to you as to the performance of the underlier.  The actual performance of the underlier over the life of the offered notes, as well as the cash settlement amount, may bear little relation to the historical levels shown below.

 

The graph below shows the daily historical closing levels of the underlier from June 26, 2005 through June 26, 2015.  We obtained the closing levels in the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Services, without independent verification.

 

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VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

 

In the opinion of Sidley Austin LLP, as counsel to The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., when the notes offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture, and delivered against payment as contemplated herein, such notes will be valid and binding obligations of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability (including, without limitation, concepts of good faith, fair dealing and the lack of bad faith), provided that such counsel expresses no opinion as to the effect of fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer or similar provision of applicable law on the conclusions expressed above. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the Federal laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as in effect on the date hereof. In addition, this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated September 15, 2014, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.5 to The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2014.

 

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

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

$608,000

 

 

 

 

The Goldman Sachs
Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S&P 500® Index-Linked Trigger Notes due 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

 

JPMorgan

Placement Agent

 

Pricing Supplement

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Information

 

PS-3

 

 

 

 

 

Hypothetical Examples

 

PS-10

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Risk Factors Specific to Your Notes

 

PS-13

 

 

 

 

 

The Underlier

 

 

PS-16

 

Validity of the Notes

 

PS-19

 

 

 

 

 

Product Supplement No. 3138 dated September 15, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Summary Information

 

S-1

 

Hypothetical Returns on the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes

 

S-10

 

Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes

 

S-31

 

General Terms of the Underlier-Linked Trigger Notes

 

S-36

 

Use of Proceeds

 

S-41

 

Hedging

 

S-41

 

Supplemental Discussion of Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

S-43

 

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

 

S-50

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution

 

S-51

 

 

 

 

 

General Terms Supplement dated September 26, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes

 

S-1

 

Supplemental Terms of the Notes

 

S-13

 

The Underliers

 

S-33

 

S&P 500® Index

 

S-37

 

MSCI Indices

 

S-42

 

Hang Seng China Enterprises Index

 

S-50

 

Russell 2000® Index

 

S-55

 

 

 

 

 

FTSE® 100 Index

 

S-62

 

Euro STOXX 50® Index

 

S-67

 

TOPIX

 

S-73

 

The Dow Jones Industrial AverageTM

 

S-78

 

The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

 

S-81

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated September 15, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Use of Proceeds

 

S-2

 

Description of Notes We May Offer

 

S-3

 

Considerations Relating to Indexed Notes

 

S-19

 

United States Taxation

 

S-22

 

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

 

S-23

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution

 

S-24

 

Validity of the Notes

 

S-26

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus dated September 15, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Available Information

 

2

 

Prospectus Summary

 

4

 

Use of Proceeds

 

8

 

Description of Debt Securities We May Offer

 

9

 

Description of Warrants We May Offer

 

39

 

Description of Purchase Contracts We May Offer

 

56

 

Description of Units We May Offer

 

61

 

Description of Preferred Stock We May Offer

 

67

 

Description of Capital Stock of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

75

 

Legal Ownership and Book-Entry Issuance

 

80

 

Considerations Relating to Floating Rate Securities

 

85

 

Considerations Relating to Indexed Securities

 

87

 

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

 

88

 

United States Taxation

 

91

 

Plan of Distribution

 

114

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

117

 

Employee Retirement Income Security Act

 

118

 

Validity of the Securities

 

119

 

Experts

 

119

 

Review of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements by Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

120

 

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

 

120