ISSUER FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433
Registration Statement No. 333-227001
Dated May 2, 2019
Royal Bank of Canada Trigger Callable Yield Notes
$[●] Notes Linked to the Least Performing Underlying Between the
SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust, the iShares® Russell 2000 ETF and the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF due on or about May 7, 2020
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Investment Description
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Features
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Key Dates1
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❑ |
Income — Regardless of the performance of the Underlyings, we will pay you a quarterly coupon, unless
the Notes have been previously called. In exchange for receiving the quarterly coupon payment on the Notes, you are accepting the risk of losing all or a portion of the principal amount, and our credit risk for all payments under the
Notes.
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❑ |
Issuer Callable — We may, at our election, call the Notes on any Coupon Payment Date (other than the
final Coupon Payment Date), regardless of the price of the Underlyings. If we call the Notes, we will pay you the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. If the Notes are called, no further payments will be made after we
make the applicable payment.
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❑
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Contingent Repayment of Principal at Maturity — If by maturity the Notes have
not been called and the price of each Underlying does not close below its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, we will repay your principal amount per Note at maturity. However, if the price of the Least Performing Underlying
is less than its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, we will pay less than the principal amount, if anything, resulting in a loss on your initial investment that is proportionate to the decline in the price of the Least
Performing Underlying from the trade date to the Final Valuation Date. The contingent repayment of principal only applies if you hold the Notes until maturity. Any payment on the Notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject
to our creditworthiness.
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Trade Date1
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May 2, 2019
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Settlement Date1
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May 7, 2019
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Coupon Payment Dates2
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Quarterly (see page 4 below)
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Call Dates2
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Quarterly (see page 4 below)
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Final Valuation Date2
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May 4, 2020
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Maturity Date2
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May 7, 2020
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1 |
Expected. In the event that we make any change to the expected trade date and settlement date, the Coupon Payment Dates, the
Final Valuation Date and/or the maturity date will be changed so that the stated term of the Notes remains approximately the same.
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2
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Subject to postponement if a market disruption event occurs, as described under “General Terms of the Notes
— Payment at Maturity” in the accompanying product prospectus supplement.
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NOTICE TO INVESTORS: THE NOTES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY RISKIER THAN CONVENTIONAL DEBT INSTRUMENTS. THE ISSUER IS NOT NECESSARILY
OBLIGATED TO REPAY THE FULL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE NOTES AT MATURITY, AND THE NOTES CAN HAVE DOWNSIDE MARKET RISK SIMILAR TO THE LEAST PERFORMING UNDERLYING. THIS MARKET RISK IS IN ADDITION TO THE CREDIT RISK INHERENT IN PURCHASING OUR
DEBT OBLIGATION. YOU SHOULD NOT PURCHASE THE NOTES IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE SIGNIFICANT RISKS INVOLVED IN INVESTING IN THE NOTES.
YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE RISKS DESCRIBED UNDER ‘‘KEY RISKS’’ BEGINNING ON PAGE 6, THE RISKS
DESCRIBED UNDER “RISK FACTORS” BEGINNING ON PAGE PS-4 OF THE PRODUCT PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND UNDER ‘‘RISK FACTORS’’ BEGINNING ON PAGE S-1 OF THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT BEFORE PURCHASING ANY NOTES. EVENTS RELATING TO ANY OF THOSE RISKS, OR
OTHER RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE MARKET VALUE OF, AND THE RETURN ON, YOUR NOTES. YOU MAY LOSE SOME OR ALL OF YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES.
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Note Offering
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Underlyings (Least
Performing of) and Tickers
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Coupon Rate
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Initial Prices
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Downside Thresholds
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CUSIP
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ISIN
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SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust (SPY)
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At least 4.90% per annum (to be determined on the trade date)
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●
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For each Underlying, 60% of its Initial Price
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78014H680
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US78014H6808
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iShares® Russell 2000 ETF (IWM)
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●
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iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM)
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●
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Price to Public
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Fees and Commissions(1)
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Proceeds to Us
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Offering of the Notes
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Total
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Per Note
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Total
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Per Note
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Total
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Per Security
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Notes linked to the Least Performing of Three Exchange Traded Funds
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●
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$10.00
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$0.10
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●
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●
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$9.90
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Additional Information About Royal Bank of Canada and the Notes
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♦ |
Product prospectus supplement no. UBS-ABYN-2 dated October 26, 2018:
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♦ |
Prospectus supplement dated September 7, 2018:
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♦ |
Prospectus dated September 7, 2018:
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Investor Suitability
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♦ |
You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of loss of your entire initial investment.
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♦ |
You can tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your investment and are willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as an investment in the
securities composing the Least Performing Underlying.
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♦ |
You are willing to make an investment whose return is limited to the coupon payments, regardless of any potential appreciation of the Underlyings, which could be significant.
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♦ |
You can tolerate fluctuations in the price of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside price fluctuations of the Underlyings.
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♦ |
You are willing to invest in Notes for which there may be little or no secondary market and you accept that the secondary market will depend in large part on the price, if any, at
which RBC Capital Markets, LLC, which we refer to as “RBCCM,” is willing to purchase the Notes.
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♦ |
You would be willing to invest in the Notes if the Coupon Rate is set to the low end of the range specified on the cover page of this free writing prospectus.
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♦ |
You are willing to accept individual exposure to each Underlying and that the performance of the Least Performing Underlying will not be offset or mitigated by the performance of the
other Underlyings.
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♦ |
You understand and accept the risks associated with the Underlyings.
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♦ |
You are willing to forgo the dividends paid on the equity securities held by the Underlyings.
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♦ |
You are willing to invest in securities that may be called early and you are otherwise willing to hold such securities to maturity.
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♦
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You are willing to assume our credit risk for all payments under the Notes, and understand that if we default on our obligations, you may not receive any
amounts due to you, including any repayment of principal.
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♦ |
You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the Notes, including the risk of loss of your entire initial investment.
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♦ |
You cannot tolerate a loss on your investment and require an investment designed to provide a full return of principal at maturity.
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♦ |
You are not willing to make an investment that may have the same downside market risk as an investment in the Least Performing Underlying.
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♦ |
You seek an investment that participates in the full appreciation in the prices of the Underlyings or that has unlimited return potential.
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♦ |
You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the price of the Notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the downside price fluctuations of the Least Performing Underlying.
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♦ |
You would be unwilling to invest in the Notes if the Coupon Rate is set to the low end of the range specified on the cover page of this free writing prospectus.
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♦ |
You do not understand or accept the risks associated with the Underlyings.
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♦ |
You are unwilling to accept individual exposure to each Underlying and that the performance of the Least Performing Underlying will not be offset or mitigated by the performance of
the other Underlyings.
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♦ |
You seek to receive the dividends paid on the Underlyings.
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♦ |
You are unable or unwilling to hold securities that may be called early, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold such securities to maturity or you seek an investment for
which there will be an active secondary market for the Notes.
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♦ |
You are not willing to assume our credit risk for all payments under the Notes, including any repayment of principal.
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Indicative Terms of the Notes1
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Issuer:
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Royal Bank of Canada
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Principal
Amount per
Note: |
$10 per Note
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Term:2
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Approximately one year, if not previously
called
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Underlyings:
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The three exchange traded funds listed on the cover page of this document (each, an “Underlying”)
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Closing
Price:
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With respect to each Underlying, on any trading day, the last reported sale price on the principal
national securities exchange in the U.S. on which it is listed for trading, as determined by the calculation agent.
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Initial Price:
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With respect to each Underlying, its closing price on the trade date
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Final Price:
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With respect to each Underlying, its closing price on the Final Valuation Date.
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Coupon
Payments:
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The coupon rate per annum will at least 4.90% per annum, and will be determined on the Trade Date.
The coupon payments will be made in equal quarterly installments in principal amount on the Coupon Payment Dates,
regardless of the performance of the Underlyings, unless the Notes are earlier called.
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Coupon
Payment
Dates:
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Coupons will be paid in equal quarterly installments on the Coupon Payment Dates listed below, unless previously called.
The Coupon Payment Dates are: August 6, 2019, November 6, 2019, February 5, 2020 and May 7, 2020.
Coupons will be paid to the holders of record at the close of business on the date one business day prior to the
applicable Coupon Payment Date. However, the coupon payable at maturity or upon our call will be paid to the holders to whom the payment of the amount due upon the call or at maturity is due.
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Downside
Threshold:
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With respect to each Underlying, 60% of its Initial Price (as may be adjusted in the case of certain adjustment events as
described under “General Terms of the Notes — Anti-dilution Adjustments” in the product prospectus supplement).
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Issuer Call
Feature:
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We may elect to call the Notes on any Coupon Payment Date (other than the final Coupon Payment Date),
regardless of the prices of the Underlyings. If we call the Notes, we will pay you on the applicable Coupon Payment Date a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, and no further payments will
be made on the Notes. Before we elect to call the Notes on a
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Coupon Payment Date, we will deliver written notice to The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) at least three business days prior to that date. | |
Payment at
Maturity:
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If the Notes are not called and the Final Price of each Underlying is equal to or
greater than its respective Downside Thresholds, we will pay you a cash payment per Note on the maturity date equal to $10 plus the coupon payment otherwise due on the maturity date.
If the Notes are not called and the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying
is less than its Downside Threshold, we will pay you a cash payment on the maturity date of less than the principal amount, if anything, resulting in a loss on your initial investment that is proportionate to the negative Underlying
Return of the Least Performing Underlying, equal to:
$10.00 + ($10.00 × Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying)
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Least
Performing
Underlying:
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The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
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Underlying
Return: |
With respect to each Underlying,
Final Price – Initial Price
Initial Price |
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Investment Timeline
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Trade Date
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The Initial Price and Downside Threshold of each Underlying are determined. The Coupon Rate is set.
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Quarterly
(callable at
our election):
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We will pay the applicable coupon payments.
We may, at our election and upon at least 3 business days’ written notice to DTC, call the Notes on any Coupon Payment
Date (other than the final Coupon Payment Date), regardless of the prices of the Underlyings. If we elect to call the Notes, we will pay you a cash payment per Note equal to the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, and no
further payments will be made on the Notes.
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Maturity
Date:
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The Final Price of each Underlying is observed on the Final Valuation Date.
If the Notes have not been called and the Final Prices of each Underlying is equal to or greater than its respective
Downside Threshold, we will repay the principal amount plus the coupon payment otherwise due on the maturity date.
If the Notes have not been called and the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Downside
Threshold, we will pay less than the principal amount, if anything, resulting in a loss on your initial investment proportionate to the decline of the Least Performing Underlying, for an amount equal to:
$10 + ($10 × Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying) per Note
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Key Risks
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♦ |
Risk of Loss at Maturity — The Notes differ from ordinary debt securities in that we will not necessarily
repay the full principal amount of the Notes at maturity. If the Notes are not called, we will repay you the principal amount of your Notes in cash only if the Final Price of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Downside
Threshold, and we will only make that payment at maturity. If the Notes are not called and the Final Price of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Downside Threshold, you will lose some or all of your initial investment
in an amount proportionate to the decline in the price of the Least Performing Underlying.
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♦ |
The Contingent Repayment of Principal Applies Only at Maturity — If the Notes are not called, you should be
willing to hold your Notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your Notes prior to maturity in the secondary market, if any, you may have to do so at a loss relative to your initial investment, even if the prices of each Underlying
is above its respective Downside Threshold.
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♦ |
The Coupon Rate and the Call Feature Limit Your Potential Return — The return potential of the Notes is limited to the pre-specified
Coupon Rate, regardless of the appreciation of the Underlyings. Further, if the Notes are called due to the issuer call feature, you will not receive any coupon payments or any other payment after the applicable payment is made.
Since the Notes could be called as early as the first Coupon Payment Date, the total return on the Notes could be limited to three months. If the Notes are not called, you may be subject to the full downside performance of the
Least Performing Underlying, even though your potential return is limited to the Coupon Rate. As a result, the return on an investment in the Notes could be less than the return on a direct investment in the Underlyings or on a
similar security that allows you to participate in the appreciation of the prices of the Underlyings.
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♦ |
The Coupon Rate Per Annum Payable on the Notes Will Reflect in Part the Volatility of the Underlyings, and May Not
Be Sufficient to Compensate You for the Risk of Loss at Maturity — "Volatility” refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the prices of the Underlyings. The greater the volatility of the Underlyings, the more likely
it is that the price of an Underlying could close below its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date. This risk will generally be reflected in a higher Coupon Rate for the Notes than the rate payable on our conventional debt
securities with a comparable term. In addition, lower correlation between the Underlyings can also indicate a greater likelihood of one Underlying closing below its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date. This greater risk
will also be reflected in a higher Coupon Rate than on a security linked to Underlyings with a greater degree of correlation. However, while the Coupon Rate will be set on the trade date, the Underlyings’ volatility and correlation
can change significantly over the term of the Notes, and may increase. The prices of one or each of the Underlyings could fall sharply as of the Final Valuation Date, which could result in a significant loss of your principal.
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♦ |
Reinvestment Risk — If we call the Notes prior to the Maturity Date, no further payments will be owed to
you under the Notes. Therefore, because the Notes could be called as early as the first Coupon Payment Date, the holding period over which you would receive the relevant coupon rate as specified on the cover page, could be as little
as three months. There is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the Notes at a comparable return for a similar level of risk if we call the Notes prior to the Maturity Date.
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♦ |
The Notes Are Subject to Our Credit Risk — The Notes are subject to our credit risk, and our credit ratings and credit spreads may adversely affect the market value of the Notes. 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. 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. If we were to default on our payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the Notes and you could lose your entire investment.
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♦ |
The Notes Will be Subject to Risks, Including Non-Payment in Full, Under Canadian Bank Resolution Powers —
Under Canadian bank resolution powers, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”) may, in circumstances where we have ceased, or are about to cease, to be viable, assume temporary control or ownership over us and may be granted
broad powers by one or more orders of the Governor in Council (Canada), including the power to sell or dispose of all or a part of our assets, and the power to carry out or cause us to carry out a transaction or a series of
transactions the purpose of which is to restructure our business. See Description of Debt Securities — Canadian Bank Resolution Powers” in the accompanying prospectus for a
description of the Canadian bank resolution powers, including the bail-in regime. If the CDIC were to take action under the Canadian bank resolution powers with respect to us, holders of the Notes could be exposed to losses.
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♦ |
The Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Will Be Less than the Price to the Public — The initial estimated
value for the Notes that will be set forth in the final pricing supplement for the Notes, will be less than the public offering price you pay for the Notes and does not represent a minimum price at which we, RBCCM or any of our other
affiliates would be willing to purchase the Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and the
initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the prices of the Underlyings, the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind, and the inclusion in the price to public of the underwriting discount
and our estimated profit and the costs relating to our hedging of the Notes. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be
able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways. Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be
able to sell your Notes prior to maturity may be less than the price to public, as any such sale price would not be expected to include the underwriting discount and our estimated profit and the costs relating to our hedging of the
Notes. In addition, any price at which you may sell the Notes is likely to reflect customary bid-ask spreads for similar trades. In addition to bid-ask spreads, the value of the Notes determined for any secondary market price is
expected to be based on a secondary market rate rather than the internal borrowing rate used to price the Notes and determine the initial estimated value. As a result, the secondary market price will be less than if the internal
borrowing rate was used. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your Notes to maturity.
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♦ |
Our Initial Estimated Value of the Notes Is an Estimate Only, Calculated as of the Time the Terms of the Notes Are
Set — The initial estimated value of the Notes is based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the Notes, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the Notes. See
“Structuring the Notes” below. Our estimate is based on a variety of assumptions, including our credit spreads, expectations as to dividends, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the Notes. These assumptions are
based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities may value the Notes or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do.
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♦ |
Owning the Notes Is Not the Same as Owning an Underlying or the Stocks Comprising an Underlying’s Underlying Index
— The return on your Notes may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned an Underlying or stocks included in an Underlying’s underlying index. As a holder of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or rights to
receive dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of an Underlying or these stocks would have, and any such dividends will not be incorporated in the determination of the Underlying Return for any Underlying.
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♦ |
You Will Not Have Any Shareholder Rights and Will Have No Right to Receive Any Shares of the
Underlyings at Maturity — Investing in the Notes will not make you a holder of any shares of the Underlyings or any securities held by the Underlyings.
Neither you nor any other holder or owner of the Notes will have any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions, or any other rights with respect to the Underlyings or such other securities.
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♦ |
Changes That Affect the Underlying Indices Will Affect the Market Value of the Notes and the
Amount You Will Receive at Maturity — The policies of the index sponsors concerning the calculation of the underlying indices, additions, deletions or
substitutions of the components of the underlying indices and the manner in which changes affecting those components, such as stock dividends, reorganizations or mergers, may be reflected in the underlying indices and, therefore,
could affect the share prices of the Underlyings, the amount payable on the Notes, and the market value of the Notes prior to maturity. The amount payable on the Notes and their market value could also be affected if an index
sponsor changes these policies, for example, by changing the manner in which it calculates the applicable underlying index, or if an index sponsor discontinues or suspends the calculation or publication of the applicable underlying
index.
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♦ |
We Have No Affiliation with Any Index Sponsor and Will Not Be Responsible for Its Actions — The index sponsors are not affiliates of ours and will not be involved in the offering of the Notes in any way. Consequently, we have no control over the actions of
the index sponsors, including any actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payment to you at maturity. The index sponsors have no obligation of any sort with respect to the Notes. Thus, the index
sponsors have no obligation to take your interests into consideration for any reason, including in taking any actions that might affect the value of the Notes. None of our proceeds from the issuance of the Notes will be delivered to
the index sponsors.
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♦ |
Adjustments to an Underlying Could Adversely Affect the Notes — The applicable sponsor of each Underlying is responsible for calculating and maintaining that Underlying. These sponsors can add, delete or substitute the stocks
comprising the respective Underlyings or make other methodological changes that could change the share prices of the Underlyings at any time. If one or more of these events occurs, the calculation of the amount payable at maturity
may be adjusted to reflect such event or events. Consequently, any of these actions could adversely affect the amounts payable on the Notes and/or the market value of the Notes.
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♦ |
We and Our Affiliates Do Not Have Any Affiliation With the Investment Advisors of the
Underlyings and Are Not Responsible for Theirs Public Disclosure of Information — We and our affiliates are not affiliated with these investment advisors
in any way and have no ability to control or predict their actions, including any errors in or discontinuance of disclosure regarding their methods or policies relating to the Underlyings. These investment advisors are not involved
in the offering of the Notes in any way and have no obligation to consider your interests as an owner of the Notes in taking any actions relating to
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♦ |
The Correlation Between the Performance of Each Underlying and the Performance of its
Respective Underlying Index May Be Imperfect — The performance of an Underlying is linked principally to the performance of its underlying index. However,
because of the potential discrepancies identified in more detail in the product prospectus supplement, the return on each Underlying may correlate imperfectly with the return on its underlying index. Further, the performance
of an Underlying may not exactly replicate the performance of its underlying index, because an Underlying will reflect transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of its underlying index.
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♦ |
Historical Prices of any Underlying Should Not Be Taken as an Indication of its Future Price During the Term of
the Notes — The trading prices of the Underlyings will determine the value of the Notes at any given time. As it is impossible to predict whether the price of any Underlying will rise or fall, and trading prices of the common
stocks held by the Underlyings will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that can affect the issuers of those stocks, and therefore, the value of the Underlyings.
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♦ |
Management Risk — The Underlyings are not managed according to traditional methods of ‘‘active’’ investment
management, which involve the buying and selling of securities based on economic, financial and market analysis and investment judgment. Instead, these Underlyings, utilizing a ‘‘passive’’ or indexing investment approach, attempt to
approximate the investment performance of its respective underlying index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicate its underlying index. Therefore, unless a specific security is removed from its underlying
index, these Underlyings generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. In addition, the Underlyings are subject to the risk that the investment strategy of their respective investment
advisors may not produce the intended results.
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♦ |
Your Return on the Notes Is Not Linked to a Basket Consisting of the Underlyings. Rather, It Will Be Contingent
Upon the Performance of Each Individual Underlying — Unlike an instrument with a return linked to a basket of Underlyings or other underlying assets, in which risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of
the basket, you will be exposed equally to the risks related to each of the Underlyings. Poor performance by any of the Underlyings over the term of the Notes may negatively affect your return and will not be offset or mitigated by a
positive performance by the other Underlyings. For the contingent repayment of principal to be payable, each Underlyings must close above its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date. In addition, if not called prior to
maturity, you may incur a loss proportionate to the negative return of the Least Performing Underlying. Accordingly, your investment is subject to the market risk of each Underlying, which results in a higher risk of you incurring a
loss at maturity.
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♦ |
Because the Notes Are Linked to the Individual Performance of More than One Underlying, It Is More Likely that One
of the Underlyings Will Decrease in Value Below its Downside Threshold, Increasing the Probability That You Will Lose Some or All of Your Initial Investment — The risk that you will lose some or all of your initial investment in the Notes is greater if you invest in the Notes as opposed to securities that are linked to the performance of a single Underlying if their terms
are otherwise substantially similar. With a greater total number of Underlyings, it is more likely that an Underlying will be below its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, and therefore it is more likely that you will
receive an amount in cash which is worth less than your principal amount. In addition, the performances of two or more Underlyings may be positively or negatively correlated, or may not be correlated at all. If the Underlyings are not
correlated to each other or are negatively correlated, there is a greater potential for one of those Underlyings to close below its Downside Threshold on the Final Valuation Date, and therefore the risk that you will lose a portion of
your principal at maturity.
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♦ |
An Investment in Notes Linked to IWM Is Subject to Risks Associated with an Investment in Stocks with a Small
Market Capitalization — The IWM is linked to stocks issued by companies with relatively small market capitalizations. These companies often have
greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large-capitalization companies. As a result, the share price of the IWM may be more volatile than that of a market measure that does not track solely
small-capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small-capitalization companies are also often more vulnerable than those of large-capitalization companies to adverse business and
economic developments, and the stocks of small-capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to many investors if they do not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization
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♦ |
An Investment in the Notes is Subject to Risks Associated with Foreign Securities Markets — Because foreign companies or foreign equity securities held by the EEM are publicly traded in the applicable foreign countries and trade in currencies other than
U.S. dollars, investments in the Notes involve particular risks. For example, the foreign securities markets may be more volatile than the U.S. securities markets, and market developments may affect these markets differently from the
United States or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize the securities markets outside the United States, as well as cross-shareholdings in certain companies, may affect trading prices and
trading volumes in those markets. Also, the public availability of information concerning the foreign issuers may vary depending on their home jurisdiction and the reporting requirements imposed by their respective regulators. In
addition, the foreign issuers may be subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to United States reporting companies.
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♦ |
An Investment in the Notes is Subject to Emerging Markets Risk — Investments in securities linked directly
or indirectly to emerging market equity securities, such as the EEM, involve many risks, including, but not limited to: economic, social, political, financial and military conditions in the emerging market; regulation by national,
provincial, and local governments; less liquidity and smaller market capitalizations than exist in the case of many large U.S. companies; different accounting and disclosure standards; and political uncertainties. Stock prices of
emerging market companies may be more volatile and may be affected by market developments differently than U.S. companies. Government intervention to stabilize securities markets and cross-shareholdings may affect prices and volume of
trading of the securities of emerging market companies. Economic, social, political, financial and military factors could, in turn, negatively affect such companies’ value. These factors could include changes in the emerging market
government’s economic and fiscal policies, possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to the emerging market companies or investments in their securities, and the possibility
of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies. Moreover, emerging market economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in a variety of ways, including growth of gross national product, rate of
inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency. You should carefully consider the risks related to emerging markets, to which the Notes are highly susceptible, before making a decision to invest in the Notes.
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♦ |
Exchange Rate Risk — The share
price of the EEM will fluctuate based in large part upon its net asset value, which will in turn depend in part upon changes in the value of the currencies in which the stocks held by the EEM are traded. Accordingly, investors in the
Notes will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the stocks held by the EEM are traded. An investor’s net exposure will depend on the extent to which these currencies strengthen or
weaken against the U.S. dollar. If the dollar strengthens against these currencies, the net asset value of the EEM will be adversely affected and the price of the EEM, and consequently, the market value of the Notes may decrease.
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♦ |
No Assurance that the Investment View Implicit in the Notes Will Be Successful — It is impossible to
predict whether and the extent to which the prices of the Underlyings will rise or fall. The closing prices of the Underlyings will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the Underlyings. You should be willing to accept the downside risks of owning equities in general and the Underlyings in particular, and the
risk of losing some or all of your initial investment.
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♦ |
Lack of Liquidity — The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. RBCCM intends to 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 your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which RBCCM is willing to buy the Notes.
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♦ |
Potential Conflicts — We and our affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the
Notes, including hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes.
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♦ |
Potentially Inconsistent Research, Opinions or Recommendations by RBCCM, UBS or Their Affiliates — RBCCM, UBS or their affiliates may publish research, express opinions or provide recommendations as to the Underlyings that are inconsistent with investing in or holding the Notes, and which may be revised at any time. Any such research, opinions or recommendations could affect the value of the Underlyings,
and therefore the market value of the Notes.
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♦ |
Uncertain Tax Treatment — Significant aspects of the tax treatment of an investment in the Notes are
uncertain. You should consult your tax adviser about your tax situation.
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♦ |
Potential Royal Bank of Canada and UBS Impact on Price — Trading or transactions by us, UBS or our
respective affiliates in one or more of the Underlyings or the securities included in an Underlying’s underlying index, or in futures, options, exchange-traded funds or other derivative products on the Underlyings or those securities
may adversely affect the market value of the Underlyings or the closing prices of the Underlyings, and, therefore, the market value of the Notes.
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♦ |
The Terms of the Notes at Issuance and Their Market Value Prior to Maturity Will Be Influenced by Many
Unpredictable Factors — Many economic and market factors will influence the terms of the Notes at issuance and their value prior to maturity. These factors are similar in some ways to those that could affect the value of a
combination of instruments that might be used to replicate the payments on the Notes, including a combination of a bond with one or more options or other derivative instruments. For the market value of the Notes, we expect that,
generally, the price of the Underlyings on any day will affect the value of the Notes more than any other single factor. However, you should not expect the value of the Notes in the secondary market to vary in proportion to changes in
the prices of the Underlyings. The value of the Notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including:
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♦ |
the price of each Underlying;
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♦ |
the actual and expected volatility of the price of each Underlying;
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♦ |
the expected correlation of the Underlyings;
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♦ |
the time remaining to maturity of the Notes;
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♦ |
the dividend rates on the securities held by the Underlyings;
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♦ |
interest and yield rates in the market generally, as well as in each of the markets of the securities held by the Underlyings;
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♦ |
a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events;
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♦ |
the occurrence of certain events with respect to the Underlyings that may or may not require an adjustment to the terms of the Notes; and
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♦ |
our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.
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♦ |
The Anti-Dilution Protection for Each Underlying Is Limited — The calculation agent will make adjustments to the Initial Price and/or Downside Threshold of each Underlying for certain events affecting the shares of the Underlyings. However, the calculation agent will not be required
to make an adjustment in response to all events that could affect an Underlying. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to make an adjustment, the value of the Notes and the payments on the Notes may be
materially and adversely affected.
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Hypothetical Examples
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Principal Amount:
|
$10.00 per Note
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Term:
|
Approximately 1 year (unless earlier called)
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Hypothetical Initial Price:
|
$100 as to each Underlying
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Hypothetical Coupon Rate:
|
4.90% per annum (1.225% per quarter)
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Optional Call:
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Quarterly
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Hypothetical Downside Threshold:
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$60 as to each Underlying, which is 60% of the hypothetical Initial Price
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Date
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Payment (per Note)
|
|
First Optional Call Notice Date
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We pay the coupon payment of $0.1225 on the applicable Coupon Payment Date.
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Payment on Coupon Payment Date:
|
$10.1225 ($10.00 + $0.1225)
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Total:
|
$10.1225
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Total Return:
|
1.225%
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Date
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Final Price
|
Payment (per Note)
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|||
First to Third Coupon Payment Dates
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N/A
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Notes NOT called at our election. We pay the coupon payment of $0.1225 on each of the first to third Coupon Payment Dates.
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Final Valuation Date
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SPY: 110.00
IWM: 90.00 EEM: 85.00 |
Final Price of each Underlying is above its Downside Threshold; we repay principal plus the coupon payment of $0.1225 on the Maturity Date.
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Payment at Maturity:
|
$10.1225 ($10.00 + $0.1225)
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|
Prior Coupon Payments
|
$0.3675 ($0.1225 × 3)
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|
Total:
|
$10.49
|
|
Total Return:
|
4.90%
|
Date
|
Final Price
|
Payment (per Note)
|
|||
First to Third Coupon Payment Dates
|
N/A
|
Notes NOT called at our election. We pay the coupon payments on each of the first to third Coupon Payment Dates.
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|||
Final Valuation Date
|
SPY: 45.00
IWM: 110.00 EEM: 80.000 |
Closing price of SPY is below its Downside Threshold; we pay the coupon payment on the Maturity Date, and we will repay less
than the principal amount, resulting in a loss proportionate to the decline of the Least Performing Underlying.
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|||
Payment at Maturity:
|
$4.6225 ($4.50 + $0.1225)
|
|
Prior Coupon Payments:
|
$0.3675 ($0.1225 × 3)
|
|
Total:
|
$4.99
|
|
Total Return:
|
-50.10%
|
What Are the Tax Consequences of the Notes?
|
Coupon Rate per Annum
|
Interest on Debt
Component per Annum
|
Put Option Component per
Annum
|
• %
|
• %
|
• %
|
Information About the Underlyings
|
• |
defining the equity universe;
|
• |
determining the market investable equity universe for each market;
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• |
determining market capitalization size segments for each market;
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• |
applying index continuity rules for the MSCI Standard Index;
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• |
creating style segments within each size segment within each market; and
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• |
classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard (the “GICS”).
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• |
Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: the equity universe initially looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI Global Index Series, which will be classified as
either Developed Markets (“DM”) or Emerging Markets (“EM”). All listed equity securities, including Real Estate Investment Trusts, are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Conversely, mutual funds, ETFs, equity derivatives
and most investment trusts are not eligible for inclusion in the equity universe.
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• |
Classifying Eligible Securities into the Appropriate Country: each company and its securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in only one country.
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• |
Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the company level.
In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization.
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• |
Equity Universe Minimum Free Float−Adjusted Market Capitalization Requirement: this investability
screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float−adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50% of the equity
universe minimum size requirement.
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• |
DM and EM Minimum Liquidity Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual
security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have adequate liquidity. The twelve-month and three-month Annual Traded Value Ratio (“ATVR”), a measure that screens out extreme
daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float−adjusted market capitalization size of securities, together with the three-month frequency of trading are used to measure liquidity. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of
three- and twelve-month ATVR and 90% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a DM, and a minimum liquidity level of
15% of three- and twelve-month ATVR and 80% of three-month frequency of trading over the last four consecutive quarters are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of an EM.
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• |
Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the
individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security’s Foreign Inclusion Factor (“FIF”) must reach a certain threshold. The FIF of a security is defined as the proportion of shares
outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. This proportion accounts for the available free float of and/or the foreign ownership limits applicable to a specific security (or
company). In general, a security must have an FIF equal to or larger than 0.15 to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe.
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• |
Minimum Length of Trading Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security
level. For an initial public offering (“IPO”) to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at least three months before the implementation of a semi−annual index review
(as described below). This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large IPOs are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be included in a market investable equity universe and the
Standard Index outside of a Quarterly or Semi−Annual Index Review.
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• |
Minimum Foreign Room Requirement: this investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For a security that is subject to a foreign ownership limit to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the proportion
of shares still available to foreign investors relative to the maximum allowed (referred to as “foreign room”) must be at least 15%.
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• |
Investable Market Index (Large + Mid + Small);
|
• |
Standard Index (Large + Mid);
|
• |
Large Cap Index;
|
• |
Mid Cap Index; or
|
• |
Small Cap Index.
|
• |
defining the market coverage target range for each size segment;
|
• |
determining the global minimum size range for each size segment;
|
• |
determining the market size segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies;
|
• |
assigning companies to the size segments; and
|
• |
applying final size−segment investability requirements.
|
• |
updating the indices on the basis of a fully refreshed equity universe;
|
• |
taking buffer rules into consideration for migration of securities across size and style segments; and
|
• |
updating FIFs and Number of Shares (“NOS”).
|
• |
including significant new eligible securities (such as IPOs that were not eligible for earlier inclusion) in the index;
|
• |
allowing for significant moves of companies within the Size Segment Indices, using wider buffers than in the SAIR; and
|
• |
reflecting the impact of significant market events on FIFs and updating NOS.
|
Correlation of the Underlyings
|
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
|
Structuring the Notes
|
Terms Incorporated in Master Note
|